Category: Entertainment

Moms and dads need entertainment and these posts, for one reason or another will do just that

Season 1 of The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants on Netflix on July 13

Thanks to DreamWorks for the free DIY craft, which is actually quite simple to do….  Our kids grew up on Captain Underpants. Actually our kids are still growing up with Captain Underpants as they’re only 6 and 8. The older one has been a fan of George and Harold since he was 4. It’s the first books that he started to read and the series that I credit with him actively wanting to read. We started with one random book from Captain Underpants and ended up buying the entire series as the year went on. To that end, The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants appears to bring what fans of the book series loved about the books. The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants starts airing on Netflix on July 13. If you’re kids haven’t started asking about it, they will. However, if they don’t, then show them a book, then point them in the direction of the television show.


We all were fans of the film. It had more heart than some of its contemporaries that targeted the same demographic. There were still some sight gags, but it wasn’t all potty humor and toilet puns, which is quite ironic considering the titular character. In its place, just as it is in the books, lie George Beard and Harold Hutchins, two best friends that any kid in elementary school can relate to. They’re goofy, like to draw, have fun and also have a wide variety of friends to interact with.

If there was one thing that the film did not contain that our kids noticed, it was its lack of supporting characters. Other than Melvin Sneedly, Mr. Krupp/Captain Underpants and Professor Poopypants it was the George and Harold show. Fans of the books know that there are several characters that interact with them and help spice up the universe of Jerome Horowitz Elementary.

From the previews that I’ve seen, The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants seems like it has more ensemble players. It’s still the George and Harold show, with Captain Underpants/Mr. Krupp, but there are teachers or friends that pop in from time to time to act as foibles or friends.

It also still retains the silliness and fun of Captain Underpants. Even as I type this, try to say, much less think of Captain Underpants without smiling. This is a story, nay, a series of stories, a television series even, that compliments its original feature film and books and feels like a compliment instead of a cash in. Part of that is because people, mainly kids who are between 5 and 11, want to see more of their adventures. That was the vibe that our kids gave us after the film and that’s what they get from Dreamworks The Epic Tale of Captain Underpants when it steams all of its first season on July 13.

 

The Ring of Honor, a return to form for middle school fun reading

Everyone hits a moment where things don’t click and that goes for book series too. That was the case with the Secrets of the Seven book series by Sarah. L. Thomson. The first book in the series The Eureka Key was a fabulous first book in the series. It was quickly paced, relatable for kids 9 and up and felt like a kidlit cousin to the film National Treasure. At the end of the first book I was waiting for the second book. When it did the next year, The Eagle’s Quill failed to deliver. It was darker, didn’t have the punch of the first one and left us lukewarm about a third book. The Ring of Honor returns to the swagger and fun that populated the first book so well and makes this a book that kids will really enjoy reading. Continue reading The Ring of Honor, a return to form for middle school fun reading

A Friendly Town That’s Almost Always by the Ocean! Review

If Phoebe from Friends started a business relationship with Monica, where they’d write a book, the end result might be something like A Friendly Town That’s Almost Always by the Ocean!. The is quirky with a capital “Q” and geared towards middle school readers. Think of this as a book that’s perfectly suited towards fans of Lumberjanes or Adventure Time, but want something more (slightly) grounded in reality, with characters that skew evenly towards boys and girls.

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Burning Magic, a great end to Shadow Magic that leaves you wanting more.

I have never read a Harry Potter book and I feel as though I’m in front of a support group when I say that. To further spread the butter of the heretics, I’ve only seen one Harry Potter film and that was the one that had the large snake in the climatic final showdown. We have most of the Harry Potter books in the home library, courtesy of my wife, as well as, those from Rick Riordan. I have to mention all of this before commenting on the third and final novel in the Shadow Magic series, Burning Magic from Joshua Khan. As with the aforementioned book series, Shadow Magic has a large and passionate fan base. They’ll also be rewarded with Burning Magic, a book that’s detail rich, action packed and has character development-with plenty of twists that will leave them clinging to the end of each chapter.

Continue reading Burning Magic, a great end to Shadow Magic that leaves you wanting more.

The Ambrose Deception is middle school, entertainment reading gold

The Ambrose Deception is the kind of book that middle school students will effortlessly enjoy. It’s the story of three middle school students who have nothing in common, but are randomly chosen to compete for a $10,000 scholarship. Getting middle school students to read for fun can be challenging. If you ask them, some will respond that they read enough in school and where’s the closest video game I’m bored? To that end, The Ambrose Deception is a very fast paced book that’s smart without being (too) smarmy that has something for every kid to latch onto.

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Netflix and some streaming options for the flu and cold season

We’re part of the Stream Team for Netflix and received goods or compensation for this post. All thoughts are our own. In our house we’ve had three out of four people down, to some degree, with the flu or otherwise germy funk that is usually associated with children. The youngest one had his hand on the tablet and the adults were splitting time between the televisions. Here’s a rundown of some things that you might want to watch if you, or your kids are stuck in bed with the flu or some Petri dish of infection.

Captain Underpants/Boss Baby

These two movies are great for different reasons. When our 6YO had the flu he must have seen Boss Baby at least eight times. Captain Underpants was watched by him and I twice. Personally I prefer Captain Underpants, it’s a better film, with more depth, but kids will certainly enjoy both. Continue reading Netflix and some streaming options for the flu and cold season

Star Wars: Forces of Destiny, Tales of Hope & Courage review

At the intersection of Wimpy Kid and Star Wars lies Forces of Destiny, Tales of Hope & Courage. It’s a hardback graphic novel, with six original stories that are presented in a journal format. Moreover, the book’s narrator is Maz Kanata and has more vocabulary than illustrations, but still easily qualifies as a graphic novel.

The women of Star Wars take the lead in Tales of Hope & Courage. Princess Leia, Jyn Erso, Ahsoka Tano, Rey, Sabine Wren and Padme Amidala each have their own story. Young readers, especially Star Wars fans will enjoy the storytelling pattern that Maz Kanata. They’re presented in a home spun, folky way that young readers won’t realize, but holds their hand as they maneuver their way through the book. Older readers might equate Maz’ style to The Storyteller from Jim Henson or some other relaxed, trusted soul who’s telling tales.

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Pinckney Island needs to be on the nature lover’s stop in the lowcountry

When visiting the lowcountry in South Carolina or around Hilton Head Island it’s tempting to base your visit exclusively to the beach area. About a half mile before you cross the bridge that enters Hilton Head Island look to your left, as the turn bends to the right and you’ll see a sign for Pinckney Island. Pinckney Island is a National Wildlife Preserve that will all but transport you to another time. The first time I walked the grounds of Pinckney Island I could just imagine Jeff Goldblum or Chris Pratt telling me that I didn’t belong here and it was ‘their’ space. Between the rich audio landscape of calling birds, thick and tall pine forest and isolation it was easy to imagine a lost world.

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