During this time of year parents might miss some hidden gems or low hanging fruit when it comes to gifts.  Enter the Daddy Mojo Gift Guide.  It has a couple gifts that are obvious and awesome, some things that flew just under the radar and some indie stuff that your kids will absolutely love.  In each description we’ll list what ages it is appropriate for and just a wee bit about why it’ll make whoever receives it a happy kid, regardless of their age.   It’s broken down into videos, books and music.  There are also lots of toys and tech, but that’ll be in another post.

 

Videos with mojo

 

Chuggington Snow Rescue

Both of our children love all things Chuggington.  The latest DVD release, Snow Rescue comes out on 12/9. 5 episodes, plus 3 bonus features and the DVD is only $10.   We’ll have a giveaway for Snow Rescue in early December too!

Pee-wee’s Playhouse: The Complete Series Blu-ray

This show was our Saturday morning staple in college.  It’s been remastered and looks amazing with colors that pop out the way that they should.  Pee-wee’s Playhouse on Blu-ray is a massive 8 disc package that has every episode and lots of extras from this amazing show that won 22 Emmy Awards and is #10 on the list of the Top 25 Cult Television Shows.  This 8 disc collection retails for $149, but can be found for less if you look around.  Bonus: you can also get season 1 & 2 that have also been remastered for $14.99

 

Cartoon Network Holiday Collection

Get 6 episodes of some of Cartoon Network’s biggest hits for only $9.  They’re all holiday themed and appropriate for ages 7 and up.  The disc consists of 2 Adventure Times, 1 Regular Show, 1 Amazing World of Gumball, 1 Clarence and 1 Steven Universe.

 

Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy is the best Marvel movie yet.  It is also a great movie, even if you don’t like superheroes per se.  This is more of an adventure, science fiction, space movie with humor, action, heart and a great sound track.   It’s rated PG-13 for actions sequences and a little bit of foul language.  We would easily take an 11 year old to it, but explain to them why the language was necessary in the film-and why they shouldn’t use it.

 

Game of Thrones & True Detective

Pros:  HBO has some great programming.  Cons:  Said programming can’t be seen on Netflix or Roku for a long time.  True Detective was a grim, realistic season about a re-opened cold case.  Game of Thrones is the bloody, feudal show about seven families and old school weapons.  We’ll be giving away Game of Thrones Season 4 and True Detective away on DVD in early December too.

 

 

Books with mojo

 

Guinness World Records 2015 Gamer’s Edition

Remember when Guinness World Records had only one book?  Yeah, me too, but the more segmented the book the deeper it can go into the niche.  Witness the Guinness World Records 2015 Gamer’s Edition.  I’m not a hardcore gamer, I’m a barely passable gamer for old school games, but this book covers all gaming subjects and is really entertaining.  From the layout to the content this book, priced at only $14.99 ($10 if you shop around…) is a great stocking stuffer for your tween gamer who thinks they know it all.

Battle Bunny

We reviewed this book in April and still love it.  It’s a book about a bunny whose story was so boring that a child ‘wrote’ in it to make up his own story.  The front of the book even comes with a fake inscription from his ‘grandmother’.  Children 9 and up will get a kick out of Battle Bunny.  There is nothing wrong or inappropriate with the content, but explaining to your 5 year old that someone really didn’t write in this book-and neither should you, could be challenging.

You are Not Small

You are Not Small is a simple book about creatures, small, smaller, big and bigger.  The art is fun and the pacing of the book, combined with the large text makes it a perfect good night book for ages 6 and under.  Disclaimer:  we read the book at night when the kids are asleep too….

Terrible Lizard

Terrible Lizard is a great four issue, all age comic book that came out in October.  The art is action packed and realistic enough to hook in younger kids who want to read an ‘older’ comic.  Jess is the daughter of a scientist who is doing some experiments when a dinosaur gets sucked into our time.  Other big creatures follow him here and it’s up to Jess to protect the dino.  Go by your local comic book store to get up to speed on Terrible Lizard from Oni Press.

The StoryTeller Witches

This four issue miniseries is in the footsteps of The StoryTeller from the 80’s.  In these comics we meet a series of witches who star in stories from different cultures.  Each story is stand alone, has different artists and (so far) each of them have been great.  There isn’t anything graphic or too scary in these comics, but children won’t find them interesting.  Adults and comic fans will enjoy the art, which is extraordinary, especially issue #2.

Fraggle Rock

The Fraggles are back!  It’s just a coincidence, but this is a four issue mini-series that brings back the Fraggles as they go on a new adventure.  The art in this is big, happy, rounded and pops off the page.  It’s an all age comic that will let parents teach children how cool a Fraggle can be.

The Regular Show

The Regular Show that your 7 year olds watch on Cartoon Network has an all age comic book that is just as manic, but more approachable.  The art in The Regular Show is odd, the stories are creative and borderline don’t make any sense upon the first reading, but kids love them.  File under:  get off my lawn you kids.

 

Music with mojo

 

The Pop Ups

The Pop Ups are children’s music that borders on adults enjoying it more.  The lyrics are happy and the music layered, crafty and reminds listeners of Squeeze or Crowded House with just a hint of 10CC.  From the tongue in cheek title, Appetite for Construction to the harmonies The Pop Ups are worth checking out.

The Not It’s

The Not It’s play rock, children’s rock with some pop in there; depending on the song or how loud your child wants it.  Their songs are crunchy little nuggets of kid friendly rock with lyrics they can relate to and parents can approve.  The lead singer of The Not It’s used to front Velocity Girl and it’s obvious that they brought along some well qualified indie rock friends to jam with.  This is one of the best children’s music releases we’ve heard this year.  It’s fun and our oldest keeps requesting song #1.  Our favorite changes from day to day, they’re all quite good and will change indie parent’s minds as to what children’s music can be.

 

Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band

As if Kindie wasn’t enough of a niche genre, Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band have a new niche- Spanish jangle pop that kids and adults will like.  OK, we made up that niche.  They’re 2013 Latin Grammy Winners and their music is immediately catchy.  It makes the toes tap and introduces children to music in a foreign language, which is an excellent way to get them to learn it.  You can check out a sample from Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band’s latest release Aqui Alla here.