The Swan Princess: Kingdom of Music is elementary-girl comfort viewing

The Swan Princess and its lineage of films are impressive in what they’ve accomplished. The first one was released in 1994 and directed by Richard Rich, a former Disney animation director. Since then the story has gone on to produce nine films which are all interconnect to some extent. The newest one, The Swan Princess: Kingdom of Music has a current singing contest storyline that elementary and middle school fans will relate to. Of course it ties into Princess Odette, Derek and all manner of G rated fun that younger fans will enjoy.

We watched the film with two boys, both of whom enjoyed it. I thought that a singing, princess oriented film would be like Kryptonite to the soul of a 7 and 9-year old boy, but I was mistaken. 

Both of these guys were completely unfamiliar with The Swan Princess, which has gained a cult following in the past 25 years. Since then the characters from the film have branched out to where the title of this DVD isn’t even Since then the characters from the film have branched out to where the titular character of this DVD isn’t even one of the main characters, but that’ll suit young viewers just fine.

Kingdom of Music focuses on the story of a Chinese prince, Prince Li, who is also the best singer in the land. Odette is having a singing contest to celebrate Princess Alise’s birthday and he has to travel from far across the ocean to take part in a contest that he’s primed to win. Alas, Li’s sister is in love with someone who’s cursed to spend his days as a flying serpent, except for the minute that happens just before sunset. Will true love find a way to break this curse? And if so, who will the enchanted couple be?

The Swan Princess Kingdom of Music is entertaining for elementary school kids. Adults will see too much of the uncanny valley in some of the CGI scenes. They look human, but something is just slightly off, like Tom Hanks in that train Christmas train movie. Fans of The Swan Princess story will look forward to and feel obligated to see the film. Elementary aged new brand new viewers will mildly enjoy the film and hope that their parents don’t come in and talk to them. Some fans will also roll their eyes at the to be continued…. message at the end of the film. Spoiler alert.

If your kids are knee deep in The Swan Princess then they’ll want to keep an eye out for the 25th anniversary DVD release coming out.

100% Unofficial Fortnite Pro Guide is more basic than its name implies

When I look at Fortnight I see absolutely nothing that I can identify with. Upper elementary school aged kids, through middle schoolers see something totally opposite. Fornite is a Rorschach Test where gamers see victorious avatars dancing victoriously over their opponents and I see dystopian characters who look like a cosplay version of So You Think You Can Dance. 100% Unofficial Fornite Pro Guide is a book that even those who’ve been playing the game for a short period will benefit from. The reading level is on par with those upper elementary age students that want to up their game or reinforce what they know about one of the world’s most popular video games.

Fornite is by any estimation a massive, world-wide phenomenon. It’s played by more than 25 million people and season 10 of Fortnite has just been released. Even our 7 year-old, who has only played less than a dozen video games, is familiar with Fortnite. He’s also in love with the concept of playing it, which he’ll do soon enough.

We gave 100% Unofficial Fortnite Pro Guide to an 11 year-old gamer who says that he’s very good at Fornite. After giving him an hour or two to read the book I went back to find him on his phone…playing Fortnite.

Me: How was the book?

11 YO Gamer: Good.

Me: So, did you learn anything from it? Where there any top secret tips? (in hindsight, I might have asked this too eagerly….)

11 YO Gamer: No, I knew everything.

Oh, do you really? So I picked up the book and thumbed through to ask him five pop questions from it. What are the four areas? Who is Bonesy? There were a couple other questions, but he gave me such a surly sideways stare I realized that he did know everything in this book and I just looked like the out-of-touch middle aged dad who didn’t know the deal.

Retreating back for a moment I asked “what’s the stock ticker for the company that owns Fortnite”? “Well, Epic Games owns Fornite”, he said. I game him partial credit for that answer and directed him towards Tencent.

100% Unofficial Fortnite Pro Guide is a good, more basic book than its name would imply. For non-users it looks and feels like a pro guide, however those Fornite players that are 11 and up are likely to know the majority of the tips in the book. If you’re brand new to Fornite, this is a good primer as it’ll hardwire you about the basics and what add-ons help you play like a better gamer.

Ready to Read adds non-fiction and emerging readers will love it

The Ready to Read book series from Simon & Schuster are one of our favorite books for emerging readers. They’re jammed with color, are perfectly priced and have large-but not too large of a font size. If the font is too large then the inference is that it’s a baby book and they are not baby books. The reading level is labeled as perfect as a children’s book can be. From the front cover you can see what level the book is and on the back cover you can read a more detailed explanation about each of the levels so that readers can have something to aim for on the next level. We love these books. The only problem, until now is that there were no non-fiction titles.

If You Love Dolphins You Could Be….. is the first in a growing line of non-fiction books from the awesome series of Ready to Read books.

They’ve solved this problem with If You Love Dolphins You Could Be and If You Love Video Games You Could Be. Each book has the same format of the Ready to Read books that parents have enjoyed for years, but with an educational, fun and non-fiction direction. Both of these books work and elementary school readers will enjoy the more ‘adult’ content matter.

If You Love Dolphins You Could Be….. is the first in a growing line of non-fiction books from the awesome series of Ready to Read books.

Adult is all relative. We’re not talking about unicorns or superheroes here. The presentation is the same, but in these books we’re learning about a variety of careers that people can aspire to be. In If You Love Dolphins You Could Be has a detailed overview of three careers that involve dolphins or other sea life. On one page there is a glossary of some other sea based careers like an oceanographer, environmental lawyer, underwater archeologist and more.

If You Love Dolphins You Could Be….. is the first in a growing line of non-fiction books from the awesome series of Ready to Read books.

For us these books are perfect. We have a 7 year-old that is a little slow in reading. He is able to read lots of sight words and some bigger words, but has trouble putting them together as he reads. He’s also behind, according to his teachers and that could impact his confidence. As a parent, we want him to read what he wants to read (which means more reading!), but we also would prefer it to be something educational. Call it the Trojan Horse approach to getting books in the hands of emerging readers.  

If You Love Dolphins You Could Be….. is the first in a growing line of non-fiction books from the awesome series of Ready to Read books.

The price point for these books, relative to their colors and how much kids enjoy them is also a great value. The request for non-fiction books in the Ready to Read series was presented to the publisher by lots of educators and teachers. Like me, they loved the format of the books and how much kids love reading them, but wanted more educational options. At the end of each of these books is a graphic that announces that more books are coming. That is a great and needed thing. Kids love to dream about what they’ll do when they get big and there are thousands of options beyond the stereotypical firefighter, lawyer or doctor.

Win a family 4-pack of tickets to see The Angry Birds Movie 2

One of the bigger surprises a couple of years ago was The Angry Birds Movie. I know that our children loved it and the film made almost four times its budget. Granted, box office success doesn’t guarantee a quality movie, but it does prime the pump for a sequel. The Angry Birds Movie 2 is one that our kids have been itching to see ever since they saw the trailer. It opens in theaters on Wednesday, August 14 and we’re giving away family 4-packs of tickets to the Atlanta sneak preview of the film.

Win a family 4-pack of tickets to The Angry Birds Movie 2 Atlanta sneak preview on 8/8. We’re frenemies and the movie looks fabulous.

The Atlanta sneak preview of The Angry Birds Movie 2 is Saturday, August 10 at 11AM. We’ve got four 4-packs of tickets to the show. To enter to win a package leave a comment in the blog post or RT this:

We’ll pick the winners of the packages Thursday afternoon, August 8 at 4:00. Thanks-and good luck!

Update! We just heard that Red, the large and in-charge Angry Bird himself will be at this sneak preview. Be sure to bring your camera so that you can get a photo of big Red and your kids. Red will also be appearing that night at KIDZ BOP Live Atlanta later that night. It’s two chances to meet Red, don’t miss out or you’ll be green of those who did.

All age comic books for August 7

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Happy back to school time of year! Alternately, happy end of your vacation and here are this week’s all age comic books. If you’re looking for a comic book for someone in elementary school this is one of the best weeks in months. Almost every book is aimed somewhat at elementary school age readers.

If you’re new here or just checking back after the summer we’ve got a new rating system. It’s quite simple and will really help with any recommendations as to what all age comic books or graphic novels are appropriate for whom.

Pre-K: those crawlers, toddlers and early walkers 2-5

E: Anyone in elementary school will enjoy this book. 

LE: Lower elementary readers who are 4-8 will enjoy this book.

UE: Upper elementary readers are those who are 9 and up.

M: M is for middle school, those readers that are 12 and up. 

H: H is for high school and you won’t see much of that here. 

Humor Archie Married Life 10 Years Later, UE, M Betty and Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #275, E Disney Frankenstein starring Donald Duck, UE, M Disney Frozen: The Hero Within #2, E, M Giant Days #53, M, H My Little Pony Feats of Friendship #1, E Over the Garden Wall Symphonies #1 of 5, UE, M, H Uncle Scrooge #47, UE, M Superhero DC Superheroes Batman, Catwoman’s Halloween Heist, UE, M DC Super Heroes Batman Five Riddles for Robbin, UE, M DC Super Heroes Batman Fun House of Evil, UE, M DC Super Heroes Batman Man Behind the Mask, UE, M Dear Justice League, UE, M Marvel Action Spider-Man #6, E, M Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Shattered Grid, UE, M, H Scooby Doo Team Up Doomed, E, M, H True Believers Absolute Carnage Mind Bomb, M, H True Believers Absolute Carnage Planet of Symbiotes, M, H Wonder Woman You Choose Crystal Quest, E, M Wonder Woman You Choose Movie Magic Madness, E, M Wonder Woman You Choose Monster Mayhem, E, M Action/science-fiction Ben 10 For Science, E, M
All age comic books for august 7, cash and carrie, action lab comics
Enola Holmes Case of the Lefthanded Lady, M, H Goosebumps Horrors of the Witch House #3, UE, M Sabrina the Teenage Witch, #4 of 5, UE, M, H Samurai Jack Lost Worlds #3, UE, M, H Sonic the Hedgehog Tangle & Whisper #1, E, M Steven Universe #30, UE, M, H Steven Universe vol 5, Find a Way, UE, M, H Transformers vs. Ghostbusters #3 of 5, UE, M, H

Win a BAKUGAN prize pack

Get ready to brawl! We were sent a BAKUGAN prize pack so that the kids could play with it again. At Momo Con we were introduced to BAKUGAN and both boys absolutely loved it. Fast forward to late summer and we’re excited giving away a two (2) BAKUGAN prize packs.

So, what is BAKUGAN? It’s one of the hottest toy lines around that feature the amazing transforming collectible toys complete with battling game and anime-adventure series on Cartoon Network. It combines real, moving toys that start out as balls, but explode into various monsters. It also combines card elements that allow players to use their imagination. Both of our boys love playing with the toys and get fired up, as only 7 and 9 year-olds can do as they taunt each other with ‘Let’s brawl!” It’s also worth noting that our 7 year-old could assemble all of the brawlers except for one of them.

Win a BAKUGAN prize pack

 Two winners chosen at random will win this BAKUGAN dream prize pack, which has everything needed to become the ultimate BAKUGAN Brawler. Winners will be notified upon the closing of the weeklong contest.

 BAKUGAN prize pack includes:

 1 Battle Arena

 1 Starter Pack

 1 Battle Pack

 1 Bakugan Ultra

 1 Baku Storage Case

To enter just RT this tweet:

Another way to enter is to leave a comment on the blog post? Who is your favorite BAKUGAN Brawler? Have your kids seen the show? Have they played the game?

 The giveaway runs until 10:00 PM on August 11, so get your entries in now!

 More on BAKUGAN Roughly a decade ago, Spin Master launched BAKUGAN, an anime series that evolved into a global phenomenon, capturing the hearts of children around the world. At the close of 2018, Spin Master re-launched BAKUGAN Battle Planet, and the BAKUGAN toy line is recruiting and reacquainting fans with the world of BAKUGAN, activating tournaments and fan experiences at some of the biggest convention across the country.

 At home, fans can immerse in a world that includes: an innovative toy line with new technology; a revived card game; extended content, sneak peeks and 90-second character webisodes available online at BAKUGAN.com and on YouTube; a mobile app; tutorial videos; and a mobile mini game where fans can battle. A BAKUGAN Dragonoid Monster Jam Truck, toy and battle size for Monster Jam live competitions has also been unveiled.

Superbuns- file under: impossibly cute, illustrated book

Like pizza, a cat video or peeking under the wrapping paper, Superbuns is impossible to resist. Superbuns is by author/illustrator Diane Kredensor and if you’ve read Buck’s Tooth you’ll recognize her style. The feel of the book is as at home with the classic vibe of a comic strip. Its size compliments the cuteness and takes a rabbit named Buns across the city with a hot pie of a happy time.

Superbuns, rabbit, blossom, Diane Kredensor, pinky and the brain, Clifford, fox.

Buns is a rabbit. Actually, she could be a bunny as the other main character is Superbuns is her know-it-all sister, Blossom. Blossom means well, but is insistent that being kind is not a super power. Sure Buns may hold open doors for old people, take out garbage and pay compliments to lots of people, but being kind is not a super power.

On this particular day the two rabbits are being quite kind. They’re taking a pie that they baked to their grandmother’s house. Halfway through their journey they notice that a stranger is following them. This is the city and stranger danger is a real thing, but it’s also a city populated with impossibly cute anthropomorphic animals. However, things are further complicated by the fact that this stranger is a fox.

Superbuns, rabbit, blossom, Diane Kredensor, pinky and the brain, Clifford, fox.

A fox who has been following two rabbits can’t be a good thing, can it? In this case Blossom freaks out when Buns starts innocently talking to the young fox. Foxes eat rabbits, you silly rabbit. As this is a children’s illustrated book, Superbuns turns the animal world on its head and this particular fox is just trying to get home. Thankfully Blossom knows all about directions and getting lost, all of which she’s eager to share with their new pointy eared friend.

Superbuns is cute. It’s disarmingly cute and will suck readers in who are 4-8 years old. Those on the upper end of that scale will be unwittingly charmed by the illustrations. The text in the book is such that those ages should be able to read all of it effortlessly. There are some sight words for the emerging readers that are on the younger spectrum of that scale.

Superbuns, rabbit, blossom, Diane Kredensor, pinky and the brain, Clifford, fox.

Ultimately what makes Superbuns work is its illustrations and the simple, home-spun nature of the story. It feels like the book equivalent of a pillow with two cold sides. Kredensor is an Emmy Award-winning director and producer for lots of animated shows that you and your kids have seen before. Have you ever seen Pinky and the Brain (!!), Clifford the Big Red Dog, Curious George or a couple others? Her resume is a cartoon lover’s watch list and Superbuns rides into your child’s library as effortless as using Superbuns power.

All age comic books for July 24

Happy new comic book day! This week in new all age comic books has Archie for middle schoolers, Archie Vs. Predator 2 #1 of 5 for middle and high schoolers, Looney Tunes for elementary and older, Making Friends ( a great middle school graphic novel) and lots of superhero stuff for those in elementary also.

In the podcast we’ll chat about some cool all age comic books including Scooby Doo Team Up, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Lumberjanes, Skip, Archie Vs. Predator 2 and much more. For now, here’s the complete list of those comic books that will be great for readers of all sorts of ages. Some will skew as young as elementary school. Obviously they all won’t demo that young, thus here’s the handy rating system.

For those who are new to the site and want one of the go-to all age comic books, look for those that have an E, M and H in their rating. These are the rare comic books that young readers will enjoy, as well as those teens who are in high school.

The rating system

LE: Lower elementary school readers will enjoy this book.

UE: Upper elementary readers will enjoy this all age comic book.

E: Any kid in elementary school will like this.

M: M is for middle school, those readers that are 12 and up.

H: H is for high school.

Humor AM Archives Laurel and Hardy, UE Archie 706, M, H Archie Vs. Predator 2, 1 of 5, M, H Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #275 Disney Comics and Stories #6, UE, M Looney Tunes #250, E, M, H
All age comic books for July 24
My Little Pony Friendship is Magic #80, E, M Tangled the Series Hair Raising Adventures TPB, E, M Superhero Amazing Spider-Man #26, UE, M, H Marvel Action Avengers #6, UE, M Marvel Rising #5 of 5, UE, M Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #41, UE, M Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur #45, UE, M, H Scooby Doo Team Up #49, E, M, H True Believers Absolute Carnage Mania, M, H True Believers Absolute Carnage Separation Anxiety Action/science-fiction

Die Hard Board Game, H, H+

Lumberjanes #64, UE, M, H
Sonic the Hedgehog #19, E, M Star Wars Adventures TPB, Vol 6, Flight of the Falcon, E, M Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Rise of TMNT Sound Off, #1 of 3
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