Archives for September 2015

The book is full of all-new, bizarre, amazing, uncanny stories, facts and feats! Readers will not believe what they’re reading, but each and every story has been verified 100 percent shocking, 100 percent incredible and 100 percent true!

-Meet the Austrian Rock, a man who uses his amazing strength to pull a 156-ton airplane
-Read about a man who built his own iron suit to stand in the middle of a fireworks display
-Get the lowdown on a goldfish that had brain surgery to remove a tumor

This book is definitely a weird one! But, it will be a hit with Teens and Tweens! There are so many gross things like Worm Tacos and a snake massage..eek! But, weird, cool and gross make will all make this a big hit with Tweens and Teens! The illustrations are amazing and it really is hard to believe some of the things in this book! A real eye-opener for sure! Have an older kid who is not crazy about reading? This one for sure will be a hit! My son is at the age where books aren’t quite as cool but he couldn’t put this one down.

The book is perfect for teens, tweens and reluctant readers and makes a great holiday gift.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Eye-Popping Oddities is available through all major booksellers!

Self Disclosure: I received an advanced free copy of this book for review purposes.

Sofia’s Aunt Tilly returns to give her a gift that will unlock a secret world and appoint Sofia storykeeper of magical books in “Sofia the First: The Secret Library,” the first episode of a four-part story arc, debuting MONDAY, OCTOBER 12 on Disney Channel (9:00 a.m., ET/PT) and Disney Junior (7:00 p.m., ET/PT). The episode features a special appearance by Merida from Disney•Pixar’s “Brave.” Bonnie Hunt (“Cars”) and Eric Stonestreet (“Modern Family”) reprise their roles as Aunt Tilly and Sofia’s flying horse, Minimus, respectively. Hugh Bonneville (“Downton Abbey”) lends his voice as the Narrator throughout the four-part Secret Library storyline. Additional guest stars include Cary Elwes (“The Princess Bride”) as nefarious Prince Roderick, Ruth Connell (“Supernatural) as Merida and Dean Norris (“Breaking Bad”) as Minimus’ brother, Mazzimo.

Today, Tuesday, September 1, Disney Publishing Worldwide releases the illustrated storybook and e-book Sofia the First: The Secret Library, which introduces the tale of how Sofia becomes storykeeper of magical books without endings and now, must pursue adventures that will finish the narratives. An accompanying app featuring three exclusive stories and play experiences will be released on Thursday, October 8.

A full-length preview and game for “Sofia the First: The Secret Library” will debut on WATCHDisneyJunior.com and the WATCH Disney Junior app beginning Monday, October 5.

Disney Junior’s “Sofia the First” is the all-time record holder for the top two cable TV telecasts for Kids 2-5 and TV’s #1 series in Girls 2-5. It tells the story of Princess Sofia, an ordinary girl who becomes a princess and, throughout her journey, learns that possessing the characteristics of a true princess – honesty, loyalty, compassion and grace – is what makes one truly royal. The series stars the voices of Ariel Winter as Sofia; Sara Ramirez as Queen Miranda; Wayne Brady as Clover; and Tim Gunn as Baileywick.

“Sofia the First” was developed by Craig Gerber and is directed by Jamie Mitchell.  Gerber and Mitchell both serve as executive producers. Emmy Award winners John Kavanaugh and Kevin Kliesch are the series’ songwriter/music director and composer, respectively. “Sofia the First” is a production of Disney Television Animation.

Disney Junior reflects the emotional connection generations of consumers have to Disney storytelling and Disney characters, both classic and contemporary. It invites mom and dad to join their child in the Disney experience of magical, musical and heartfelt stories and characters, while incorporating specific learning and development themes designed for kids age 2-7. Disney Junior’s series blend Disney’s unparalleled storytelling and characters kids love deeply with learning, including early math, language skills, healthy eating and lifestyles, and social skills. In the U.S., Disney Junior is a daily programming block on Disney Channel and a 24-hour channel reaching over 73 million U.S. homes.  In total, there are 34 Disney Junior channels in 25 languages around the world.

Credit: Disney Channel.

Led by musician/composer/vocalist Amelia Robinson, the award-winning Mil’s Trills is back with its second album of high-spirited, empowering songs for children and adults alike.  Centered on a theme of friendship, open minds, and compassionate hearts, Now That We’re Friends … will be released on September 23.

Mil’s Trills is a music project founded by Brooklyn born-and-bred Amelia Robinson, which, through highly interactive live performances and beautifully produced recordings of original songs, encourages everyone — kids, parents,caregivers, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, neighbors, and friends — to appreciate, connect, and deepen friendships through singing, dancing, and just having fun together.

The Parents’ Choice® Awards lauded Mil’s Trills 2014 release,Everyone Together Now! as “an impressive debut album.”  Swing Whistle Zing enthused, “With an inviting jazz-blues style, families will find themselves wrapped up in the warmth of the Mil’s Trills community.”

Says Amelia Robinson, “While Everyone Together Now! served as a sort of “We’re HEEERE!” album, Now That We’re Friends … furthers a more intimate discussion about relating to one another.  It’s very much about accepting each other’s differences and getting along, which is what Mil’s Trills is all about:  building community, breaking age barriers, and embracing cultural diversity through music.”

Now That We’re Friends … is a concept album on a theme of cooperative friendship in which Amelia Robinson’s boundlessly welcoming, enthusiastic voice is always front and center.  The album kicks off with “Say Hey!” which lays down a groovy minor vamp for the verses, explodes into major for the joyful chorus, and features decisive statements from a spectacular horn line and an incisive, swinging style from the vocal ensemble.  Other highlights include the Afro-Caribbean influenced “Just A Little Bit,” with exquisite lyrical phrasing from the bass section, and “Great Big Sky,” a mellow reflection on the vastness of the universe.

After working at V2 Records (White Stripes, Moby, Elbow) and Dubway Studios (The Backyardigans and artists such as Alicia Keys and Cyndi Lauper), Amelia Robinson spent two years in London where she worked alongside award-winning British composer Michael Nyman and found herself at the forefront of the ukulele resurgence, performing at events such as the Ukulele Festival of Great Britain.  Amelia went on to compose and conduct a 20-minute orchestral exploration through London’s historic East End that enlisted the help of 500 bicycle bell-playing participants.  The Cycle Symphony received a #1 Time Out London Critic’s Choice and earned Amelia a spot on BBC Radio 1.

Mil’s Trills has appeared on Lincoln Center’s Meet the Artist Series and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland.  Other noteworthy performance venues have included the Guggenheim Museum, BAM, Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Tribeca Film Festival, Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 92nd Street Y, JCC Manhattan, and South Street Seaport (with Sesame Street’s Gordon and Elmo). Coming up is Mil’s Trills’Washington, DC area debut at Wolf Trap Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods.

I received an advanced copy of this CD and the music will make you smile! It will just put you in a happy, cheerful mood! Children ill love it!  I highly recommend for younger kids and I love the positive message of getting along with others!  Don’t miss this one later this month!

Now That We’re Friends … will be available on Amazon, CDBaby, iTunes, Bandcamp, and on the Mil’s Trills website, HERE.

Visit the Mil’s Trills website HERE.
Mil’s Trills on Facebook.

Mil’s Trills on Twitter.

Mil’s Trills on YouTube.

Credit: Mil’s Trills.

Here’s a fun video for back-to-school time from Alex Mitnick of Alex & The Kaleidoscope.  The song in the video, “Leading The Way,” is on the new Alex & The Kaleidoscope album, Get On Board!, which will be released on September 25.