Daddy Mojo

Bird & Squirrel: On Fire, a go-to graphic novels for kids (and adults)

In a recent podcast we talked about the differences between a graphic novel and a trade paperback. Essentially, a graphic novel is a new story or previously released group of stories, such as five issues of a comic book. A trade paperback is usually a thicker compilation of previously released comics; more often than not, in black and white. Having said that, Bird & Squirrel: On Fire is the fourth graphic novel by James Burks that traces the adventures of the self titled heroes. It’s also the most enjoyable all age graphic novel that we’ve read since Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy.

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The LEGO Batman Movie review: it builds on the family fun

The fact that The LEGO Batman Movie is entertaining is not a surprise. If you saw The LEGO Movie and the subsequent previews for The LEGO Batman Movie it’s evident that a similar feel was happening with both of them. What audiences will be surprised at is just how hilarious, entertaining and ripe with quality The LEGO Batman Movie really is.

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Coaches Vs. Cancer, teaming up to defeat a common foe #CoachesVsCancer

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CoachesvsCancer #CollectiveBias. Our oldest son is very much like me when I was his age in that basketball is his go-to sport. He’s 7, not particularly good at the sport, but absolutely loves playing it and has requested that mom and I not watch any of his games. One aspect of my life that I hope he doesn’t follow me in is a Cancer diagnosis. This February, college basketball teams are joining forces with the American Cancer Society. They’re tossing in some team spirit, raising money for every 3-point shot scored and asking fans of the teams to step up in Coaches Vs. Cancer!

My treatment was far simpler than the path of some survivors. I consider myself quite lucky. The thing about Cancer is it’s a paradigm shift that makes that cliché boardroom term appropriate in a real-world setting. Even after you beat it, the specter of its presence leaves a mark on you in some manner. It could be the bi-annual trips to the doctor or those photos that were taken as you being prepared for surgery. However, those photos or that doctor visit means that you beat it, so go on and put that feather in your cap.

Now that the home stretch of the college basketball season is within sight Coaches Vs. Cancer provides fans of the 3-pointer in college hoops, as well as, those that want to support American Cancer Society and their research. Any way you look at it, this is a win/win.

If you’re a basketball fan all you have to do is visit Coaches Vs. Cancer, go ahead, pledge now! From there you can find your favorite team, check out the conference rivalries and decide who you’d like to support. Once you pick your team just go to their page where you’ll see how much money they’ve set up as a campaign goal. Then decide whether you’d like to make a pledge for each 3-pointer made for the month or contribute a one-time flat donation. For you folks invested in conference rivalries, the ACC is dominating everyone right now. Much like their basketball games, the PAC-12 teams are but a faint glimmer in Wake Forrest’s rear view mirror.

As you look at each team you’ll see how much money they’re raising with each 3-pointer. The money that you donate is still the same, but the more people that join into the campaign makes each long shot from downtown worth more.

Coaches Vs. Cancer works. Since 1993 it’s raised over $100 million for American Cancer Society. As of this writing over 2900 3-pointers have been made with over $65,000 pledged to help defeat something that every team and everybody can team up against.

Join Your Team. Make a Pledge. Beat Cancer. Now are you going to jump into the team/conference rivalry or make a general donation to help waylay Cancer? Either way you’ve got a survivor out there who thanks you and a person in the future who will need the research that your money will provide. For more information please visit Coaches Vs. Cancer.

What Do You Love About You? offers lots of picture book to love

Our 5 year old has been peppering us with questions lately. “Will my skin always be this color”? “Is my tummy getting big”? and his most recent was “Why don’t you like hair”? I told him that I like hair just fine, it’s just that I don’t have any on my head. Suffice it to say he’s talking about people’s differences in pre-K and what makes everyone unique. What Do You Love About You? by Karen Lechelt is right in his sweet spot of books now.

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Win a pair of passes to see #Newsies in Atlanta, #NewsiesForever

Way back in 1992 Disney made a musical film about the newsboy strike of 1899. Then in 2012 it opened as a Broadway play where it lasted for two and a half years. One of those shows was extra special because it had numerous cameras around the stage filming every angle possible. Now Newsies is ready to leave the Broadway stage and go straight to your local cinema.

On Thursday, February 16 at 7PM, Saturday, February 18 at 12:55 and Wednesday, February 22 at 7PM Newsies will be at your local movie theater. For three showings on the big screen only you can catch the Broadway rendition of the classic cult film.

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New all age comic books for February 8, 2017

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There are some great new all age comic books this week. There are also some jamming new graphic novels, as well as trade paper backs out. What’s the difference between a graphic novel and a (TPB) trade paperback? It’s a subtle difference that is sometimes used interchangeably, but initially a graphic novel was an original story, written and drawn in comic book style. A trade paperback used to mean a collection of previously published comics or comic strips. However, now the line is blurred and people use the term graphic novel far more than trade paperback. For our purposes though, we still use TPB when it refers to previously published comics or strips.

We mention that because Bird & Squirrel: On Fire, Bunny Vs. Monkey Vol 2, Doctor Who: Supremacy of the Cybermen, Moby Dick and Newsprints are some great all age graphic novels that are new this week. Bird & Squirrel and Bunny Vs. Monkey will be great for ages 6 and up. They’ll laugh to themselves as they read it and kids as young as 5 will still enjoy both books with the help of someone to read it.

Another great all ages graphic novel is FukuFuku Kitten Tales 2. This is from New York Times bestseller Konami Kanata whose story about a stray cat will appeal to ages 5 and up who love animals. FukuFuku Kitten Tales 2, like the new graphic novel we’re highlighting has a manga feel to it.

Newsprints is about a young orphan girl who disguises herself as a boy in order to work at a newspaper. This is all about her friendships, being true to who she is and how to deal with it-all set against the backdrop of a war. This is a graphic novel that will appeal to readers 9 and up.

Moby Dick is brought to you as a graphic novel that sticks very close to the classic novel. Taut, real and presented in black and white as Captain Ahab chases a mythical beast. Doctor Who Supremacy of the Cybermen is the collected mini-series of the self entitled, very entertaining story.

Proving it’s not all graphic novels this week are Scooby Doo Where Are You and Spongebob Comics. Both of these all age comic books will appeal to boys or girls ages 5 and up. Some kids might need help reading the words, but ages 7 and up will be able to read through them at their own speed without assistance.

Stop us if you’ve heard this one before, but a porthole opens up and sucks heroes from one dimension to another. But wait, this time it’s really entertaining. Justice League Power Rangers teams up the two and the first issue really exceeded expectations. The Power Rangers get sucked into the dimension with Justice League and are forced to get along with these new heroes(?), as well as themselves, plus fight Lord Zedd and get home. This min-series will be great for ages 8 and up, has super hero action, plus lots of team work and fun fish-out-of-water situations with the Justice League.

Other super heroes in all age comic books this week include, Ms. Marvel, The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl and Miraculous.

Where is my closest comic book store? Did you listen to the podcast?

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Press Start! Game Over, Super Rabbit Boy is early elementary gold

Do you have a child in elementary school? If you do, look for the Scholastic flier that teachers send home in the folders. Somewhere in that flier you’ll see Press Start! Game Over Super Rabbit Boy!, it’s an early chapter book that your child will want to read over and over.

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How To Outsmart A Billion Robot Bees review

Leave it to author Paul Tobin to up the ante. His second release in The Genius Factor series, How To Outsmart A Billion Robot Bees does that and more by going ‘Empire Strikes Back’ on readers in an impossibly entertaining and intelligent book for middle school and up. How To Capture An Invisible Cat was the first book the series and it was really good. The fact that it was a good book makes the fact that this second book is so much better even more amazing.

We heard that the second Hunger Games film was like that. Lethal Weapon 2 was like that. Star Wars’ sequel, The Empire Strikes Back is the one that originated the term. When the second installment is dramatically better than the already great first one it’s said in some manner or fashion to ‘go all Empire Strikes Back on us’. How To Outsmart A Billion Robot Bees is like that.

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