Daddy Mojo

Monster Boogie moves to a book beat for ages 2-6

Laurie Berkner is a rock star in the world of children. She’s the most well known kindie artist ever and to millions of parents all over the world that’s saying something. Her songs have helped countless kids get their sillies out, learn about feelings and allowed sing-alongs in the car to continue for much longer than they otherwise would have. Monster Boogie is her third foray into books and it’s certain to be a welcome, home run of a book for some in the audience.

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Continue reading Monster Boogie moves to a book beat for ages 2-6

Operation Finale, opening in theaters on Wednesday August 29

We were provided tickets to see the film-all thoughts are our own. I’m a history buff. I’m also a movie guy. I’m always optimistic when a film comes out that is truly based on actual historic events comes out. I want it to be good, but too often my hopes are dashed by one thing or another. Operation Finale opens in movie theaters on August 29. It’s the true story of the hunt for Adolf Eichmann after WWII.

Continue reading Operation Finale, opening in theaters on Wednesday August 29

The Night Knights is a great good-nite book

There are some children’s books that extend beyond the ages that they’ve meant for. In theory they have a younger skewing interest level, but there is just something about them makes them work for a couple years older, or longer than you think they will. The Night Knights by Gideon Sterer with illustrations by Cory Godbey is that kind of book.

Continue reading The Night Knights is a great good-nite book

All age comic books for August 22

It’s new comic book day (#NCBD on social media) and what new all age comic books are you reading? If you want to share them on social just tag them with #DaddyMojo too so we can casually look over your shoulder. Over in the podcast we’ll take a deeper look at Peanuts, The Beatles Yellow Submarine, a new graphic novel by Science Comics, two Star Wars books and more. For now though here are three great comic books that will interest readers as young as 5 years old.

Lumberjanes #53

Lumberjanes is one of the go-to all age comic books each month. It’s about a group of girls (The Lumberjanes) as they have fun at summer camp. Mix in some age appropriate monsters, science-fiction, adventure, friendship and more and every issue of this comic book is fabulous. It might appeal to girls more than boys, but that’s simply due to the main characters. As a quality vehicle, this is one of the best comic books for any audience, regardless of who is reading it or how old they are.

Pink Panther Presents the Ant and the Aardvark #1

Our 8 year old loves this series of comic books from American Mythology Productions. It started with The Pink Panther, but their ancillary friends and cartoon mates from back in the day have been getting in on the new audiences too. Ant and the Aardvark is a one-shot issue that will make kids as young at 5 laugh and remind parents about a very funny cartoon. Its humor is not 100% dry, but it’s dryish in the way that Mr. Bean is, except in an ant and aardvark way.

Marvel Super Hero Adventures Inferno, #1

This is all age super hero and its best. Marvel Super Hero Adventures doesn’t dumb down the super heroes. Nor does it give them the Muppet Baby treatment, instead it simply tells action based tales that kids as young at 5 can look at. In this issue Inferno is visiting Spider-Man and Venom is around the corner ready to mess things up in the city. Of course those younger ages won’t be able to read it themselves, but they’ll certainly love the artwork. Ages 7 and up should be able to read the comic book without any assistance from older folks.

Humor

Superhero

Action/science-fiction

Ghoulia-Making Friends Can Be Scary, but this is 100% fun

There was a period where I watched The Nightmare Before Christmas at least twice a week. I found it very coincidental that our 6 year-old started watching it-on his own accord and could sing the songs. Ghoulia, Making Friends Can Be Scary by Barbara Cantini is a spiritual cousin to Christmas, Coraline and Paranorman. It’s an emerging reader’s book that brings an all age appropriate scare and spook to readers aged 6-9.

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Continue reading Ghoulia-Making Friends Can Be Scary, but this is 100% fun

Mile 22 fails to deliver despite it being set up for success

Action movies don’t have to be mindless and there are many examples smart action films. Even mindless action films can be enjoyable if they have characters or fun sequences. Mile 22 aims high on paper and falters badly in execution. It has Mark Wahlberg, Lauren Conrad from The Walking Dead and Iko Uwais among others in a film that’s directed by Peter Berg. Some folks will look at Peter Berg and Mark Wahlberg and hope for a repeat of one of their earlier successes. If you’re like me you’ll watch Mile 22 because it stars martial arts super star Iko Uwais. Others will look at Lauren Conrad and are curious to see how she does when she’s not acting opposite some zombies.

Continue reading Mile 22 fails to deliver despite it being set up for success

Mixed A Colorful Story is as happy as a children’s illustrated book can get

Mixed A Colorful Story is a great example of a simple children’s book that succeeds beyond the demographics that its aiming for. On the cover there are three colored dots, red, yellow and blue. These are the primary colors as I’m often reminded by our children. A combination of them can create any color on Earth. In Mixed A Colorful Story we see that each color has their default personality. Reds are loud, yellows are bright and blues are the coolest. Everything is great until one day reds start saying that they’re the best. Continue reading Mixed A Colorful Story is as happy as a children’s illustrated book can get

All age comic books for August 15

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It’s new comic book day and there are some great all age comic books out this week. Over in the podcast we’ll talk about Bartman, Jim Henson Beneath The Dark Crystal, Teen Titans Go! and more. For now, let’s look at three all age comic books that will interest boys or girls as young as six.

Disney Princess Comics Collection

Disney Princess Comics Collection Volume 4 has stories from Cinderalla, Tiana, Rapunzel, Belle, Pocahontas and more. These are comic stories originally published in the monthly comic book Disney Princess. Think of this trade paperback as a Disney Princess greatest hits from the most recent couple of issues. Girls 6 and up will love this series. They might need help reading it, but you’ll have just as much fun reading it as they will hearing it.

Archie Meets Batman 66, #2

Robin and Batgirl must go undercover at Riverdale in 1966. Batman will most certainly make an appearance with lots of BAM!, POW! and ZOW! to entertain kids of all ages. Batman 66 is a great series of comic books and this mini-series makes total sense. Archie has teamed up with all manner of characters from The Punisher to The Ramones. Having the Riverdale gang team up with Batman in one of his most famous incarnations is like welcoming an old friend to dinner. Kids 6 and up will be OK with the content, but those younger kids might not know enough about either property to enjoy it. Ages 8 and up will know both properties and be able to enjoy the series.

Sonic The Hedgehog, #8

Go into any elementary school library and you’ll see some Sonic The Hedgehog comic books. You’ll see them there for a good reason. This is one of the go-to all age comic books for boys or girls. It’s jammed with action, has humor, characters that kids know and love-plus a history where some parents will enjoy reading it too. Check out any issue of Sonic The Hedgehog from IDW Publishing and you’ll see why it makes a great gift to any school library.

Humor

Superhero

Action/Science-fiction