Archives for February 2024

Books of the Week

The Human Body by Ruth Redford, illustrated by Leandro Cunha 

(Paperback – January 2nd, 2024)

Take a journey inside the body—as an alien! Hop aboard a flying saucer and travel alongside your alien guides who are on a mission to understand the wonders of human body systems. High-impact graphic art explores the circulatory system, the digestive system, the skeletal system, and more.

Lively text introduces concepts such as what the body is made of and how it responds to stimuli such as broken bones, burns, and illnesses. From major organs to types of blood cells, story-driven text delivers expert-reviewed nonfiction information about the amazing human body and how it works to stay healthy. Get a close-up view of how a healthy body works to fight invaders like viruses. . .or spaceships. A raucous graphic-format exploration of body systems with a twist.

About The Human Body creators:

Ruth Redford is a freelance editor and author based in the United Kingdom. She loves writing and researching nonfiction projects.

Leandro Cunha, born in Rio de Janeiro, is an illustrator and art director. Passionate about comics and animations, he brings to life charming characters from everyday life to imaginary worlds to captivate children and adults.

The Perfect One by Sue Lancaster, illustrated by Rocío Caputo & Diego Vaisberg (Hardcover – February 6th, 2024)

Cami and Isa are very different sisters. 

Cami always wants to be perfect. She worries about it every single day! She follows all the rules, does all her homework on time, and never makes a fuss.

Isa, on the other hand, is confident everything she does is perfect, even when it’s most definitely not. Her drawing on the wall? Perfect. Her bowling ball bouncing into the other lane? Perfect-er.

When the two sisters face their own challenges at the first day of basketball camp, they realize there’s a lot they can teach each other. Featuring charming and humorous illustrations, The Perfect One shares gentle messaging about the importance of patience, practice, and supporting your siblings.

The perfect book for kids struggling with perfectionism, or any child that compares themselves to a sibling, The Perfect One helps children understand there’s no such thing as perfect—just being perfectly true to you.

About The Perfect One creators:

Sue Lancaster lives in London with her husband and two daughters. She has a degree in Media Studies at the University of East London. She grew up in Clacton on the coast of Essex and spent much of her childhood in or beside the sea, playing with her three cats, or being tormented by her two older brothers.

Diego Vaisberg is an Art Director and Illustrator at DGPH Illustration and Design Studio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and illustration professor at Palermo University and collaborator at Universidad de Buenos Aires in graphic design. Vaisberg has over 20 years working on visual development, advertising and illustration for children’s products.

Rocío Caputo works as an illustrator and visual development artist and is an Illustration and VisDev professor at Palermo University in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Caputo is truly passionate about sharing stories through her work and creating a deeper visual narrative.

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

Festival of Arts Offers a Sweet Deal to Spoil Your Loved One

Jean-Honoré Fragonard’s “The Swing” to be re-created in the 2024 Pageant of the Masters

Let love paint the way this Valentine’s Day! Create lasting memories and treat your beloved to a one-of-a-kind gift with tickets to this summer’s Pageant of the Masters production, À La Mode: The Art of Fashionperformed nightly July 6 through August 30, 2024. Special for Valentine’s Day, save 20% on Pageant tickets with promotional code VDAY24 (excludes Loge Center and premium-priced seats). Offer ends February 14, 2024.

“Whether you’re celebrating a new romance, a longtime relationship, or simply expressing your affection for someone special on Valentine’s Day, Pageant of the Masters tickets make the perfect gift,” said Sharbie Higuchi, Director of Marketing/PR at Festival of Arts of Laguna. “We’re all about creating memorable experiences, and with this special discount offer, we invite our patrons to celebrate love and make lasting memories with us this summer.”

The 2024 Pageant of the Masters, À La Mode: The Art of Fashion, will mesmerize audiences with a captivating journey through history’s most iconic fashion trends and spectacles, brought to life through the artistry of living pictures, unforgettable music and engaging storytelling. From the opulent grandeur of royal courts to the contemporary glamor of today’s catwalks, this summer’s production will unravel the narrative of attire through the ages, revealing its inherent power and significance.

Spoil your sweetheart with tickets to this summer’s Pageant of the Masters and save 20% on tickets purchased by February 14, 2024. This offer cannot be combined with other deals and excludes Loge Center seats and premium-priced tickets. $10 per ticket service charge applies to all orders. To take advantage of this limited time offer call (800) 487-3378 or visit www.PageantTickets.com.

A Pageant ticket is also a season pass ticket to the Festival of Arts, so patrons can enjoy the art show all summer long. To stay up to date on all things Pageant of the Masters and Fine Arts Show visit www.foapom.com or follow @FestivalPageant on social media. To support the Festival of Arts, please visit www.foapom.com/supportnow.

Credit: The Festival of Arts.

Book of the Day: LOVE IS MY FAVORITE COLOR- New Pic Book Perfect for Valentine’s Day!

by Nina Laden

 LOVE IS MY FAVORITE COLOR from author Nina Laden and illustrator Melissa Castrillon, is filled with stunning artwork that shows readers how to celebrate the things that make life wonderful and what makes each day special. Readers of all ages will find moments to treasure and be reminded of all the lovely parts of the world around them. This picture book is also perfect for reading out loud, as the language is soothing and poetic.

This is the fourth collaboration between author Nina Laden and illustrator Melissa Castrillon. Their previous books together include IF I HAD A LITTLE DREAM (2017), YELLOW KAYAK (2018), and DEAR LITTLE ONE (2021).

This is a beautiful book that young children would love! Perfect for all ages!

Author Bio
Nina Laden is the author-illustrator of many books for kids, including the Peek-a series; Who Loves You, Baby?The Night I Followed the DogYellow KayakDear Little One; and Love Is My Favorite Color. She lives with her husband on Lummi Island, Washington. Visit her online at NinaLaden.com.

Melissa Castrillon studied at the Cambridge School of Art where she earned a first class honors degree in illustration and a master’s degree in children’s book illustration. She is the illustrator of If I Had a Little Dream by Nina Laden. She is also the author-illustrator of The Balcony, which received the Society of Illustrators Gold Medal. Her book Dear Little One, by Nina Laden, was a School Library Journal best picture book of the year. Her books have been published all over the world. She lives in Cambridge, England, with her husband.

Self Disclosure: I received a free copy of the above book to feature. A cover image was also provided.

Lisbon, February 9th Pet of the Week

sooo cute!

Lisbon is a 2-year-old chocolate point Siamese type who entered Long Beach Animal Care Services in December. You should have seen him—ragged of fur, sick with a URI, and in short, was a cat you wouldn’t have looked at twice, even with the Siamese going on. Well, check him out now! He has a lot more going on! He’s soft and fluffy, has clear, inquisitive blue eyes, and is curious about everything. Lisbon would love to snoop around your house! To adopt or foster Lisbon, email PetAdopt@longbeach.gov to speed the process, or call (562) 570-7387. Better yet, come meet him in person at Long Beach Animal Care Services, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach. Hours are Weds–Fri, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m., and Sat–Sun, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Ask for ID#A712649.

(This rescue encouraged by the usual suspects.)

Wild Weekends at the L.A. Zoo

Photo Credit: Jamie Pham/GLAZA

The Los Angeles Zoo is thrilled to announce the launch of Wild Weekends at the L.A. Zoo, a series of themed weekends offering guests special entertainment, activities, and educational opportunities in celebration of communities, wildlife, and the planet. All programming is free with paid daytime admission and for Zoo members. 

Lunar New Year – Saturday, Feb.17–Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024   

As we welcome the Year of the Dragon, the L.A. Zoo is proud to embrace the rich cultural traditions associated with Lunar New Year. This special weekend celebration features a range of activities and performances that honor this festive occasion, including spectacular performances and demonstrations by Wushu Shaolin Entertainment, who will perform captivating displays of martial arts, dragon dances, calligraphy demonstrations, and other cultural performances. Guests can also enjoy spotlights on animals of the Chinese zodiac and participate in the tradition of adding their hopes for the New Year to the Wall of Well Wishes. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit:  https://lazoo.org/plan-your-visit/special-experiences/wild-weekends/lunar-new-year/. 

Spring Fling featuring Big Bunny – Friday, March 28 – Sunday, March 31, 2024 

Spring into fun with this jubilant celebration of nature’s renewal at the L.A. Zoo. Visitors can enjoy egg-citing activities, fascinating education stations, pollinator activities, live story readings, a honey tasting, and special animal feedings throughout the weekend. Returning this year is special photo ops with Big Bunny, so hop on over for some Springtime fun as we embrace the season of birth and renewal at the L.A. Zoo. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit: https://lazoo.org/plan-your-visit/whats-on/spring-fling-featuring-big-bunny/ 

Wild for the Planet – Saturday, April 20 and Sunday, April 21, 2024  

Join the L.A. Zoo in celebrating Earth Day and our planet’s biodiversity at this special weekend event. Enjoy interactive activities, live entertainment with 3rd Rock Hip Hop, a honey tasting, and inspiring presentations highlighting the Zoo’s conservation efforts. From Planting for Pollinators to an Earth Expo featuring community partners, there are plenty of opportunities to discover how to contribute to a more sustainable future. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit: https://lazoo.org/plan-your-visit/whats-on/wild-for-the-planet/. 

The Los Angeles Zoo is dedicated to providing engaging and educational experiences for guests of all ages, and Wild Weekends at the L.A. Zoo is the perfect opportunity to immerse oneself in the wonders of the natural world. All programming is free with paid daytime admission and for GLAZA members. 

Credit: The Los Angeles Zoo.

Argylle * Very Exciting Action Film With Lots Of Plot Twists

A reclusive author who writes espionage novels about a secret agent and a global spy syndicate realizes the plot of the new book she’s writing starts to mirror real-world events, in real time.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Miguel C. comments, “Argylle is a very exciting action film with a lot of plot twists. The high quality sound effects and background music are spectacular and terrific acting.” Rayce S. adds, “Argylle has some funny moments and some good action scenes, but for the majority of the movie the dialogue falls flat. The VFX look like they were rushed, and the star studded cast is not used to their full potential.” See their full reviews below.

Argylle
By Miguel C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14 

Argylle is a very exciting action film with a lot of plot twists. The high quality sound effects and background music are spectacular and terrific acting. 

The storyline follows a writer Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard), who is seen at a reading for her new book, Argylle 4. At the reading we meet the key characters including Lagrange (Dua Lipa) and Aidan Wilde (Sam Rockwell) who is revealed to be a spy.  After it is revealed that Elly has been writing about a super secret spy mission, things begin to get heated.

Kudos to director Matthew Vaughn for delivering such an exciting film. The special effects really stand out, especially the sound effects which make it seem almost as if I was there. I also enjoyed the background music throughout the film. The music by Lorne Balfe creates suspenseful moments that kept me engaged with the movie. The best scene has to be when Aiden has to fight against the undercover spies on the train. We get to see how Elly interacts with the whole situation and, of course, there is amazing fight choreography. We notice how Argylle (Henry Cavill) is always alongside Elly and Aiden, but not in a way you might expect. Over the course of the film Elly is searching for the ending of her fifth book, but the plot completely changes throughout the movie. 

The film’s message is to always remember who you are and this film delivers this message in a suspenseful way. It’s important to note that this film contains a lot of fighting, blood and crazy action scenes.

I give Argylle 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters February 2, 2024. 

Argylle

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

Argylle has some funny moments and some good action scenes, but for the majority of the movie the dialogue falls flat. The VFX look like they were rushed, and the star studded cast is not used to their full potential which is disappointing. 

The story follows an introverted novelist who writes about a secret agent and a global spy syndicate—and she discovers that the plot of her latest work is mirroring actual events in real time.


Argylle
is a movie that starts off bland in the beginning then teases you with some enjoyable moments that don’t pay off. The main character Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard) was not that interesting, and I became more interested in Argylle (Henry Cavil). However, the biggest disappointment of the film is its dialogue. In the theater I found myself wanting to leave after hearing one-liners over and over that for me just didn’t land well. And the poor visual effects kept stopping my immersion into the film. Toward the climax it becomes distracting and the final action scene looks fake, mainly in the background. I do have to give this film credit for having a lot of twists and turns—until halfway through the film I was engaged. All of the shocking twists kept me wanting more. Argylle might secretly be a work of genius simply based on its ending credits scene, which I won’t spoil.

The theme of Argylle is remembering who you are, and it is best represented by Elly Conway as she embarks on a journey through her old books to find parts of herself. I quite liked this aspect of the film because it really gives us a chance to know more about Elly Conway.


Overall, I give Argylle 2 out of 5 stars, and I recommend it for ages 12 to 18.  This film releases in theaters February 2, 2024.  Trailer:

Jurassic Quest Wraps SoCal Tour in Pomona, Costa Mesa

 Last chance to see North America’s most popular interactive dinosaur experience in the LA area this year! Jurassic Quest and its herd of photorealistic dinosaurs will end its 2024 SoCal migration at the Pomona Fairplex (Feb. 9-11) and the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa (Feb. 23-25). Other SoCal stops have included Anaheim, Del Mar and Ventura.

New for 2024! Jurassic Quest has loaded up with more hands-on activities, education and fun for the whole family including our expanded herd of life-like moving and roaring dinosaurs, themed rides and attractions, live dinosaur shows, interactive science and art activities including a giant fossil dig, real fossils, a “Triceratots” soft play area for our littlest explorers, photo opportunities, a newly launched video tour featuring our star dinosaur trainers, and more! Brand new attractions include kids facing off with the notoriously fast Jurassic Quest Utahraptors for “Raptor Run” races, and “Rope-a-Raptor,” where  experienced “BrontoBusters” help kids lasso stray dinos to get them back to their pens.

TICKETS:  Advance online purchase recommended

KIDS,  ADULTS and SENIORS pricing available. General admission includes live shows, arts and crafts activities, and dinosaur exhibits. Tickets for individual activities available on-site. Free entry for children under 2. KIDS UNLIMITED TICKETS: Includes admission, all-you-can-ride access to dinosaur rides, inflatables, fossil dig, and more. 

Credit: Jurassic Quest.

Dinosaur Bowl: Our favorite Dinosaurs and their football counterpart

With pro football’s Big Game upcoming on Feb. 11, Jurassic Quest’s dinosaur experts Park Ranger Marty and Prehistoric Nick combine two family favorites – sports and dinosaurs! The dynamic dinosaur duo provides their expert analysis of what a football lineup would look like during the age of the dinosaurs by matching football position traits to dinosaur species characteristics. 

“Families of all ages come to Jurassic Quest every weekend because they love dinosaurs, and end up learning more about history and science,” said Park Ranger Marty. “Millions watch the Big Game every year, so we decided to have some fun, use our imagination, and combine the two experiences to teach everyone what traits certain dinosaurs were known for by comparing them to positions we are all familiar with on the football field.”

Jurassic Quest, North America’s most popular interactive dinosaur experience, visits three new cities each weekend with the biggest photorealistic dino herd on the continent. Check out when Jurassic Quest will visit your hometown and see some of these dinosaurs in action at www.jurassicquest.com. Use code QUEST15 to save 15% on tickets when Jurassic Quest is in your area.

Quarterback – Troodon

Park Ranger Marty says: “The Troodon is thought to be the smartest of the dinosaurs. Fast with good eyesight to hunt for prey, the Troodon could be considered the best signal-caller of the Cretaceous period, as he can also hunt for the perfect receiver to throw the pigskin.”

Running Back – Pachycephalosaurus

Prehistoric Nick says: “With a built-in helmet on his head, the Pachycephalosaurus has only one goal: Move forward fast. This Cretaceous period dinosaur just lowers its head and feels sorry for anything that gets in its way. The Pachycephalosaurus is small, strong and determined. This is the one dinosaur I would want in my backfield to gain those tough yards, but also has breakaway speed.”

Wide Receiver – Ornithomimus

Park Ranger Marty says: “The Ornithomimus is thought to be the fastest dinosaur. No other dinosaur is going to be able to keep up with this long-legged runner. I don’t know how much of a ‘diva’ the Ornithomimus was, but I’m certain this dinosaur would be yelling, ‘I’m open!’ all day long.”

Offensive Lineman – Triceratops

Prehistoric Nick says: “The Triceratops is the dinosaur you want protecting your high-paid quarterback. At seven tons of stopping force, with three spikes on its head, seems like the right choice. Is that even fair?!?! The Triceratops was thought to be a fierce protector of its young, making them the perfect choice to protect the most important position on the field.”

Defensive Lineman – T-Rex

Prehistoric Nick says: “Is this even a debate? The T-Rex was a nine-ton killing machine. I’d put this dinosaur on the hunt for the opposing quarterback all day long. The T-Rex would not only sack the quarterback, it would ‘snack’ on him too.”

Linebacker – Utahraptors

Park Ranger Marty says: “Utahraptor is the largest in the raptor family. Imagine a velociraptor on steroids. It’s 1,100 pounds, but still very quick. It’s also pretty smart for a dinosaur. It will quickly read the offensive plays, and call them out to the defense.”

Defensive Back – Allosaurus

Prehistoric Nick says; “The Allosaurus is a little smaller, and a lot faster than the T.rex. Did something speedy sneak through your first line of defense? Well, they won’t get through your second. When you’re an Allosaurus, every running back and wide receiver just looks like dinner. And with smaller hands, I’m sure they too would have trouble intercepting passes.”

Home resources to entertain kids during the Big Game!

Find dinosaur fun at home anytime with Jurassic Quest’s virtual resources. Join the Jurassic Quest dino trainers for Dino Storytime, Science Sundays and more on our YouTube Channel. Families can access free craft activities, word searches, coloring pages and more HERE, as well as the extensive Jurassic Quest dino directory HERE. And, the Jurassic Quest theme song HERE is newly remastered with captions so families can sing along!

MORE ON JURASSIC QUEST

Loved by millions, only Jurassic Quest can bring families memories this BIG! Walk through 165 million years of the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods to learn about the creatures that ruled on land. In addition to lifelike dinosaurs, Jurassic Quest’s classic experiences for the whole family include some of the largest rideable dinosaurs in North America, live dinosaur shows, interactive science and art activities including a fossil dig and real fossils like T.rex teeth, a triceratops horn and life-size dino skull, a “Triceratots” soft play area for our littlest explorers, bounce houses and inflatable attractions, photo opportunities, and more.

New for 2024! Jurassic Quest is bringing more hands-on activities, education and fun. This evolution, Jurassic Quest includes an expanded Excavation Station and more Jurassic-themed rides and inflatables. Even our animatronic herd has expanded to include fan favorites, the Utahraptor and Giganotosaurus. In addition to “The Quest,” a self-guided scavenger hunt style activity where budding paleontologists can become Jr. Dinosaur Trainers, Jurassic Quest has launched a new video tour that’s already getting “roaring good” reviews from families and features our star dino trainers: Safari Sarah, Dino Dustin, Prehistoric Nick and Park Ranger Marty (available onsite and on your phone via QR code)! All expanded activities are included with general admission.

The Jurassic Quest herd of animatronic dinos – from the largest predators to playful baby dinos – are displayed in realistic scenes with some that move and roar, allowing guests to experience them as they were when they roamed the earth millions of years ago. Jurassic Quest works in collaboration with leading paleontologists to ensure each dinosaur is painstakingly replicated in every detail, from coloration to teeth size, to textured skin, scales or feathers, drawing on the latest research about how we understand dinosaurs and ancient giants of the sea looked and moved. Meet the babies, hatched only at Jurassic Quest: Cammie the Camarasaurus, Tyson the T-Rex and Trixie the Triceratops.

Credit: JURASSIC QUEST.