Archives for 2025

Saanvi’s Bad Day by Sheena Sharma

After having a terrible day at school, Saanvi returns home frustrated and mad. All she wants to do is sulk in her room until she has an eye-opening conversation with her dad. During their talk, she learns how grown-ups have bad days too. Grownups and kids are more similar than she originally thought! Join Saanvi as she learns the different ways to turn her bad days around. When Saanvi has another bad day at school the next week, will she be able to tackle her unhappiness in a positive way?

Willie’s Gift by Clairmarie H. Field

https://a.co/d/bDHeAhW

Willie is a silky-beige and rust-colored Yorkshire terrier puppy with one problem. He was born with exceptionally large ears. He knows that he does not look like other puppies in his dog training classroom, and he feels a little strange. How will he learn to accept himself? In Willie’s Gift, read how Willie discovers the perfect solution while learning something very important about himself in the process.

Animals are Great by Latifa Kimberly Reeves, Lisa Hart, and Mark Larson         

https://tikatikatime.com/read

Jump into the joyful world of “Animals Are Great,” a lyrical children’s book that invites young readers to sing along to an animated music video! This vibrant story showcases a delightful cast of animals, each celebrated for their unique qualities and contributions to the world. With catchy rhymes and stunning illustrations, children will be captivated as they follow the rhythm of the song, exploring the wonders of nature and the beauty of diversity. Perfect for family bonding and interactive fun, “Animals Are Great” encourages a love for music, creativity, and the animal kingdom, making it an unforgettable addition to any child’s bookshelf!

In the heart of the Pacific Ocean lies a magical cluster of islands, home to a unique collection of castaways found nowhere else on earth. Narrated by Brendan Fraser, Disneynature’s “Sea Lions of the Galapagos” dives underwater with Leo, a handsome sea lion pup who’s learning how to navigate life alongside his mother, Luna. Following swimming lessons, fishing expeditions and some growing up, Leo eventually leaves his mother’s colony to find his own home—male sea lions must fight to earn the best spots, and only the strongest will become beach-masters. Leo’s lifelong quest is fraught with challenges and filled with new encounters with an array of creatures, from marine iguanas and racer snakes to yellow fin tuna and huge Galapagos sharks. The archipelago is Leo’s playground—overland and underwater—but he must stay vigilant to find his place in the world. Directed by Hugh Wilson, co-directed by Keith Scholey, and produced by Scholey, Wilson and Roy Conli, the all-new adventure launches is available exclusively on Disney+.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Braedyn M. comments, “Sea Lions of the Galapagos is by far the cutest documentary I have ever seen.  Vibrant, colorful, and a few splashes of laughter, it shows the life of a sweet little Galapagos Sea lion pup and all the challenges and triumphs that come with being one.” See his full review below.

Sea Lions of the Galapagos
By Braedyn M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

Sea Lions of the Galapagos is by far the cutest documentary I have ever seen.  Vibrant, colorful, and a few splashes of laughter, it shows the life of a sweet little Galapagos Sea lion pup and all the challenges and triumphs that come with being one.

Leo is an adorable sea lion pup who has only ever known his home beach and the calm shallow waters that grace its shores.  Sunshine, fresh air, a mother that can find him whenever he decides to dive off and explore; what more could he want?  All seems well in his world until he realizes that he isn’t a baby pup anymore, and since he’s not the male beachmaster, he’s not welcome on the island.  What follows is Leo’s quest to find his place in the world, and an island to call home.

With direction by Hugh Wilson and Keith Scholey and narration by Brandon Fraser, this is not your standard animal documentary.  Instead of just revealing facts about the animal in focus, this feature educates from the perspective of a story, with the life of a young sea lion, named Leo, as a guide. However, this does not mean there is less insight into the Galapagos sea lion species.  As Leo makes his way, I learned all the ins and outs of being a sea lion, and living in the Galapagos. For example, in one instance Leo teams up with some friends to catch some fish, when some uninvited guests show up. While sad for Leo and his pals, it beautifully illustrates how all animals are connected and interact with each other.  Speaking of scenes, my favorite might just be the most hilarious.  After a day of traveling, Leo finally finds a nice soft beach to land on.  Thinking this might just be the place he can make his home, he falls asleep only to be awoken by the beach’s beachmaster, and he is NOT happy to see another male.  Leo has no choice but to escape up a steep hill where the beachmaster, as big as he is, cannot follow.  How does Leo leave the island?  By belly-whopping his way down the other side of the hill!  After this daring endeavor, Leo continues on his way.

This documentary’s message is to always explore; there is always something out there to find, even for a sea lion.  As Leo grows up, he gets wiser and braver due to all the challenges he’s faced, like blowing bubbles to scare out fish from their coral caves. Note that there are a few sightings of blood in this documentary.

I give Sea Lions of the Galapagos 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18 plus adults.  Sea Lions of the Galapagos is available now on Disney+.

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.