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My Uncle Martin’s Words for AmericaMartin Luther King, Jr.’s niece pays homage to her courageous uncle. She tells readers how he used the power of free speech to protest oppression and discrimination against African Americans. Angela Farris Watkins explains “Jim Crow” laws and segregation, and how “Uncle Martin” would speak out against such practices. Highlighted in bold throughout the text are words that Dr. King lived by, such as “love,” “nonviolence,” “freedom” and “justice.” Dr. Watkins touches upon key civil rights moments, including the Montgomery bus boycott, Dr.…
Jim Henson: The Guy Who Played with PuppetsThis picture book biography tells the story of Jim Henson, a boy with an extraordinary mind living an ordinary life in Mississippi. Jim liked using the arts to make people laugh rather than playing sports like most boys his age. Inspired by Edgar Bergen’s puppet, Charlie McCarthy, and L. Frank Baum’s Wizard of Oz, Jim published his first cartoon at the age of 13. At 16, he secured a job on a local Saturday morning television puppet show. By the time he was in college, he launched his first TV show, Sam and Friends. He was among the first puppeteers to make puppets using cloth rather than wood so that his…
At This Very MomentAs the title hints, at every moment, everywhere in the world, life and nature is happening. While we go through our daily activities, the wonders of nature continue to unfold. At the same time we are brushing our teeth, sharks are swimming in the ocean and polar bears are darting across the icy tundra. While we are having dinner, a flock of puffins are feeding on fish off the coast of Maine. This book, released earlier this year, takes readers on a wildlife tour featuring a wide variety of animals in their natural habitats and reminds us of Earth’s marvels.
We Bought a Zoo“My dad is a writer who specializes in adventure,” announces seven-year-old Rosie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones) at the beginning of We Bought a Zoo. The movie underlines her pride in her father with shots of him at work, interviewing dictators and flying through hurricanes (even as it also makes a little fun of him, as his interviews include questions like, “What’s your favorite movie?”). At the same time, these early scenes reveal that Benjamin doesn’t spend much time at home, a habit that changes when his wife, Katherine (Stephanie Szostak) dies of cancer.
The Night Before Christmas Round-UpLike many of us, “The Night Before Christmas” has been one of my favorites since I was a child. My family’s favorite version is one illustrated by Jan Brett (see last year’s review), and I have to admit that I have never felt the need to read any other edition. While strolling through the annual publishing industry’s trade show earlier this year, I couldn’t help but notice many different books featuring the classic poem, by Clement C. Moore, and decided to open my mind. Following are some editions that are very worth a look:
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the UnicornFor some of us, the most delightful star of The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn will be Snowy, a most faithful and clever fox terrier. True, he belongs to the titular star, Tintin (acted by Jamie Bell and motion-captured), and true as well that he does mostly do as he's told. But unlike so many loyal canines companions in the movies — ever eager to please and always good for a reaction shot — Snowy has a distinct personality, inquisitive and brave, and occasionally even taking off on his own, such that he’s an altogether engaging character unto himself.
HandRunnerLet me start this review by saying this is probably the coolest, yet most unnecessary toy I’ve ever seen. Carter, my seven year-old, is obsessed with zombies. He can play plants vs. zombies on the computer for hours. He even wanted to ask Santa for a chain saw so he could help in a zombie apocalypse. Yeah, he’s got issues. Anyway, when we got the HandRunner, He was in hog heaven! His very own severed zombie hand. What more could a kid ask for?!
Baseball Headz BoardgameI broke out this game when my 9 year old had three friends over. They had a blast with it. The game is a lot of fun and kept them busy for a few hours.
Alvin and the Chipmunks: ChipwreckedAt last, in the third movie, the Alvin (speedy-voiced by Justin Long) and the Chipmunks are established pop stars, as are the Chipettes. No longer struggling just to “put on a show,” now they’re reaping the fruits of their stardom, that is, taking a cruise ship to get to the International Music Awards, where they might even perform alongside some of the oh-so-trendy artists they cover habitually — Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, maybe Beyonce. En route, they wreak havoc on the ship, drive Dave (Jason Lee) “crazy,” and oh yes, accidentally leave the ship altogether, landing on a tropical…
Super Mario 3D LandMario is back in an all new Super Mario game, Super Mario 3D Land. 3D Land marks Mario’s first 3DS game and is probably the most effective 3D game yet to arrive for the 3DS.
