Archives for April 2022

Chloe and Theo * Inspiring Film Showing How Unlikely Friendships Can Change The World And How Protecting The Environment Is Crucial

Based on true events, a young woman living on the streets meets a wise Inuit elder who was sent to New York by his elders to provide a message of change to the world. The woman, who had been searching for something to believe in, becomes inspired and, with the help of a kind lawyer, the three of them present his story to the United Nations in hopes of creating a better future for us all.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Carlee S. comments, “Chloe and Theo is a touching and thought-provoking story based on the life of a young homeless woman named Chloe whose world changes when she meets an Inuit with a message to help save the world… The messages in this film are to care for others and for the Earth’s environment. Protecting the Earth is vital for survival for everyone, so everyone should work together to make sure it is taken care of for the future.” Ashleigh C. adds, “Chloe and Theo is a unique and inspiring film that shows how unlikely friendships can change the world! Caring and helping with the environment is very crucial and this film brilliantly portrays this message.” See their full reviews below.  

Chloe and Theo
By Carlee S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 17

Chloe and Theo is a touching and thought-provoking story based on the life of a young homeless woman named Chloe whose world changes when she meets an Inuit with a message to help save the world. Theo, an Inuit, travels from the snow-covered Arctic to New York City in search of the Elders of the South. They both discover that although their worlds are very different, friendship and a common cause can bring people close together.

The film begins in the Arctic, a winter wonderland, where Theo (Theo Ikummaq, who is playing himself) and other Inuit are discussing the effects of the sun and global warming on their environment. They decide it’s time for someone to deliver this message to Elders in the South to help save Earth. They choose Theo as the best candidate because he spent time in the South when he was young. He sets out on his mission and ends up in New York City in search of the Elders. Along the way, he meets Chloe (Dakota Johnson), a homeless girl who seems tough on the outside, but has a kind heart. She listens to his message and decides she wants to help him spread it. Together they face many obstacles and dangers, but they also make new friends, including a woman named Monica (Mira Sorvino), who are determined to assist Theo in his journey to deliver his message help save the environment.

My favorite scene is when Theo goes to a meeting with other green environmental companies who have the same goals as Theo. Theo decides to take the stairs and walk up to the top of the building rather than taking the elevator. Thankfully, Chloe and his other friends cover for him in the meeting while he walks up all those flights. The scene shows how far Theo is willing to go for his cause while adding a bit of humor. The costumes fit each character’s situation and culture. Theo is seen in clothes he would wear in his village in the Arctic and his clothes change in the film due to the storyline. Chloe is seen with worn, dirty clothes and messy hair, which showcase what it’s like to live on the streets. The contrast in settings helps the viewer to understand the characters’ lives. The peaceful Arctic village, compared to the noisy city, shows how different Chloe and Theo’s lives are.  The place Chloe shares with her street friends is also a contrast to the apartment belonging Monica who helps them.

The messages in this film are to care for others and for the Earth’s environment.  People are all connected no matter how far apart they live.  Protecting the Earth is vital for survival for everyone, so everyone should work together to make sure it is taken care of for the future. There is some mild violence that parents should be aware of.

I give Chloe and Theo 4 out of 5 stars. I recommend this for ages 12 to 17, plus adults. Chloe and Theo releases just in time for Earth Day, April 22, 2022 on Digital and DVD.

Chloe and Theo 

By Ashleigh C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 18 

Chloe and Theo is a unique and inspiring film that shows how unlikely friendships can change the world! Caring and helping with the environment is very crucial and this film brilliantly portrays this message. 

A homeless female, Chloe and an Inuit named Theo build a relationship after getting a life changing message in order to save the world. Despite being total opposites and having a difficult, yet hilarious adventure, both Chloe and Theo create an unbreakable bond in order to finish the mission successfully. 

Chloe (Dakota Johnson) is my favorite character in this film. Dakota Johnson is an all-around, well-rounded actress and her acting brings so much to the complex character of Chloe. There is so much character development with Chloe; we see how she grows and matures as a person. Her character is someone that many people will relate to. The Inuit, Theo (Theo Ikummaq) essentially plays himself and captures his own cultural heritage with what seems like little to no acting. His portrayal Theo makes this film heartfelt and more personal for audiences. Chloe portrays a homeless woman and her clothing shows us exactly what her circumstances are. Theo’s clothing, to the best of my knowledge, does justice to the Inuit culture by using traditional attire. The music and score, from start to finish, is incredible! Every funny scene, serious scene or even dialogue rich scene is enhanced with the background music. My favorite scenes of the film are those with educational aspects. While much of the film is based on fictional storylines, there are many cultural and environmental aspects that I learned by watching this film — an experience you don’t have often with movies. 

The message of this film is to be open minded to different people and possibilities. If Chloe had rejected the opportunity to help Theo carry out the message to save the environment, then she would not have been able to be a hero or make a difference. Despite their differences, they looked past this and decided to see the bigger picture – a lesson I encourage all to learn from. 

I give Chloe and Theo 5 out 5 stars and recommend it for ages 10 to 18, plus adults. Chloe and Theo releases just in time for Earth Day, April 22, 2022 on Digital and DVD. Don’t miss it! 

Celebrate Earth Day this month with these Eco-Friendly Brands

Earth Day is April 22nd, while we love to celebrate our planet and the initiatives that work to protect our planet on this day, the brands below truly embody this sustainable spirit year-round! 

Sun Patch is the only peel-and-stick UPF+ silicone sunblock on the market (UPF measures the amount of radiation that can penetrate the fabric to reach your skin). Think of it as an accessory to your sunscreen. The patches feel like a second skin and have a California vibe that’s irresistible. They are also reusable, eco-friendly, and nontoxic to oceans! They look like cool neon stickers in bright colors, with neutral options coming soon. Founder Gena was a mom looking for a solution to applying and reapplying suncare products on her kids, eliminating the fuss and mess. She also wanted protection and anti-aging benefits for herself too. The more she talked with other moms, the more she realized she had the perfect background to launch a sunblock brand. Hence, Sun Patch was born. I absolutely love that these are reusable and nontoxic to the ocean! If you have been following me for a while, you know how important beach clean-up and keeping our oceans clean is a really big deal with me! These are quite affordable too! Price: $26.00-$49.00

High-end skin-care collections that will bring the spa to your home daily! Terrakai Skin has ingredients that are native to Australian regions! Their Australian botanical ingredients are sourced solely from where the botanical ingredient comes from, which is why customers will pay for their skincare! They sustainably harvest the most potent, resilient botanicals, from Kangaroo Paw to Kakadu Plum to Snowflower, and add in high quality ingredients like hyaluronic acid and collagen to create super serums to make your skin plump, hydrated and glow. The thoughtful design that underpins every Terrakai Skin formulation allows us to tick all the boxes on our founding mission: Environmentally conscious, 100% vegan, and high-performance. With 25 products to choose from, you will find a line perfect for your skin type! One of my favorites is the Kakadu Plum+Emu Apple Cleansing Milk. It leaves my skin feeling so clean and refreshed.

“Baesix (/ˈbasics/) is your vegan, organic, cruelty-free, inclusive & eco-responsible simple, skincare routine for happy skin everyday! Baesix skincare is ONLY SIX steps to healthier skin! The “BAE” means “Before Anyone Else” – meaning love yourself first then others will fall in love with you too; and the “SIX” stands for the six simple steps to follow for glowing, healthy skin! Baesix developed their unique formulas from scratch in Korea with a focus on healthy hydration and bioactive nourishment. They use 100% organically certified bamboo in their products. As one of nature’s richest sources of silica; bamboo extract is known to stimulate the production of collagen, loaded with antioxidants that combat free radicals, and boasts potent anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial qualities. Not only are the products AMAZINGLY good for your skin, but the packaging is AMAZINGLY good for our planet! Their packaging is either biodegradable or 100% recyclable. Their bottles are made from corn starch and bamboo, their tins are aluminum, their paper is FSC certified and refills sachets are made from sugarcane! I absolutely love the Hydrating CC Face Moisturizer which also has SPF 35 PA+++.

It is absolutely my new daily Moisturizer!

Skincare that’s just as kind to your skin as it is to mother earth! O’o Hawaii is a cruelty-free and sustainable line that ensures that the natural resources of its ingredients are preserved and protected. The brand focuses on keeping things simple to achieve its ultimate beauty goals of healthy, glowing skin from the inside out.  At the root are antioxidants grown in Hawaii’s nutrient-rich, volcanic ash soil, exclusive Triple Boosting Complexes™, and real crystals from nature. All products are non-GMO, vegetarian and cruelty-free with reusable packaging. The brand’s integrative skincare is made to enrich skin by giving it the nutrients needed for anti-aging and protection against harsh environmental hazards of daily life, such as UV damage. Founder Holly Harding is an expert in integrative nutrition and realized the disconnect between internal nutrition and external skincare. So, she created a line with both skincare and oral supplements. For every online sale, O’o Hawaii donates $1.00 to the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center Discovery Forest program.

I tried the Brillant Feather Beauty Balm and love how soft my face feels after I use it!

Available on Amazon, SkimLinks, Amazon and QVC. Also sold at Free People 

Price: $24.00 – $475.00

Happy Earth Day (and month!)

Self Disclosure: I received free products to facilitate this post. Images were also provided.

Aquarium’s Earth Day Celebration and Contests

Photo credit: Ken Kurtis

The Aquarium of the Pacific will be celebrating Earth Day on April 23-24, 2022. At the Aquarium’s twenty-first annual Earth Day Celebration, guests are invited to explore their relationship with our ocean planet through the visual and performing arts. Visitors can also meet Aquarium educators and learn about what the Aquarium is doing to help protect local endangered animals and ocean habitats. In addition, everyone is invited to join the Aquarium of the Pacific and the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) to help local species through a clean-up on Saturday, April 23, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Participation in the clean-up is free and no reservations are required to help. Registration for the clean-up opens at 8:30 a.m. that Saturday in front of the Aquarium. Participants will walk to nearby habitats for migrating birds and marine life to remove trash, and clean-up supplies will be provided.

The clean-up is part of AZA’s Party for the Planet ®: Spring into Action, a nationwide celebration taking place at AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums from Earth Day through World Ocean Day in June. “Party for the Planet connects families to nature through volunteer opportunities that better our environment for people and wildlife to thrive together. We hope you join us as we partner with the Aquarium of the Pacific and other AZA-accredited zoos, aquariums, science centers, and nature centers as we work to improve our planet,” says Dan Ashe, AZA president and CEO.

The Aquarium’s weekend Earth Day Celebration festival begins at 9:00 a.m. and continues until 5:00 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. You can visit the Aquarium’s front plaza and take part in painting ocean animals and seascapes. You can also participate in a short craft session called “Draw with Us: Earth” in the Ocean Science Center. Guests can hear performances by the Long Beach Symphony celebrating Earth Day throughout the Aquarium. This festival will also feature the winners of the Aquarium’s annual contests for art, poetry, and fashions made from recycled materials. Those visiting the Aquarium that weekend can view the Earth Day Art Contest exhibit, then meet the artists during their talks in the Ocean Theater. The Aquarium’s Poetry Contest winners will read their poems accompanied by live music from the Long Beach Symphony at the Honda Blue Cavern exhibit. Fashion created from recycled materials by the winners of the Trashin’ Fashion Contest will also be on display. The festival is included with general admission to the Aquarium and advance reservations are required for everyone.

WHEN:           Festival: Saturday and Sunday, April 23-24, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

                       Clean-up: Saturday, April 23, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (registration opens at 8:30 a.m.)

WHERE:        Festival: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802

Clean-up: Located at wildlife habitats, walking distance from the Aquarium

COST:            Festival: Included with general admission: $36.95 per adult (ages 12+), $26.95 per child (ages 3-11), $33.95 per senior (ages 62+), and free for Aquarium members and children under age three / Advance reservations required.

                       Clean-up: Free

INFO:              (562) 590-3100 or aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/earth_day_celebration/

CONTESTS:

Trashin’ Fashion Design Contest

The Aquarium of the Pacific will host its Trashin’ Fashion Design Contest during its annual Earth Day Celebration on April 23-24, 2022. The public is invited to enter for a chance at cash prizes that will be awarded to the top three designers with the most creative eco-friendly designs. The top designs will be showcased at the Aquarium throughout the Earth Day Celebration. The goal of the contest is to draw awareness to issues of pollution and create a sustainable relationship with our ocean. Details on entering can be found at aquariumofpacific.org/multimedia/trashinfashion.

Earth Day Poetry Contest:

The Aquarium of the Pacific will host its annual Earth Day Poetry Contest, which invites poets of all ages to submit their poems celebrating this year’s theme, “saving local species.” The top three entrees as judged by the Aquarium’s panel of experts will be eligible for cash prizes and will be presented during the Aquarium’s Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 23, 2022. Details on entering can be found at aquariumofpacific.org/multimedia/earthdaypoetry.

Art Contest:

The Aquarium’s Earth Day art contest, managed in partnership with the Arts Council for Long Beach, will celebrate our ocean planet. The Aquarium seeks entries from artists working in drawing, painting, collage/mixed media, sculpture, digital art, and photography. Three winners will be selected to display their artwork at the festival on April 23 and 24, 2022. Winners will receive cash prizes and will have the opportunity to participate in short artist talks during the festival. For rules and submission guidelines, please visit aquariumofpacific.org/multimedia/art-contest.

FESTIVAL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:

Credit: The Aquarium of the Pacific.

Earth Day Fun at 2ND & PCH

Earth Day fun happening at 2ND & PCH in Long Beach, on Saturday, April 23rd from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
Bring the kiddos to enjoy entertainment and meet and greets with Tinkerbell, complimentary face painting and crafts provided by Able ARTS Work.

Credit: The ACE Agency.

Princess, April 21st Pet of the Week!

“Will someone please come save me?” Only princesses in fairy tales are trapped in towers, up against dragons, and kidnapped by evildoers. Our Princess is surrounded by loving volunteers and shelter staff, takes walks and exercise, and has good food and plenty of toys to play with. But she needs immediate rescue, foster or placement. She’s engaging in self-harm and repetitive behavior because she’d overwhelmed and overstimulated by the intense noise and constant confinement at the shelter. Princess is a 5-year-old American pit bull who walks pretty well on a leash and adores affection. She’ll do best in a quiet home as the only pet. If you’re a patient, accepting, dog (and breed)-savvy human who can give Princess time and space to decompress, you’ll be just the champion she needs, whether you come to the shelter on a galloping steed or in a Honda Fit, . Our shelter’s adoptions are conducted through appointment only, so call 562-570-PETS or email animalrescue@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov to meet Princess. Ask for ID#A661674.

(This rescue encouraged by the usual suspects.)

How Can You Help A Child Whose Parents Are Struggling With Addiction?

Whether you are a teacher, a coach, or a concerned community member, finding the best way to help a child whose parent is struggling with addiction is a difficult challenge. Truthfully, there isn’t one “best” way to open a dialogue and be a supportive adult figure, but there are certainly several thoughts to keep in mind if the topic comes up. 

This post will explore some tips supportive adults can take to help a child whose parents are struggling with addiction.

Be a Caring and Consistent Adult Rolemodel

No matter what your role is—whether you are a teacher or a neighbor—you can definitely make a positive difference in a child’s life. Sometimes the best way to help a child is to simply be a consistent and caring positive role model.

For reasons discussed down below, you’ll want to avoid prying and directly confronting children about their parent’s substance abuse issues. Instead of directly probing the issue, simply be a positive and consistent role model. They will talk to you about it if and when they are ready.

If you are a teacher, you can take note of their personal interests—like observing whether they like to draw, read, or play sports. By nurturing their interests, you are supporting them and helping them build confidence in activities they enjoy.

This might not seem relevant to helping a child whose parent has a drug addiction, but by supporting the child’s natural interests, you are helping them build resiliency.

If you are a neighbor, you can offer to show them gardening or some other valuable skills. Some children whose parents are addicts don’t get to spend quality time with an adult figure. By simply being a consistent and caring figure in their lives, you can make a difference.  

Don’t Try To Get To The Bottom of Their Parent’s Addiction

We mentioned above that it isn’t a good idea to pry too strongly into the child’s home life. There is a common misconception that every adult needs to be an interrogator. But, this can have the effect of pushing a child away and negating any positive influence you may have had.

The reasons why asking too many questions might push a child away are varied—their parent’s drug issues might be a sore point of contention at home. Or, they may feel defensive and protective of their parent and wish to conceal their stress and hardship to appear more adult-like (more about that one later).

Instead of prying directly, frame yourself as someone who is available to listen if they ever need to talk. You can ask non-personal questions like, “What did you do today?” or “Anything exciting happening this weekend?”

This allows them to address their parent’s addiction on their own and keeps the gravity of the conversation under their control.

Help Them Understand Addiction As a Disease

If they do decide to talk about it, you’ll want to help them understand addiction according to the latest medical consensus. Addiction is a chronic brain disease with similar attributes to other chronic illnesses like type II diabetes or cardiovascular disease. People with addiction are not morally flawed or compromised, they are suffering from an illness.

It can be hard to make this information digestible for a child, but there are some ways you can help them to understand it.

Use Analogies

Children who know what it means to crave candy, or a new toy are one step away from understanding addiction cravings. You can use this analogy to describe how their parent’s addiction might make them feel.

“Have you ever craved candy (or a new toy)? Do you remember not being able to focus on anything else but getting candy (or a new toy)?

Imagine if eating all the candy in the world didn’t stop these cravings. Addiction works like this—your parent has an illness where they can’t stop these cravings from taking over and affecting their ability to make good decisions.”

Another analogy you can use is the sickness analogy. Every kid knows what it feels like to be sick—it makes it hard for them to play, focus on school, and be themselves. You can use this analogy to help explain to kids why their parent isn’t acting like themselves.

“Remember what it was like when you were sick and had to miss school? You felt bad and not at all like yourself, right? You couldn’t enjoy doing the things you did when you were well, right? Addiction is a kind of sickness. Your parent doesn’t feel good and isn’t acting like themselves because they are sick right now.”

Children Can Still Love Their Parents and Not Love the Disease

Children who are mistreated or neglected because of a parent’s drug addiction will often feel torn between the love for their parents and the misfortune of their situation. Reinforce the idea that they can love their parents and still feel upset about their parent’s addiction.

Helping them healthily separate their love for their parents and their criticism of addiction gives them the mental space to voice their feelings regarding their situation. Children need to be able to voice their anger, fear, embarrassment, and pain, but this can be hard if they haven’t separated their love for their parent from their parent’s addiction.

Keep Insisting it Isn’t Their Fault

The most typical reaction of children whose parents have an addiction is for them to blame themselves for the problems facing the family. Children will often rationalize that they are the reason that their parent is ill, sick, acting strange, or avoiding home.

One of the best things you can do is to remind them that they are in no way the cause of their parent’s drug addiction. They are not responsible for the hardships and emotional strain on their family.

Help Them Overcome “Parentification”

As alluded to above, some children of addicts feel the need to act more adult-like because they often find themselves caring for a parent or younger siblings. This “parentification” is a process that robs children of the ability to simply be a kid. They may feel the need to be serious and take on more responsibility than any kid should have to endure.

One way to help them is to remind them that they can be silly and still have fun. Encourage them to act like a kid and shake off the mantle of “young adult,” even if it’s only temporary. Helping them put aside their responsibilities can relieve the burden of needing to take care of parents or siblings.

Jenn Walker is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey. She writes for Maryville, an addiction treatment center in NJ.

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore * Finally – The Backstory Of What’s On Dumbledore’s Brilliant Mind Throughout The Harry Potter Saga

Professor Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) knows the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen) is moving to seize control of the wizarding world. Unable to stop him alone, he entrusts Magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) to lead an intrepid team of wizards, witches and one brave Muggle baker on a dangerous mission, where they encounter old and new beasts and clash with Grindelwald’s growing legion of followers. But with the stakes so high, how long can Dumbledore remain on the sidelines?

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Nyara A. comments, “This fascinating film, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore finally gives us the long-awaited backstory of what is going on in Dumbledore’s brilliant mind throughout the Harry Potter saga. The movie is heart-wrenching, and yet at moments it leaves you bent over with laughter.” Katherine S. adds, “After four years of waiting, the third movie in the Fantastic Beasts franchise is finally here! Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore has a perfect balance of comedic scenes that will make you chuckle and action-packed scenes that will make your adrenaline pump and tightly grip your seat.” Ava C. adds, “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is the 3rd movie of the Fantastic Beasts movie series. It brings the same mysterious, dangerous-yet-exciting adventure as the movies that came before it. Actor Eddie Redmayne’s character, Newt Scamander has a new mission that is more courageous and dangerous than before! Can he do it?” Heather S. wraps it up with, “This movie is every bit as magical as the Harry Potter series. After ten Wizarding World films, fans might expect a decline… However, The Secrets of Dumbledore puts in new creatures, new defense spells, and a whole world of port keys that will astound even die-hard fans.” See their full reviews below.

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore

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

This fascinating film, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore finally gives us the long-awaited backstory of what is going on in Dumbledore’s brilliant mind throughout the Harry Potter saga. The movie is heart-wrenching, and yet at moments it leaves you bent over with laughter. The actors are truly convincing, bringing their characters to life. Every Harry Potter fan will enjoy hearing the subtle references to the books as they watch the infamous Grindelwald at the height of his power.

The storyline follows Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) and his comrades as they act on instructions given by Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) to find and defeat the dark wizard, Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen). This unlikely team faces major challenges and setbacks as they try to stop Grindelwald from winning the election for Minister of Magic. Newt uses his quick mind to find him, with help from his fantastic beasts, his friends’ brilliant minds and his brother’s spell work. Dumbledore has a plan, although he is just as secretive as all Harry Potter fans will surely remember. Will a small group of wizards (and a muggle) be able to defeat the greatest dark wizard of the time?

Jude Law portrays Dumbledore almost perfectly, just as people have always imagined his younger self to be. Dumbledore’s secrecy, love and trustworthiness come across effortlessly in Jude Law’s face. The protagonist, Newt Scamander, is likable and a spark of joy in these dark times. The computer generated fantastical beasts are extremely realistic and adorable, and the visual effects during fight scenes are powerful. My favorite part of this movie is the bittersweet ending. Watching the characters finally enjoy their lives, far away from evil, brought tears to my eyes.

The message of this film is that strength comes in numbers. One person may be powerful, but when people come together using their unique strengths, they can triumph. This is a beautiful message to all those who feel helpless, reminding them that they can always turn to people they trust. There are not many age restrictions in this movie, but I think it will be more interesting to slightly older audiences. The film starts slow and there are subtle clues that the viewer needs to pay attention to in order to completely understand the storyline. Because of this, this movie would be most appealing to people over the age of eleven.

I give Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 11 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters on Friday, April 15, 2022.

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore

By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

After four years of waiting, the third movie in the Fantastic Beasts franchise is finally here! Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore has a perfect balance of comedic scenes that will make you chuckle and action-packed scenes that will make your adrenaline pump and tightly grip your seat.

Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law), former partner of Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen) and future headmaster of Hogwarts, calls upon Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), the socially awkward but loveable “magizoologist” to lead a team of witches, wizards and muggles to defeat Grindelwald and his vast crowd of supporters before he takes over the Wizarding World and starts a war between muggles and wizards.

I highly recommend watching the first two films in this prequel, Harry Potter spin-off series, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald before watching this third installment. However, it is not necessary to watch the Harry Potter movies or read the Harry Potter books. The special effects are remarkable, as all the magical animals are truly “fantastic” and the magic spells coming out of the wands are so convincing. The movie takes place in the 1930s and the costumes, objects and sets are absolutely beautiful and so well put together.  The movie also maintains an accuracy to the era. The acting is very strong in this movie, especially with Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore, Mads Mikkelsen as Grindelwald, Eddie Redmayne as Newt, and Jessica Williams as Professor Hicks. My favorite character is, without a doubt, Jacob Kowalski, (Dan Fogler), the amiable muggle, because he is so hilarious at some points and also convincingly serious in others.

The message of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is to do what is right and not what is easy. There is violence and death in this movie, so be aware of that for younger viewers.

I give Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. Fans of the Wizarding World will definitely enjoy this. This will be released exclusively in theaters on April 15, 2022.

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore

By Ava C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is the 3rd movie of the Fantastic Beasts movie series. It brings the same mysterious, dangerous-yet-exciting adventure as the movies that came before it. Actor Eddie Redmayne’s character, Newt Scamander has a new mission that is more courageous and dangerous than before! Can he do it?  Will Newt and his team be able to successfully complete this mission?

Newt Scamander and his team are tasked with trying to stop Gallert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen) from taking over the wizarding world. Not only is this movie mysterious with great humor, but it is also dark, eerie and action packed with enough action and suspense to keep you guessing. There are parts where I laughed so hard—I love a movie when I can get a good laugh in. Let’s talk about suspense: The whole movie kept me on my toes. I kept wondering what was going to happen next. I was never able to predict what would happen next, which made the movie extremely enjoyable.  Viewers of the previous Fantastic Beasts movies will really enjoy this movie. Part 3 aligns perfectly with the other two movies; therefore, it makes it easy to follow what was going on from the start. Honestly, you really do not need to watch the other two to follow the movie.

There is a lot going on in the movie with switching clips from one character to next, yet the camera quality and editing makes it easy to keep up with.  The acting also makes this movie wonderful— it has a marvelous cast, and you can see how well they all worked together. I really enjoyed the plot and storyline of this movie. It is interesting all the way through, and I never lost my attention.

The message of this movie is to not judge people or alienate others because they can’t do certain things, look different, and accept your family members for who they are. The movie is kid appropriate. There’s no bad language or drugs. The most violence shown is battling with the wands. Some of the creatures can be scary or creepy for younger kids, but it is not too bad.

I give Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 13 to 18, plus adults. The film releases in theaters April 15, 2022.  

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore

By Heather S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

We return to the Wizarding World once again! Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is a grand adventure you won’t want to miss. Fan-favorite characters make their return and fans are swept up in an incredible ride of magic and mischief.

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore picks up right after its predecessor Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) has a blood pact with Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen), who is gaining power and rallying supports to kill muggles. With the help of Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), Dumbledore assembles of team of wizards to break the blood pact and end Grindelwald’s war. 

This movie is every bit as magical as the Harry Potter series. After ten Wizarding World films, fans might expect a decline, for example, with common spells that have been seen before. However, The Secrets of Dumbledore puts in new creatures like the Chillen, new defense spells, and a whole world of port keys that will astound die-hard fans. The visuals are exciting; with many slow-motion fight scenes, scattering papers, and jets of light from wands. Spells and magical creatures are hidden in every nook and cranny of film, which makes the magical universe seem infinite and extremely detailed. The director, David Yates, shows how the Wizarding World evolves, keeping fans on their toes for more violent duels and even better special effects. The best part of the film is seeing new sides of the characters we know and love. Newt’s kindness and bravery is on full display, as well as seeing Jacob, a muggle, use magic.  Seeing Dumbledore question himself and make mistakes reminds fans that before he was the most powerful wizard on the planet, he was just a human who was in love. 

Several characters learn different messages throughout the movie. Newt learns that he can be kind but also brave and a valuable asset to a team. Jacob and Queenie fight for their love in a world that was disapproving of their relationship. Dumbledore and Credence have to face old ghosts of their pasts and do what is right to save humanity. 

I give Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 10 to 18, plus adults. It premieres in theaters April 15, 2022.

It’s time for Easter! Here are some of my favorite Children’s Book gift ideas!

Celebrate Easter with the perfect gift for every basket: PAINT BY STICKER KIDS: EASTER, featuring ten full-color images of seasonal favorites, from beautifully dyed eggs to delicious chocolate bunnies. This one will be a hit with children 5+.

The perfect way to enjoy the Easter season, kids can create scenes of springtime, one sticker at a time. A sweet little lamb leaps through a field of flowers, while an inquisitive rabbit poses with vibrantly colorful eggs and a festive bonnet bursts with flowers. Sticker artists will love watching their shareable paintings come to life, and parents will love the lack of cleanup.

Not yet familiar with Paint by Sticker? Here’s how it works: find the numbered sticker, peel it, place it in the corresponding space, and watch the image come to life! As budding artists create their masterpieces, they are also refining their motor skills and reinforcing number and shape recognition. As noted by Wirecutter, Paint By Sticker is “a high-focus activity that scratches the creative itch while rewarding fine motor skills and number recognition. It’s also mess free—so much so that you can break out the book on a long road trip and buy yourself about 30 minutes of entertainment from one page.”

PAINT BY STICKER is all the fun of arts and crafts without the mess. No paints or sticky glue to spill makes cleanup nonexistent. Plus, these perforated card stock pages make it easier than ever to remove the out-of-this-world art and share it with the whole family! This one really is a whole lot of fun!

You can find this one at Workman Publishing.

NO NIBBLING! by Beth Ferry; illustrated by A.N. Kang (Roaring Brook Press, on sale February 15, 2022, Ages 2-6)

A word-play picture book about friendship, a gardening ox, and a precocious bunny filled with fantastic word play that will have kids laughing and insisting, “No nibbling!” This is a fun book and young children will love it!

The next one is a must for Egg Decorating! SHOW-HOW GUIDES: EGG DECORATING by Renée Kurilla; illustrated by Keith Zoo (Odd Dot, on sale January 4, 2022, Ages 6-11)

The newest edition to the SHOW-HOW GUIDES series features the essential designs and techniques everyone should know for egg decorating! I love how this one is so easy to follow the decorations and it’s fun for the whole family! You can find this one and No Nibbling! at https://us.macmillan.com/mackids/

Self Disclosure: I received free copies of the above books to facilitate this post. Cover images were also provided.