Daddy Mojo

My Dinner with Ellio’s

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Life of Dad and Dr. Oetker USA LLC. I have received compensation for this post; however, all opinions stated are my own. The 80’s were packed with great, innovative films. Back then, as it is today, I appreciated all sorts of films. One of those films I appreciated was My Dinner With Andre. This is a film that consists entirely of a conversation between Vizzini and some other guy and may not be the top choice for a 15-year-old movie fan, but I was a devotee nonetheless. You can’t thoroughly enjoy a movie without a great snack, and back then, Ellio’s frozen pizza was a go-to snack or meal for lots of kids my age. We may not have had the same movie tastes, but our preference for pizza was pretty consistent.

Nostalgia is a funny thing. Some of the films that I liked are still in my library today. The Evil Dead, Brazil, After Hours, Manhunter and several others are films that I’ll watch when I have the time. Like those classic films, Ellio’s frozen pizza is still in our freezer rotation, but for different reasons.

Continue reading My Dinner with Ellio’s

New all age comic books for May 18, 2016

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

For new all age comic books this week you’ve got a great variety of books to choose from. Personally, I’m packed with giddy anticipation because the first of DC Comic’s new titles arrive in stores. This is not the umpteenth reboot of their catalog titles, rather it’s four new comics that start with Future Quest. Future Quest #1 comes out this week and will be followed by Scooby Apocalypse, Jonny Quest, Wacky Raceland and The Flintstones. It’s a return to some classic Hanna-Barbara which hasn’t been seen in comic books for a long time.

However, in stores this week readers can dig into all sorts of great books. Invader Zim #10 is a great book for any age, packed with dry humor, kid friendly sci-fi action and great colors. If you like Lumberjanes (and you should-it is great) #26 comes out as does an all new special Lumberjanes Special Axe Tale #1. Do you have a girl that’s looking for a title with action and heroes that she can relate to? If so, Princeless Make Yourself #2 and Princeless Raven Pirate Princess are up you alley, these titles are great for any and all, but will appeal to girls more.

In superheroes Spidey #7 from Marvel comes out. It’s rated “T” by Marvel, but the content is going to be OK for ages 9 and up. Also check out Actionverse #6 from Action Lab Entertainment.

It’s a busy week for Bongo Comics because Simpsons Comics #229 and Futurama Comics #79 are available. Both of these titles are consistent, funny, well drawn and parallel the enjoyment that you have from the television screen to all age comic books with ease. Goldie Vance #2, Plants Vs. Zombies #11, Strawberry Shortcake #2 and lots of others come out too.

The links will take you to TFAW where you’ll save 20% on your order. Where is your closest comic book store? We also highlight a handful of the new releases on the podcast, it’s easy listening for those on the go.

Science fiction/Action

Superhero

Humor

5 Simple Ideas to Kick Start Your Spring Play

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Let’s Play, but all opinions are my own.

Excitement in the air as Daddy Mojo is a Let’s Play Ambassador for Dr Pepper Snapple Group’s Let’s Play initiative. With two kids who need to get out and play, a very good understanding of where our local parks are and a curiosity to discover new places to play, we’re all pumped. Let’s Play is an initiative by Dr Pepper Snapple Group that provides kids and families with the tools, places and inspiration to make active play a daily priority. Through Let’s Play, Dr Pepper Snapple Group partners with two non-profit organizations – KaBOOM! to build and improve playgrounds and Good Sports to provide grants for sports equipment – to help make active play possible.

Playing is a very important tool in how kids learn. It helps build teamwork and assists in those lessons that books just can’t teach. Plus, it helps young students get the exercise that they need, considering that only a third of kids take gym daily.

May! Let’s face it, May is everybody’s favorite month of the year. It’s not that the other months are bad; it’s just that May is perfect, and it’s a great month to get active. The kids can play longer due to more daylight, and are frustrated when they have to go to bed before the sun sets. All of this means that the kids can enjoy new things in the spring and summer. Think about it, the last time it was this warm in some of their young lives they couldn’t do some of the things that they wanted to do.

Continue reading 5 Simple Ideas to Kick Start Your Spring Play

The Kid From Diamond Street, Edith Houghton’s true tale

Spring means baseball and The Kid From Diamond Street, The Extraordinary Story of Baseball Legend Edith Houghton is a story about that game that could easily slip between the cracks of history. This is a children’s book that simply tells the story of a young girl who played the game very well and traveled the world doing so.

Continue reading The Kid From Diamond Street, Edith Houghton’s true tale

New all age comic books for May 11, 2016

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

The new all age comic books the week after Free Comic Book Day are typically lighter than normal. This week is still busy though and has lots of great new comics for readers of any age. One bonus of going to the comic book store now is that there aren’t any lines, but there are still lots of free comic books available. They’ll certainly have some for you to get, but the same rule of five comics per customer will apply.

Humor comic books this week has Penguins of Madagascar: Elitest of Elite #3 of 4 that has the birds in search of another spy agency that has gone missing. Archie Funhouse Jumbo Comics #20 is all color, classic Archie and available at supermarket check outs and most comic book stores. Humor also brings the funny with Donald Duck, Scooby Doo, Spongebob and more.

You can page the 80’s because Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs are back; issue 3 of their mini-series is out, as well as, Micronauts with (coincidently) issue 3 of their series. The first was a sci-fi, western mashup with anime roots that all but had Bruce Campbell in it for camp value. Miconauts was one of the first comics to take a look at the microverse and make is dangerous and fun, but with a chest you could see through! You can also enjoy the action with Actionverse #5 from Action Lab Entertainment, Atomic Robo, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and more.

With superheroes this week you can find Batman 66’, the camp classic’s final issues have come to graphic novels with volume four and five, each sold separately. Are Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles superheroes or action? Either way their latest #58 is out and is great for readers 8 and up.

Where is my closest comic book store? You can also hear some of our top weekly picks in each category on the podcast.

Humor

Science fiction/Action

Superhero

Baseball History for Kids: approachable and fun for 9 and up

There is just something about baseball and kids. Baseball History for Kids: America at Bat from 1900 to today by Richard Panchk is aimed at that sweet spot of children being passionate about something, able to read and wanting to learn. This book is a love letter to the game of baseball, its history, the players and the fans. It also doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to addressing the dark periods in the game and history, like segregation, work strikes or other things.

Continue reading Baseball History for Kids: approachable and fun for 9 and up

Last minute Mother’s Day gift pickup at Sears for the last woman I’ll ever pick up

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Life of Dad and Sears. I have received compensation for this post; however, all opinions stated are my own. To be clear, the last woman that I’ll ever pick up was done about 15 years ago. She was wearing a Santa hat and we were at a fundraiser that some friends and I organized to raise money for animal shelters. Over time something’s have changed in our relationship, but one constant is that I do not like shopping. To that end Sears has launched a new service that allows you to shop on your smart phone, arrange for local pickup and then have the item delivered to your car as you wait outside. Sure this weekend is Mother’s Day; but the real gift for me is not having to go into the mall with the kids.

Continue reading Last minute Mother’s Day gift pickup at Sears for the last woman I’ll ever pick up

All age comic books for May 4, 2016

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

It’s the week of Free Comic Book Day and there are still tons of new all age comic books coming to stores with lots of things to love for young readers. If you like Adventure Time you’re in luck because there are three new graphic novels. In other humor releases you can dig into Regular Show #35, Popeye Classics #46, Uncle Scrooge #14, MLP and many others. For the record, there is absolutely no shame in referencing My Little Pony at MLP, it’s the same as TMNT, except with more ponies and fewer turtles.

Superheroes have a couple new Little Golden Books that are timed to compliment the release of Avengers: Civil War that comes out this week. There is also the all age comic trade paperback that collects Supergirl, Cosmic Adventures in the 8^th Grade, issues 1-6, Scooby-Doo Team Up #16 and Marvel Universe Avengers Assemble Civil War #3.

This week in science fiction and action young readers can jump into I Mage #3, this is the finale to a storyline and will start a new arc with the next issue. It’s a great comic if they like fantasy, action, dwarves fighting and teens saving the day, good for readers 9 and up. Do you have a TMNT fan that needs a refresher? Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Allies & Enemies trade paperback has a rogue’s gallery of the evils and friends that support them in the sewers. This has more realistic art and is great for readers 9 and up.

Marvel Comics has something cool this week in that they’re rolling out several Star Wars titles in their True Believers line. These are $1 priced comics; that are either reprints of old stories or several stories collected to introduce them to new fans. There are nine Star Wars books coming out this week like that, including a reprint of the first one back in 1977. Most of these are all age comic books, but some might be for readers 9 and up.

The links will take you to TFAW where you’ll save up to 20% on your comics. Where is my closest comic book store? How can I listen to the fabulous podcast for this? Why is bacon so tasty?

Humor

Superhero

Science fiction/Action