Archives for April 2025

Hailed as “a comical classic” (Kirkus Reviews) and “the catchiest children’s rhyme since ‘Sam I am’” (The Washington Post), Anna Dewdney’s LLAMA LLAMA RED PAJAMA (Hardcover; 9780670059836; ages 2-5; available now) has been translated into 11 languages, acquired over 12 million copies in print, and become a staple on bedtime bookshelves worldwide. Full of heart, empathetic humor, and a reassuring message, this infectious rhyming read-aloud celebrates the love and comfort parents give to their children. Tucked into bed, Baby Llama immediately starts worrying when his Mama leaves, and his soft whimpers turn to hollers when she doesn’t come right back. But just in time, Mama returns to set things right.

Anna Dewdney’s Llama Llama series has become a cultural touchstone, branching out to all types of media, including the Netflix animated series “Llama Llama” starring Golden Globe Award-winning actress Jennifer Garner. Llama Llama Red Pajama has been adapted by Dolly Parton for a musical performed at Dollywood, performed by musicians such as Ludacris, Migos, and Camila Cabello on the radio station Power .106 Los Angeles, and was chosen as Jumpstart’s Read for the Record book in 2011, setting the world benchmark for the most readings of a single book in one day. 

Other books in the #1 New York Times bestselling Llama Llamaseries include Llama Llama Holiday Drama, Llama Llama Misses Mama, Llama Llama Time to Share, Llama Llama Gram and Grandpa, Llama Llama Loves to Read, Llama Llama Mess Mess Mess, Llama Llama Loose Tooth Drama and several others.  

May 2025 marks twenty years since the original publication of LLAMA LLAMA RED PAJAMA, Anna Dewdney’s classic bedtime read-aloud of comfort and laughter that spawned a bestselling picture book series with over 55 million books in print, a Netflix original series, and more. To commemorate the anniversary and Anna Dewdney’s commitment to honoring the love and care shown by educators, Penguin Young Readers will publish a new picture book, LLAMA LLAMA LOVES HIS TEACHER, on March 25, 2025, and host a special contest and more to help young readers celebrate their favorite teachers. The fun culminates in a special celebration during Teacher Appreciation Week from May 5-9.

Follow @LlamaLlamaOfficial on Facebook and Instagram

About Anna Dewdney

Anna Dewdney passed away in September 2016, at the age of fifty, from cancer. A teacher, mother, and enthusiastic proponent of reading aloud to children, she continually honed her skills as an artist and writer and published her first Llama Llama book in 2005. Her passion for creating extended to home and garden, and she lovingly restored an eighteenth century farmhouse in southern Vermont. She wrote, painted, gardened, and lived there with her partner, Reed, her two daughters, two wirehaired pointing griffons, and one bulldog. Anna was a warm-hearted, wonderful, wise soul who will be forever missed, but whose spirit lives on in her books.

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

I LOVE TEXAS

On Sale Date: April 8, 2025 / 9781523527281/ $12.99 USD 

Cowboy boots and pickup trucks. Frito pie and game day. Hill Country, horned lizards, and beautiful bluebonnets. Declare your love for the Lone Star State with illustrated stickers that capture what’s iconic about Texas, from famous landmarks like Cadillac Ranch and the Alamo, to cities big and small like Houston and El Paso. 

I LOVE CALIFORNIA

On Sale Date: April 8, 2025 / 9781523527021/ $12.99 USD 

Redwoods, golden poppies, and grizzly bears. The Hollywood Bowl and the Painted Ladies. Declare your love for the Golden State with illustrated stickers that capture what’s iconic about California, from beloved landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and Pacific Coast Highway, to stunning natural vistas like the High Sierra and Joshua Tree National Park.  I absolutely love this one! Since I live in California, I enjoyed seeing all the stickers I could relate to!

SPIDER-MAN SWINGS THROUGH by Hello!Lucky and Sabrina Moyle and illustrated by Eunice Moyle

(On sale April 8; ISBN: 9781419774683)

Explore New York City with Spider-Man as the beloved web-slinger vanquishes villains, woos Mary Jane, and navigates the sewer system alongside Lizard. Filled with Easter eggs and characters from across the multiverse, this full-color, illustrated gift book will delight Marvel fans of all ages.

FANTASTIC FOUR: MY MIGHTY MARVEL by Marvel Entertainment and illustrated by Jack Kirby

(On sale April 8; ISBN 9781419774997)

Suit up, flame on, and leap into action with the Fantastic Four, the world’s first Super Hero family! Learn all about Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Thing, the Human Torch and their super-powers, backstories, and enemies in this bright and bold board book.

IRON MAN: SOMETHING STRANGE! by Dean Hale and Marvel Entertainment and illustrated by Douglas Holgate

(On sale June 17; ISBN: 9781419774591)

There’s chaos at Avengers Tower! Iron Man must team up with Doctor Strange to outsmart an otherworldly force that threatens New York City in this new Mighty Marvel Team-Up series!

ALL THE HULK FEELS by Dan Santat

(On sale July 22; ISBN: 9781419776137)

In ALL THE HULK FEELS, a graphic novel picture book from Marvel and Caldecott Medal-winning author Dan Santat, Bruce Banner and the Incredible Hulk must work together to wrangle their super-sized emotions! The story combines sequential illustration panels with traditional picture book elements to create a dazzling new experience for budding Marvel fans- and a perfect introduction to comic books for the youngest readers.

Self Disclosure: I received free copies of the above books to feature. Images and information were also received.

Light & Magic is an American documentary television series directed by Lawrence Kasdan and produced by Lucasfilm Ltd. and Imagine Documentaries showcasing the people of Industrial Light and Magic, the special effects division of Lucasfilm, this series takes us back in time as they create the effects for some of the biggest and most successful films of the last 45 years.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Jackson N. comments, “Light and Magic: Season 2 offers a breathtaking, behind‑the‑scenes portrait of filmmaking’s pioneers and a view into the everyday life of a filmmaker. Blending archival footage with candid interviews, the series lets you look inside the creative sparks that modernized movie magic.” Ari C. adds, “I love Light & Magic: Season 2. It is enticing, informative and offers great insights into the world of visual effects. It is very fun to see the various challenges the team at Industrial Light and Magic team faced over the years, while maintaining its light and welcoming community.” Isabella V. wraps it up with, “The presentation of the information in this series is incredible; it reveals the story in chronological order, leading to great pacing and immersion. I found myself getting invested at so many points thanks to not knowing what may happen next, even when I knew how the films turned out in the end.” See their full reviews below.

Light and Magic: Season 2
By Jackson N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

Light and Magic: Season 2 offers a breathtaking, behind‑the‑scenes portrait of filmmaking’s pioneers and a view into the everyday life of a filmmaker. Blending archival footage with candid interviews, the series lets you look inside the creative sparks that modernized movie magic. As a die‑hard Star Wars fan and someone curious about cinematic innovation, I found myself riveted by insider glimpses into the making of The Phantom Menace and other iconic blockbusters.

This three episode series shows what it was like to be one of the key innovators in the movie industry in the 1990s. This season delves into the pivotal work of Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) in the aftermath of the hit film Star Wars: A New Hope. Beyond the technical marvels, Light and Magic: Season 2 emphasizes the human spirit behind the art. Discussions range from how teams found new ways to make cinematic magic happen together to what happens when a director like Steven Spielberg calls with a big, seemingly impossible ask and a tight deadline.

George Lucas, one of the most prolific moviemakers and the founder of Industrial Light & Magic, Joe Johnston, director of Captain America: The First Avenger, and their visionary colleagues recount the challenges of pushing technical boundaries—transforming months of effects work into seconds of onscreen wonder. From Yoda’s subtle puppet movements to the world’s love/hate relationship with Jar Jar Binks, every frame illustrates ILM’s commitment to joy, innovation, and persistence. For anyone who loves the magic of movies or aspires to work in the film business, this gives the inside scoop. The interviews with the animators reveal moments of doubt, breakthroughs, and camaraderie—reminding aspiring filmmakers that no dream is too ambitious. Whether you are a fan of The Mask, Twister, or Jurassic Park, this series will deepen your understanding of what the effects people went through to make the films that we know and love today.

The film’s message is that just because something hasn’t been done yet, it doesn’t mean that it can’t be done. This show includes themes of joy, innovation, and persistence. Parents should be aware that there is a candid discussion about mental health and a brief mention of suicidal thoughts.

Light and Magic: Season 2 gets 5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. Season 2 debuts on Disney+ on April 18, 2025.

Light & Magic: Season 2
By Ari C., KIDS FIRST Film Critics, age 12

I love Light & Magic: Season 2. It is enticing, informative and offers great insights into the world of visual effects. It is very fun to see the various challenges the team at Industrial Light and Magic team faced over the years, while maintaining its light and welcoming community.

This three-episode season shows us the hard-working people behind the magic of George Lucas’ computer animation and stereo conversion digital studio, Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), founded in 1975. We follow the artists as they implement new digital technology and the rise of computer graphics (CG) to create visual masterpieces for films such as the 1977 film Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back. From there, the company expanded and produced special effects for over three hundred films, including the entire Star Wars saga, the Indiana Jones Series, and the Jurassic Park series. The many challenges ILM dealt with over the years included complicated problems like character backlash, complex new concepts, and rising competition all gave ILM a run for its money.

I am a massive fan of the Star Wars movies. Revenge of the Sith is one of my all-time favorites. Watching this team creating the prequel trilogy was beyond exciting. I’ve always had an idea of how difficult filmmaking was, but I never knew it could be this extensive. This season offers fantastic insight to the sheer persistence and the community of the visual effects’ world. As much as I already love these films, I feel that I can appreciate them a little bit more after watching this series. The community is so fun to watch – everyone at ILM works together so wonderfully. They consistently meet their deadline; no matter the challenge.  You would think that the amount of work would result in a stressed and tense work environment. Think again! This team keeps an enjoyable atmosphere that makes me wish I could be there with them. My favorite part is when we watch the ILM crew create the iconic Yoda versus Dooku fight entirely with CG. I especially like the way they kept it realistic and high quality. This part is truly a testament to why they have remained pioneers in the visual effects’ world for so long.

The series’ message is that, with great perseverance, patience, creativity, and teamwork, you can accomplish greatness. Be aware that there is some profanity and discussion of adult situations in this season.

Light & Magic Season 2 gets 5 out of 5 stars from me, and I recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It is available on Disney Plus beginning April 18, 2025.

Light & Magic: Season 2
By Isabella V., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

Light & Magic: Season 2 is such an informative and compelling series about the history and process of creating digital effects in films. It gave me a newfound appreciation for a part of filmmaking I previously did not know much about and I learned a lot about the struggles and thought process behind creating special effects.

This three-part series follows Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), owned by George Lucas, as they deal with and overcome the challenges faced by developing and using computer generated (CG) imagery. The series is told through archival footage and interviews as it follows the entire creative team and gives insight into how CG was developed for many classic films and the struggles that had to be overcome.

The presentation of the information in this series is incredible; it reveals the story in chronological order, leading to great pacing and immersion. I found myself getting invested at so many points thanks to not knowing what may happen next, even when I knew how the films turned out in the end. The details are unbelievable; there are so many small things that go unnoticed in finished films that are explored here. I especially love the insight into how physics is used to make things appear more realistic. The interviews are extremely informative, with the actual employees at ILM speaking about their experiences. That makes the story feel more personal. The way people describe their situations and the various difficulties they faced made me want the best for them, even making me emotional at times. The music selection is also perfect; it enhances the events and lends emotion to them. It’s exceptionally well used in dramatic or impactful scenes, such as when they are discovering a problem or a solution. I like that each section is told by someone who actually worked in it. For example, Doug Chiang, with over 25 years of experience working on Star Wars, talks about his experiences with the franchise. This series gave me so much appreciation for something I had really never given much thought to before, leaving me impressed with both the story, and the work by these special effects creators.

The show’s message is to work as hard as possible and not give up on what you want to achieve, because even when obstacles get in the way, you can overcome them. Be forewarned that some mild profanity is used.

I give Light & Magic 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It is available on Disney+ beginning April 18, 2025.

The mission-driven series for kids and families is inspired by the work of world-renowned ethologist and conservationist, Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and a United Nations Messenger of Peace, who also makes a special appearance in the upcoming season. Ava Louise Murchison (“Reacher”) stars as Jane Garcia, a nine-year-old budding environmentalist on a quest to save endangered animals. Using her powerful imagination, Jane takes her best friends David, played by Mason Blomberg, and Greybeard the chimpanzee on epic adventures to help protect wild animals all around the world because, according to her idol Dr. Jane Goodall: “Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help, can they be saved.”

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Kinsley H. comments, “I love the creativity of the TV series, Jane. It teaches kids about the importance of protecting our environment and puts a new twist on answering the question, “How are we going to save them?” Each episode features an animal and explains why it is important to the Earth.” See her full review below.

Jane: Season 3

By Kinsley H., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

I love the creativity of the TV series, Jane. It teaches kids about the importance of protecting our environment and puts a new twist on answering the question, “How are we going to save them?” Each episode features an animal and explains why it is important to the Earth.

This show is about a girl named Jane (Ava Louise Murchison), who is passionate about saving endangered species and the environment. Her idol is famed animal rights activist, Jane Goodall, who helped ignite her passion for animals through a news broadcast. Jane loves that she shares the same name with Ms. Goodall, and she even names her stuffed chimpanzee, Greybeard, after one of the chimpanzees that Goodall observed in the wild. She works side-by-side with her best friend and neighbor, David (Mason Blomberg), to determine the best way to learn more about each episode’s featured creature. Jane believes that knowledge is important, because if you do not know about an animal, how can you help them? Each episode takes the viewer through a colorful and imaginative journey to save each animal and the planet.

Jane: Season 3 was so much fun to watch. The characters’ use of their imagination is impressive. I love how no place was off-limits for creativity. Jane and David use a shopping cart and a shopping basket during a grocery store visit to represent cages. In their minds, they are working together to tag a shark in the ocean for research. They even play pretend in the principal’s office, when they got into trouble for protecting a beehive. The principal leaves, and they immediately jump into their make-believe bee mobile to go “see” how they can solve the problem of the declining bee population. The computer generated animals are entertaining to watch. Jane and David interact with them as if they are real. Jane never has a dull moment, and the viewer is consistently learning new things every second of the show.

The show’s message is that people must speak out for those that can’t speak for themselves. Animals are becoming endangered and / or extinct, because no one is taking care of them. It is important to learn about all of the Earth’s creatures, otherwise, the results will be devastating. This show is very kid friendly and parents can feel comfortable letting their children watch this show.

Jane: Season 3 gets 5 out of 5 stars and I recommend it for ages 5 to 12. Season three premieres globally on Friday, April 18 on Apple TV+.

Charlie Heller is a brilliant CIA decoder whose world comes crashing down when his wife dies in a London terrorist attack. When his supervisors refuse to take action, his intelligence becomes the ultimate weapon as he embarks on a dangerous trek across the globe to track down those responsible.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Juliana S. comments, “The Amateur is such a captivating film! Through storylines and characters the movie shows how one should live in the moment and appreciate everything that they have… The film’s message is that love makes people do crazy things, and one should never take something for granted.” See her full review below.

The Amateur

By Juliana S, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

The Amateur is such a captivating film! Through storylines and characters the movie shows how one should live in the moment and appreciate everything that they have.

The story revolves around a young man, Charlie (Rami Malek), who is a hardworking and dedicated CIA agent. After he learns about a destructive terrorist attack in London in which his wife, Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan), is unfortunately killed, he is determined to take immediate, harsh action. However, when the CIA refuses to comply with his requests, Charlie decides to take matters into his own hands. The film follows his difficult journey as he tracks down those who are connected to this wife’s death, diving into the complicated emotional struggles that come with seeking revenge.

One actress who left me wanting to know more about her was Caitríona Balfe, who plays Inquiline, a sharp and humble spy. Balfe not only knows how to play her character, but she truly embodies the very essence of who Inquiline is. She uses her eyes to convey emotions that words could never fully express, from moments of harshness to soft tenderness. Caitríona Balfe’s emotional blue eyes are captivating, pulling the audience deeper and deeper into the story with every glance. Another actor who made me feel as though this is a true story is Rami Malek. Malek plays the determined, quick-witted Charlie Heller with a feeling of authenticity. As an award-winning actor, he shows just how deeply he can live through his character. Rami Malek uses his body language wonderfully to us through the emotional plot. When Charlie is scared but unable to vocalize it, his hands fidget or shake uncontrollably. In contrast, when he is fearless, his posture and movements become more powerful, and his steps more deliberate, showing a wide range of emotional transformations that can resonate deeply with any one person in the audience.

The film’s message is that love makes people do crazy things, and one should never take something for granted. For me, this film was very successful in motivating me to appreciate the small things in life and live in the moment.

I give The Amateur 5 out of 5 stars, and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. The Amateur releases in theaters on April 11, 2025.

Rami Malek, Rachel Brosnahan, Jon Bernthal, Adrian Martinez, Julianne Nicholson, Laurence Fishburne, Evan Milton, Nick Mills, Holt McCallany, Joseph Millson, Marc Rissmann, Danny Sapani, Michael Stuhlbarg, Marthe Keller, Caitriona Balfe, James Hawes, Ken Nolan, Gary Spinelli, Joel B. Michaels, Hutch Parker, Dan Wilson, Volker Bertelmann, Martin Ruhe, Jonathan Amos, Martin Ware.