Daddy Mojo

An interview with Monster Jam legend, Jim Koehler

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You’ve heard the radio commercials, seen them on television and watched countless parodies-including our favorite, “Bart the Daredevil” from episode 8, season 2 of The Simpsons. Monster Jam is a ritual in our house and we were pumped to interview Jim Koehler. Koehler drives Avenger, is part of Team Scream and is a legend in the Monster Jam circuit. He’s been competing since 1997, loves to drive on two wheels and is a class act, as you’ll hear in the interview.

What is Monster Jam? What changes have been made since last year? What’s his favorite part of the race? If you’re a Monster Jam novice this interview will answer all of those questions. If you’re a diehard fan of Jim Koehler then you want to hear the enthusiasm in his voice as he talks about one of the best family events you’ll attend all year.

Bonus: at the Monster Jam website you can find coupons to upcoming races, as well as, videos, stats or all level of information for any fan.

All ages comics for February 21

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It’s new comic book day and it really is a great week for some new all ages comics. Over in the podcast and YouTube version we’ll talk about The Fab Four getting their own graphic novel, a clown from Springfield getting a one shot comic book, Teen Titans Go and Future Quest Presents-which is a very cool super hero mini-series from DC Comics. For now though, let’s look at three all ages comics that will appeal to different audiences, but can also thoroughly entertain anybody who is open to them.

Rust, Volume 4

Rust, Volume 4 is the final graphic novel is this series that is seven years in the making. By Royden Lepp, this story draws you in with its sublime qualities and then glues you to your seat with its action and heart. The Taylor Farm is ground zero for a robot army attack as Jet Jones has to decide if he’s going to defend the family or join up with his mechanical brothers. This is a fabulous graphic novel series that will entertain readers 8 and up.

Krusty the Clown

Krusty the Clown is the first and last issue for Springfield’s favorite (and only) clown (not in prison). Simpsons Comics and their high quality offshoots are funny, have bright colors and will be entertaining for those 8 and up. In Krusty the Clown he finds that he’s alone. There is nobody in town and the only thing for him to talk to or make jokes about is Mr. Teeny, his monkey assistant.

Fence

Fence is a monthly comic book from Boom! Studios that is squarely aimed at upper middle school kids through high school and up. It’s the story of Nicholas, an outsider who joins the highly competitive world of fencing at an elite boy’s school. This is a real-life comic that some kids in school will easily identify with and enjoy reading along to.

Humor

Superhero

Action/Science-fiction

Win a Daddy’s Home 2 prize pack

Have you seen Daddy’s Home 2? It’s a comedy that accomplishes the rare feat in being funnier and more entertaining than the original. Think of a very funny movie, now add some nice physical gags, over the top machismo, toss in some John Cena for a good measure in all three of the aforementioned and you’ve got a great idea on the entertainment level of Daddy’s Home 2.

This giveaway is for a Daddy’s Home 2 prize pack. The winner will be drawn on 3/6/18 at 11:59 PM ET and will receive a copy of Daddy’s Home 2 on Blu-Ray DVD, Daddy’s Home 2 t-shirt, Best Daddy Ever coffee mug, popcorn, hot chocolate and notebook.

To enter just leave a comment in the video and the winner will be chosen on 3/6/18 at 11:59 PM ET. The winner needs to be a U.S. resident and have a good sense of humor, because this is a funny, guilt-free, laugh out loud film.

Twinkle Twinkle, Little Car is a rhyming, great good night time

First off, any aspiring children’s book authors can kick themselves for not thinking about this book’s title before now. Secondly, Twinkle Twinkle Little Car by Kat Dopirak with illustrations by Mary Peterson is as cute and engaging as one hoped its fabulous title implies. It connects all of the dots required to make an entertaining children’s picture book does it as effectively as any sales person you’ve encountered.

The classic sales adage goes, first you tell people what you’ll be selling them, and then you sell it to them. In this case, the underlying ‘need’ is for small children to go to sleep. Granted the title, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Car implies sleep; but the journey that the car goes on, as well as, that of your targeted reading audience should be far sleepier.

Continue reading Twinkle Twinkle, Little Car is a rhyming, great good night time

Speed of Life, just the pace for teens, especially girls

Heed the warning on the back of Speed of Life, but take it with a grain of salt. The warning says that its story is sad, talks about death and loss; but then references cat videos, kissing and moving on. All of which are true about Speed of Life, a middle school book that isn’t as heavy as you might think and deftly handles real world emotions that kids encounter.

Sofia is a 14 year old kid who is having a rough year. Her mother died eight months ago and she’s unable to move on from that fact. She has friends, her father is there for her and she regularly reads advice columns about grief, but it’s difficult. Plus, she’s 14, there are considerable changes happening internally and physically. Continue reading Speed of Life, just the pace for teens, especially girls

All ages comics for February 14

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New comic book day is every Wednesday and in that collection are lots of all ages comics that will appeal to some readers as young at six years old. In the podcast and YouTube version we’ll talk about a Trollhunters graphic novel, the latest Plants Vs. Zombies, two of the best all ages comics that come out each month are out this week, plus a couple others you’ll want to hear about. For now though, lets look at three comic books that will entertain young readers, without parents having to be concerned about its content.

Star Wars Adventures

Star Wars Adventures is one of the staple all ages comics from IDW Publishing. Issue #7 is out this week in this very consistent comic book series that manages to bring the Force, as well as a variety of Star Wars characters to a young audience. In theory any age will enjoy Star Wars Adventures. However, ages 12 and younger will enjoy it the most and that’s only because ages older than that will skew up to Marvel Comics story lines. The art in Star Wars Adventures is parallel to Star Wars: Rebels, but there is enough action to maintain older audiences, humor for the younger ones and accessible art for all ages to appreciate.

Rockos Modern Life

Rockos Modern Life is one of those comic books that middle school kids want to discover. Its reading level is going to be OK for upper elementary, but that age won’t get the humor as well, or as quickly,as their slightly older contemporaries. Is this issue Spunky has a viral video, but Rocko is concerned that the fame is going to his head. Ages 12 and up will enjoy this left of center gem that some of their parents have fond memories of too.

My Little Pony, Friendship is Magic

When in doubt, go old school and My Little Pony, Friendship is Magic is the reliable, early reading friend for girls aged 5 and up. Girls even younger than that certainly enjoy MLP and with supervision, as parents read to them could also enjoy the all ages comic book version of Equestria. We read comic books to our kids when they were toddler through pre-K and that’s a great way for them to discover reading. In issue #63 of My Little Pony, Friendship is Magic there’s a boycott against desserts and that could upend Sugar Cube Corner.

Humor

Superhero

Action/science-fiction

Win 4 tickets to Monster Jam in Atlanta

I was like some of you too regarding my opinion of Monster Jam. I don’t like racing. I don’t have a truck. A crowded, noisy environment is no place that’s going to be family friendly is what I thought. I was wrong. Our first Monster Jam visit was a couple years ago; we’ve been back every year since then and it genuinely marks one of the things we look forward to each season it comes around.

We’re giving away a family 4-pack of tickets to Monster Jam in Atlanta at Mercedez-Benz Stadium on February 25, 2018. This is a fast giveaway, we are picking the winner 11:59 PM on February 11, so enter quickly. Entering is simple, just leave a comment on the video and we’ll pick one winner who will get the four tickets.

Monster Jam really is incredibly family friendly. Hint: go early so that you can walk the field area. Everyone will be fascinated by the size, scope and detail that go into these vehicles. Kids can sit inside the wheels of the monster trucks, touch the wheels and more. Some of the drivers will also be down there to sign autographs, take photos and meet the fans.

Another bonus of Monster Jam is that it’s amazingly affordable. For example, when Monster Jam is in Atlanta tickets are as low as $32. Ticket prices vary according to where you live, but regardless of where that is, this can be six hours worth of entertainment that do not disappoint.

The Ambrose Deception is middle school, entertainment reading gold

The Ambrose Deception is the kind of book that middle school students will effortlessly enjoy. It’s the story of three middle school students who have nothing in common, but are randomly chosen to compete for a $10,000 scholarship. Getting middle school students to read for fun can be challenging. If you ask them, some will respond that they read enough in school and where’s the closest video game I’m bored? To that end, The Ambrose Deception is a very fast paced book that’s smart without being (too) smarmy that has something for every kid to latch onto.

Continue reading The Ambrose Deception is middle school, entertainment reading gold