Archives for October 27, 2025

Stitch Head * Great Movie! Super Funny, Lively Animation and Heartfelt Message

Just in time for Halloween comes the perfect story that offers a heartfelt twist on the Frankenstein legend. High above the little town of Grubbers Nubbin, in a castle laboratory, the maddest of all mad professors brings monstrous creations to (almost) life… and then promptly forgets all about them. So, who runs the castle? Who keeps the monsters in line, so the townsfolk don’t form an angry mob? That job falls to Stitch Head – the professor’s very first creation. He does it all, unnoticed and unthanked. But when a ramshackle freak show rolls into town, its sly owner, Fulbert Freakfinder, comes knocking, offering Stitch Head fame, fortune… and maybe even love. A whimsical tale Stitch Head offers a comedy adventure for monsters of every age.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Spencer C. comments, “Stitch Head is such a great movie! It’s super funny; the characters are awesome, and I love its message. I laughed a lot because the characters do silly things that make their scenes even more fun…” Ryan M. adds, “The action, the comedy and most importantly the monsters are just so funny, gross and cool. It`s the monsters that make this movie so amazing because they add so much comedy into the film. My favourite character is Fulbert the money hungry director because he’s so funny…” Tiana S. wraps it up with, “Stitch Head is a movie filled with (almost) life, inspiration, and music. I predict that fans of the Stitch Head books will love this lively animation, and newcomers will certainly want to read more about him.” See their full reviews and Spencer’s talent interviews below.


Stitch Head

By Spencer C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

Stitch Head is such a great movie! It’s super funny; the characters are awesome, and I love its message. I laughed a lot because the characters do silly things that make their scenes even more fun, like when one character falls out of a tree instead of just walking into the scene. 

The storyline is about a boy named Stitch Head (Asa Butterfield), a small creature who is the Mad Professor’s (Rob Brydon) very first creation. He lives in a castle in the town of Grubbers Nubbin with a bunch of other monsters, who are all kept hidden from the townspeople. The Professor never really notices Stitch Head, which makes him feel unloved. A new creation called Creature (Joel Fry) comes along and calls Stitch Head his “bestest of best friends.” When a circus called “Are You Ready for Monsters” comes to town and tries to scare people, things get wild. 

The animation is cool and colorful. The monsters are super fun and creative, and the castle feels like a monster orphanage, in a good way. Creature is one of my favorite characters because he’s so wild and loves Stitch Head like a best friend. One of the funniest parts is when Stitch Head runs away and Creature says he will bring him home, or not come home at all. When he finally finds Stitch Head hanging out with a girl, he totally freaks out and falls out of a tree. My favorite scene is when Creature picks up an entire trailer and runs away with it. It is so hilarious!

The film’s message is that you might be more loved than you think – and it’s a reminder to show your love for others too. There’s no bad language or scary parts, but there is a fire and an angry mob.

I give Stitch Head 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. It will be released in theaters on October 29, 2025. 

Stitch Head
By Ryan M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

Welcome to the super creepy and awesome world of Stitch Head. Created by the Mad Professor, Stitch Head and other monsters live in a castle where lots of monster mayhem takes place. This movie was a blast to watch.

The storyline follows Stitch Head (Asa Butterfield), a forgotten creation of the Mad Professor, who joins the circus with a money hungry director Fulbert Freakfinder (Seth Usdenov) in the town near their castle. Misled by Fulbert, the townspeople plan to attack the castle to try and eradicate the monsters.  Then BOOM! It breaks into a very epic fight scene.

The action, the comedy and most importantly the monsters are just so funny, gross and cool. It`s the monsters that make this movie so amazing because they add so much comedy into the film. My favourite character is Fulbert the money hungry director because he’s so funny; when he tries to convince Stitch Head to join the circus and when he sees Stitch Head’s real face. The animation, by David Nasser, is phenomenal; it is smooth and very fun to watch. I love how the monsters all move in different ways; Creature has three hands but they move way differently than you would expect. The story, by Dietmar Kremer, kept me hooked the entire time and got me thinking about the message of this movie. The music, by Nick Urata, helps to give this movie life in so many different ways, just like at the circus. The big chase scene made me think I was in the movie.

The film’s message is that making money off of people will not make you rich and it’s just wrong.  It is also a reminder to recognize who your true friends are.

I give Stitch Head 4.5 out of 5 and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. It will be released in theaters on October 29, 2025.

Stitch Head

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

Stitch Head is a movie filled with (almost) life, inspiration, and music. I predict that fans of the Stitch Head books will love this lively animation, and newcomers will certainly want to read more about him. Stitch Head is touching to watch and made for an all-around fun and inspirational family watching experience at my house — from the characters to the message.

Based on Guy Bass’s books with the same name, Stitch Head follows the story of Stitch Head (Asa Butterfield), a boy who lives in a castle working for the Mad Professor to take care of all his almost-life monsters from an angry mob they’re taught to be afraid of. Being the first creation, he deals with being left out at times, and being unappreciated starts to affect him. One day, Fulbert Freakfinder (Seth Usdenov), a circus-owner in need of a new act, shows up at the castle and is impressed with his appearance. He tells Stitch Head that people will love him. From there, Stitch Head has to decide whether to stay at the castle and house the monsters or go live out what could be a new chapter for him.

The main character of the movie is Stitch Head, but it also includes Creature (Joel Fry), Fulbert, and Arabella (Tia Bannon). The animation of Stitch Head is bright, smooth, and lively, making for an entertaining film. The 3D style truly stands out with its bright color palette, light, and fun style. The characters add a unique element to the film; all the different monsters, are unique in the colors and special designs used. Being monsters, they’re made to look like monsters, but at the same time, they don’t feel like monsters based on their fear, personalities, and human-like natures. Stitch Head is always worrying about the approval of the Professor and thinking that he truly needs him there to help. The monsters, though, see him as someone who is brave and could protect them. Stitch Head stays so worried about being loved by the Professor and others; in a way, he holds himself back and does not allow himself just to be free and content with who he is.   

The film’s message is to be true to yourself and confident in who you are. This is a great movie for families to go see together.

I give Stitch Head 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. Head releases in theaters on October 29, 2025.

Halloween Book Choices

A wonderful book about friendship!

A ghost is having a very bad day. He feels like he hates EVERYTHING! Lucky for him, he has a good ghost friend to talk it through with. Because if he doesn’t really hate sweets or flowers or dressing up, and he definitely doesn’t hate his friend, then maybe he doesn’t hate everything after all…

Author Bio

Sophy Henn is an award-winning picture book author and illustrator with a master’s in illustration from the University of Brighton. She is the creator of the much-loved Bad Nana series, the Pom Pom series, the Ted board book series, and the nonfiction titles Lifesize and Lifesize Dinosaurs, among others. Her debut picture book, Where Bear?, was nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal and shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. Sophy was the World Book Day Illustrator in 2015 and 2016.

Such a fun book!

DISCOVERY OF DRAGONS (Miriam’s Magical Creature Files #2) by Leah Cypess, illustrated by Sarah Lynne Reul ( ISBN: 9781419772429; Ages 6-9)

In this charming chapter book series about a young Orthodox Jewish girl, Miriam sets out to find the truth about all the magical mysteries in her world using her superior detective skills. When it’s time for Miriam’s class trip to the zoo, her sister swears that when she went on the trip, she found a secret dragon. Miriam is determined to find it too . . . if it’s even real.

Sooo entertaining!

GHOULIA AND THE SUNKEN SECRET (Book #5) by Barbara Cantini (ISBN: 9781419783845; Ages 6-9)

Halloween is approaching which means it’s time for the annual parade! While rummaging through the attic for costumes, Ghoulia stumbles upon an old memory box with a faded postcard—from her missing parents! With the help of all her friends, Ghoulia sets on a journey to crack open the mystery of her parents’ whereabouts before the trail gets too cold in the fifth book of this fun, full-color chapter book series. This book is just perfect for Halloween!

The perfect book for kids who love mythical creatures of any kind!

THE BEASTS BENEATH THE WINDS by Hanna Alkaf (On sale October 21; ISBN: 9781419770098; Ages 8-12)

A sweeping and magical story collection showcasing the mythical creatures of Southeast Asia, including work by two-time Newbery medalist Erin Entrada Kelly and National Book Award finalist Shing Yin Khor. Welcome to The Beasts Beneath the Winds, a collection of Southeast Asia’s most elusive cryptids by a team of bestselling and award-winning authors. Within these gorgeously illustrated pages, readers will find the stories of seventeen regular kids who encounter these mythical creatures in the here and now and live to tell the tale. I really liked the characters in this story!

Perfect book for the little older kids this Halloween!

THE FOREST OF A THOUSAND EYES by Frances Hardinge, illustrated by Emily Gravett (ISBN: 9781419777783; Ages 10-14) This original illustrated middle-grade fantasy from acclaimed author and illustrator duo Frances Hardinge and Emily Gravett follows a brave young girl who must journey into a wild, all-consuming forest that has swallowed her world. As she faces strange creatures and untold dangers, her mission is clear: to save her people and restore hope. A powerful tale of courage, resilience, and the strength of community, this unforgettable story is destined to become a modern classic. A very powerful story that middle-grade readers will enjoy!

Can pre-order now!

This one isn’t out..yet! But, can be pre-ordered now!

THE TALE OF THE VANISHING CIRCUS (Are You Afraid of the Dark #3) by Kayla Cottingham (On sale November 25; ISBN: 9781419763540; Ages 10-14) The third spine-chilling book set in the world of Nickelodeon’s hit TV show Are You Afraid of the Dark? written by NYT-bestelling author Kayla Cottingham! On the night of the Blood Moon, thirteen-year-old friends Riley Beasley and Genna sneak out and investigate some strange lights that beckon from the woods. There the two friends discover a mysterious circus and its teenage ringleader, Starr. Soon, they can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t quite right. As the girls become more entrenched in Starr’s hypnotic world, their friendship faces the ultimate test. Will they be best friends forever? Or will the sinister truth tear them apart? If your child loves scary books, this one will definitely be a hit!

Self Disclosure: I received free books to facilitate this featured holiday post. Images were also provided.