Daddy Mojo

The Adventures of Kung Fu Robot, silly, fun interactive graphic novel

The Adventures of Kung Fu Robot is the online comic and game that your kids (or you….) might have been playing. From the retro feel to its manic action it was only natural that it make the transition to graphic novel. The Adventures of Kung Fu Robot, How To Make A Peanut Butter, Jelly & Kung Fu Sandwich is out, and it’s out with a twist. It’s from AMP! Comics for kids and retains the bright colors and style that fans who loved the online comic, but it also has interactive elements to wow the crowd who are coming at it from a book perspective.

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Bats, Learning To Fly is fun-based education in a graphic novel

One of the great and illusive qualities of non-fiction books, regardless of subject matter, is making it entertaining for young readers. Historical fiction is one way to get kids hooked into a subject. However, much like the disclaimer, based on a true story muddies audience’s reaction to a film; the ‘fiction’ element throws a monkey wrench as to how much of the story is actually true. Science Comics from First Second books doesn’t have that issue. Their latest book, Bats-Learning to Fly is 100% entertaining for upper elementary school and up. They’ll laugh, re-read it several times, learn lots of true facts about bats and maybe ask questions about what else they can learn about.

Bats is a mix between a graphic novel and a book. Its content is all graphic novel. The glossy pages to the overlapping panels of art that are different sized will immediately invite readers into its world. The cover is hardback, durable and built to withstand years of backpack trips, vacations to the beach or being checked out of the library hundreds of times.

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Ride The Rails is can’t-miss railroad fundraising fun in North Georgia

Ride The Rails is a fundraiser for Tri-State Model Railroaders and the Historic Bluff Depot. I didn’t know either of those organizations either. However, what I do know is that kids love trains. At my core, I love trains too. I had model trains when I was a kid, rode the train across Russia for seven days and still enjoy riding the subway. Ride The Rails is just the thing that kids will want to do and see.

The fundraiser takes place Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21 from 10-3 at the Historic Bluff Depot in Mineral Bluff, Georgia. From Atlanta the drive is one hour and forty five minutes away. However, sixty miles into the drive it becomes wooded, with rolling hills, farms along the way and is very pleasant with many optional side trips.

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I Love You With All My Butt, silly, surreal statements from kids

I mentioned earlier about the metaphorical stocking that exists for Father’s Day. I Love You With All My Butt, an Illustrated Book of Big Thoughts From Little Kids is a very good fit for that and beyond.

When our 7 year old was 3 there was a knock at the door. “Who’s at the door? Is it monkeys”, he asked and then answered. Literally he asked a question and without hesitation provided us with his answer. “Well, if it’s monkey’s we’re moving”, my wife said without missing a beat.

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Dad, Hundreds of Awesome Quotes is semi-inspirational bathroom reading

If Father’s Day had a stocking then Dad, Hundreds of Awesome Quotes about the Guy Who Does It all would be in there. Of course, Father’s Day doesn’t have that, instead it has neck ties and after shave. These are both two things that most of my friends (thankfully) don’t use too much of. Think of a famous person, be them man or woman and in any field, sports, entertainment, literature, religion and even some old proverbs. This book lives up to its title and indeed has hundreds of quotes from these people about their dad.

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New all age comics for May 10, 2017

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It’s the first new comic book day after Free Comic Book Day and Star Wars Day. That’s nothing too special except for the fact that there will still be some free all age comics leftover when you visit the store this week. If you’re lucky there might be some cool posters that you can get for school or the rooms too. All of this and there are still some cool new all age comics coming out this week. Many of the classic, go-to titles are out this week, plus a great comic book and graphic novel for middle school.

Invisible Emme

Invisible Emme is an original graphic novel about two middle school girls with opposite personalities. One day a note lands in the wrong hands and throws each of their lives into chaos, the fun kind of chaos that makes for entertaining reading. This is from Terri Libenson, cartoonist of The Pajama Diaries.

Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures

The final issue is this fabulous mini-series is here! This will easily be one of the best graphic novels when they’re compiled and released as a book in a couple of months. If you’re old school or simply like the feel of individual comic books check out this series. It’s funny, action packed and presents both superheroes in a way that doesn’t dilute their power, but still makes it OK for ages 5 and up.

Invader Zim #19

Invader Zim is back, he took a month or two vacation and now he’s back with a taco, camping trip and more plans to take over the planet that will probably fail. This series is funny and ages 7 and up will get the jokes and appreciate the humor.

Marvel Universe Guardians of the Galaxy

Is Guardians of the Galaxy 2 OK for kids? We covered that in a podcast/post and it’s up to you, but the language is harsh for younger ages. Marvel Universe Guardians of the Galaxy #19 though is great for any age. It’s cut from the Disney XD series and ages 5 and up will really enjoy this.

Ms. Marvel #18

Ms. Marvel is technically rated T+ from Marvel Comics. It’s not an all ages comic book per se, but ages 10 and up will enjoy it. Think of a more grounded and less surreal Squirrel Girl, with slightly more superhero action. This comic book is set in a young adult world where dating, social interaction, real world problems, as well as saving the world-or at least her corner of it happen in each issue.

The music in the podcast is from The Owl, over at Free Music Archive.

Humor

Superheroes

Action/Science-fiction

50 Wacky Things Animals Do makes kids want to learn about critters

The other week I took 50 Wacky Things Animals Do to our first graders class when I was the mystery reader. Parents, be sure to take advantage of being the mystery reader at your child’s school as often as you can. It’s one of those feelings in the whole parenting thing that really makes you realize that you’re awesome. We ask the kids to pick a number between 1 and 50; then we turn to that animal’s designation in the book.

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The all age comics that are part of Free Comic Book Day

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The other day I was the guest reader at our son’s elementary school. As usual, I brought in a couple of comic books for those kids that wanted to read on their own. Before I left the room I told the kids that this Saturday was Free Comic Book Day and that it was a chance to pick up free comic books at their local store. I blew their minds. The kids lit up like the fourth of July and I was backed up by the fact that the teacher knew where our closest comic book store was located.

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