I WORKED HARD ON THAT! is a delightful story that young children will love!

As a spider, Kiara has always made webs to catch food, but one day, she discovers a web so beautiful that she’s inspired to spin a masterpiece of her own. So, Kiara starts creating, but even though she works hard on her webs, they are carelessly destroyed by others. How frustrating!

It’s not until Kiara meets Orb, a spider who eats every web he weaves, that she gains a fresh perspective: the artistic process isn’t about the destination but the journey and the friends you make along the way.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Robyn Wall lives in Nashville with her husband and two daughters. She is the author of the My Cool Family board book series and the picture book I Worked Hard on That!. Learn more about her work at RobynJWall.com.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
A. N. Kang started her career designing giftware, greeting cards, and holiday installations all over New York City. In 2016, She debuted as an author and illustrator with the picture book The Very Fluffy Kitty, Papillon. Since then, she has been working as a children’s book author and illustrator. Her books include My Big Bad Monster, Celebrate You! by Sherry Duskey Rinker, Squirrel’s Family Tree by Beth Ferry, and I Worked Hard on That! by Robyn Wall. You can see more of her work online at AnnaKangDesign.com.

WHAT CAN A MESS MAKE? By Bee Johnson (Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), On Sale 08/20/24, Ages 4-8): Our main characters really throw themselves into play and imagination, and their messes show readers that creativity is almost never linear or perfect. Sometimes, the best way to show joy is to make a mess.

I love how this book teaches that art doesn’t have to be perfect and that it truly is more about the process and creativity!

WE DON’T EAT OUR NEIGHBORS by Daniel J. Mahoney (Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), On Sale 8/6/24, Ages 4-7): In this laugh-out-loud picture book perfect for fans of Lyle the Crocodile and Dragons Love Tacos, an alligator family runs into trouble when their son can’t seem to curb his appetite for their new human neighbors. This is such a fun book to read! Parents and children will love laughing through this story!

Take a culinary trip around the world without leaving home. A Taste of the World invites the whole family to explore new flavors and cultures through 60+ recipes tailored for cooking enthusiasts of all ages. This children’s cookbookis a carefully curated collection of recipes celebrating global cuisine and designed to be made by families with kids of all ages. Each recipe is a full meal and includes step-by-step instructions so parents can safely have their kids join in the fun while learning about other cultures through their traditional foods. The cookbook includes 64 kid-friendly recipes ranging from Pork Katsu from Japan and Vegetable Korma from India to Lamb Kebabs from Morocco and Black Bean Enchiladas from Mexico with short selections of facts from 20 different countries as well as adorable in-color illustrations of their landmarks. Each recipe includes full-color photographs of each finished dish and the steps along the way. More information: https://eat2explore.com/products/eat2explore-cookbook?_pos=1&_sid=9367ddb28&_ss=r.

Snoopy’s Guide to the Great Outdoors:

Hike, Camp, and Enjoy Nature with the Peanuts Gang

Available now!

Join Snoopy, Woodstock, Charlie Brown, and the rest of the Peanuts gang for an exciting, fun-filled journey into the wilderness with Snoopy’s Guide to the Great Outdoors.

Calling all Beagle Scouts, from Tenderpaws to Pros! Guided by everyone’s favorite beagle troop leader, collect Beagle Scout Badges as you learn respectful wilderness practices and master outdoor skills, from how to build a campfire and pitch a proper tent to water safety and how to leave no trace. 

Infused with Snoopy and the Peanuts gang’s wholesome, honest humor, this guide to outdoor adventures features:

• Beloved Peanuts characters like Peppermint Patty, Marcie, Pigpen, and Lucy, spotlighted in personality-specific sidebars, including Sally’s Who Cares about Camping?!, Franklin’s Camping for the Curious-Minded, and A Lesson from Linus
• Helpful tips and tricks to make any jaunt into the wild a memorable and fun experience for the whole family, from game and activity ideas to sing-a-longs and how to make the best camp treats (including s’mores!)
• Writing prompts and space to record your favorite star-gazing moments and hiking trails, the best wildlife and natural wonders you saw, your yummiest camp meals, and more!
• Campground and nature-approved, the guide features a water- and dirt-resistant coating on the cover designed to withstand the elements and compact size perfect for any sack or pack

In addition, readers can collect Beagle Scout Badges (eight total) at the end of every chapter of this wilderness guide. Each badge relates to an important outdoor lesson that is learned within each chapter, from camp cooking and how to build a campfire or pitch a tent, to safety smarts and respecting plant and animal life while adventuring in nature.

Snoopy’s Guide to the Great Outdoors is the perfect gift for young adventurers, nature enthusiasts, families, Peanuts comic strip fans, and collectors of Charles Schulz memorabilia.

I’m the biggest Snoopy fan around and I loved this book!

Self Disclosure: I received free copies of the above books for consideration in being featured as books of the week. Information and cover images were also provided.

The Last of the Sea Women follows an extraordinary band of feisty grandmother warriors waging a spirited battle against vast oceanic threats. Often called real-life mermaids, the Haenyeo divers of South Korea’s Jeju Island are renowned for centuries of diving to the ocean floor—without oxygen —to harvest seafood for their livelihood. Today, with most Haenyeo now in their 60s, 70s, and 80s, their traditions and way of life are in imminent danger. But these fierce, funny, hardworking women refuse to give an inch, aided by a younger generation’s fight to revive their ancestral lifestyle through social media. Peering into what drives Haenyeo young and old, this moving documentary zeroes in on their tight-knit friendships, savvy independence, and infectious sense of empowerment, unfolding into an uplifting tale of women taking on world powers to protect their beloved ocean and inspiring a new generation.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Alma K. comments, “This documentary is beautiful, educational, and it left me wanting to learn more about the Haenyeos and their way of life.  I also love the feeling of sisterhood you get from The Last of the Sea Women.” See her full review below. 

The Last of the Sea Women

By Alma K, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

The Last of the Sea Women is a gorgeous, moving documentary about the Haenyeo divers of South Korea’s Jeju Island. Haenyeos dive in the ocean harvesting marine life using just their own breath. This documentary is beautiful, educational, and it left me wanting to learn more about the Haenyeos and their way of life.  I also love the feeling of sisterhood you get from The Last of the Sea Women. 

The documentary follows the Haenyeos, divers who work in a tradition handed down from mothers and grandmothers, as they tackle two main problems. One, the lack of younger Haenyeos to help with the physically hard and dangerous work. To collect seafood, they have to hold their breath underwater for up to 2 minutes and withstand water pressure, starting from a depth of 5 meters that is like a giant blue glass pushing them down. So, when emerging, a diver must break through this “blue glass” with all their strength, repeating this effort 100-300 times per dive. Also, today there are fewer women who risk becoming a Haenyeo. This documentary explores how their way of life may go extinct. Soon-E Kim (historian, Haenyeo tradition preservation committee) says being a Haenyeo is an extremely difficult occupation particularly because it’s so dangerous, which is why there are so few now. Young Haenyeos have asked why they can’t use an oxygen mask and yet that is not the way of the Haenyeo.

The declining population of Haenyeo is concerning, but these days, no one wants to become a Haenyeo, perhaps understandably: If you try to collect too much in one dive, you’ll “eat your breath” (die). And if you go too far out to sea, the waves become much stronger. When you dive down, you can get swept too far out by the current. Death is always around the corner for Haenyeo.  Another main concern of the Haenyeo is water pollution due to rising global temperatures which have changed the ocean. Soon Deok Jang, a 72-year-old Haenyeo, says she never saw trash like styrofoam in the sea when she was young – now she sees truckloads.

Directors of photography, Iris Ng and Eunsoo Cho, created a film with powerful images and Justin Turkowski’s underwater cinematography brings this story to life – it’s stunning. Some archival film clips are included which demonstrate that the Haenyeo have been around for a long time. The Last of the Sea Women’s encourages you to be invested in what they see as their calling. And they say that, in the old days, people looked down on Haenyeos, but now they are respected for who they are. The director and producer, Sue Kim delivers a compelling story with the help of the editors, Erin Casper, Yeong-A Kim, and Stacy Kim.

The Last of the Sea Women’s purpose is to bring awareness to the Haenyeo and their plight. The film’s message is that we need to take care of our planet, including our seas. The message is also to celebrate and learn about different cultures. Near the end of the documentary we see a Haenyeo festival. One of the Haenyeo, Hee Soon Lee explains that the festival is to teach people about their culture and their livelihood so that it is not forgotten. 

I give The Last of the Sea Women 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. You can watch The Last of the Sea Women on AppleTV+ beginning October 11, 2024.

Trailer:

Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment will be releasing The West Wing: The Complete Series for the first time ever on Blu-ray, in celebration of the 25^th anniversary of the critically acclaimed series. Get ready to binge all 156 episodes from NBC/WBTV’sEmmy® Award-winning original series, along with hours of special features including over 20 commentaries, behind the scenes featurettes, unaired scenes, gag reels and more. The brilliant political drama, following an extraordinarily intimate look at an American President and the inner workings of the White House, is available to own on Blu-ray now.

Created by Aaron Sorkin who executive produced with Thomas Schlamme and John Wells, The West Wing stars Rob Lowe , Dulé Hill, Allison Janney, Janel Moloney, Richard Schiff, John Spencer, Bradley Whitford, and Martin Sheen. The series was produced by John Wells Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.

The West Wing, which originally aired on NBC from 1999 to 2006, garnered widespread acclaim with three Golden Globe Awards, two Peabody Awards, and 26 Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series for four consecutive seasons (2000-2003). This year, the groundbreaking series celebrates its 25^th anniversary.

SYNOPSIS:

Widely considered one of the best series of all time, The West Wing remains a landmark achievement in television, earning 26 Emmys, including four for Outstanding Drama Series. With its sharp writing and memorable ensemble cast, the show continues to inspire audiences with its intimate look at the triumphs, sacrifices and inner politics of the White House.

Series information:

The West Wing: The Complete Series

Includes all 156 episodes from all seven seasons on 28 discs, plus over 20 commentaries, behind the scenes featurettes, unaired scenes, gag reels and more

PRODUCT                       

Blu-ray                             

Audio: English

Subtitles: English SDH

Running Time: 6,716 minutes

Not Rated

About Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment

Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment (WBDHE) distributes the award-winning movies, television, animation, and digital content produced by Warner Bros. Discovery to the homes and screens of millions through physical Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD retail sales and digital transactions on major streaming, video-on-demand cable, satellite, digital, and mobile channels.  WBDHE is part of Warner Bros. Discovery Content Sales, one of the world’s largest distributors of entertainment programming.

Credit: Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment.

From the world of Wonder, which sparked a movement to “choose kind,” comes the inspirational next chapter: White Bird. Struggling to fit in at his new school after being expelled for his treatment of Auggie Pullman, Julian (Bryce Gheisar) is visited by his grandmother (Helen Mirren) and is transformed by the compassionate and heroic story of her attempts to escape Nazi-occupied France during WWII. From the director of Finding Neverland, White Bird reminds us to be brave and choose kind.


KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Dominic D. comments, “This magical film, White Bird, demonstrates the power to dream, to laugh, and to enjoy the presence of others despite the evil acts of some.” Adele Rayna B. adds, “White Bird is mesmerizing and one of the most beautiful and emotional films I’ve ever seen! The fantastic storytelling with its realistic costumes and exquisite imagery left me in awe. By the end, I wanted to watch it all over again!” Braedyn M. wraps it up with, “I especially like how director Marc Forester incorporates some imaginative flair into the production, showing not only the dark and truthful reality of World War II, but also the happy and comforting moments that existed during that time.” See their full reviews and Braedyn’s interview with producer, Kevin Downes below.

White Bird

By Dominic D., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 14

This magical film, White Bird, demonstrates the power to dream, to laugh, and to enjoy the presence of others despite the evil acts of some. 

From the world of Wonder and Academy Award-winning director Marc Forster, comes the sequential film White Bird, which takes us a step further into the life of Julian (Bryce Gheisar) who must finally face the consequences of past actions — particularly the bullying of Auggie Pullman, a 10-year-old boy born with facial differences. Expelled from school as a result of his unkind acts toward others, Julian gets a taste of his own medicine as he is alienated and challenged to make friends at his new school. His grandmother, Sara Blum (Helen Mirren), pays him a visit with hopes of sharing her haunting and deeply moving story about her survival in Nazi-occupied France during one of the darkest moments of history. 

Intricately narrated, White Bird gives us two stories; one about Julian’s present-day struggles and the other a stirring tale of his grandmother’s harsh struggles during World War II. Flashbacks of young Sara (Ariella Glaser) and her courageous classmate Julian (Orlando Schwerdt), demonstrate for viewers how traumatic life was being a Jew during Nazi-run territories. Their relationship is more than one of survival — it is one of kindness, love, and sacrifice.  What I love most about White Bird is the visualization of young Sara Blum’s life and how her story had a purpose. I connected with her story emotionally as she teaches her grandson the valuable lesson of showing kindness. The stories of two troubled teens — young Sara and her grandson Julian, are well-channeled and they flow with ease.  Although both stories contain heartache; they both end in hope. This film is a masterpiece filled with a nice balance of warmth and wisdom.  The historic drama combined with the modern coming-of-age scenes adds a special touch to White Bird and kept me engaged throughout the entire film.  A box of tissues nearby is a must while watching this film. White Bird has many teachable moments and contains many life lessons. This is a must-see family film.

The film’s message rings loud and clear – it’s a message of kindness and how kindness must be shared and practiced. Hate surrounds us; that’s a fact of life. However, the smallest gestures of goodwill can lead to the greatest change.  This film is also about bravery as that is what allows us to take risks and speak up for those who don’t have a voice. It takes a lot of courage sometimes to be kind. 

I give White Bird 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. White Bird opens in theaterson October 4, 2024. Be sure to check it out. You’re not going to want to miss this one!

White Bird

By Adele Rayna B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 10

White Bird is mesmerizing and one of the most beautiful and emotional films I’ve ever seen! The fantastic storytelling with its realistic costumes and exquisite imagery left me in awe. By the end, I wanted to watch it all over again!

The story starts with Julian (Bryce Gheisar ) going to a new school and struggling to fit in and find his place. When he gets home, his Nonna, Sara (Helen Mirren) is there visiting and starts telling him a story of her childhood. The story takes us back to the 1940s and World War II in France. Young Sara (Ariella Glaser) and her Jewish family thought they would be safe in France but quickly find out this is not the case. Sara’s Jewish classmates are captured but she is able to escape with the help of fellow classmate Julian (Orlando Shlwerdt). He takes Sara to his family‘s barn to hide from the Nazis. Over several months, Zara and Julian build their friendship and admiration for each other. As time moves on, you realize her classmate Julian is someone Sara will always think of fondly.

The production team really paid attention to detail and it definitely adds to the story. I absolutely love the costumes in this film as they really fit the 1940s era in France. I especially adore Sara‘s red heels and her beautiful dresses! The soldiers’ war time uniforms represent the period well. The sets and props are equally outstanding. The imagination scene with Zara and her classmate Julian is so gorgeous and makes you feel like you are there with them. From the old time truck to the authentic movie reels you are on a journey. It is so engaging to watch the fantastic places come to life on screen and watch the relationships grow. What excites me most is how the directors and writers connect the storytelling from present to past and back again. The acting in this movie is so convincing. I felt like I was stepping back into the 1940s during the war with each scene. Helen Mirren’s calming voice is completely captivating. I could feel her emotion as she spoke and also see it in her eyes. The story is woven through time and shows how kindness is timeless. How will Sara’s story affect her grandson’s life choices? In the end, the film encourages you to always follow your biggest passions and aspirations to make a difference.

The film’s message is to always be kind to others because you never know how they can impact your life. Be forewarned that there are several instances of gun use, flashing lights, and other violence. 

I give White Bird, 5 out of 5 stars and recommended for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. The film releases in theaters October 4, 2024. 

White Bird
By Braedyn M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

White Bird is a truly charming story.  With its in-depth scenery, wide range of characters and a message that still resonates with us today, this film encourages you to think twice about someone before you devise a conclusion about them.

Following the adventure of Wonder, Julian Albans (Bryce Gheisar) who was expelled from his school due to his bullying another boy, is told a tale of his grandmother’s (Helen Mirren) childhood.  As a young Jewish girl in Nazi occupied France, Sara Blum (Ariella Glaser) is hidden away by a boy named Julian (Orlando Schwerdt) who was born with polio. At his farm while his family searches for her parents, she starts spending time with Julian, and begins to see him not as the boy with the crutch, but as her guide, her friend, and her light.

I love the film angles in this movie.  Depending on the scene, there is a great deal of variety.  There may be a wide angle for a happy moment, or a close-up for an intense dialogue between the characters.  However, some of the times when they talk, it is a bit hard to hear. It sounds like they are whispering most of the time.  I especially like how director Marc Forester incorporates some imaginative flair into the production, showing not only the dark and truthful reality of World War II, but also the happy and comforting moments that existed during that time. Speaking of which, my favorite part is when young Sara and Julian are imagining that they are traveling the world, although they never really leave the barn.  It shows that kids will still be kids no matter what might be happening around them.  I also like how, as she is telling her story, Grand’Mere Sara sprinkles in bits and pieces of humor that keep the audience entertained.

The film’s message is to always look for the good in people, no matter how small. Despite being the odd one out at school, Julian still shows kindness to Sara, and he keeps her company during the war, which results in a wonderful friendship between the two.

I give White Bird 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend for ages 12 to 18, plus adults.  White Bird opens in theaters on October 4, 2024. Trailer:

A trio of misfit kids band together to search for mythic treasure, only to uncover a terrible curse. The trio must find and destroy the gold before a rival group of teens gets to it first and releases an evil spirit on Halloween night.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Sofia T. comments, “The upcoming film Treasure Trackers has amazing technical aspects, astounding acting, and deep character development. This film has something for everyone, especially me. This storyline is very enjoyable – the whole concept of this mystery is very entertaining.” Arya B. adds, “I really love the film Treasure Trackers because it is a detective mystery film that leads you on a complex treasure hunt that leaves you guessing what the next clue may be or how they will get out of the next predicament.” See their full reviews and Sofia’s interview below.

Treasure Trackers

By Sofia T., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

The upcoming film Treasure Trackers has amazing technical aspects, astounding acting, and deep character development. This film has something for everyone, especially me.

The storyline follows California surfer Leah (Charity Rose) who must move to the dreary small town of Carterville, where she makes friends with fellow outcasts Marshy (Sean Jay) and Tessa (Amelia Salazar) to solve the town’s hundreds of years’ old mystery and find the lost treasure that comes with it.  When the trio uncovers the truth behind the treasure’s Halloween curse, they must outsmart the high school troublemakers before an evil spirit is accidentally released.

This storyline is very enjoyable – the whole concept of this mystery is very entertaining. The fact that the three underdogs work together makes it even cooler! As the trio tries to solve the mystery and find the treasure they form a truly amazing bond and each one develops their own strengths. For example, in the beginning, Marshy is a typical geek who’s always scared, but by the end he helps solve the mystery and has lots of fun doing it. He learns to face his fears and this sends an awesome message to viewers. Something that really makes this film stand out is the quality. The audio is perfect; you can hear the snap of a branch.  And the video is crystal clear –  the quality is so coherent that it really heightens your experience and you can truly feel each scene like it’s happening right before your eyes. The acting in this film is extraordinary. Charity Rose, as Leah, is perfectly cast. Charity’s strong facial features really accentuate Leah’s determined attitude and confident demeanor. Her acting is also incredible – there is one scene where there are spirits overtaking her, and her expressions look so haunted and out of this world, which makes that scene even better. When it comes to the plot, I can only say how much I enjoyed it from the heartfelt scenes to the action, every one hits home. There are some parts that are a bit drawn out, which make the film a bit lengthy; for example, one of the scenes displaying a search for a clue seems rather long. On the other hand, the sets are astounding; in one cave scene, there are stalagmites and stalactites that look so real. There is even lava. The lava really blew me away because it looks super life-like.

The film’s message is that when you work with people you love by your side, you can do anything. Be aware that there are some dark themes in this film such as dark magic, ghosts, and evil spirits, which may frighten younger viewers.

I rate Treasure Trackers 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12. Treasure Trackers will be available to purchase on Digital platforms starting October 1, 2024, just in time of the Halloween season.

Treasure Trackers

By Arya B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

I really love the film Treasure Trackers because it is a detective mystery film that leads you on a complex treasure hunt that leaves you guessing what the next clue may be or how they will get out of the next predicament. 

The storyline follows a girl named Leah (Charity Rose) who is forced to move from coastal California to a small country town named Carterville. Upon starting school, she learns of the town’s legendary gold hoard hidden by its founder, Silas Carter, hundreds of years earlier. She is intrigued by this legend and decides to search for the gold with her two new friends Tessa (Amelia Salazar) and Marshy (Sean Jay).  The story follows this trio of middle schoolers on their quest in which they face numerous obstacles. 

Early in the film, the diary of Silas Carter is stolen from the school library. This is how Leah learns about the legend and that the diary may provide clues to the location of the buried gold. This inspires her to figure out who stole the diary and to join forces with Tessa and Marshy.  During their journey in search of the gold, they face many obstacles — another group searching for the gold, others stealing their clues, and various dead ends. One of my favorite parts is when the trio ends up in a cave with a lava pit and Leah must walk along the cliff or risk dying. It’s very suspenseful part that made me hold my breath. My favorite character is Tessa because she is fearless, daring, and willing to try anything.  The country setting is beautiful which contrasts well with the scary scenes. The special effects are very realistic including the flowing lava and the talking raven. The spooky music definitely kept me on edge of my seat.

The film’s message is “life is a blessing in disguise.” In other words, although things may not seem desirable at first, they have a way of becoming exactly what you need.  This film deals with aggressive behavior such as bullying which may be disturbing for younger children.

I give Treasure Trackers 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12. Treasure Trackers will be available on VOD beginning October 1, 2024. 

In this encouraging, reassuring picture book, National Book Award nominee Mitali Perkins invokes the Indian custom of namaste, meaning “I bow to you,” to show how little hands are capable of great love.

What’s between your hands

when you namaste the world?

Maya is only three days into summer vacation and already bored. Outside her window, the street is full of neighbors. Coming and going. Earning and spending. Fixing and mending. Everyone has something to do—everyone’s hands are busy.

Except Maya’s. When she opens her palms, they are empty. They are small.

What in the world can her hands do?

As Maya longs to do something useful alongside her neighbors—proclaim truth, stand for justice, or show mercy—she discovers that children like her can give the greatest gift of all: love.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mitali Perkins has written several books for young readers, including Home Is in Between, Between Us and Abuela, Forward Me Back to You, You Bring the Distant Near (a National Book Award Nominee, a Walter Honor Book, a South Asia Book Award Winner, a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, and a Shelf Awareness 2017 Best Book of the Year), Rickshaw Girl (a NYPL Top 100 Book), and Bamboo People (an ALA Top 10 YA novel). Mitali was born in India and currently resides in Northern California.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Naveen Selvanathan is a visual-development artist specializing in illustration and game and movie concept art. Naveen was born and raised in India and was always interested in art as a child. He eventually moved to San Francisco to pursue his master’s in fine art at Academy of Art University. He has worked with Disney Interactive Studios, Sony Pictures Animation, and DreamWorks Animation and has contributed to movie franchises such as Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Hotel Transylvania, and Puss in Boots. He is currently based in Los Angeles, California.

Self Disclosure: I received a free copy of the book to facilitate this post. Images and information also provided.

Shipwrecked on a deserted island, a robot named Roz must learn to adapt to its new surroundings. Building relationships with the native animals, Roz soon develops a parental bond with an orphaned gosling. The Wild Robot is a 2024 American animated science fiction survival film based on the book series of the same name by Peter Brown, produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Universal Pictures. The film was written and directed by Chris Sanders, produced by Jeff Hermann, and executive-produced by Sanders’ longtime collaborative partner Dean DeBlois. It stars Lupita Nyong’o as Roz, the title character, alongside an ensemble voice cast including Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Catherine O’Hara, Matt Berry, and Ving Rhames.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Emma O. comments, “The Wild Robot delivers family-friendly entertainment through a robot stranded on an island that makes us experience the journey of connection, acceptance, and belonging.  This animated film is heartwarming and laugh-out-loud fun.” Carter P. adds, “This movie is amazing. I really love that it explores the importance of self-discovery, the bridge between technology and nature and the question of what it means to be alive and connected to all living things.  The film has the most beautiful animation I have ever seen.” Avani M. adds, “This movie has so many wonderful themes in it. One is that you should be more than what you are programmed to be, whether that is by trying new things or taking a risk.” Selene W. wraps it up with, “The beloved award-winning children’s book, The Wild Robot, comes to life in a visually stunning feature film.  The Wild Robot movie highlights what it really means to be alive and connected to others in a family and in a greater community.” See their full reviews below.

The Wild Robot

Emma O., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

The Wild Robot delivers family-friendly entertainment through a robot stranded on an island that makes us experience the journey of connection, acceptance, and belonging.  This animated film is heartwarming and laugh-out-loud fun.

When a shipping container is lost at sea during a typhoon, Roz the Robot (Lupita Nyong’o), emerges as the sole survivor on an island with nothing but wildlife.  Programmed to complete a task, she has to learn to understand and interact with the animals there and she struggles with connecting and acceptance. Her journey takes a turn when she assists an orphaned goose, Brightbill, (Kit Connor) and gets help from a fox named Fink (Pedro Pascal).  Every new and confusing experience shifts Roz’s programming as she experiences things she was never programmed to imagine and finds a new way to live.

I enjoyed the humor of this film from DreamWorks Animation. The writing is great. The absurd, yet accurately dark humor, parental comments from Pinktail, a mother opossum, (Catherine O’Hara) are so relatable.  Her shocking statements make her character so enjoyable.  The animators illustrate the emotional reactions of island animals to perfection. Roz’s help initially causes more chaos than assistance.  When Roz sees a beaver building a damn, rather than help build it, her programming tells her it’s an obstacle and she destroys it.  The beaver’s response is priceless.  The confusion and disbelief when Roz provides a sticker communicating that the task is complete is hysterical.  These moments contribute to the humor and build on the character development of The Wild Robot as we watch her struggle to connect with the animals on the island.  Her adventures with Fink and Brightbill create bonding moments and we see how belonging, acceptance and connection can be influenced by kindness.

The Wild Robot provides an uplifting message of how belonging and acceptance come from one’s heart.  It successfully shows how kindness and caring are valued by all. Parents and viewers should be aware there are flashing and strobe lighting effects, loud noises and dark humor, which may be unsuitable for some viewers.

I give The Wild Robot 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. The Wild Robot releases in theatres on September 27,^, 2024.

The Wild Robot
By Carter P., KIDS FIRST!  Film Critic, age 13

I love The Wild Robot.  It is beautifully animated, heartwarming and has powerful messages about stepping out of your comfort zone, being brave, kind, and showing compassion for others.

From DreamWorks Animation comes a new adaptation of a literary sensation, Peter Brown’s beloved, award-winning, #1 New York Times bestseller, The Wild Robot.  The epic adventure follows the journey of a robot named Roz, that is shipwrecked on an island and must learn to adapt to the harsh surroundings, gradually building relationships with the animals on the island and becoming the adoptive parent of an orphaned gosling. 

This movie is amazing. I really love that it explores the importance of self-discovery, the bridge between technology and nature and the question of what it means to be alive and connected to all living things.  The film has the most beautiful animation I have ever seen.  The colors of the island and forest look so realistic and I like the way the animals talk. I appreciate the scene when Roz is teaching the orphaned gosling how to fly.  The music goes so well with this particular scene and clearly emphasizes the idea of learning how to soar on your own and doing things you did not think were possible.  The Wild Robot stars Lupita Nyong’o as Roz the robot. It’s remarkable how she is able to change her voice to sound like a robot, but with feeling and so much emotion.  Pedro Pascal voices Fink the fox  and he is devious and incredibly loving.  Catherine O’ Hara voices an opossum, Pinktail and she mothers with a sense of humor.  Kit Connor voices BrightBill, the gosling who is adorable and so funny.

The Wild Robot is full of comedy, heart, bravery and incredible animation.  It is a heartwarming movie with powerful messages about trying new things, showing compassion for others and how a mother’s love is unconditional.

I give The Wild Robot 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults.  This film has something for everyone. It made me leave the theater with a smile on my face and wanting to see it again immediately.  You can watch The Wild Robot in theaters September 27, 2024.

The Wild Robot
By Selene W., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

The beloved award-winning children’s book, The Wild Robot, comes to life in a visually stunning feature film.  The Wild Robot movie highlights what it really means to be alive and connected to others in a family and in a greater community. This animated drama is sure to become a classic in the family genre and appeals to young and old alike. 

The Wild Robot is an animated drama that tells the tale of Roz (Lupita Nyong’o), a robot who finds itself stranded on a remote island inhabited only by animals as Roz searches to find a purpose. Roz is programmed to find a task, and without humans to direct it, activates “learning mode” so the animals or organisms in that environment can be understood. Along the journey of self-discovery, Roz becomes the adoptive parent of an orphaned gosling (Kit Connor). In accepting the task to take care of the gosling “unit,” Brightbill, Roz connects with both predators and prey in the island eco-system and, in turn, finds the home where she belongs.  Even though Roz doesn’t have the programming to be a mother, she learns that there is no manual or predetermined path to nurture another life.

DreamWorks Animation has done it again, adapting a wonderful book to the big screen. There are many fun and delightful characters which bring to life the humorous situations that develop in this story.  I really enjoyed the interaction between Roz and her new fox friend, Fink (Pedro Pascal).  The cleverness in their developing relationship is shown by both Lupita and Pedro, along with other talented cast members including opossum Pinktail (Catherine O’Hara), goose Longneck (Bill Nighy) and my favorite, the curmudgeon beaver Paddler (Matt Berry).  My favorite scenes and ensemble cast interaction is when Roz teaches Brightbill how to fly and when the diverse animals work together on the island.  The voice contributions of the entire cast match the quality of the animation in this production and that is praise indeed. The Wild Robot is written and directed by Chris Sanders and he really builds the emotion and characters as he masterfully creates this memorable film.  The film’s production is really beautiful – I would be remiss if I did not mention the Art Direction by Ritchie Sacilioc as well as everyone who contributed to the art, sound, music, animation and visual effects in this movie.

The film’s message is that kindness is a survival skill; and isn’t that a timely message.  Roz becomes more than what she was programmed to be; after all she was not meant to ever feel anything. The Wild Robot is an interesting exploration about the adaptation of technology in the natural world and how life evolves through adaptation.  Roz discovers love and a sense of community which helps Roz truly find her way home. 

I give The Wild Robot 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18 and, of course, adults will enjoy the message and storyline as well.  It is available in theaters September 27, 2024, so don’t miss this heart-warming tale!

The Wild Robot
By Avani M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 12

The Wild Robot is an awesome and touching movie that has many important messages. I love that it has many heartwarming moments that contrast all the happy and funny parts.

Roz, the wild robot (Lupita Nyong’o) finds herself washed ashore on a beach near a forest. She is kind to all the forest animals even when they dislike and hurt her. Once, when she is being chased, she finds a little egg which hatches into a gosling and assumes she is his mother. Roz names him Brightbill (Kit Connor) and takes care of him with the help of Fink (Pedro Pascal), a sneaky little fox who had tried to steal the egg. She teaches BrightBill how to eat, swim and fly in time for his winter migration. Just as Brightbill returns for the spring, Roz’s organization who made her come to take her back. All the animals help her fight against the organization to keep her in the forest.

The Wild Robot is such a marvelous movie with a profound storyline. All of the actors present so many different emotions. One actor that is especially great at portraying those feelings is Lupita Nyong’o as Roz. Her voice acting as a robot is remarkable and she made me feel like I was in Roz’s situation. She manages to show her complexities even as a robot, both in voice and in her animation expressions. Pedro Pascal is amazing at voicing Fink. He plays a tough character, but on the inside, he is dealing with sadness and loneliness. Kit Connor is especially funny as Brightbill. He voices him as a funny gosling who doesn’t know how to be like a regular gosling and speaks like a robot. Roz, Fink and Brightbill all become a family and this movie teaches us that a family unit doesn’t have to be made up of only those we are related to. With Roz and Fink supporting him, Brightbill is prepared for his life. The CGI and music are phenomenal – the CGI is beautiful and realistic while the music compliments what is happening in the film.

This movie has so many wonderful themes in it. One is that you should be more than what you are programmed to be, whether that is by trying new things or taking a risk. Roz has to take on the challenge of being a mother, which she is not programmed for, yet she still does it, even though she does not know how. Another major theme is that everyone has their own talent and we should put our differences aside so that we can solve problems in our community. We also learn to never give up from Brightbill’s example; the other geese say that he is too small to fly, but he proves them wrong by training day after day.

I give The Wild Robot 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters on September 27, 2024.

Oh, My Gawd!  In celebration of the 30^th anniversary of one of television’s most watched sitcoms, Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment will release FRIENDS: The Complete Series in 4K Ultra HD on September 24, 2024.  This ultimate collector’s set for any FRIENDS fan includes over 110 hours of content – including all 236 original broadcast episodes released for the first time in 4K Ultra HD, plus over 20 hours of extra features including all-new bonus content. Pre-order your copy now.

From Warner Bros. Television, FRIENDS follows the lives and loves of a close-knit group of friends living in New York City: siblings Ross (David Schwimmer) and Monica Geller (Courteney Cox), along with friends Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry), Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow), Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc) and Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston).

FRIENDS was created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman and aired on NBC from September 22, 1994 to May 6, 2004. The series was produced by Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television. Throughout its run, the show was nominated for 62 Primetime Emmy Awards®, winning six awards including Best Comedy Series in 2002. 

FRIENDS maintains its influence among viewers. Since its launch, the series has been watched over 71 billion times in the United States alone, across all linear & SVOD platforms. On an international level, viewers spent a total of more than 1.4 billion hours with FRIENDS in 2023 across linear and SVOD internationally.

As FRIENDS marks its 30th anniversary this year, the beloved TV series continues to hold an enduring place in popular culture and hearts worldwide. With its witty humor, relatable characters, and memorable catchphrases, FRIENDS transcends generations with its universal appeal, making it a classic that continues to bring joy and laughter to fans around the world.

I received a copy and am having so much fun watching it!

Check out this clip from the all-new bonus feature “Through the Peephole” to take you behind the scenes with some of the costumes from the series.

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Series information:

FRIENDS: The Complete Series

Includes all 236 original broadcast episodes from the iconic 10 seasons of the beloved series, plus hours of special features which has been created over the years including two hours of all-new bonus content.

PRODUCT                           

4K Ultra HD  

Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HDMA, German 2.0 S DD, French 2.0 S DD, Japanese 2.0 S DD, Castilian-Spanish 2.0 S DD

Subtitles: English SDH, German SDH, French, Japanese, Castilian Spanish, Latin Spanish, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, Danish, Dutch, Complex Chinese

Running time: 236 (30 min) episodes. Over 20 hours of special features including all-new bonus content

Rated: PG

Credit: Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment

Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment (WBDHE) distributes the award-winning movies, television, animation, and digital content produced by Warner Bros. Discovery to the homes and screens of millions through physical Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD retail sales and digital transactions on major streaming, video-on-demand cable, satellite, digital, and mobile channels.  WBDHE is part of Warner Bros. Discovery Content Sales, one of the world’s largest distributors of entertainment programming.

Self Disclosure: I received a free sample to feature. Images and information were also provided.