Archives for 2020

This is a book I highly recommend especially at this time of the year! It is written in a simple rhyming type of way that is engaging with delightful illustrations. I love that it shows that the little things in life can and do make a big difference in the world. It’s truly an inspirational book just perfect for ages 4 +. Look for this book and many other delightful books at https://www.schifferbooks.com/

Self Disclosure: I received a free copy of the above book to facilitate this post. Images were also provided.

Doozers: We Dig Spring! – Living at the edges of our world and right under our noses are Doozers. Just who are the Doozers? They’re green, they’re cute, they’re three inches tall, full of energy, ideas, and enthusiasm they’re AWESOME! Doozers love to create, build, and innovate. Doozers are DOERS they put their ideas into action! KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ethan P. comments, “The stories follow four green Doozers that love helping wildlife and building things.  Doozers are little green, cute and energetic creatures – two boys and two girls.  Each one has a unique talent. For example, one has the power of science, another has technology, the third one has engineering and the fourth one has arts and math.  All together it equals STEAM (science, technology, engineering arts and math).” See his full review below.

Doozers We Dig Spring!
By Ethan P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

I like Doozers We Dig Spring! DVD because it is very entertaining, even for an 11-year-old, like me.  This animation has very unique storylines in every episode.  

The DVD has six episodes, each about 11 minutes long. The stories follow four green Doozers that love helping wildlife and building things.  Doozers are little green, cute and energetic creatures – two boys and two girls.  Each one has a unique talent. For example, one has the power of science, another has technology, the third one has engineering and the fourth one has arts and math.  All together it equals STEAM (science, technology, engineering arts, and math).  In every adventure, they learn something new such as the stages of a butterfly, what bees like or how to work together.

My favorite episode is Oh Beehive where one of the Doozers is hungry and goes to a bakery to get something to eat.  When he is about to go inside, a storm of bees swoops in front of the bakery’s door so the owner has to shut the bakery down.  The Doozer calls his friends to come and help him.  All four Doozers together think of a genius plan so they can stop the bees and remove them from the door.  The animation is cute with vibrant colors.  The voice-overs are all by kids and their voices fit each character perfectly.  The theme song is very energetic.  Each episode is a different adventure and they don’t necessarily follow a sequence.  My favorite catch phrase they say is, “Doo, doo, doo…” and, right after that phrase, they start working together as a team to resolve a situation or to build something. 

The moral of Doozers We Dig Spring! is “teamwork makes the dream work,” because in all six episodes all four Doozers team together to solve situations or to build something and they always put their ideas together to make things happen as a team.

I give Doozers We Dig Spring! 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 4 to 18, and adults can enjoy this DVD as well. This DVD is available now so go get it before it runs out!

Join the Floogals on a mission of discovery as they explore Earth and the funny “hoomans” who live there! KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ethan P. comments, “I like Floogals Investigation Station because it is very funny, original and creative… I like that it is not just animation, as some parts are real life graphics.  I also like that it is always teaching kids to explore and experiment in every episode.” See his full review below.

Floogals Investigation Station
By Ethan P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

I like Floogals Investigation Station because it is very funny, original and creative.  It captured my attention the whole time.  I like that it is not just animation, as some parts are real life graphics.  I also like that it is always teaching kids to explore and experiment in every episode.

This DVD is about three purple lookalike aliens called Floogals – Captain Fleeker, First Officer Flo and Junior Boomer.  The Floogals learn new things and report back to their boss to inform him what they have learned on Earth.  This DVD contains six episodes about experimentation, discovery and observation.  Each episode has about 11 minutes of adventure and funny situations.  One of the funniest things of this show is that the aliens call the humans “hoomans.” 

My favorite episode is “Project Popcorn.”  This episode is about the Floogals discovering a food called popcorn.  When a human accidentally lets go of the popcorn, it falls and the dog eats it, so they think it is dog food.  Later they start to realize what popcorn is.  Another one of my favorite episodes is “Project Sleep” which is about how a “hooman” girl invites her friends over for a sleepover.  The Floogals spy on the girls to see what a sleepover is all about.  The Floogals slowly learn about and process the word “sleepover,”  The Floogals do not realize that the whole time they are actually part of the sleepover.  The graphics are real live backgrounds and the Floogals are little animated aliens.  The animation is neat and very colorful.  The voiceover talent suits each character.  I like Junior Boomer’s character the most, because he is clumsy, funny, and always curious about learning new things.

The moral of this show is: don’t ever let someone stop you from doing what you desire.  Don’t allow anyone to discourage you from doing what you are capable of doing.  For example, Junior Boomer investigates this thing called “popcorn” and Captain Fleeker tries to stop him, but Junior Boomer still investigates.

I give Floogals Investigation Station 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it ages 6 to 18, plus adults.  By Ethan P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. For more reviews by youth, visit kidsfirst dot org.

The Story Pirates are proud to announce the third in a series of middle-grade books for kids: The Story Pirates Present: Quest for the Crystal Crown, by  Annabeth Bondor-Stone and Connor White, and illustrated by Joe Todd Stanton. Like the first two Story Pirates books — Stuck in the Stone Age and the Parents’ Choice Award-winning Digging Up Danger — this imaginative fantasy is based on an idea from a real kid (Angie Ortiz, from Rockland County, New York). The story is also a jumping-off point for an introduction to the basics of creative writing. The story: An enchanted arrow pierces the wall of Hillview–the city is under attack! Years ago, a powerful crystal crown was stolen from a group of magic-wielders called Lysors. Lacking the crown’s protection, the Lysors hid themselves behind the city walls, shut off from the rest of the world. But with danger upon them once more, can Laura, a spunky girl with a knack for adventure, journey outside Hillview…and reclaim the crystal crown? I highly recommend for ages 8-11! I think children will love the characters and the story!

The Story Pirates are a group of top comedians, musicians, best-selling authors, and world-class teachers who partner with schools to help tens of thousands of kids write original stories. Then they adapt these kids’ stories into a critically acclaimed series of books, a sold-out national tour, award-winning albums featuring guest artists like Lin-Manuel Miranda, and the #1 podcast for kids and families. The Story Pirates Creator Club offers subscribers a host of exclusive gifts, insider offers (such as advance book purchases) and a limited-edition magazine featuring kid-created content.

Story Pirates Changemakers, the non-profit arm of the organization, have brought life-changing literacy programs to more than 500,000 students around the country. Visit Storypirates.org to learn more about Changemakers. StoryPirates.com features the latest news about the Creator Club, podcast, music, books, and performances.

Self Disclosure: I received a free copy of the book to facilitate this post. Images were also provided.