Archives for April 2014

It’s time for another wild adventure with the Kratt brothers! Today, PBS KIDS announced a brand new app called WILD KRATTS World Adventure. A must have-app for fans of the popular PBS KIDS series, WILD KRATTS, World Adventure brings animal science to life!

Through 30 levels of game play, WILD KRATTS World Adventure helps build key skills and encourages science inquiry. With the app, children ages 4 to 8 can tilt and tap their way through games that help them learn how different animals live and adapt to their habitats. I had the opportunity to check this one out and it’s a fun app for kids! I like that it encourages learning about science and animals. My son is a little old for it but he says that younger kids will really like it!

Self Disclosure: We received a free code to check this app out but any opinions expressed are truthful. Photo Credit: PBS Kids.

This sequel to the 2011 movie Rio, takes the loveable Blue Macaws, Blu, Jewel and their three kids on an adventure in the wilds of the Amazon. They are faced with adversity in the form of an overbearing father-in-law but, more importantly, some humans who are cutting down the trees where the Macaws live. “I like the story line which has lots of humor as well as some amazing songs which really enhance the film,” comments KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Brianna B, age 14. And critic Jeremy B (age 7) adds, “Another thing I really enjoy is the setting. The Amazon is so colorful and beautiful. The brightly colored birds and butterflies are incredible!” Their full reviews are below.

Rio 2

Reviewed by Brianna Hope Beaton, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14
Video review available here. http://youtu.be/gtmLsJd1ChE
Cast interviews available here. http://youtu.be/x42cpXmaPgU

Rio 2 is a wonderful animation with great comedy for the entire family.

Blu (voiced by Jesse Eisenberg) and Jewel (voiced by Anne Hathaway) are back in Rio 2 with their three children. Their kids really need to learn to live like actual birds so Jewel insists that the family take an adventure to the Amazon where she is from. However on this trip there are some dangers that could lie ahead for them like meeting the revengeful Nigel (voiced by Jemaine Clement) and other things. Will they survive the jungle?

I like that this film is a clear continuation of the first one. It’s just not about Blu and Jewel but it also lets us know more about their family and their roots. I like the story line which has lots of humor as well as some amazing songs which really enhance the film. I love the romance and really love all the dancing in the rain forest. It’s so pretty, especially in 3D. The animation is stunning with lots of bright colors and spectacular attention to detail, especially of the Amazon.

I truly like everything about this film but my favorite part is in the beginning when we hear the first song, “What is Love” by Janelle Monae. This song puts me in an upbeat and happy mood. I knew immediately that this was going to be a great film. My favorite two characters are Pedro (voiced by Will I Am) and Nico (voiced by Jamie Foxx). These two are so hilarious to watch especially when Nico tries on different items he wants as a hat.

Director, Carlos Saldanha, directs a much bigger and better film in Rio 2 with sounds, exciting new songs and great comedy. A message in this film is that “Family is extremely important and you need each other to support each other.”

I recommend this film for ages 6 to 15 and anyone that loved the first Rio. The whole family will definitely enjoy it. I give it 5 out of 5 stars because everything about it is great.

Rio 2 3D

Reviewed by Jeremy B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 7.
Video review available here: http://youtu.be/BtT1AkS-fB0

Rio 2 (3D) is an adventurous, exciting and funny animated film.  It has a lot of music, dancing and fun! The music director (John Powell) chose fun and festive music that plays throughout the film.  Be careful, you might want to get up and dance right along with the characters!

The story line is about Blu (Jesse Eisenberg), his wife Jewel (Anne Hathaway) and their children who travel to the Amazon to find other Blue Macaws who might be family.  Once they arrive they find that some bad people are cutting down trees where the Blue Macaws live.  They must work together to stop the humans and save the rainforest.

I really enjoyed this film. The 3D animation is incredible!  The images pop right off the screen in front of you. I like the new characters added in this film from the first Rio movie, especially Eduardo the father-in-law (Andy Garcia) who is very funny. I also like that some of the old characters reappear such as Nigel (Jemaine Clement), Nico (Jamie Foxx) and Rafael (George Lopez). They bring lots of humor and excitement to this film.  Another thing I really enjoy is the setting. The Amazon is so colorful and beautiful. The brightly colored birds and butterflies are incredible! There lots of great parts in this movie but my favorite part is when the Blue Macaws and the Parrots play soccer in the Pit of Doom.  It is so crazy and suspenseful!

This film has a couple really good messages. One is that it teaches us to always put family first.  If Blu does not learn this he will end up alone.  Another one is to believe in yourself.  Blu has to prove to himself that he is important no matter what anyone else tells him.  You have to watch the movie to see what happens in the end!

I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars.  It is funny, exciting and adventurous.  Kids and adults will love it, especially those who love nature, music and Brazil!  I recommend this movie for ages 5 to 18. I think young children will really like the music, the colorful setting and all the animals throughout the film.

Additional video review by KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Gerry O: http://youtu.be/S6EszJ0NzuU

Additional Rio 2 cast interview by Gerry O. http://youtu.be/Jb5SwNtnPGw

Interview with Rachel Crow (Carla) from Rio 2: http://youtu.be/pP-OxPFv8yE

Credit: KIDS FIRST! Coming Attractions

In the ocean snails use slime and jellyfish are made of goo. But did you know that coral and clownfish use slime too? Marine scientist, Dr. Ellen Prager brings readers deep into the ocean to learn about fascinating and bizarre animals that use mucus (aka slime) to capture food, protect themselves from harm, or travel within the underwater world. This nonfiction, educational book is great for grades K-3. It’s a fun book to read and it teaches real Science! the Creative Minds section is also fun and educational with activities such as: Slimy Animals True or false?, Why Slime, and Make Your Own Slime-It’s Fun and It’s Messy. Your kids will want to make slime as soon as they finish reading this book! You can find this book and many other wonderful books at Arbordale Publishing, formerly known as Sylvan dell Publishing.

Self Disclosure: I received this book for free to facilitate this feature.

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and 9-year-old Makenzie Lawrey and her 6-year-old brother, Gavin, come with an inspiring story for readers – of any age!

When Gavin was diagnosed in January 2012 with Mitochondrial, a life-threatening disease, his big sister Makenzie had a difficult time understanding what was wrong with him. She became determined to write a book to help educate other families, including those living with “Mito” too, about the disease, while also helping to raise funds for research toward a cure.

With some help from her mom, Brandi, Makenzie’s first children’s book, “Mighty Mito Superhero,” was born and the preteen self-published it via Amazon’s CreateSpace, making Gavin’s heroic story available to families around the world.

On a mission to save her little brother and others suffering from Mito, Makenzie is a little girl with BIG dreams. She wants the whole world to know what Mito is and the kinds of incredible superheroes kids with Mito are. She believes one day doctors will find a cure – and she’s already well on her way to realizing her goal of raising $1 million! Between sales from her self-published book and donations from others whom Gavin’s story has touched, Makenzie has raised nearly $40,000 for the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF), and counting….

Through countless Facebook messages and emails, families around the globe have reached out to Makenzie and her family, thanking them for sharing Gavin’s inspiring story and shedding light on the disease and praising Makenzie as a hero for helping her brother and others facing similar situations. But, to Makenzie, it’s her brother who’s the real hero. (She even dedicated her book to “my superhero brother, Gavin.”)

Every 30 minutes a child is born that will develop Mitochondrial disease – but Makenzie and her family are working to change that reality for the better. Through their efforts, the Lawrey family, which lives in Cape Coral, FL, continues to boost awareness and pave the way for a brighter day for kids and families affected by Mito. Makenzie will be a featured guest at an upcoming book signing at the UMDF’s Energy for Life Walkathon in Tampa on March 22.

I received this book and was going to just do a review but thought the info above was very important to share with you! This is an heart-warming and amazing story and I was very touched by reading it. This is a wonderful book for children and for parents to understand about these children and the illness they have. It’s also a very loving and hopeful story about the young boy, Gavin, who truly is a superhero! You can also learn more about the Lawrey family and Gavin’s journey here. The author chose Amazon’s CreateSpace to self-publish her book: http://www.amazon.com/Mighty-Mito-Superhero-Makenzie-Lawrey/dp/149522435X

Self Disclosure: I received this book for free to facilitate this feature and any opinions expressed are honest and truthful.