The Pig, the Elephant, and the Wise-Cracking Bird

By: Michael Sampson and Bonnie J. Johnson

Illustrated by: Joshua Sampson

New York Times bestselling author Michael Sampson teams up with filmmaking son Joshua Sampson and award-winning education specialist Bonnie J. Johnson to pen children’s picture book about idioms.

Meet Ogden Oink, a fun-loving, adventurous, likeable piglet, in Michael Sampson and Bonnie J. Johnson’s The Pig, the Elephant, and the Wise-Cracking Bird. He dresses and speaks as humans do and gets into more than his fair share of difficulties because he interprets figurative expressions literally. This humorous book will get young readers thinking about language-and laughing, too.

Obscura the Cat Sees Beyond

By: Ben Franchi

Illustrated by: Cheyenne Bigham

A magically perfect read just in time for Halloween.

Green eyes and title font on the finished cover 

will glow in the dark!

You are in for a chill and a thrill as you read this mysterious read-aloud book that is sure to be non-stop entertainment. Join Obscura, the not-so-feisty feline, as she navigates her haunted home in search of her owners, encountering all manner of spooky sights along the way.

Let’s Play Jegi

By: Im Seo-Ha

Illustrated by: Choi Byung-dae

Let’s Play Ddakji (first book in this seires–released Fall 2022) has just been announced as winner of the following Children’s Book Council honors:

CBC Children’s Favorites Award Winner 2023

CBC Teacher Favorites Award Winner 2023

From the renowned author of Let’s Play Ddakji and Let’s Play Gonggi comes the third book in the Traditional Korean Games series, Let’s Play Jegi. With the history of jegi’s origins and detailed instructions of how to play, kids will learn about this fun, fast-footwork South Korean game through an engaging story of friendship and scrapbook-style illustrations.

Alithia Ramirez Was an Artist

Written and Illustrated by: Violet Lemay

Including art by: Alithia Ramirez

“Alithia Ramirez Was an Artist reminds us why art is so powerful-and healing.”

—Parents Magazine

Alithia drew the world as it should be- full of color and joy, creativity and fun. From her teachers to her family and friends, Alithia shared her gifts with an open heart. Written to honor Alithia and all the lives affected by the Uvalde school tragedy, Alithia Ramirez Was an Artist will help preserve the memory of this talented young girl through her story and her artwork. Author proceeds from the book will be donated to the Alithia Haven Ramirez Memorial Summer Seminar Scholarship Fund.

From Avocado Butts to Zeppelin butts and all of the wiggly jiggly butts in between, The Alphabutt Book by Huggies® ( Ages 0-4, $14.99, 9781464216565) celebrates the diverse range of baby bodies and booties that exist. Each letter is illustrated by a different artist―including Tyler Feder (BODIES ARE COOL) and Vanessa Brantley Newton (QUEEN OF KINDERGARTEN)―and the alliterative text will leave little ones giggling. Plus, a portion of the proceeds is going to the National Diaper Bank Network, a nonprofit providing diapers and other basic necessities to struggling families.

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

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Wish is an all-new musical-comedy welcoming audiences to the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force—a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe—the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico—to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Keila V. comments, “Wish is a beautiful film that contains a very valuable life lesson; not only is the movie inspiring, it is also hilarious. It’s perfect to watch with friends and family!” David E. adds, “Wish stands as the latest jewel in the Disney crown, a captivating addition to the beloved collection that has defined the magic of animated storytelling for generations. The film, reminiscent of prime Disney, artfully weaves a tale filled with enchanting moments, exceptional acting, and an irresistible vibrancy that pays homage to the studio’s golden era.” Avani wraps it up with, “The film reminds us to never give up following our passion because when we do, we lose the light inside ourselves and we forget what we are living for. When somebody pushes us down, that is the time that we have to do our best to stand up to them because we have the light and power within each of us.” See their full reviews plus Hanadie’s interview with director, Juan Pablo Reyes, below.

Wish 

By Keila V., KIDS FIRST!, Film Critic, Age 12

Wish is a beautiful film that contains a very valuable life lesson; not only is the movie inspiring, it is also hilarious. It’s perfect to watch with friends and family!

The story follows a girl named Asha (Ariana DeBose) who longs to fulfill her wish. Then something strange happens and Asha’s wishing star comes to life, Asha calls the wishing star, “Star”! King Magnifico (Chris Pine), a powerful sorcerer who looks like he is doing everything for the kingdom, but in reality, he is doing everything for himself. One of my favorite characters is Valentino (Alan Tudyk), the hilarious goat that cheers up everyone even when they’re in a tough situation. 

The animation is great although it is not as quite as good as many other animated films we see today. On the other hand, the special effects are incredible and match the story perfectly. My favorite scene is when Asha is talking to her friends about the wishing star coming to her and helping her with her wish. Asha puts Star and Valentino in the chicken pen and tells them to be quiet. When Asha shows Star to everyone, we are treated to chicken dance that Valentino is leading. What makes this scene so funny is the contrast between the serious topic and one that isn’t serious at all! Another stunning scene takes place on top of King Magnifico’s castle. Asha is in pain from the power King Magnifico has struck her and everyone in the kingdom, with. The citizens of Rosas are looking up at Asha. They too have been struck by King Magnifico’s bad magic, but they still sing with their hearts content to fight for their kingdom. You need to watch and see what happens next, I believe that you will love it just as much as I did!   

The film’s film is to always keep dreaming about your wishes — you will find a way to get there and someday they will come true. What matters most is that the wish is really your heart’s desire. Another message is to keep fighting for your dream because, if it is really what you want, it will come true.

I give Wish 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. It opens in theaters on November 22, 2023.

Wish

By David E., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

Wish stands as the latest jewel in the Disney crown, a captivating addition to the beloved collection that has defined the magic of animated storytelling for generations. The film, reminiscent of prime Disney, artfully weaves a tale filled with enchanting moments, exceptional acting, and an irresistible vibrancy that pays homage to the studio’s golden era.

At the heart of Wish lies the compelling story of Asha, portrayed with grace and charm by Ariana DeBose. A soon-to-be 18-year-old, Asha embarks on a journey discovering the transformative power of wishing upon a star. Her wish, far from ordinary, becomes a courageous plea to thwart the plans of the imposing King Magnifico, portrayed with regal charisma by Chris Pine. The narrative unfolds with a perfect blend of whimsy and depth, capturing the hearts of audiences from start to finish.

The palpable enthusiasm surrounding the film is undeniable. Wish not only delivers a cinematic experience that is compelling and entertaining, but manages to empower its audience at the same time. The film’s brevity sets a new benchmark for Disney, departing from sprawling narratives and standing as a testament to the creative prowess of the filmmakers. In terms of technical brilliance, Wish excels in its innovative approach. The combination of 3D characters and 2D backgrounds creates an animated masterpiece, showcasing the film’s commitment to pushing artistic boundaries. Chris Pine’s portrayal of King Magnifico is outstanding, portraying the character as a misunderstood villain, shedding light on Pine’s underrated acting skills. Ariana DeBose, with her remarkable voice and expressive acting, brings depth and authenticity to her character, adding to the film’s overall allure. The pacing of the film is a noteworthy element, keeping the audience engaged throughout the film.

The film’s message, “some dreams come true,” resonates perfectly with the quintessential Disney spirit. It encapsulates the magic of dreams and the belief that, no matter the circumstances, some wishes do come true.

I give Wish 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults.  It releases in theaters on November 22, 2023.

Wish
By Avani M., KIDSFIRST! Film Critic, age 11

Set in the beautiful kingdom of Rosas, I found Wish to be an enchanting and fascinating movie with amazing singing and really funny characters!

Asha (Ariana DeBose) lives in Rosas where a sorcerer king named Magnifico (Chris Pine), and a queen named Amaya (Angelique Cabral) rule. Asha also has a cute sidekick, a goat named Valentino (Alan Tudyk). Magnifico has a special power which is the ability to grant wishes. Young Asha makes a wish so powerful that it’s answered by a cosmic force, a ball of boundless energy called Star. With Star’s help, Asha is able to save her kingdom from the evil king and prove that magic things can happen.

Rosas is a beautifully animated town where people always have fun. However, the setting sometimes looks rather flat, uncharacteristic of the lively Disney animation I am l so used to. Sometimes the secondary characters look like they are all wearing the same clothes and they don’t have much impact to the story. Ariana DeBose’s singing is so spectacular; you can hear the power and the emotion in her voice. Chris Pine is a great voice actor for Magnifico because you can hear the difference between when Magnifico is the good king vs when he plays the “Evil sorcerer.” Alan Tudyk is really funny and is perfect for the role of Valentino! The little Star is super cute and lively, making me laugh out loud! Wish was especially made for the 100th anniversary of Disney Studios and meets KIDSFIRST! criteria. I loved the interesting story and the many great songs. Disney is also launching a new Wish Together campaign with their decade’s long partnership with Make-a-Wish Foundation with the release of this movie.

The film reminds us to never give up following our passion because when we do, we lose the light inside ourselves and we forget what we are living for. When somebody pushes us down, that is the time that we have to do our best to stand up to them because we have the light and power within each of us. We also are reminded that we are always stronger when we stand together. When Asha is defeated by Magnifico, she starts singing a powerful song which moves everyone to sing with her and they defeat Magnifico together.

I give Wish 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. It is available in theaters now.

Writer, actor, filmmaker, studio head and media titan, Tyler Perry, is America’s consummate multihyphenate. But underneath this entertainment behemoth is a man working humbly to heal his childhood trauma by transforming his pain into promise. Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story, a nod to his mother’s love, is a tender and intimate portrait of visionary and innovator Tyler Perry: his harrowing but faithful road to the top of an industry that didn’t always include him. With unfettered access, directors/filmmakers Gelila Bekele and Armani Ortiz lead us into the inner-world of a man, whose story has never fully been told, as he becomes a father and a media mogul with a mission to pave his own road to the top. The product is a profound lesson on remembering where you came from to know where you want to go.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Katherine S. comments, “Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story is a beautiful movie. This documentary is so inspiring with lessons on the importance of forgiveness, faith and perseverance.  And I learned so much about Tyler Perry!” See her full review below.

Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story 

By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story is a beautiful movie. This documentary is so inspiring with lessons on the importance of forgiveness, faith and perseverance.  And I learned so much about Tyler Perry!

The movie reveals the childhood trauma that Tyler Perry went through and shows how he became the most successful African American filmmaker we all know. It’s also a tribute to his late mother, Maxine, hence the title of the movie. 

According to co-directors Gelila Bekele and Armani Ortiz, this movie took ten years to make. I had no idea what Tyler went through as a child because he had a pretty private life, so it was incredible to learn more about him and see how strong he is. We already know about his success, but in this documentary, we get to see all the challenges he faced. It highlights many aspects of his life like his faith, his abusive father, his previous studios, the start of his famous character Madea and the impact he had on the movie industry. Something else that is interesting that I learned about from this film is that Tyler Perry’s newest studio is on an old confederate army base in Atlanta, which really makes this movie come full circle. The beauty of this rich documentary is that it provides so many different points of views from so many different people and perspectives.  We hear from his supporters, his haters, his family, and his friends, such as Oprah Winfrey, Ozzie Areu, Gayle King and Ari Emanuel. In addition to hearing from all of these people, the movie also uncovers never-before-seen videos of Maxine Perry, Tyler’s mom, which is really special since she has passed away and she’s the movie’s namesake.

The film’s message is all about forgiveness. Even after all the abuse, Tyler was able to forgive and move on from his trauma, which really allowed him to grow. Be aware that this movie deals with abuse, has a few graphic images and also some profanity. 

I give Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It releases on Prime Video on November 17, 2023.

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Trailer:

Poppy discovers that Branch was once part of the boy band ‘BroZone’ with his brothers, Floyd, John Dory, Spruce and Clay. When Floyd is kidnapped, Branch and Poppy embark on a journey to reunite his two other brothers and rescue Floyd.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Kennedy P. comments, “I love the new animated musical, Trolls Band Together.  The movie delivers a lot of heart, along with showing the importance of family values, friendship, and love.  Trolls Band Together had me out of my seat, dancing and singing along to all the songs.”   Tiana S. adds, “It’s time to hit the backstreet for a new edition to the Trolls movie franchise! Trolls Band Together has the perfect music, acting and animation that kept me *Nsync with the story!”  Kira O. says, “The music adds a lot of energetic fun to the film, including a new song called “Better Place,” from the 90s boy band *NSync. That should make some parents in the audience happy since the band hasn’t released a new song in 20 years!” Valerie R. wraps it up with, “I really admire how they brought NSYNC back together to record the song “Better Place” for the film. All in all, this film is a fun and family-friendly film that I and my family really enjoyed! Plus, I love the very important message this movie conveys.” See their full reviews plus an interview with director, Walter Dohrn below.

Trolls Band Together
By Kennedy P., KIDS FIRST! Flim Critic, age 9

I love the new animated musical, Trolls Band Together.  The movie delivers a lot of heart, along with showing the importance of family values, friendship, and love.  Trolls Band Together had me out of my seat, dancing and singing along to all the songs.  

In the film, Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and Branch (Justin Timberlake) are now officially, finally, a couple.  As they grow closer, Poppy discovers that Branch has a secret past. He was once part of her favorite boy band “BroZone,” with his four brothers.  BroZone disbanded when Branch was still a baby, as did the family, and Branch has not seen his brothers since.  When Branch’s bro Floyd is kidnapped for his musical talents by a pair of pop-star villains, Velvet (Amy Schumer) and Veneer (Andrew Rannells), Branch and Poppy embark on a harrowing and emotional journey to reunite the brothers and rescue Floyd from a fate even worse than pop-culture obscurity.

Trolls Band Together embraces the boy band era with so many references to everyone’s favorite bands.  The movie delivers a lot of heart, along with showing the importance of family values, friendship, and love.  The entire movie is filled with humor, catchy cover songs, amazing animation, and lessons about family.  Directed by Walt Dohm and Tim Heitz, the animation in this DreamWorks production is stunning — all the vibrant colors throughout the movie are amazing.  I was not able to take your eyes off the screen.  All the music goes so well with the storyline in every scene.  It features a new original song, “Better Place,” from Justin Timberlake’s old boy band NSYNC. It was so fun to sing and dance along.  The voice actors are terrific. Timberlake and Kendrick are joined by Zooey Deschanel, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Icona Pop, Anderson Paak, Ron Funches, Kenan Thompson, Kunal Nayyar plus a handful of newcomers. They could not have picked a better group of actors to voice these characters.  The script by Elizabeth Tippet is so smart, but my favorite part is all the songs and dances throughout the movie. Trolls movies have been a hit with viewers of all ages and this one is no different.  I predict that everyone will be singing and dancing and loving every minute of this movie.  

The film’s message is about family dynamics and how all family relationships are different. It shows viewers that no two families are the same and all families have their differences with each other, but they are still family. Be aware that it contains some rude and suggestive humor and some scary creatures like the Bergens and large spiders, plus the trolls are chased and eaten.

I give Trolls Band Together 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults.  You can watch Trolls Band Together in theaters on November 17, 2023.

Trolls Band Together 

By Tiana S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

It’s time to hit the backstreet for a new edition to the Trolls movie franchise! Trolls Band Together has the perfect music, acting and animation that kept me *Nsync with the story! 

In Trolls Band Together we get to see the family of Branch (Justin Timberlake) and their former band “BroZone.” After the band breaks up, one of the brothers, Floyd (Troye Sivian) gets kidnapped by Velvet (Amy Schumer) and Venner (Andrew Rannells) who steal his talent. It’s up to Branch, his brothers, Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and some other new and recurring characters to find a way to save him before it’s too late.

The film’s main characters are Poppy, Branch and the BroZone brothers. There are many new characters introduced in this film. I personally love characters with an evil aura and Velvet has to be my favorite. She’s the perfect mix of a prideful mean girl and a typical big sister. Velvet’s singing performance by Brianna Mazzola sounds so angelic and beautiful, which I loved as well. Speaking of singing, the music covers in this film are outstanding! I love the boy band references throughout the film, like New Kids on The Block, 98 Degrees and One Direction. Plus NSync came together to record a new song for this film. In the film, we see a lot of issues between family members. BroZone members are constantly at odds with each other – John Dory (Eric André), trying to be the boss of everyone and the brothers treating Branch like a baby, causing hard feelings and arguments. Even Velvet shows her evil and demanding ways towards Venner. This movie is worth watching and covers a lot of issues we can relate to.

The film’s message is about the true meaning of family. Being a family by blood is one thing, but actually portraying an equal family system is more important, especially among siblings. Kindness, equality, and understanding can relieve so many issues. Things parents may need to look out for are kissing scenes, love-related aspects like making out or having kids, and other very subtle words. 

I give Trolls Band Together 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18. It opens in theaters November 17, 2023. Be sure to stay for a short post-credits scene.

Trolls Band Together

By Kira O., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

Trolls Band Together is an awesome movie! This latest film in this DreamWorks trilogy did not disappoint me! It is filled with surprising back stories for some of the most beloved Trolls characters.

Similar to the first two Trolls films, viewers join a rescue adventure led by Branch (Justin Timberlake) and Poppy (Anna Kendrick). The film starts with a lead up to the wedding of Bridget (Zooey Deschanel) and King Gristle (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) when a person from Branch’s past comes crashing in.

We learn that Branch has three older brothers, John Dory (Eric André), Spruce (Daveed Diggs), Clay (Kid Cudi) and Floyd (Troye Sivan). They had a boy band, BroZone that failed, leaving Branch to live alone with their grandmother. Fast forward to present day and Floyd has been kidnapped by the film’s villains, Velvet (Amy Schumer) and Veneer (Andrew Rannells) who plan  to steal Floyd’s singing talent.  John Dory tries to get the band back together, to save Floyd. First, he enlists the help of Poppy and Branch, and then they set out to find Spruce, and then Clay. My favorite part is when they are searching for Clay and end up at an abandoned golf course and discover a new community of trolls. Viva (Camila Cabello) is the leader of the troll community. I don’t want to spoil the surprise but a main character is very important to Viva. The animation is very good and consistent with the Trolls trilogy, which means vibrant colors, a wide range of characters and lots of pop music montages from the ‘80s, ‘90s and 2000s. The music adds a lot of energetic fun to the film, including a new song called “Better Place,” from the 90s boy band *NSync. That should make some parents in the audience happy since the band hasn’t released a new song in 20 years!

The message of Trolls Band Together is that things do not have to be perfect to work, including families. 

I give Trolls Band Together 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8, plus adults. It releases in theaters on November 17, 2023.

Trolls Band Together 

By Valerie R., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

Want to embark on a magical adventure filled with funky characters and a spectacular soundtrack? Trolls Band Together is the perfect movie for you and your entire family to watch together on movie night as I and my family loved it. 

The story follows Branch (Justin Timberlake) who discovers that one of his brothers is being held captive by villainous pop stars Velvet (Amy Schumer) and Veneer (Andrew Rannells). Poppy (Anna Kendrick), Branch and his other brothers, Clay (Kid Cudi), John Dory (Eric Andre) and Spruce (Daveed Diggs) embark on an emotional journey in order to rescue their brother Floyd (Troye Sivan). During the journey Poppy discovers she has a long lost sister named Viva (Camila Cabello). Throughout their journey the Trolls learn the importance of family, and the importance of sticking together and solving problems together. 

What I enjoy the most about this film are the character designs and animation throughout the entire film. The animation is perfectly clear and visible; it is very different from the original Trolls movies, and looks hyper-realistic. I love how they reference bands like NSYNC, One Direction and Boys ll Men to describe Branch and his brothers’ former band that disbanded. Another thing I love about this film is the comedic timing of the characters. The jokes are absolutely hysterical! Although there is so much to love about this film I am not a fan of the visual effects; the colors are so exotic that they made me feel quite nauseous and dizzy. The flashing lights and the variety of colors made my eyes hurt. Another thing worth mentioning is the soundtrack, which made me feel like dancing and singing along. I really admire how they brought NSYNC back together to record the song “Better Place” for the film. All in all, this film is a fun and family-friendly film that I and my family really enjoyed! Plus, I love the very important message this movie conveys. 

The film’s message is that family is the most important thing and that family should always stick together. Never take family for granted and always put family first. Please be advised that there is brief profanity.

I give Trolls Band Together 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. Trolls Band Together releases in theaters Friday November 17, 2023.