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.

Books of the Week: October 21, 2025

LOST ON DOLL ISLAND by Cassandra Ramos-Gomez
S&S Books for Young Readers | Ages 8 – 12 | 9781665975124

 Rick Riordan meets R. L. Stine in this fast-paced debut middle grade horror packed with adventure about a Mexican American boy who starts hearing the voice of a haunted doll while visiting family in Mexico City. Diego feels trapped. He’s confined in an arm cast, stuck with his tía and tío for a week in Mexico City, and smothered with the sickening fear that he’s the one who really caused his parents’ divorce. But most of all, he’s trapped in his own secret. Because ever since he got to Mexico City, he’s started having strange dreams of a doll calling his name. Then Diego learns of La Isla de Muñecas, an island full of legendary magic that can make children’s wishes come true. If Diego can harness the power there, maybe he could fix everything that has gone wrong in his life. Maybe he doesn’t have to move to Mexico City, his parents don’t have to separate, and he could even reunite with one of his oldest friends who’s still visiting him in his dreams… So, with the help of two new friends, Diego takes a boat to the legendary island. From the moment the kids step ashore, nothing is as it seems—with dolls disappearing and reappearing in the blink of an eye. Suddenly, Diego is more trapped than ever before, and as the night goes on, he’s not sure he can escape. The perfect book for Halloween!

About the author: Cassandra Ramos-Gomez is a Mexican American writer focused on creating middle grade and young adult fiction that centers Latinx experiences. She has a master’s degree in education and an undergraduate degree in art history and has taught middle school language arts and social studies. She currently lives in Texas with her husband and two kids. Her hobbies include painting, collecting animal bones, and playing Minecraft with her kids. Lost on Doll Island is her middle grade debut.

The sequel to the New York Times bestseller The Last Dragon on Mars is here!

In The Last Dragon on Mars, readers were introduced to Lunar Jones, a boy living on Mars who unexpectedly becomes a dragon rider and the story continues in the sci-fi and fantasy mash-up The Dragonships series with THE RISE OF NEPTUNE ( Ages 10 & Up), by New York Times bestselling author Scott Reintgen. In the second installment, Lunar prepares his allies for an attack from Neptune.

Lunar Jones and the Dread Knights have brought hope to Mars. Between Dread’s power and a newly formed alliance with Earth, the once-dying planet is headed for prosperity at last. The only shadow is the one cast by Dav Robinson’s warning: Neptune is coming.

As predicted, Neptune’s ships arrive in Martian space—and they’re not interested in talking. The ships launch an immediate attack. Lunar was prepared for hostilities, but the way the attack happens is unexpected. Neptune’s dragons seem divided, and its ships, while countless in number, are almost too easy to defeat. It’s clear there’s more to Neptune’s story than meets the eye, and Lunar and his Dread Knights must figure out the mystery behind their looming foe quickly…before those secrets doom Mars for good. This one is definitely exciting to read and will keep middle-schoolers totally engaged!

HOT GIRL WALK
Find Happiness, Achieve Your Dreams, and Cultivate Confidence
Mia Lind

Get on your feet and start walking! In Hot Girl Walk, Mia invites you to embark on a journey of self-discovery, taking you through the three main stages of the walk: gratitude, goals, and self-confidence. This impactful book is your guide to empowerment wherever you go: from your 4-mile daily walk to the meetings and appointments of daily life. Whether you’re a student, a worker, or a stay-at-home parent, Hot Girl Walks are here to help motivate you to become the person you know you can be. Strengthen your mind-body connection, and truly understand that to look good is to feel good. 

At the end of each chapter, find success stories from those who have implemented the Hot Girl Walk to their daily routine. Featuring hot girls from all over the world, learn first-hand how Mia Lind’s movement has helped and improve lives. Will you be her next success?

Take it from someone who has literally walked the walk. Mia’s guide provides small daily mindset adjustments that lead to big, life changing results. Diving into the practices, reflections, and exercises of Hot Girl Walk is an act of self-care. Join thousands of women on the walk towards hotness by putting one foot in front of the other and taking a chance on yourself. A really inspiring and motivational book to read!

About the Author:

Mia Lind is the creator and founder of the Hot Girl Walk and has been featured on CBS News, NBC News, VogueCosmopolitan, the New York TimesHuffPost, and more. In 2020, she created the Hot Girl Walk to combine her passion of physical fitness with female- and self-empowerment. Hot Girl Walk events continue to spread across the world, hosted in the cities of Miami, New York City, Boston, and Los Angeles, as well as the countries of the United Kingdom and Australia so far.

Rock Star: A New STEM Heroine for Young Readers This Fall

This next one is educational and so much fun to read!

While attending college in the early 1940s, Ursula Marvin fell in love with geology, but when she asked her male professor about making the field her major, he tried to stop her, saying it would be a better use of her time to learn how to cook. Ursula studied geology anyway, eventually getting her master’s and PhD in the subject.

As a visionary and groundbreaking geologist, Ursula also had to be brave. She believed meteorites held the key to unlocking the origins of the solar system. To prove it, she travelled to Antarctica where she faced fierce winds, the coldest climate on Earth, and cracks in the ice that could have crushed her, but she knew the danger was worth the risk and scientific exploration wasn’t just for men. She proved her theory and that meteorites could be made up of pieces of planets or the moon.

Ursula Marvin charted new territory as a scientist and fought gender discrimination at every turn in her career. She broke barriers in science, helped create the field of planet geology, and discovered theories that are now foundational, reshaping our understanding of the universe.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sandra Neil Wallace writes about people who break barriers and change the world. She is the author of several award-winning books for children, including Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went from the Football Field to the Art Gallery, illustrated by Bryan Collier, which received the Orbis Pictus Book Award and was an ALA Notable Book. A former ESPN reporter and the first woman to host an NHL broadcast, she is the recipient of the Outstanding Women of New Hampshire Award and creates change as cofounder of The Daily Good, a nonprofit bringing twenty thousand free, culturally diverse foods to college students each year through its Global Foods Pantries. Visit Sandra at SandraNeilWallace.com.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Nancy Carpenter is the acclaimed illustrator of Thomas Jefferson and the Mammoth HuntQueen Victoria’s Bathing MachineFannie in the Kitchen, and Loud Emily, among other books. Her works have garnered many honors, including two Christopher Awards and the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award. She lives in Brooklyn, New York. Visit her at NancyCarpenter.website.

Such an interesting book!

A LINE CAN GO ANYWHERE by Caroline McAlister; illustrated by Jamie Green (Roaring Brook Press, Ages 5-8): This gorgeously illustrated picture book biography about Japanese American artist Ruth Asawa is equal parts history and a celebration of everyday art. It explores Ruth’s life after family’s imprisonment in an internment camp during WWII and how those experiences shaped her approach to sculpture and her use of everyday objects to create something beautiful.

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

The Chosen Adventures: A Joyful, Humorous, and Heartfelt Series

The Chosen Adventures is a 14-episode animated series following nine-year-old Abby and her best friend Joshua as they navigate life in the ancient city of Capernaum. When the children encounter a wise craftsman and teacher, Jesus of Nazareth, he changes the way they see the world. And did we mention that she has a talking sheep?

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Braedyn M. comments, “The Chosen Adventures is one of the most adorable series I have ever watched with a charming and unique animation style, characters that are full of humor, and lessons that even adults can learn from. They all add up to make an absolutely wonderful show.” Ari C. adds, “I like The Chosen Adventures. It has great graphics, amazing voice actors, and it teaches valuable faith-based lessons. I also like its fun and wacky nature.” See their full reviews and talent interviews below.

The Chosen Adventures
By Braedyn M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

The Chosen Adventures is one of the most adorable series I have ever watched with a charming and unique animation style, characters that are full of humor, and lessons that even adults can learn from. They all add up to make an absolutely wonderful show.

Abby (Romy Fay) is a big-hearted nine-year-old girl, and a very curious one at that. Everywhere she goes in the town of Capernaum, she asks questions, lots of questions, sometimes more than her Abba, Eli (Danny Nucci), and her Eema, Hannah (Zehra Fazal) can answer.  This is when she and her best friend, Joshua (Jude Zarzuar) meet Jesus of Nazareth (Jonathan Roumie) who helps them with all of their questions, and gives them answers that help them understand the true meaning of life.

I really enjoyed the style of animation in this series.  It has sort of a clay-like look to it, with the scenery and characters faithfully crafted to match the setting of an ancient middle eastern fishing village.  Important individuals like Abby and Joshua are easy to spot in a crowd, thanks to unique outfits and traits, and this helps make the story easy to follow.  However, sometimes the characters are a bit difficult to understand when they are speaking. My favorite scene is when Abby returns home from the most terrible day, and is wondering why God would give her a day in which nearly everything has gone wrong. While her Eema teaches her that, even though we might not understand all things, we should still trust God because He does know, a bird named Pigeon (Yvonne Orji) shares the good things that came from Abby’s misfortunes, even though Abby didn’t see them at the time. Speaking of Pigeon, my favorite character is her best friend, Sheep (Paul Walter Hauser). Honestly, the best word to describe Sheep is… satirical. Despite his big, soft, and fluffy physical appearance, his words are often razor sharp. Yes, he does love Abby and her family very much, but he is never without a comment, remark, or some other form of general sarcasm that keeps everyone laughing, and reminds them to not take life too seriously.  

The series’ message is that, in every situation, there is something you can learn.  Abby and Joshua go on many adventures and often end up in very surprising situations.  But in all they do, Jesus teaches them some valuable life lessons, ones that will be cherished and remembered for years to come. 

I give The Chosen Adventures 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12.  It releases on Prime Video on October 17, 2025.

The Chosen Adventures                                                                                                                                                  By Ari C., KIDS FIRST Film Critics, age 13

I like The Chosen Adventures. It has great graphics, amazing voice actors, and it teaches valuable faith-based lessons. I also like its fun and wacky nature.

This incredible show, based on the award-winning series The Chosen, follows a young girl named Abby (Romy Fay), her friend Joshua (Jude Zarzaur), her talking pet sheep, Sheep (Paul Walter Hauser), and her pet pigeon, Pigeon (Yvonne Orji), as they undertake a bunch of wacky adventures and make new friends like Hilarious (Banks Pierce)  Abby has a lot of questions and no one to answer them, until she and Joshua come across a pre-mortem Jesus (Jonathan Roumie) who gives them new insight on life.

The animation, supervised by Denis Couchon, really makes this show. The details of the faces and the characters’ movements are wonderful. Lots of details are put into the nature and animal shots, which make them look very real. I love how every now and then we see a huge splash of color. This series teaches some faith-based lessons like the love of God and even non-faith-based lessons like friendship.  The show takes us through fun adventures that I found enjoyable and think other kids will also. It definitely has a wacky feeling to it – showing stories not only from a human perspective, but also the animals’ perspective, such as from Sheep and Pigeon. The interactions between Sheep and Pigeon add a hilarious feeling to the show. Romy Fay voices Abby perfectly; it’s almost as if she and Abby are literally the same person. Jonathan Roumie plays Jesus perfectly just as he did in The Chosen.  My favorite part is when Joshua overcomes his fear of heights and climbs a ladder – it is very heartwarming. While everyone in the show does not understand Sheep, the viewers and other animals can.

This series has many important lessons including the power of friendship and a reminder that miracles happen all around you.

I give The Chosen Adventures 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. It releases on Prime Video on October 17, 2025.

TRON: Ares * Dazzling Visual Effects But Struggles To Land Its Emotional Core

Tron: Ares follows a highly sophisticated security AI program named Ares who is sent from the digital world into the real world on a mission to find the “Permanence Code.” This code could allow digital programs and constructs to become permanent in reality, ending the 29-minute limit currently imposed by technology from rival companies, Dillinger Systems and ENCOM. After Ares questions his orders and goes rogue to help a human, a conflict ensues with his original creator, Julian Dillinger, and his lieutenant, Athena, who wants to use the code for military purposes.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Rayce S. comments, “Tron: Ares delivers dazzling visual effects and clever nods to its predecessors but struggles to land its emotional core… It has its strengths — the CGI and visual effects are top-tier, immersing viewers in a sleek futuristic world. Jeff Bridges (Kevin Flynn) makes a late appearance, bringing grounded energy that elevates the scenes he is in.” See his full review below.

Tron: Ares
By Rayce S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

Tron: Ares delivers dazzling visual effects and clever nods to its predecessors but struggles to land its emotional core.

The storyline follows Ares a highly advanced program, sent from the digital realm on a very important mission into the physical world as he tries to understand human emotion.

Tron: Ares has its strengths — the CGI and visual effects are top-tier, immersing viewers in a sleek futuristic world. Jeff Bridges (Kevin Flynn) makes a late appearance, bringing grounded energy that elevates the scenes he is in. Jared Leto’s portrayal of Ares adds intrigue, especially as he wrestles with the film’s central theme — what it means to be human. There are also a few well-placed comedic moments that earn genuine laughs without trying too hard. The film’s biggest flaw lies in its characters. Despite the attempts to build emotional stakes, most of the cast of characters feel underdeveloped. They lack depth which makes it hard to connect emotionally to them.  Even in moments meant to evoke sadness or triumph, the emotional impact doesn’t land. The pacing also fails at the end. The story builds intriguing concepts and ideas, but the ending feels rushed and unresolved. The movie is not bad but it’s not great either. It’s worth watching for fans of the franchise or those drawn to high concept sci-fi but don’t expect it to be a deeply moving experience.

The theme of this movie is about understanding what makes a being human and this is mainly portrayed by Ares as he navigates his purpose. The film has stylized sci-fi combat and mild to moderate profanity.

I give Tron: Ares 2.5 out of 5 stars and I recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. This film releases in theaters on October 10, 2025.

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place: Season 2 * Mixes Magic And Humor While Showing Us That Family Is More Powerful Than Magic Alone

In season two of “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place,” Billie grapples with the fact that being part of the Russo family might be more complicated than she thought —especially now that she’s not the only wizard in the house. Thanks to Roman and Milo’s new magical powers, Justin is now tasked with training three young wizards for the Family Wizard Competition. As the stakes rise inside and outside the family, a mysterious new threat emerges—one that could unravel the Russos forever.

KIDS FIRST!  Film Critic Kennedy P. comments, “I absolutely love Wizards Beyond Waverly Place: Season 2. It’s one of my favorite shows on Disney Channel because it mixes magic, family, and humor in such a fun way. The show’s message teaches us that family, love, and responsibility are more powerful than magic alone.” See her full review and interview with cast and crew below.

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place: Season 2
By Kennedy P., KIDS FIRST!  Film Critic, age 11

I absolutely love Wizards Beyond Waverly Place: Season 2. It’s one of my favorite shows on Disney Channel because it mixes magic, family, and humor in such a fun way.

In this season, Billie grapples with the fact that being part of the Russo family might be more complicated than she thought, especially now that she’s not the only wizard in the house. Thanks to Roman and Milo’s new magical powers, Justin is now tasked with training three young wizards for the Family Wizard Competition. As the stakes rise inside and outside the family, a mysterious new threat emerges, one that could unravel the Russos forever.

The cast is amazing! I love how not only Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown) and Justin (David Henrie) have powers, but now Roman (Alkaio Thiele) and Milo (Max Matenko) also have powers and they’re definitely stirring things up in the Russo household. I also love how the new characters add more depth and excitement to the story. One of my favorite new characters is the talented Freya Skye, who plays Piper, a girl who can see visions of the future. The setting continues to be beautifully magical, with awesome spell effects, enchanting sets, and a sense of wonder that feels brand new.  Season 2 really takes the magic to the next level with bigger visual effects and deeper character moments, while still keeping the heart and humor that the series is known for. What is really special about Wizards Beyond Waverly Place is its message.

The show’s message teaches us that family, love, and responsibility are more powerful than magic alone. It shows that being true to yourself, helping others, and working together can overcome even the toughest problems and real magic comes from caring, courage, and staying strong in your beliefs.

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Season 2 gets 5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults.  There are ten episodes; many are available on the Disney Channel now and new ones release every Friday night through October 17, 2025.  All of Season 2 will premiere on Disney Plus on October 8, 2025.

Slumlord Millionaire * A Powerful Documentary About Activism And Many Brave Initiatives And Individuals

In New York City’s most quickly gentrifying neighborhoods, a group of fearless residents, activists, and nonprofit attorneys fight corrupt landlords and developers for the basic human right to a home.

Slumlord Millionaire is a feature documentary about gentrification and the housing crisis. The median rent nationwide has surpassed $2,000 per month for the first time in U.S. history. In NYC, the rent in Manhattan is now an unbelievable $5,000 per month and experts predict it will only get worse. As rents increase, some landlords have become more aggressive in trying to get long-term tenants to move out of their homes. They ignore repairs, turn off heat and gas, and do nothing to eliminate vermin infestations. The landlord’s goal is to make the apartment so uninhabitable that residents are forced out and the landlord can deregulate the apartment and turn it over to market rate for a high profit. These actions drive up costs in the already unaffordable housing market, and displace families who make up the fabric of the neighborhood, changing communities forever. 

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Zoe F. comments, “I like the documentary Slumlord Millionaire because it is extremely educational and highlights so many powerful voices. It is a powerful documentary about activism and many brave initiatives and individuals. The biggest thing I learned from Slumlord Millionaire is how landlords can so easily control their tenants.” See her full review below.

Slumlord Millionaire
By Zoey F., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 14

I like the documentary Slumlord Millionaire because it is extremely educational and highlights so many powerful voices. It is a powerful documentary about activism and many brave initiatives and individuals.

Slumlord Millionaire gives us a view into the lives of families in New York City. It specifically explores the effect of the toxic real estate industry on middle and lower-class people. People, such as the Bravo Family share their story of an unfair landlord, horrible living conditions, and communities broken apart. This is especially true in locations like Chinatown, Brooklyn, and Manhattan.

The biggest thing I learned from Slumlord Millionaire is how landlords can so easily control their tenants. The Bravo family has been in a legal battle with their landlord for 15 years. Nathan Bravo developed asthma because of mold and cockroaches in his house. The Bravo family decided to try to get a law passed that forces landlords to fix these apartments. Then their landlord calls them in an angry fit, telling them that if they were smart enough to get a law passed, then they should just move out. This landlord was also known for being extremely racist to Hispanic families staying in one of their apartments. The Bravo family and one other were treated with the most disrespect due to their ethnicity. Landlords, especially for lower- and middle-class families, have so much power over their tenants. They constantly raise prices of housing, while the tenants’ income stays the same. A landlord determines what kind of conditions their tenants live in. This film explains that there are both good and corrupt landlords. The “good” landlords will have fair prices, showing their care for their tenants. The corrupt landlords will charge unfair prices to their tenants and not fix any damage in the apartment. The reason this is so impactful and important is because NYC is driven by the real estate industry. Most people in New York City have been housing insecure since after World War II. Housing costs have increased unfairly over the years. In fact, one-third of New Yorkers spend over fifty percent of their income on rent. Housing insecurity remains a big issue because, instead of helping people who already live in New York City, big companies are choosing to continue building apartments for middle to high class income people.

Slumlord Millionaire taught me to be more grateful for everything I have. The people whose stories are shared in this film live in horrible conditions. This documentary not only honors and respects those people but also plants a silent seed of gratitude in the audience’s mind. Slumlord Millionaire proposes that housing is a human right. Making money should not be more important than community and comfort. Please be advised that Slumlord Millionaire contains some profanity.

I give Slumlord Millionaire 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. You can watch it on Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu and other streaming platforms now.

Trailer:

Books of the Week: October 17, 2025

Such a fun book for Middle grade readers!

An Atlas of Mythical Journeys (Wide Eyed, October 14th): Tread in the footsteps of ancient heroes and heroines with An Atlas of Mythical Journeys, your fantastical guidebook to adventures otherwise lost to time.

Middle school grade kids will enjoy reading this book! It would also make a great holiday gift!

Rescuing Titanic (Wide Eyed, September 2nd): With the approaching 110-year anniversary of the ship’s sinking, Rescuing Titanic tells with exquisite illustrations and richly detailed text the story of the Carpathia and its heroic journey rescuing passengers from the Titanic.

Such a fun book!

Spin to Survive: The Pharaoh’s Curse (Wide Eyed, September 2nd): Step back into the distant past with Spin to Survive: The Pharaoh’s Curse, a choose-your-own-adventure escapade through the dangerous environs of ancient Egypt.

New Picture Book Andy: A Dog’s Tale follows one puppy’s inspiring journey to overcome challenges and discover his purpose as a trained service dog

Spotlight Book of the Week:

The Collective Book Studio, an independent, woman-owned publisher, is proud to announce the release of Andy: A Dog’s Tale, a beautifully illustrated children’s book based on the viral animated short film of the same name. Just in time for the holiday season, this touching story is available in bookstores nationwide, with proceeds benefiting Canine Companions, the nonprofit organization that inspired the film through its real-life service dogs.

Written by John Kelly and illustrated with scenes adapted from the short film by Ignite Animation Studios, Andy: A Dog’s Tale follows one puppy’s inspiring journey to overcome challenges and discover his purpose as a trained service dog.

Meet Andy—the smallest pup in his litter—who captured hearts around the world in the original short, produced by Jean Schulz, president of Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates and a longtime Canine Companions board member. Now, thanks to a collaboration between The Collective Book Studio, Canine Companions, and the award-winning animation team, Andy’s story leaps off the screen and onto the page in a new format families can enjoy again and again. Andy: A Dog’s Tale retells Andy’s story in a moving picture book that celebrates the spirit of service animals and the people they support.

With themes of resilience, compassion, and the power of purpose, Andy: A Dog’s Tale will resonate with dog lovers, families, and people of all abilities. Andy’s journey reminds readers that even the smallest among us can become heroes—with enough heart.

As Canine Companions celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, the release of Andy: A Dog’s Tale offers a powerful way to introduce families to the organization’s mission. Profits from the book will help fund the training and placement of service dogs that are provided free of charge to children, adults, and veterans with disabilities.

About Canine Companions

National nonprofit Canine Companions is celebrating 50 years of empowering people with disabilities to live with greater independence — and it all started with a service dog named Abdul. Canine Companions invented the concept of the modern service dog in 1975 and has since placed more than 8,200 expertly trained dogs at no cost to clients, entirely supported by donations. Today, as America’s first and largest provider of service dogs, Canine Companions leverages seven locations across the country to serve adults, children and veterans with disabilities as well as professionals working in health care, law enforcement and educational settings in all 50 states. Donate and learn more at canine.org.

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