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 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.

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.

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:

A deeply heartfelt picture book about sea turtle conservation efforts in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Papá Grande was once a sea turtle poacher but now he spends his days and nights caring for these endangered creatures. From greeting the turtles on the beach to protecting their eggs in the carefully constructed hatchery, there’s always something to do to help these turtles fight against looming extinction. With elegant text, lush illustrations, and detailed backmatter this book is the perfect way to introduce little ones to sea turtle conservation, ocean habitats and animal life cycles.

A great book that is educational and fun to read!

This novel in verse, based on a true story, follows twelve-year-old Roberto Alvarez as he becomes the lead plaintiff in a landmark school desegregation case against the Lemon Grove School Board, challenging the enforced segregation of Mexican children into a retrofitted barn school during the Great Depression.

Twelve-year-old Roberto Alvarez is the youngest of his siblings, born on United States soil. He’s el futuro, their dream for a life away from the fire of the Mexican Revolution.

Moved by anti-immigrant and anti-Mexican propaganda, the Lemon Grove school board and chamber of commerce create a separate “Americanization” school for the Mexican children attending the Lemon Grove Grammar School. But the new Olive Street School is an old barn retrofitted for the children forced to attend a segregated school.

Amid threats of deportation, the Comité de Vecinos risk everything to stand their ground and, with the support of the Mexican Consulate, choose Roberto as the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against the school board in this vivid and uplifting novel in verse based on true events.

From critically-acclaimed author María Dolores Águila (Barrio Rising) comes an inspiring novel in verse set against the backdrop of the Great Depression and Mexican Repatriation, based on the true story of the United States’ first successful school desegregation case, two decades before Brown v. Board of Education ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. It is an extremely powerful story!

For fans of School’s First Day of School, this is a picture book about a young girl who is feeling mixed emotions about her first day of school.

Some feelings are so big, one word just doesn’t cut it.    

It’s the first day of school for Afua! There’s no one word to name her feelings. Is she scared? Excited? Oh wait, she’s scarecited! Her own combination of both. Why should she have to choose?

Scarecited on the First Day of School is a charming picture book that reminds us all that having the courage to be our authentic self is always just enough, and you can feel more than one big emotion at the same time. But if there isn’t one word to describe those feelings . . . there’s beauty in making it yourself.

he Little Gothic Bakeshop showcases over 50 spooky and inventive recipes from The Great British Baking Show star, Helena Garcia, who impressed the judges and audiences alike with her creepy creations. Brewing with mystique, this cookbook is your go-to guide to easily transform ordinary recipes into macabre masterpieces, including devilishly delicious cakes, cookies, pastries, breads, desserts, and drinks. 

Covering Bewitching Beverages, Spooky Cookies and Candies, Ghoulish Breads and Pastries, To-Die-For Desserts, and Macabre Cakes and Bakes, this book will be a hit!

A combination of tactile illustration and darkened photography throughout the book is a homage to the old Victorian aesthetic of gothic elegance. Step into the dark side of baking and discover recipes that are easy to make, fun and spooky to design, and delicious to consume. Whether you’re an everyday goth or Halloween-obsessed, The Little Gothic Bakeshop is filled with tricks and treats designed to bring some ghoulish fun to your baking repertoire! The perfect cookbook for Halloween!

About the Author:

Author, baker, and television personality Helena Garcia was born in Spain. Helena was one of the 2019 Great British Bake Off contestants, winning the hearts of the nation with her eccentric style, spooky approach, and fun-loving personality. She has also appeared in several television shows, including the hit series What We Do in the Shadows, and she continues to write for national and international publications.

Obsessed with anything witchy, Helena’s self-published book, Introduction to Witchery: A Magical Guide for Witches that Craft, is a go-to guide for crafty witches that covers a bit of history of witchcraft in Britain, a guide to magical plants, and plenty of craft projects and recipes to help you live like every day is Halloween. Her second book, The Wicked Baker, was released in 2020, followed by The Witch-Crafting Handbook in 2021 and The Book of Gingerbread in 2023. Her first picture book, My Mummy, was also published in 2023.

Helena lives in Yorkshire with husband Will, daughter Flora, and rescue wolf-dog Kato.

This dual-timeline story follows two young heroes—one in 731 China, and one in 1931 Chinatown—on perilous journeys to save their families. While Han Yu and Luli are living centuries apart, Karina masterfully weaves their stories together through the characters’ shared love of bao, silks, poetry, furry friends, and their families. The result is a timeless story that will encourage young readers to trust their instincts, step outside their comfort zones, and see the magic in their own lives. 

Middle school readers will love this book! It has adventure, and readers will be able to really relate to the characters! I also love that there are animal friends, and it truly is a magical story!

Self Disclosure: I received free copies of the above books to feature as book choices. I only feature books that I recommend. Cover images were also provided.

In the new film, Gabby (Laila Lockhart Kraner) heads out on a road trip with her Grandma Gigi (Gloria Estefan) to the urban wonderland of Cat Francisco. But when Gabby’s dollhouse, her most prized possession, ends up in the hands of an eccentric cat lady named Vera (Kristen Wiig), Gabby sets off on an adventure through the real world to get the Gabby Cats back together and save the dollhouse before it’s too late.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ruhi K. comments, “Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie is everything a cat lover can hope for! The bittersweet message it carries, which can appeal to every generation, is complemented by plenty of glitter, make-believe fun with the Gabby Cats, and the sprinkle parties audiences know and love. Kennedy P. adds, “From the very first scene, Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie pulls you into a world of glitter, music, and magic. It is colorful, fun, and filled with surprises that kept me smiling the whole time. This movie is pure joy from beginning to end.” Zoey F. wraps it up with, “I like how this is a very interactive movie for the audience with the actors often turning to the screen and asking the audience to repeat a phrase or sing along. Children watching this movie will learn new words, songs, and more.” See their full reviews below.

Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie
By Ruhi K., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 16

Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie is everything a cat lover can hope for! The bittersweet message it carries, which can appeal to every generation, is complemented by plenty of glitter, make-believe fun with the Gabby Cats, and the sprinkle parties audiences know and love.

The film, a combination of animation and live-action, follows Gabby (Laila Lockhart Kraner) and the Gabby-Cats all the way to Gigi’s (Gloria Estefan) home in Cat Francisco. Gabby is ready to have some fun in her brand-new crafting room, but the dollhouse has other plans for her. When it ends up in the hands of a strange cat-loving collector, Vera (Kristen Wiig), Gabby and Pandy (Logan Bailey) must venture into the belly of the beast to save their friends.

Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie is a cup of fun, a teaspoon of glitter and a sprinkle of nostalgia. The film’s creators incorporate fun moments of music and dancing with more serious moments of reflection, a balance that brings truth to Gabby’s journey. This element of relatability, combined with the sincerity of Kraner’s performance, allows the audience to connect with Gabby on a deeper level than ever before. Trendy, upbeat pop music, such as ROSÉ and Bruno Mars’ “APT.,” keeps the film current and encourages older viewers to join the party. Additionally, the set design is breathtaking. The environments that each of the Gabby Cats discover at Vera’s mansion, such as MerCat’s underwater realm, are colorful, intricate and include just the right amount of glitter. Kitty Fairy’s garden kingdom is especially outstanding, built inside a striking violet geode surrounded by peaceful plants and tiny waterfalls. Another one I love is the candy-covered snow kingdom, which features fun details like a rainbow-stripe river and towers of cookies. A final aspect worth mentioning is the character development of the antagonists. While Vera and her former cat, Chumsley (Jason Mantzoukas) are initially portrayed as villains, the writers allow both characters to leave that behind. The source of their problems is displayed through flashbacks, evoking sympathy, and I found myself rooting for them just as much as I was for Gabby. Watching the antagonists rediscover fun and get their happy ending reinforces the message everyone deserves happiness.

This film is a reminder that growing up doesn’t have to mean giving up everything that brought you happiness as a child. Some things–like friendship–are forever. Playing make-believe was the way we learned, connected with each other, and made sense of the world when we were little, and all of that is important to keep doing, no matter how old we get. It’s easy to forget when we have so much going on in our lives, but it’s never too late to get your sparkle on!

I give Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 12. The film will be released in theaters September 26, 2025.

Gabby’s Dollhouse The Movie
By Kennedy P., KIDS FIRST!  Film Critic, Age 11

From the very first scene, Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie pulls you into a world of glitter, music, and magic. It is colorful, fun, and filled with surprises that kept me smiling the whole time. This movie is pure joy from beginning to end.

The story follows Gabby (Laila Lockhart) and her lovable cat friends as they set off on a big adventure inside the dollhouse. When a new challenge arises, they must work together, solve problems, and use creativity to bring back the fun. Along the way, they discover the true meaning of friendship and teamwork while keeping the playful spirit the series is known for.

The characters are just as delightful as ever—Gabby, Pandy Paws (Tucker Chandler), Cakey (Juliet Donenfeld), DJ Catnip (Eduardo Franco), and all the fan favorites shine on the big screen. Laila Lockhart wonderfully brings Gabby to life, while Gloria Estefan adds warmth and heart as Grandma. Kristen Wiig is hilarious and mischievous as Vera, the cat lady villain, adding a fun twist to the story. The voice actors make each character feel real and lovable, and the animation is bright, detailed, and magical, creating a world that feels alive and exciting for kids and families alike.

At its heart, this film shares an inspiring message – even small challenges can be overcome with kindness, imagination, and teamwork. It reminds viewers that, when you believe in yourself and support your friends, anything is possible. Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie isn’t just entertaining—it’s uplifting, leaving audiences with a big smile and a hopeful heart.

I give Gabby’s Dollhouse The Movie 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults.  It will be released in theaters Friday, September 26, 2025. 

Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie
By Zoey F., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

I enjoyed watching Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie. It gives a good message to kids and is great for learning. Mostly this is a solid kid’s movie but I did have some issues with some of the characters’ behaviors.

The plot follows Gabby (Laila Lockhart Kraner), a girl who loves to play and she especially treasures the dollhouse that Grandma Gigi (Gloria Estefan) made for her; it is her most prized possession. When the dollhouse falls into the hands of a peculiar, eccentric cat lady, Vera (Kristen Wiig), Gabby is determined to get her dollhouse back and save her Gabby cats.

I like how this is a very interactive movie for the audience with the actors often turning to the screen and asking the audience to repeat a phrase or sing along. Children watching this movie will learn new words, songs, and more.  I did not particularly enjoy the character development and how certain ideas are portrayed. Some of the characters’ decisions seem too spontaneous and unrealistic for how people actually handle change. Chumsley (Jason Mantzoukas) is extremely rude to Gabby which seems to come out of nowhere and he never apologizes for his actions. Chumsley insults Gabby and kicks her out of her own dollhouse. This type of behavior goes against what is okay and what isn’t. On the other hand, when Vera realizes that she has been a bad friend to Chumsley, she apologizes and they make up. As much as I enjoyed the film, I felt that many characters seem unfinished and the movie tries to include too many plot lines and too many characters. It feels quite overstimulating at times. Although this is a kids’ movie, I believe that adults will also enjoy watching it mostly because of the character Vera. She is a very odd and a genuinely funny character. Vera’s conversations and yoga sessions with her cat are hilarious. She is such a fun character and Kristen Wiig really goes all out in portraying her.

I love the film’s message, which is to stay young and playful as long as you can. It not only teaches kids to appreciate their toys; it teaches us that playing is normal and fun. Vera, the eccentric cat lady, has sworn off all sorts of play ever since she grew up. It’s great watching her develop into someone who is more accepting of fun and play. It also reminds us of limitations and how going too far with play can result in chaos. Please be advised that Gabby’s Dollhouse includes many loud sounds and bright flashes which may be overstimulating to sensitive eyes. 

I give Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 8. It opens in theaters on September 26, 2025.