Archives for 2020

Basics of Chewable Probiotics Supplements for Kids

Probiotics are considered very important supplements. They play a major role in ensuring the bacteria balance in the gut favors the good bacteria. In addition to ensuring good bacteria thrive in the gut, probiotics help with common cold, eczema, and irritable bowel movement.

When the average adult uses probiotics, they do not experience side effects. This, however, might not be the same for children. Probiotics might be beneficial for children, but, are they safe? If you are considering giving your kids probiotics, read on as this article contains things you must know before doing so.

What Exactly are Probiotics?

Before going ahead to give your children probiotics, you must know what exactly they are.

 Bacteria are generally considered to be bad. While this bad reputation affects every single bacteria, not every bacteria is bad. For the body to stay healthy, it needs a bit of bacteria. This is because bacteria play a role in the absorption of nutrients, in fighting germs that cause sickness, and in digestion.

Everyone has both good and bad bacteria in their body. These bacteria form a community known as microbiome. In addition to the presence of good and bad bacteria, fungi and viruses also make up the microbiome. These microorganisms are found in the saliva, in the urogenital tract, on the skin, and in the gut.

When there is a change in the balance between good and bad germs in the microbiome, it could cause illnesses or an infection. An example of this is antibiotics can be used in killing bacteria that cause infections. However, beyond killing bacteria that cause infections, they also have a negative effect on good bacteria. When this occurs, it creates an opportunity for untouched bad bacteria to spread. This occurrence could lead to secondary infections. Some popular secondary infections are intestinal infections, urinary tract infections, and yeast infections.

Contained in probiotics are live bacteria that are beneficial to the body. Furthermore, these bacteria are found naturally in the body. There are times probiotics contain different bacteria strains. Other times, all they contain is a type of bacteria.

Should You Make Probiotics a Part of Your Children’s Diet?

While children are still forming in the womb, their microbiome is formed. The development of their microbiome continues through childhood. It is believed that lots of diseases occur when the microbiome is unhealthy. While probiotics can help maintain healthy microbiomes, how this happens is not very clear.

Probiotics might be famous among adults. They, however, can also be used very conveniently by children. A National Health Review Survey was carried out in 2012. According to this survey. Of all the natural products children use very frequently, probiotics are the third most used.

While probiotics are considered good for children, a lot of work is needed to determine how much children can benefit from their use. These studies will also prove if there are any risks associated with the use of probiotics by children.

According to an American Family Physician review, probiotics can be used in treating inflammatory bowel disease. Furthermore, they could reduce how long diarrhea that is caused by gastroenteritis lasts. When pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers take probiotics, the development of allergies and eczema may be lowered in their children.

According to a study that got published in JAMA Pediatrics, when infants are given probiotics in their initial three months, it could prevent acid reflux, constipation, and colic. That’s not all. According to a research review that was done in 2015, the occurrence, as well as the duration of upper respiratory tract infection was better reduced with probiotics when research was carried out with probiotics and placebo at different times. In addition to this, there was a major reduction in the number of times children had to stay away from school, as well as the frequency at which they needed to use antibiotics.

As it stands, there are lots of pieces of evidence which prove that probiotics are very beneficial to children. Nonetheless, the benefits of probiotics to children might be dependent on the strain.

A strain might come in handy in treating a certain condition and might have no effect on another condition. In addition to a lack of adequate research, the fact that a probiotic strain might be good for one condition and might not have an effect on another is a reason the use of probiotics by children is still unclear. This is even more pronounced if it will be done over a long time.

There are risks associated with giving children antibiotics. When the immune system of kids gets compromised, they could get infections. In addition to being affected by infections, they might have to deal with gas bloating. When sick children make use of probiotics, it could lead to major side effects. Going by this, if you have any intentions of giving your child probiotics, you will need to see a pediatrician. This way, you can be sure you are doing the right thing.

Are Probiotic Foods Better than Supplements

Certain foods like cultured cottage cheese and yoghurt can be consumed after probiotics have been added to them. Furthermore, in fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kefir, and buttermilk, they occur naturally.

Certain experts are in support of the benefits associated with consuming raw milk, as well as products gotten from raw milk. Nonetheless, raw milk should not be given to children as they could contain bacteria that could cause serious diseases to children.

Are you wondering which is better between probiotic supplements and foods? At the moment, there is no defined answer to this question. More often than not, it is preferable to get your nutrients from whole foods. However, when probiotics are concerned, it might be difficult for your child to get all the probiotics they need from just food.

Why is this so?

Food goes through various processes. These processes include manufacturing and storage. Not all probiotics go through these processes and remain effective. Since there is no lab in your kitchen, you might not be able to tell the probiotics that made it out alive.

Kid’s Mini Dirt Bikes vs Four-Wheelers Reviewed

Kids grow better when they participate in outdoor activities. These outdoor activities help them to complement the nourishment they get from foods – they accelerate digestion in kids. One of the best outdoor games tools you can offer your kids is either the dirt bikes or four-wheelers, but the problem is determining which one is the best value for growth in all areas for your kids.

To determine this, all you have to do is to evaluate its features, advantages and disadvantages, limits, and some other requirements. You can then arrange these factors on a preference list – according to the most relevant factor for your kids’ growth, and then narrow it down to what is needed for your kids. That is the best procedure to follow to guarantee your kid’s all-round growth.

So, today, I’m going to show you the differences between four-wheelers and a mini dirt bike for kids. Check them out below.

What Is A Four-Wheeler

A four-wheeler, also known as All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), usually possesses four wheels that can cruise almost all types of terrain because its tires are terrain-friendly with the majority of terrain types. This is why they are also known as ATVs. It is equipped with a two-hand grip wheel steering for navigating the ATV, four rugged wheels, and is easy to drive.

This four-wheeler is built for outdoor activities for kids but can be used in various other conditions too. There are various brands you can choose from should you decide to buy one for your kid, but buying because of brand names should not be a factor in choosing the right ATV for your kid. You should check out its features, its type, and other innovations embedded in the ATV.

Types Of Four-Wheelers

There are various types of ATVs, and they include sport ATVs, utility ATVs, side-by-side ATVs, and many more. However, what differentiates these types are the steering control configurations, the type of wheels, speed limit, among many other factors, but what matters most is the size, which ranges from 50cc to 110cc.

There are even some that are larger, but you need to note that the bigger it is, the costlier it will be, and before you buy an ATV for your kid, you need to put into consideration the following factors; the weight of the baby, his weight and height, his balance ability and grip control.

Safety Measures For Four-Wheelers

Kids are allowed in all countries to ride an ATV, even without owning a driving license or going through any legal procedures, unlike an adult. An adult needs to go through rigorous processes to get a driving license and also abide by the rules that govern driving. Nonetheless, there are still some rules and safety measures you need to put in place to avoid accidents and other possible risks associated with recreational activities. So, make sure you observe those rules when it is ripe for your kid to ride an ATV.

The first rule here is that they do not allow kids below the age of six to ride an ATV. This is because generally, ATVs aren’t safe to ride for kids; it requires fast thinking and decision making, very good control of the ATV, and balance. Although some are specifically built for kids, considering some factors like the age, height, and driving capabilities of the kid before it is declared safe for kids.

Secondly, your kids must always put on his/her safety wears like the helmet, full sleeve shirts and pants, sports shoes, and eye shield. Always monitor your kid adequately when he/she rides, and train your kids on decision making and other driving tactics like when to speed and when to slow down a bit. Furthermore, avoid driving through narrow roads or in a dark place to avoid accidents.

What Is A Dirt Bike?

Dirt bikes are also known as off-road motorbikes and are motorized vehicles designed for recreational purposes. What differentiates dirt bikes from ATVs is that they are equipped with different wheels and suspension, making it most suitable for off-road or rough surfaces driving. They are also made by different brands, but that is not the main factor to consider before buying one for your kid.

Types Of Dirt Bikes

Dirt bikes can only be categorized based on the size of the bike, load capacity, speed limits, among other factors. But dirt bikes for kids usually range between 50cc and 250cc.

Safety Measures For Dirt Bikes

The first thing to do to help your kids is to train them on how to always drive safely, give them some rules of their safety on dirt bikes, and make them observe them.

Another important rule to observe by your kids is that the younger ones, below the age of three, should not be allowed to ride a dirt bike, although lots of them are always eager to ride at a very young age, make them wait till they are three years of age before getting them one.

Also, do not forget to wear their safety wears for them –safety gloves, helmets, eye protection, and so on. Their outfits should never be too loose or too tight, avoid driving in the dark, and always choose a safe path for them to ride.

Choosing between any of these vehicles might be tasking for you, thus making it difficult for you to buy the most suitable one for your kid. But above, we have made some comparisons, so it will be easy for you to narrow your preferences down a little bit.

Conclusion

Most parents believe that ATVs are better and safer than dirt bikes, but that’s a misconception because ATVs occupy more space than dirt bikes, making it necessary to always monitor your kids whenever they are riding an ATV.

More so, a dirt bike doesn’t need much training before your kid can ride, just make sure your kid is old enough to ride a dirt bike before getting one for him/her. At this point, we wish your kids safe rides!

5 Steps to Making Your Bedroom a Sleep Haven

Everyone needs to sleep, but actually getting to sleep isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Many of us struggle to sleep thanks to worries, stress or a busy lifestyle, but having an uncomfortable bedroom can also play a huge role in disrupting our sleep.

Our bedrooms should be a place where we can relax and unwind after a long day. No matter how big your bedroom is, it’s important to make sure that it’s a haven of peace, tranquility and calmness.

Most human beings need between 6 and 8 hours of sleep every night. Getting enough sleep can help us to wake up feeling motivated, refreshed and ready to start the day.

With our busy lifestyles, it’s not always easy to transform our bedrooms into a sleep haven. So, we’ve come up with some clever ideas to help you create a relaxing space without spending too much money. From clearing the clutter to changing your mattress, here are some of our best tips for making your bedroom into a sleep haven:

1.      Change Your Mattress

When it comes to creating a sleep haven, it’s a good idea to start with the mattress and work your way up. A good mattress is strong enough for support but soft enough for comfort. If you’ve had your mattress for a number of years, then now might be the time to consider changing it for a new one.

There are lots of different types and styles of mattresses available to suit your budget, but if you’re looking for a super comfy variety, then a hybrid mattress should be your choice. A hybrid mattress combines features from a number of different mattress types. It contains springs, gel and foam to give you the maximum level of comfort and all the support you need. If you want to get a good night’s sleep and make your bedroom into a sleep haven, then you should choose the best hybrid mattress you can afford.

2.      Turn Technology Off

Lots of us take our mobile phones to bed with us, but this is one of the worst things you could do. With constant notifications, emails, and messages coming through, it can be hard to relax and turn off. So, if you want to be able to sleep well, it’s a good idea to avoid taking technology into the bedroom.

3.      The Lighting and Natural Light

When it comes to making our bedrooms a sleep haven, many of us overlook the lighting. However, lighting can be more important than you think. Before planning your bedroom, you need to work out what you’ll use it for. If you want to be able to read before you go to sleep, then you’ll want to install lighting that allows you to do this.

You also need to think about natural light in your bedroom. If you’re a light sleeper and struggle to sleep when the sun comes up, then it might be a good idea to install some blackout curtains. These will help reduce the amount of light coming into your bedroom so you should be able to sleep for longer.  

4.      Open a Window

One of the easiest ways to make your bedroom a sleep haven is to make sure that it’s ventilated properly. You need to make sure that your bedroom has fresh air circulating in it. Opening a window will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide circulating in the air, which has been shown to improve sleep.

5.      Tidy Up

Research has shown that we sleep better in a tidy environment. So, it’s a great idea to get into the habit of tidying up before jumping into bed. Not only will this save you a job in the morning, but it can also help you to sleep better too.

Our bedrooms should be a haven where we can relax, rest and unwind after a long day. There are lots of simple things we can do to make our bedroom fit for purpose. Follow some of these simple steps and you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a great night’s sleep.

John Lewis: Good Trouble – A Must See! Weaving stories about this Remarkable Man Who Changed History for Us All!

Using interviews and rare archival footage, John Lewis: Good Trouble chronicles Lewis’ 60-plus years of social activism and legislative action on civil rights, voting rights, gun control, health-care reform and immigration. Using present-day interviews with Lewis, now 79 years old, Porter explores his childhood experiences, his inspiring family and his fateful meeting with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1957. In addition to her interviews with Lewis and his family, Porter’s primarily cinéma verité film also includes interviews with political leaders, Congressional colleagues, and other people who figure prominently in his life. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ruby A. comments, “The documentary John Lewis: Good Trouble delivers an extremely powerful message. It shows the heroism and courageousness of civil rights leader Congressman John Lewis, as well as many other African American people in this country.” KIDS FIRST! National Board Member Terry S. adds, “This inspirational documentary is a must see.  John Lewis: Good Trouble weaves an important story about an exceptional man, shows us our history from the ‘60s to today, and demonstrates the part John Lewis played, and continues to play, as the fight for racial justice and equality is at a pivotal moment in time with the Black Lives Matter movement.” See their full reviews below.

John Lewis: Good Trouble

By Ruby A., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

The documentary John Lewis: Good Trouble delivers an extremely powerful message. It shows the heroism and courageousness of civil rights leader Congressman John Lewis, as well as many other African American people in this country. Subjects such as civil rights and equality for all races should be better discussed in this nation and, truly, always should have been, and now is the time to put these long-existing issues with racism to rest. John Lewis: Good Trouble encapsulated this moving lesson by telling the Congressman’s story and what motivated him to take action.

John Lewis: Good Trouble is about the experiences he had and changes that occurred in his life. It discusses the racial segregation that existed for a very long time and how so many people spoke out against it. The film demonstrates how people aimed — and still are aiming  — to resolve racial issues in America. Civil rights are an essential part of every government, and this documentary shows these racial inequalities through the life and actions of John Lewis. It communicates these important actions across the timeline of his life, interspersed with many interviews with people that know the Congressman—this gives the perspective of many individuals and shows how he has impacted them.

My favorite part of John Lewis: Good Trouble also happens to be the camerawork. Despite the fact that there is constant movement, the shots remain smooth and crisp in quality. Not all documentaries have the greatest camera operation, so it is nice to see the effort made to bring quality to the viewer’s eyes. It makes watching the film more enjoyable for anyone.

The message of this documentary is that speaking up about issues yet to be solved can make others feel driven to help make a change. John Lewis: Good Trouble is definitely successful in portraying this message. Positive social behavior is promoted, and people treat each other appropriately. There isn’t any bad language, either. Police brutality is discussed, and some footage of it shown, but nothing risky that children may imitate.

I give John Lewis: Good Trouble 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18 plus adults. It will be released on July 3, 2020. 

John Lewis: Good Trouble
By Terry S., KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror

There is an old African proverb: “When you pray, you move your feet.”  The proverb resonates powerfully in this quote from John Lewis’ memoir, Walking in the Wind: “As a nation if we care for the beloved community, we must move our feet, our hands, our hearts, our resources to build and not tear down, to reconcile and not to divide, to love and not to hate, to heal and not to kill.  In the final analysis, we are one people, one family, one house, the American house, the American family.”

John Lewis is a powerful writer. I read  Walking in the Wind several years ago, and it had a  powerful impact on me.  John Lewis: Good Trouble, the documentary, makes that same powerful impact: it brings his story to life!  As in his memoir, the film reveals the man behind the legend.  

I was moved to tears by the footage from the 1960s.  I was beginning my teenage years back in 1963. Television was still a young medium, and it showed us all that was going on in the world daily.  I was learning about the world and its ways in the ‘60s—the injustices, the fight for dignity, freedom, equality and decency.  These were my middle school years, my high school years, formative years brought back to life as I watched this film.

History repeats itself until we learn.  John Lewis: Good Trouble follows John Lewis throughout his young life in Alabama, working on his parent’s farm, feeding chickens, picking cotton.  Mr. Lewis’ narration of waking up early, hiding under the porch to wait for the school bus, running onto the bus to get to school to his wonderful teachers where he says he read everything, is a powerful visual image.  I love what one of his sisters says about John wearing a tie and carrying the Bible to school every day.  John was a serious student.  He wanted more in his life.  Clearly, he wanted to make a difference in our country for racial justice for African American people. His tireless work and dedication started as a college student. From SNCC leader to Congressman from Georgia, John Lewis fought the good fight for voter’s rights, for civil rights, for the right to eat at the same restaurant as white people, for integration, not segregation.  His marches, his belief in nonviolence and commitment to the cause have continued for 65 years.

One story that Henry Gates Jr. tells about John Lewis’ great-great grandfather getting his voting card back in the 1800s has a powerful twist. So many stories, so much history where he worked so hard from the time of Dr. Martin Luther King to President Barack Obama to now!

This inspirational documentary is a must see.  John Lewis: Good Trouble weaves an important story about an exceptional man, shows us our history from the ‘60s to today, and demonstrates the part John Lewis played, and continues to play, as the fight for racial justice and equality is at a pivotal moment in time with the Black Lives Matter movement.

I give John Lewis: Good Trouble 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it for 9 to 18-year-olds to learn about an effective leader and his plight – and to understand even further the times we are currently living through. I also recommend it to adults, to remember all that has transpired through the years, to reflect and act on how we can all move forward once and for all to make the change that is way long overdue.  It will be released on July 3, 2020 on Apple TV.

Stella and Julius, July 9th Pets of the Week!

AWWWWWW!

We have two cats for you today: Julius, a neutered 7-year-old orange tabby, and Stella, a 4-year-old female tuxie! We’re doubling up on the cats because Mother Nature is doubling down on kitten birth to unfixed cats during kitten season, when most cats are born. Our shelter is getting crow-rowr-ded and will continue to fill from midsummer to autumn. We’d love it if you’d consider either of these cats or the others to make some space and, of course, to welcome a lovely family member. Julius is a gentle giant who came to us when his owner passed away. One can tell that he was not only loved but also gave love in return. Those chubby cheeks will melt your heart! Stella is sensual and stunning in looks and tender and warmhearted in demeanor. We can’t get enough of her infectious spirit and affectionate nature. She’s the standard for all cats! The shelter’s closed to the public, so call 562-570-PETS or email AnimalRescue@longbeach.gov to adopt. Ask for ID#A644205 for Julius and ID#A644371 for Stella.

(This rescue encouraged by the usual suspects.)

How Your Health Affects Your Finances?

Being poor has a direct effect on your physical well-being. If you are struggling to make ends meet, you probably don’t pay much attention to your diet or just cannot afford nutritious foods. On the other hand, if you are rich, you can hire a private doctor who will be at your disposal 24/7. However, we shouldn’t forget that it also works the other way around. In a moment, we’ll examine how your health affects your finances.

The Sharp Mind

Even though in movies, we often see businessmen portrayed as pretty unhealthy individuals, the truth is slightly different. The most popular CEOs in the world – Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg exercise regularly, stick to healthy diets, and meditate. There’s a reason for that – our brains are much more efficient when we take care of ourselves.

If you are not getting enough sleep, not only will you risk your physical health, but your decision-making skills will deteriorate as well. If you are working under constant stress, you should find ways to relax. It doesn’t have to be anything particularly expensive – it’s enough if you visit the gym several times a week, meditate, and sleep at least 8 hours each night.

If you are focused solely on your work, your efficiency will gradually decrease. Studies have shown that chronic stress can lead to permanent changes in the brain. That’s why if you want to ensure that you are financially stable, you need to find ways to relax, or your decision-making skills will suffer. If you think that despite the changes to your lifestyle, an unexpected illness could have tragic consequences for you and your family, you can learn more about the best critical illness cover.

The Long-Term Effects

As we have mentioned before, the food you eat and the frequency of physical activity impact the ability to make tough decisions, especially when under considerable pressure. It is important to note, though, that leading a healthy lifestyle can have far more reaching effects on your finances. If you make an effort to exercise at least 3 times a week, avoid unhealthy foods, and get enough rest, then you’ll significantly decrease the possibility that you’ll be troubled by many serious diseases when you are older.

A sedentary lifestyle that many of us lead might not ruin your life quickly, but eventually, you’ll start noticing the effects of it. You don’t need to revolutionize your lifestyle – it’s enough if you make incremental changes. If you struggle to motivate yourself, you should consider the effect of those seemingly insignificant habits on your life in the next 20 or 30 years.

You don’t necessarily have to bench 3 plates – it’s enough if you walk to the grocery shop instead of going there by car. This way, your body would be much healthier, and your chances of becoming seriously ill would decrease. There’s no point in amassing a fortune throughout your entire life if you have to spend it in the hospital when you are older.

Is Taking Out Loans a Good Idea?

If you are young and in a perfect physical condition, having a second job on the side is a viable option if you need money. This way, you will not have to worry about taking loans. However, if you are suffering from numerous health conditions, having an even single full-time job might be just too much.

Although it’s not the only option, many people who find themselves in this situation take out loans to cover bigger expenses. Unfortunately, paying off the loan might prove to be more difficult due to some unforeseen circumstances, and your financial situation could become a whole deal worse.

Your Career

Depending on where you work, the fact that you are frequently going on medical leave could make it more difficult for you to progress your career. It’s not that your superiors will think that you are just pretending to be sick. Instead, your frequent absences could become problematic if you were promoted to a position with more responsibility. As an effect, even though your skills might be more than enough, you would find yourself stuck in your current position.

Take Action Now!

It is understandable that you might prioritize your financial situation rather than health. You want to ensure that your kids can go to a well-respected college, and it’s not cheap.

Unfortunately, if you completely disregard your physical well-being, you might discover that you can no longer provide for yourself and your family. That’s why you should start paying attention to what you eat and exercise regularly. These little changes will bring amazing results!

How to encourage your kids to be more spiritual

Spirituality is a sophisticated concept that we don’t tend to associate with children. Spiritual people might eat a plant-based diet, care for the environment and communicate with psychics or mediums (via this mediumchat website) – which might not be appropriate for our children. However, being spiritual simply means caring about something bigger than ourselves, and there are many positive qualities that spiritual people have. A spiritual child might be more kind, honest and intelligent. So, how can you encourage your kids to be more spiritual?

Education

First and foremost, for kids to be spiritual, they need to understand what it means. This means giving them a good education and explaining the benefits of spirituality. But the whole point of spirituality is that it isn’t forced. People do it because they care. So, teach your kids about the environment and encourage them to care about it. Once your child has found a passion for something they will do what they can to make the world a better place. If you would like to learn more about giving your children a great education read https://socalcitykids.com/how-to-give-your-kids-a-great-education/

Helping others

Spirituality is all about being better than you were the day before. Those who are spiritual think about the bigger picture and care about the world. They act selflessly. How can your child behave like this if you don’t? So, be a good role model and hope that they follow in your influence. This means helping others by giving to charity, being a good friend and caring about the environment. When you help others you make the world a better place, and your child will see that. If you act in a selfish or greedy manner your child will too.

Outdoors

Nature is a big part of spirituality. Spiritual people understand the joys of being outside and like to spend time amongst nature. So, encourage your child to be more spiritual by organizing trips and adventures outside. When children understand the beauty of nature and find it soothing, they will find it a relaxing place to be when they’re older. If you are looking for some outdoor fun activities for the family check out https://socalcitykids.com/family-nature-walk-tips-and-activities2/

Exercises

Being spiritual means being in tune with your body. This can be difficult for children as they are still growing. When a child goes through puberty they might feel confused about their body or resent any changes. But spirituality can help. Doing exercises such as yoga or stretches help us to accept our bodies and gain a better understanding of how they work. Yoga can help in reducing stress, which can be helpful for children. Many kids don’t understand what stress is and struggle to deal with it. So, spiritual exercises can help kids learn how to use their bodies.

Creativity

Many spiritual people are creative. It’s part of the package. It just so happens that many kids are creative too and they enjoy expressing themselves. For kids, this is the norm. So, help your child to become more spiritual by encouraging their creativity. Support them in writing, drawing and making. Appreciate their projects. When a child can express themselves through creativity they become more spiritual.

Yo-Kai Watch: The Movie * Fantastic Anime; Great Characters; Meaningful Stories

Jibanyan, Whisper, and Nate travel back in time where they team up with a heroic Yo-kai named Hovernyan and Nate’s adolescent grandfather to stop an evil Yo-kai from taking over the world! Together, they fight Dame Dedtime and her evil Wicked Yo-kai minions to save the world from her evil plans. Can they discover the secret origin of the Yo-kai Watch and save humanity before time runs out!? KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ethan P. comments, “This show’s animation is Japanese anime and is very neat and colorful.  The graphics are amazing and the voice-overs fit each character.  The graphics are similar to the TV show.  My favorite scene is when Hovernyan saves Nate and his grandfather from Dame Dedtime who is trying to kill them for rescuing Jibanyan. It is cool to see someonFre fight a mob of bad Yo-kai and then save people after surviving a huge attack like that.”  Ginebra Q. adds, “ Yo-Kai Watch: The Movie is such an entertaining film. I really like it. First off, the animation is out of this world. The animation has an intriguing aspect to it. Moreover, there is a large amount of imagination in this film. One can only wish that creatures like the ones in this movie really existed. Also, meaningful stories are always good to see and this one is definitely that.”  Justin Y. wraps it up with, “The script creates a story full of events and exciting fight scenes, which are the main focus of the film. By creating bizarre scenes of enlarging things at the beginning, the screenwriter catches the viewers’ eyes early on. Subsequent events are fast-paced, so presumably, young viewers will not get bored. Nevertheless, the story with “good fighting evil” brings little innovation to the table and renders predictable results. Moreover, a few minor details are not carefully planned for consistency.  For example, Nathaniel hesitates helping his friends in the factory, but at the beginning of the movie he saves Nate without hesitation.” See their full reviews below.

Yo-Kai Watch: The Movie
Ethan P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

Yo-Kai Watch: The Movie
By Ginebra Q., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

Yo-Kai Watch: The Movie is such an entertaining film. I really like it. First off, the animation is out of this world. The animation has an intriguing aspect to it. Moreover, there is a large amount of imagination in this film. One can only wish that creatures like the ones in this movie really existed. Also, meaningful stories are always good to see and this one is definitely that.

Nate Adams (Johnny Yong Bosch) is “the chosen one” in this film. There are magical creatures called Yo-Kai and only Nate can see them. In this story the bad Yo-Kai are up to no good, so Nate and his friends team up against them. This is a good plot, although a bit typical. However, this story has some unique and interesting twists to it, with some humor mixed in as well.

As Nate and his friends unite, they make some puns that will surely get a smile from the audience. The effects in this film are so colorful and they really stick out. Furthermore, I love how each Yo-Kai is unique. Humans can relate in a way, since no two humans are exactly the same. In addition, plot twists really develop the storyline and make it even more interesting. One of my favorite characters is Whisper, one of the Yo-Kai. He is silly, but very friendly and loves helping. The best part of this film is the battle between Nate and his friends and the bad Yo-Kai. There is so much action that, if you blink, you might miss something of importance. Yo-Kai Watch: The Movie does not fail to keep your attention. 

This film has many messages about friendship, teamwork and perseverance. We see the characters learn about teamwork and how essential friendship and determination are. The mood if this movie is hopeful.

I give Yo-Kai Watch: The Movie 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 7 to 11. It is available on DVD now, so look for it.

Yo-Kai Watch: The Movie

By Justin Yu, KIDS FIRST! Reviewer, Age 14

                                               
Although I’m not an anime fan, Yo-Kai Watch: The Movie definitely held my interest. The cute Yo-kai and Nate keep me engaged and curious to know what their next actions would be. 

The film is centered around Nate Adams, his grandfather and their Yo-Kai. The movie begins in Nate’s home town, Springdale, where suddenly things become enlarged. Megnnyan is enlarging everything and tells Nate that the world is in trouble.  Confused, Nate goes to his Grandma’s house where a Yo-kai leads him to Hovernyan who tells Nate that they must go back in time to find his Grandpa and his Yo-kai Watch, so they can fight the Wicked who are trying to destroy everything. 

The script creates a story full of events and exciting fight scenes, which are the main focus of the film. By creating bizarre scenes of enlarging things at the beginning, the screenwriter catches the viewers’ eyes early on. Subsequent events are fast-paced, so presumably, young viewers will not get bored. Nevertheless, the story with “good fighting evil” brings little innovation to the table and renders predictable results. Moreover, a few minor details are not carefully planned for consistency.  For example, Nathaniel hesitates helping his friends in the factory, but at the beginning of the movie he saves Nate without hesitation. 


My favorite part is the ending when all of the Yo-kai combine their powers to fight the Wicked. Whisper is my favorite character; the actions and his dialogue are hilarious. In one scene, Whisper is flying around trying to find Master Yada who is standing right in front of him.  One thing that stands out is the animation, which is some of the best anime that I have seen. The scenery and characters are very detailed and colorful and the action scenes are high-octane, with well matched background music.


Yo-Kai Watch: The Movie definitely meets the KIDS FIRST! criteria. I give it 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 11. Since fighting scenes in films were my favorites as a young boy, I think boys would prefer this over girls. The primary message is that when people work together as a team, they can overcome many obstacles and achieve almost anything. This is a very positive and powerful message for the film’s target audience.