Tokyo Rose-Zero Hour, a WWII graphic novel you only think that you know

As an adult, there are things that I know about, and things that I know. I knew of Tokyo Rose, but the actual reason why I knew about her was a mystery. However, I thought about it and realized that the largest reason it resonated with me was its inclusion in that David Lee Roth song. But then I realized that song was actually Yankee Rose, which wasn’t that bad in hindsight. After traipsing down 80’s nostalgia I kicked the pebbles in my mind and knocked over a memory about Tokyo Rose having something to do with WWII and broadcasting. Her story was a Venn Diagram of propaganda, nationalism, the evils of war, politics, and the massive numbers of innocents who get caught in their nation’s crossfire. After reading Tokyo Rose-Zero Hour I realized that I had a couple of her main characteristics correct, but was missing most of the major plot points.

Tokyo Rose-Zero Hour is a non-fiction graphic novel that’s deep in story and details about propaganda, people and WWII.
History in graphic novel form can be challenging, this nails it

Spy School Project X, marks the spot on go-to, mglit

Mglit is an abbreviation for middle-grade fiction. However, there are many instances where an mglit book can also be perfect for upper-elementary school readers. It’s kind of like the colloquial definition of art, it varies and can depend on who is viewing it. By any definition, Spy School is one of the go-to, must-read book series for the aforementioned groups. Spy School Project X is the tenth book in that series and, while it does show signs of maturity, it doesn’t show signs of decreasing quality or tired characters.

Spy School Project X is the tenth book in this fabulous mglit series, yet is as spry, fast and fun as it started. They are go-to books for ages eight and up.
To change, evolve and still maintain excellence-this does that

Episode 28: Under Exposed! 50 Greatest Movies Never Made, fun to read and think of

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In light of the Batgirl fiasco, we were reminded of a great book on the creative business of movies.  Under Exposed! The 50 Greatest Movies Never Made is a fascinating look at cinematic projects that made sense, but didn’t see the light of day.

Win a free digital copy of Jurassic World: Dominion

Jurassic World: Dominion made buckets of cash at the box office. For us, it was a fun trip back to what made the series great, while incorporating those elements that freshened up the action. We have a Jurassic World: Dominion giveaway for two digital download codes. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post or on the video.

Jurassic World: Dominion is available now to purchase. Both the DVD and digital download have an alternate ending that adds 14 more minutes to the film, plus loads of behind-the-scenes and making-of featurettes.

This giveaway ends on 9:00 PM, ET on August 22, 2022. The winner of the Jurassic World: Dominion giveaway will have the codes emailed directly to them.

Episode 27: All age comic books for August 17

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This week in all-age comic books has Sonic, Usagi, Peach and Plum, Simpsons Treehouse of Horror, The Art of Mamoru Hosoda and more. There’s also a new Scooby Doo Where are You?, Ultraman mini-series and other books to hook in readers. 

The Bad Guys, not actually that bad of a movie

Our oldest son loved The Bad Guys book series by Aaron Blabley all throughout his elementary school years. When The Big Bad Wolf came out in 2019 he went out of his comfort zone and chased down a Target worker to see if a copy of the book was in the back when the end cap was empty. When you spend any time at an elementary school you’ll see dozens, upon dozens of copies of any of The Bad Guys books in the library. It’s a graphic novel series that’s welcoming to read and doesn’t intimidate those younger readers who are transitioning to early chapter books. As a film, The Bad Guys is actually pretty good. Now, I realize that sentence could be perceived as if I’m slighting the film, and if that’s the case, then I blame Billie Eilish.

The Bad Guys, as a film, isn’t as bad as you think it is, or might be. It’s actually go-to fun for middle elementary audiences.
It’s actually good

Road Trip Earth, a science graphic novel for the non-science sect

There are different literary vehicles for upper elementary through middle school students to get their Earth science on. A commonality between most of the interesting ones is that there is not a narrative device. Sure there are dozens to hundreds of engaging photos and text that do the trick but organizing this non-fiction stuff in a way that keeps them reading is challenging. They might jump in for one nugget, but it’s a different story when trying to lock down their attention for an entire book. Road Trip Earth is a book from Molly Bloom, Marc Sanchez, and Sanden Totten, the folks who created the Brains On! podcast and seems intent on shifting expectations, or at least reading duration.

Road Trip Earth is a science graphic novel that juggles laughs, education, reference material, entertainment and more without dropping a ball.
Science, meet graphic novel, graphic novel, meet science

Let’s Power Up!, early elementary real-world look at currents

The time for rubbing our hands to our body before we touch the door knob or open the freezer section at the grocery store is nigh. As an adult, I know that it’s the build-up of something and when I touch the metal thing it gives me a shock. Also, as an adult, I just learned why this only happens in cooler weather. Enter Chris Ferrie, an author who has a sweet spot for writing science-themed books geared at younger readers. He’s written about Quantum Physics for Babies, My First 100 Space Words, plus many more, as well as, Let’s Power Up!. Let’s Power Up!, Charging into the Science of Electric Currents with Electrical Engineering is a very smart illustrated book, but will kids want to read it?

Let’s Power Up! is an engaging illustrated book that early elementary students can understand about electricity and currents.
STEM-minded illustrated book for early elementary

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