Children's book reviews, all age comic books, Kidlit, mglit, movies, entertainment and parenting
Suee and The Shadow is an original graphic novel by Ginger Ly with illustrations by Molly Park. This is a thick book whose 237 pages are some of the best slow-burn all ages graphic novel reading that you’ll discover this year if your down with a spooky vibe. It’s a pulp noir detective for the elementary school set that manages to build up genuine intrigue and mystery for readers aged 8 and up.
Continue reading Suee and The Shadow, moody spook-noir fun for elementary
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The Drive to Learn by Dr. Cornelius N. Grove is a book whose subtitle drives its topic. What the East Asian Experience Tells Us about Raising Students Who Excel is a subtitle that might intimidate those outside of academia, but don’t worry. When said together, The Drive to Learn, What the East Asian Experience Tells Us about Raising Students Who Excel, lets readers know that the book is going to paints a full picture as to why the reality of the smart Asian student exists.
I was tempted to type in ‘stereotype’ instead of ‘reality’ in that prior sentence. However, by any measure, students outside of East Asia retain less knowledge and score lower on tests across the board then children anywhere else.
Continue reading The Drive to Learn, what the East Asian Experience can teach students
Are you headed to New York Comic-Con happening October 5-8? If so and you’re a LEGO fan you’ll want to stop by their booth to get eyes on, or even purchase LEGO BrickHeadz Boba Fett & Han Solo. This is an exclusive for NYCC and has new decorated parts that are exclusive to this Comic-Con model. It’s got 329 pieces, costs $40 and the Han Solo character has the biggest BrickHeadz base made so far. If you’re headed to NYCC it’s your only chance, one could say Solo chance….to buy the LEGO BrickHeadz Boba Fett & Han Solo sets, so plan your Con budget accordingly.
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What are the new all ages comics this week? The great graphic novels and books do take the main stage. Having said that, there are some cool all ages comic books out this week including these five that you’ll want to pay attention that are in stores. Where is your closest comic book store? Just visit Comic Book Store Locator and type in your zip code.
The Archies
Kudos to Riverdale for reinventing themselves on television and in the all age comics world. The Archies #1 is a new regular monthly title that concentrates its stories on The Archies, the band that exists in the fictional world of Riverdale. The band in imaginary, but the struggles and peer pressure that the band goes through are real and will easily relate to middle school kids and up as friendship, fame and school collide.
Muppet Babies Omnibus
This is a joke, right? If you’ve listened to the podcast you’ll know that we often bemoan something as having shades of ‘Muppet Babies’. This is a subtle way for us to dig at a property or character that’s taking a look at the same character as a baby. It turns out the jokes on us because Muppet Babies are coming back to television on Disney Junior in 2018. To refresh people’s memories about Kermit and company as kids they’re re-releasing all of the Muppet Babies comic books from the mid 80’s. This is the first half of them, collecting issues 1-26 and will set you back $75.
Star Wars Coding
Do you use Scratch but need a push towards a direction in how to use it creatively? Star Wars Coding knows that the Force is with you and has step-by-step guides on how to create characters, play games, learn coding and compete against your friends. STEM based play is a fabulous way to get kids ahead of the game and Scratch is a great vehicle to teach them that.
Voltron Legendary Defender Vol. 2, #1
We were big fans of the first season’s all ages comics of Voltron Legendary Defender. This series from Lion Forge is smart and has the members using their intelligence, as well as, their brawn to save the day. Kids in upper elementary, middle school and higher will get the most out of this comic book. The younger ones will love the visuals, know the brand from Netflix and the older kids will dig reading the adventures.
My Little Pony: Friendship is Forever
My Little Pony: The Movie opens up this week. If you have a girl who is between the ages of 3 and 7 they have most likely already purchased tickets on your behalf. This week also has My Little Pony: Friendship is Forever #59 in stores. This is one of the go-to all ages comics for girls that has stood the test of time. It’s a gateway towards reading with characters that demographic is incredibly loyal to. In this issue Pinkie Pie finds out a secret about Rainbow Dash.
Humor
Superhero
Action/Science-Fiction
We’re part of the StreamTeam for Netflix and were compensated for this post. Reboots and remakes of older shows are inevitable. Sometimes it’s done well and other times it’s instantly forgettable. The Magic School Bus was a show that aired when I was in college, so my first time seeing it was on DVD with the kids. They loved the show, I really enjoyed it and aside from the animation it aged very well. When The Magic School Bus Rides Again was announced my social media streams lit up with chants of ‘they’ve ruined my childhood’. That crowd can rest easy for a number of reasons, plus the birthday festivities just got more interactive on Netflix.
Continue reading The Magic School Bus Rides Again is worthy-don’t panic
Patience and independence. We tell our 7 year old multiple times a day that he needs to be more patient. Sometimes on his math quizzes at school he’ll simply not do problems that I know he can do. It’s because he’s in too big of a hurry. Patience, everything requires practice and some things require more practice, all the while allowing for individuality. Hair-Pocalypse is a pre-K through early elementary school book that’s about a grubby young boy whose hair has a life of its own.
Continue reading Hair-Pocalypse, a simple tale that grows on you
Free films don’t stop when school begins. The Battery Atlanta is hosting the Xfinity Movie Series in Atlanta that will run for six straight Fridays beginning one October 6 and running through December 1. That’s six movies, all of which are free, plus there’s no charge for parking for four hours-and your family entertainment for Fridays are planned out through the first week in December.
Keep in mind the dates are subject to change due to the weather.
October 6 Despicable Me (PG, 2010)
October 13 Back to the Future (PG, 1985)
October 20 Jurassic Park (PG-13, 1993)
October 27 Frankenstein (NR, 1931) – starring Boris Karloff as “The Monster”
November 3 Transformers (PG-13, 2007)
December 1 How the Grinch Stole Christmas (PG, 2000) –live action film starring Jim Carrey
For us the gold nugget in that list is Back to the Future. That’s the original version, rated PG that I know our 8 year old will absolutely love. There’s only one turkey that stinks up the joint, but it’s a seasonal film that’ll bring in families and kids who want to get in that Christmas spirit.
Check The Battery Atlanta for more information or to see what else you can do there prior to or after the film.
School’s First Day of School is one of those children’s books that really speak to kids. It channels their inner joy, paranoia and imagination about things that adults take for granted. For example, what if the building that you spent at least 35 hours a week in was alive? That’s the premise behind School’s First Day of School with a story by Adam Rex with illustrations by Christian Robinson.
Continue reading School’s First Day of School, imagination exercise for Pre-K thru 2nd grade
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