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Gator Dad by Brian Lies, the dad’s honest truth book review

You don’t have to be a University of Florida fan to like Gator Dad. Gator Dad is just that, an alligator dad and this is a charming, warm book that’ll serve as a great good-night story for kids 1-7.

The book is written by Brian Lies, who readers might recognize from his “Bats” series of books and his art style. In the 90’s Lies was a stay at home dad. That’s OG-SAHD, if we can create a trending acronym. Lies’ time with his daughter can be felt in the pages of Gator Dad. It’s simple, yet has the minute details and sublime adventures that a parent can experience during the day.

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New all age comics for April 20, 2016

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It’s just two weeks before Free Comic Book Day and many of the titles out this week will have free versions available on May 7. One of the best books in all age comics comes out this week; Lumberjanes #25 is great for girls or boys, with a balance of science fiction, friendship and humor. Also out in humor for all age comics is Grumpy Cat & Pokey, a new ongoing series by Over the Garden Wall, Simpsons Comics #228, a trade paperback from Peanuts and more.

In science fiction/action comics there is a great comic targeted at the reluctant 9 year old reader. Another Castle is a mini-series from Oni Press that combines fantasy, action, monsters and the insecurities about growing up. Back to the Future #7 is a great example of how to take the story from a well known movie and continue it into the world of comics. This is a fun series that any age will enjoy, but does have vocabulary that might be too big for 6 year olds. For tween fans of mutant monsters Godzilla Oblivion (#2 of 5) comes out, as does Welcome to Showside from Z2 comics.

Plants Vs. Zombies #10 is one of our comics of the week. This series is so much for kids 7 and up. Our 6 year old has not ‘embraced’ zombie culture, but he likes this book. As a parent I thought that any form of zombie to a kid that age would scare him. I was wrong. This comic is lots of fun, with countless moments of humor, comical zombie villains and humans who always end up on top.

For old school fans or entry fans who like trading cards, Star Wars Original Topps Trading Cards Vol 2 Empire Strikes Back comes out in book form. These were the jam when they came out, now in book form.

Where is my closest comic book store? What is Free Comic Book Day? How can I listen to the podcast for all of this craziness?

Humor

Science fiction/action

Superheroes

The Fintastic Fishsitter-a young reader’s guide to Zombie Goldfish

Our 6 year old likes reading My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish. More accurately, he likes having it read to him-and then spending some time alone with the book so that he can read it at his own pace. The concept of a zombie goldfish who can hypnotize anything with his eyes, a vampire kitten named Fang, two young boys and their respective tween brothers is the stuff of young reader dreams. The Fintastic Fishsitter is the tale of Sami, Pradeep’s little sister who is helping him and Tom by fishsitting Frankie, the zombie goldfish. This is also more of a picture book, with very few words, full color illustrations and the same evil kitten, villainous brother, madcap story that is designed for kids that have not yet graduated to reading on their own or chapter books.

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Bruce Lee: The Dragon Rises review

Bruce Lee: The Dragon Rises is an improbably comic book to love. It takes a kinetic art form, martial arts, and attempts to reproduce that in a 2D medium. Additionally, its title character was killed in the early 70’s and this comic book takes place in 2012. How could a fun and engaging story about Bruce Lee occur when it takes place decades after his death? We were first introduced to the comic as part of Free Comic Book Day. Darby Pop Publishing has a portion of the first issue out as an issue on FCBD on May 7. That sneak preview led us to get the first issue of Bruce Lee and it is fabulous, fun and entirely appropriate for all ages.

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New all age comics for April 13, 2016

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This week in all age comics is fresh, closely followed by girl power. By that I mean when I look at the new comics for young readers I see lots of titles that are either brand new to the medium or ones that they’ll know from television. Some weeks the new releases have a good number of classic titles-and while there are a couple older characters in books this week they’ve all got a new feel. There are also some cool comics that speak more to girls with strong characters, action, independence and intelligence.

Wait, intelligence in a comic book? Oh yes. In science fiction and action this week Doctor Who (the 9^th Doctor) issue 1 in his own ongoing series starts as he masters time, space and teaching folks about English quips. Jeremy Whitley does a great job with the Princeless series and this week the Princeless Make Yourself mini-series comes out. This is issue 1 and tells the story of five female dwarves whose job it is to protect the others from dragons, just in time for a massive pink horned dragon to be seen over the mountains.

Sonic the Hedgehog #280, Star Wars Little Golden Book Force Awakens, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Animated Adventures #9 and many others also come out.

In humor the second issue of Action Cat and Adventure Bug, Spongebob Comics #55, Scooby Doo Where Are You? #68 and others hit. One of note for those that like Lumberjanes is Golde Vance. This is a mini-series about a young girl who wants to be a detective, but factor in some of the charm that Boom! Studios has, the creators Brittney Williams and Hope Larson and this is one series that you’ll want to check out. The links will take you to TFAW where you’ll save up to 20% on your comics. The music in the podcast is from David Szesztay over at Free Music Archive.

Humor

Science fiction/Action

Ultimate Spider-Man Web Warriors, Contest of Champions #1

For young readers who are looking for a low impact, non committal, fun way to read all age comics the mini-series is your best bet. Ultimate Spider-Man Web Warriors: Contest of Champions #1 is the start of a mini-series that’s modeled after Marvel series that airs on Disney XD. This is still Spider-Man, but it’s the all age version that is easily approachable to younger readers, say ages 5 and up.

In this mini-series our web-warrior is minding his own business (as he usually is), when he’s tricked by Scourge, Abomination and Beetle to a meeting. A brief battle ensues when Spidey swings around the city and slams into a massive force field that someone has placed the entire city. He’s quickly teleported to The Collector’s Ship where he learns that a sibling game is going on between him and his brother called the Contest of Champions.

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Secrets of the Seven: The Eureka Key review

Somewhere between the written version of National Treasure, The Game, Goonies and Sherlock lies Secrets of the Seven: The Eureka Key. This book is intended for middle school, each chapter is about 12 pages long and it’s the best ‘children’s’ book we’ve read this year. It manages to take the nuggets that we loved in similar books and combines them into a full-fledged multi arc story that will run through seven books.

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New all age comics for April 6, 2016

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This week in new all age comics brings a return of a true classic, The Three Stooges. It’s slapstick, punch humor that may not translate to some families and their children, but hop back in the time machine and this was family entertainment back in the way day. Some of the other humor comics this week include Regular Show, Bob’s Burgers, Loony Tunes and Mickey Mouse to name a few.

Superhero all age comics bring a trade paperback of Batman Adventures, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #2 and the classic (again!) Black Lightening trade paperback that collects issues 1-11.

All age sci-fi fans have it made this week, Back to the Future, the illustrated Alice in Wonderland is available for the first time in its entirety in paperback, The Dark Crystal Volume 2 Creation Myths, Star Wars Poe Dameron and much more.

It’s just over a month before Free Comic Book Day, which is the first Saturday in May. This year it’s the same weekend as Mother’s Day, so mom, take the kids to your local comic book store that day, it’s win-win. We received all of the comics that will be available this year for Free Comic Book Day and there are some jamming all age comics in the bunch. Our complete review of them is coming up soon.

The links will take you to TFAW where you’ll save up to 20%. If you’re looking for savings that are 50% or greater dig into their Scratch and Dent area-it’s awesome. Looking for your closest comic book store? Dig into the Comic Book Store Locator and you’ll be there by lunchtime.

Science-fiction

Superheroes

Humor