As the year winds down and the holidays draw near, there’s no better gift than a story that sparks imagination, comfort, and connection. Books have a magical way of bringing families together, from bedtime snuggles to cozy reading by the fire. This season, celebrate the joy of giving (and reading!) with these heartwarming children’s books that inspire kindness, adventure, and creativity. Perfect for gifting now and starting the new year with fresh pages and new perspectives!

When Flowers Got Their Colors by Scott Sollers

A vibrant tale that weaves science, imagination, and wonder, When Flowers Got Their Colors tells the enchanting story of how nature’s blossoms came to life in all their beautiful hues. Perfect for curious young readers and budding nature lovers, this book celebrates creativity, discovery, and the beauty that surrounds us every day.

You Yoga by Maria Castellucci Moore

A gentle and joyful introduction to mindfulness and movement, You Yoga by Maria Castellucci Moore helps children discover calm, confidence, and connection through yoga. With playful poses and positive affirmations, it’s a wonderful gift for families looking to nurture both body and mind — no mat required!

The Magic Maze by Samuel Warren Joseph & Phil Proctor

Adventure and problem-solving take center stage in The Magic Maze, where young readers join brave characters on a thrilling journey through twists, turns, and unexpected surprises. It’s the perfect pick for kids who love puzzles, teamwork, and a touch of magic in every page.

Kam and Santa’s Global Adventure by Sheila A. Morrow

Join Kam and Santa on a whirlwind trip around the world in this festive, heart-warming story. Kam and Santa’s Global Adventure introduces children to different cultures and holiday traditions, all while celebrating kindness, generosity, and the spirit of giving — a must-read for the season.

Kloe’s New Friendship by K. M. Selvidge

In Kloe’s New Friendship, a sweet story about friendship and empathy, Kloe learns that kindness can come from unexpected places. Ideal for preschool and early elementary readers, this charming tale makes a thoughtful gift that helps kids explore inclusion, understanding, and the joy of making new friends.

Mommy Is Here! After a Long Day at the Hospital by Nathalie P. Suarez Moscoso & Edison J. Cano Cevallos

Mommy Is Here! After a Long Day at the Hospital is a heart-warming bedtime story that captures the magical reunion between a mom and her baby after a long day apart. This touching paperback honors the resilience and special bond between parents working in the medical field and their children. It offers a comforting space for love, laughter, and connection, reminding little ones that even when Mommy’s away, her love never takes a break.

A Very Jonas Christmas is a holiday film on Disney+ where the Jonas Brothers must overcome sibling rivalry and a series of chaotic obstacles to make it from a concert in London to New York for Christmas. The plot features an unlikely Santa Claus (played by Jesse Tyler Ferguson) who complicates their journey, forcing the brothers to confront their issues and remember what’s important. The story includes new music, cameos from their partners and family, and humorous, self-referential moments about their career.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Juliana S. comments, “A Very Jonas Christmas is easily one of the cutest Christmas movies to come out in a while! This film delivers a heartfelt message of the importance of family and how one’s relationship with their loved ones impacts everything in life. Plus, it includes an amazing new lineup of Jonas Brother’s songs!” See her full review below.

A Very Jonas Christmas

By Juliana S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17

A Very Jonas Christmas is easily one of the cutest Christmas movies to come out in a while! This film delivers a heartfelt message of the importance of family and how one’s relationship with their loved ones impacts everything in life. Plus, it includes an amazing new lineup of Jonas Brother’s songs!

The film follows the Jonas Brothers (Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas, Kevin Jonas), who are wrapping up their World Tour in London. When Santa (Jessie Tyler Ferguson) works a little holiday magic, the brothers end up stuck in Europe. As they try to find a way to get home to their families, the brothers realize that their broken brotherly bond might be the real reason they’re trapped. The story becomes a heartwarming and chaotic journey to reunite, filled with funny setbacks that can only be solved with love.

This is an inspiring film that families can enjoy with lots of great performances. One performance that stands out to me is from Jessie Tyler Ferguson, who plays Santa, the cause of the Jonas Brothers getting stuck in Europe. Ferguson uses his comedic timing to really nail the message of the movie in the most fun way. He balances quick comebacks with a sincere and warm memo to guide the brothers. Ferguson captures the magic that comes from Santa and adds a personal spin to the character. His performance not only draws attention to, but highlights the importance of family and brotherhood. Another person who catches my attention is Andrea Martin, as the lovable Uber driver, Deb, who assists the Jonas Brothers in getting home for the holidays. Martin mixes facial expressions with comedic timing to create the perfect character, who made me laugh out loud! Her joy and energy are infectious, and it is hard not to smile when she comes on screen. Martin easily becomes a fan favorite, adding the true Christmas spirit to the film.

The film’s message is that family matters most, and showing a little bit of love to one’s family can usually patch past mistakes.

I give A Very Jonas Christmas 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. It can be found on Disney+ and Hulu beginning November 14, 2025.

Set six years after the events at Camp Cretaceous, members of “The Nublar Six” are struggling to find their footing off the islands, navigating a world now filled with dinosaurs and people who want to hurt them. Reunited in the wake of a tragedy, the group comes together only to find themselves on the run and catapulted into a global adventure to unravel a conspiracy that threatens dinosaur and humankind alike and finally learn the truth about what happened to one of their own.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Jackson N. comments, “Jurassic World: Chaos Theory is a fresh take on the world of Jurassic Park and Jurassic World. This animated TV series keeps the sleek animation style that has made the Jurassic World story so fun to watch for eight seasons (five in Camp Cretaceous and four in Chaos Theory).” Valerie M. adds, “I was hooked from the first episode, binge-watched the entire season, and couldn’t stop thinking about the plot days after I had finished it. The writers really put their hearts and souls into this season. Clearly, they know that children can understand more complex stories, and it gave them the freedom to create Chaos Theory.” See their full reviews below.

Jurassic World: Chaos Theory
By Jackson N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

Jurassic World: Chaos Theory is a fresh take on the world of Jurassic Park and Jurassic World. This animated TV series keeps the sleek animation style that has made the Jurassic World story so fun to watch for eight seasons (five in Camp Cretaceous and four in Chaos Theory).

This season continues the long-running animated Jurassic Park saga. After the chaos of last season’s finale, the heroes are exhausted and looking for a break. But, as always, that doesn’t last. Darius (Paul-Mikél Williams) is dealing with a lot after the return of Brooklyn (Kiersten Kelly) and the overwhelming odds that they will lose this fight against Biosyn. Kenji (Ryan Potter) tries to keep the group’s spirits up, while Sammy (Raini Rodriguez) and Yaz (Kausar Mohammed) bring their own humor and heart to the team.

While Jurassic World: Chaos Theory often shines, it sometimes feels like it stretches the story a little too far. For example, the inclusion of weaponized, assassin dinosaurs feels unnecessary. Dinosaurs are already scary enough when they hunt anything in front of them! The acting is funny and lively, though a few one-liners feel over-the-top and break the suspense, like in episode four, when the team reaches what they think is the data center and everyone piles on with a joke. Still, the story is strong, packed with humor, great animation, and filled with exciting moments. The animation especially stands out, with awesome rendering, realistic water and light effects, and incredible dinosaur designs. The music plays a big part in the series’ tension and energy. It builds suspense and makes the chase scenes even more thrilling. The bond between the characters is one of the best parts, and watching it grow over eight seasons brings a new generation into the Jurassic Park universe.

The main message of Jurassic World: Chaos Theory is that, even in the toughest times, having friends by your side on the journey makes everything better. The show includes themes of friendship, love, and heartbreak. While mostly tame, parents should note that the show does include animated violence and intense moments, like when the team is attacked by a Tyrannosaurus Rex.

I give Jurassic World: Chaos Theory 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. The final season debuts in full on Netflix on November 20, 2025.

Jurassic World: Chaos Theory Season 4

By Valerie M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

The latest season of Jurassic World: Chaos Theory is possibly the greatest season of an animated show I’ve seen. As complicated character dynamics are mixed in with action-packed adventures, its excellence is undeniable.

Season 4 follows the Nublar Six as they adventure into Biosyn to stop the illegal dinosaur trading they have been carrying out. Secrets come to light that make the team become wary of each other. We journey with the Nublar Six to see if they’ll be able to put their differences aside and stop Biosyn once and for all.

I was hooked from the first episode, binge-watched the entire season, and couldn’t stop thinking about the plot days after I had finished it. The writers really put their hearts and souls into this season. Clearly, they know that children can understand more complex stories, and it gave them the freedom to create Chaos Theory. If you’ve been watching the show since Season 1, you will probably be surprised by what is about to go down. I’ve become attached to the Nublar Six to the point where, for a moment, it felt like they were my friends. One of this season’s strengths is the characters’ relationships. They become happier once they settle their disputes. They work better together when they are not cautious of each other. For all the fans of action out there, don’t worry, Chaos Theory has a perfect amount of content for you as well. The mission is dangerous and the odds are against the team. This season is great at balancing action with emotions. I didn’t feel like I was being bombarded with one chase after another, nor did I feel like I was watching a soap opera. An interesting detail about the design of the Nublar Six: I enjoyed spotting all the little changes in their appearances as time has passed. The animated characters look more like real people.

This season’s message is that it’s better to not keep secrets from your friends if you want to trust each other. Keep in mind there are mentions of injury and possible death, as well as animal testing and loud noises.

Jurassic World: Chaos Theory Season 4 gets 5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. Jurassic World: Chaos Theory Season 4 premiers globally on Netflix on November 20, 2025.

Spanning three decades, Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s Merrily We Roll Along charts the turbulent relationship between composer Franklin Shepard and his two lifelong friends — writer Mary and lyricist & playwright Charley. Originally produced on Broadway in 1981, and then becoming an inventive cult-classic ahead of its time, Merrily We Roll Along features some of Stephen Sondheim’s most celebrated and personal songs.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Julie O. comments, “I absolutely love Merrily We Roll Along. It is a musical with incredible acting and beautiful songs. This is one of those great stories that stayed with me long after I watched it… This film has several powerful messages about the importance of being a good friend, being true to oneself, and how our choices affect our future.” Drake G. adds, “I love the movie Merrily We Roll Along. It is packed with genuinely amazing scenes that left me wanting more.  The movie has a huge theme of being a musical which kind of reminds me of Hamilton – a musical of immense importance and emotion.” See their full reviews below.

Merrily We Roll Along

By Julie O, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

I absolutely love Merrily We Roll Along. It is a musical with incredible acting and beautiful songs. This is one of those great stories that stayed with me long after I watched it.

The storyline follows three friends who meet in college and we follow their life from 1957 to 1976. Each friend is successful in their own way and each one makes decisions that affect their friendships differently. The main character is Frank Shepard (Jonathan Groff) who is a composer. His best friend Charley Kringas (Daniel Radcliffe) is a lyricist and a playwright. Mary Flynn (Lindsay Mendez) is a writer and the friend who tries to hold the group’s friendship together throughout the years. Each scene explores an important event in their lives.

This is a filmed version of a stage production so the camera angles are adjusted so they don’t show too much of the stage. I like how the sets are quickly changed with minimal distraction. I also really like how costumes are used to help tell each character’s story. For example, Charley, the character who remains true to himself the entire time has the same costume for every scene, except one. Frank switches from a t-shirt when he is younger to a long sleeved shirt when he is older, but it is the same color and style. I really enjoyed each of the songs because they help the story move along and are very catchy. This is a movie I will want to watch again because the story is so beautiful. I especially love how it shows how complex and fragile friendships can be.

This film has several powerful messages about the importance of being a good friend, being true to oneself, and how our choices affect our future. Be aware that it does contain some references to drinking, smoking, drugs, and mild profanity.

I give Merrily We Roll Along 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It releases in select theaters starting December 5, 2025.

Merrily We Roll Along

By Drake G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13 

I love the movie Merrily We Roll Along. It is packed with genuinely amazing scenes that left me wanting more.  The movie has a huge theme of being a musical which kind of reminds me of Hamilton – a musical of immense importance and emotion.

The story begins with a musical ballad. Next we see the characters at a party and learn that they are working on a movie. It is unveiled that the producer, Frank, is cheating on his wife with the star of his movie. The film spans three decades, and explores the turbulent relationship between Frank Shepherd (Jonathan Groff), a talented composer who abandons his friends and songwriting career to become a Hollywood producer. Like the play on which it is based, the show’s story moves in reverse chronology.

The most striking thing about this filmed adaptation of the Broadway play is the acting. We really see that the actors have a great devotion to their roles. Daniel Radcliffe shows how his character is really interested in his character because he shows real humility and melancholy while talking to Mary about how he hasn’t seen Frank and he is just about to give up. Lindsay Mendez’s portrayal of Mary is immaculate. She gives believable performances and has a good singing voice. However, the most impressive commitment to his role is Jonathan Groff’s portrayal of Frank. He portrays a workaholic man who invests his time into being a producer and doesn’t spend any time with his friends.

The film’s message is about friendship and forgiveness. Throughout the film Frank is constantly leaving his friends but they keep forgiving him. Be aware that there are some scenes of alcohol consumption and use of profanity.

I give Merrily We Roll Along 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters worldwide on December 5, 2025.

Greg continually finds himself at odds with his dad’s outsized expectations. As pressure builds to turn his act around after a series of hilarious near disasters, Greg’s dad presents him with an ultimatum–and a trip to wilderness camp–that just might challenge Greg’s wimpy ways for good.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Kinsley H. comments, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw is an animated film that puts Greg’s wimpy ways to the test. It is packed full of adventure and nostalgia for the original movie and books. It was a lot of fun to watch.” Zoey F. adds, “When I watched this film, I loved seeing the animation so similar to the book’s style, which fans of the book have grown to love. Plus, the film stays mostly true to the book thanks to the screenwriter, character designer and producer all being Jeff Kinney, the author of the original books. My favorite part of this film is how the dynamic in Greg’s family is explored.” See their full reviews and Chase’s interview with Jeff Kinney below.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw
By Kinsley H., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw is an animated film that puts Greg’s wimpy ways to the test. It is packed full of adventure and nostalgia for the original movie and books. It was a lot of fun to watch.

This movie is adapted from the third installment of Jeff Kinney’s worldwide bestselling book series. It follows Greg Heffley (Aaron Harris) as he continually manages to spin disasters out of thin air. Greg’s dad, Frank (Chris Diamantopoulos), has had enough of Greg’s nonsense and decides that only military school will straighten his son out. Greg creates a plan to prove that he is able to turn himself around on his own. This creates an adventure that is full of twists and turns as well as multiple unfortunate events. It also provides relatable content for anyone who is trying to figure out how to be seen as an adult. Unfortunately, for Greg, this includes everything from rattling keys to mowing snow.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw had animation that made it seem like a graphic novel that had come to life. It would go from 2D images from the book and shift into 3D movie images. Each transition included a literal page turn that was seamless and engaging. It felt like you were part of the book. The humor from the books stayed on-point in the movie. The scene where Greg was trying to figure out how to use a door key was hilarious. The pressure built by Greg’s father could be felt as Greg fumbled and failed to successfully open the door. It seemed like his father’s head might explode at any moment. Greg’s Beef Cake Snow Removal Service also was comedic. Every kid tries to take a short cut at some time in their life, but Greg’s shortcut was surprising and catastrophic. It was definitely a wide-eyed, oh my-moment. The movie is full of these types of situations. It truly targets fun for younger audiences.

The show’s message is that growing up is tough. Everyone struggles with becoming an adult, and it is okay to stumble as you figure it out. This show has no violence or inappropriate language.

I give Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12. It is available for streaming on Disney+ beginning December 5, 2025.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw Review
Zoey F., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw is a lighthearted and fun movie that is perfect for fans of the original series. 

The storyline follows Greg (Aaron D. Harris), who narrowly escapes the Spag Union Reform School by agreeing to become a wood-chipper! He tries to earn all his badges as quickly as possible. This results in distraught kindergarteners, a detention, and complete loss of trust with his dad (Chris Diamantopoulos). It seems like nothing Greg does is good enough for him. We follow Greg as tries to impress his dad and hopes not to be sent to Spag Union. 

When I watched this film, I loved seeing the animation so similar to the book’s style, which fans of the book have grown to love. Plus, the film stays mostly true to the book thanks to the screenwriter, character designer and producer all being Jeff Kinney, the author of the original books. My favorite part of this film is how the dynamic in Greg’s family is explored. The mom (Erica Cerra) is always very supportive of Greg and she consistently defends him to his dad. However, the sibling relationship between Rodrick (Hunter Dillon), Manny (Gracen Newton) and Greg is pretty underplayed. Greg is a very complex and interesting character. Although he has many strengths, he has many flaws which are interesting to see. Greg lies to his family many times throughout his film and uses his friends for personal gain. The movie plays this as a funny, lighthearted trait, but in truth, it’s quite a concerning trait. Not only does Greg lie, he also shows no apparent remorse for most of his actions. This makes him a very complex and interesting character to feature in a movie and what makes Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw so engaging. 

The main theme of this film is the importance of integrity. Greg often puts his own needs before anything or everyone else’s and this comes at a cost. He lies about being student of the month and about getting suspended. Greg learns that this cannot substitute hard work and that it is best to be honest. 

I give Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18. It is available on Disney+ beginning December 5, 2025. 

Holiday Crafts Inspired by Gabby’s Dollhouse! 
Step into the sparkle of the season as Gabby and her kitty-tastic friends share their favorite winter-wonderful crafts from Seasons 1–12!  Whether you’re snipping, gluing, baking, or shaking up some magic, these crafts are the purr-fect way to bring a little Dollhouse joy to your holiday celebrations. And don’t forget to check out Season 12, now available on Netflix! 

Try These Gabby’s Dollhouse–Inspired Holiday Crafts:
 Baby Box’s Snow Globe Mindfulness Jar – Shake up calm and sparkle as you create a soothing snow globe jar.
 Bake a Carrot Cake with Cakey – Sweeten your season with a cozy, kitty-approved holiday treat!
 Build a Kitty Christmas Tree Topper with Baby Box – Add a sprinkle of magic to your tree with this adorable DIY topper.
 Baby Box Kitty Holiday Ornament Craft – Create keepsake ornaments that shimmer and shine with kitten charm.
 Christmas Advent Calendar Craft – Count down the days to Christmas with a delightfully crafty advent surprise.
 Get the Kitty Café ready for the holidays with a DIY table & chairs—the purr-fect place to set a festive feast!  Grab your craft supplies, get cozy, and join Gabby for a holiday season filled with creativity, kindness, and kitty-inspired cheer!

Credit: Gabby’s Dollhouse/Netflix.