“Sometimes, you have to do things, even though you might fail.” Fluttershy
Friendships are so important for young children and in this special movie, we learn all about the magic and power of friendships.
About My Little Pony Friendship is Magic: Fluttershy
Not every Pegasus pony in Equestria is the same.
Just ask Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. While Rainbow Dash is bold and daring, Fluttershy is quite reserved and caring. But that’s what makes her such a wonderful friend to everyone around her, whether they’re her pony friends, like Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Applejack and, yes, even Rainbow Dash , or her non-equestrian friends, like Angel the bunny.
Join in for five adventures that feature everypony’s lovably quiet Pegasus!
Episodes Include:
Green Isn’t Your Colour
Flutter Brutter
Buckball Season
Viva Las Pegasus
Fluttershy Leans In
Bonus Feature: Sing along!
This DVD is set to release on September 12th and is available for pre-order on Amazon, Amazon Canada and Shout Kids.
Video Clip of Viva Las Pegasus
Do you have a Fluttershy in your house? A quiet, calm but loving and always willing to go the extra mile child? They will fall in love with the relatable pony who is always there for her friends whether they be a pony or not. She is the ultimate friend who stays to true to herself which is a great lesson for all children.
My Canadian and American readers can now enter to win their own DVD copy! Enter now via the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck.
My youngest child LOVES YouTube – he will spend hours watching his favourite YouTubers talk about Fidget spinners, trying out new tricks, pretending to be superheroes and even puppy videos. For months he has been asking to create his own videos while he showcases his toys and doing tricks on his scooter. He has even practiced his own tag line and reminding his viewers to follow him on YouTube (it is so adorable!). While I love my boys, the thought of them using my camera or video camera to film their stunts puts my heart into a flutter – all I can picture is a smashed camera!
So how do you meet your child in the middle especially when you want to encourage their creativity and passions but you are nervous about them using your own electronics?
VTech has designed the Kidizoom Action Cam 180 to allow your child to capture those special moments in film and picture with a durable and child friendly designed camera. I have never seen my son so excited to try out a toy before. He couldn’t wait to open up the package and test it out (even though it was 8:30 at night and far too late for him to go outside with the camera to film himself on his scooter).
The camera is small, compact and probably about the size of the palm of your hand but built strong for those little hands. The case is a hard plastic but the siding where you hold the camera has soft plastic for easier grip.
The action cam features:
180 degree camera swivel (his favourite feature for selfies!)
water-resistant case for up to six feet depth
mounting pieces
charging cord
3 built-in games
filters for picture-taking
The first day with his camera saw him taking lots of selfies and candid pictures of his brother when he wasn’t ready. When he learned about the filters, his excitement went through the roof! Not only could he make our faces twist or expand, he could also add borders to the pictures as well. This was one of his favourite features in camera mode. He loved to make our faces look silly and couldn’t wait to share them with Grandma and Grandpa.
We have taken him out several times and added the camera with the included mounting pieces to his scooter and watched as he filmed his tricks all while explaining his moves to his audience. It was amazing to watch him become so animated as he created the videos. The camera was extremely easy to attach with the mounting device to his scooter, he was even able to help attach it. It never came loose even with a few jumps and falls off the scooter. At one point, the scooter had come out of his hands and fallen to the ground, he was quite worried that the camera would have broken. We checked it out and it was still working perfectly – crash and all!
The real test came when we placed the camera in the water proof case so that he could take pictures underwater. I can’t even begin to describe how nervous I was! The camera performed perfectly – he used it to record his jump into the water and his brother helped film him underwater while he did hand stands. When they brought the camera out of our pool and I removed it from the case, there was not a drop of water in the case. I am one of those parents that read water proof but don’t quite believe it.
The VTech Kidizoom Action Cam 180 was the perfect children’s toy for our son. He fell in love with all of its features and I loved that it was strong, great camera for a child’s product and lived up to what the camera said it would do. The camera has gone on scooters, in the pool and even to soccer. You can purchase the Kidizoom Action Cam 180 at Walmart, Toys R Us, Mastermind and Amazon.
Evil has a new enemy. Aranya, Princess of Immadia. Dragon Shapeshifter.
About Aranya
Chained to a rock and tossed off a cliff by her boyfriend, Aranya is executed for high treason against the Sylakian Empire. Falling a league into the deadly Cloudlands is not a fate she ever envisaged. But what if she did not die? What if she could spread her wings and fly?
Long ago, Dragons ruled the Island-World above the Cloudlands. But their Human slaves cast off the chains of Dragonish tyranny. Humans spread across the Islands in their flying Dragonships, colonising, building and warring. Now, the all-conquering Sylakians have defeated the last bastion of freedom–the Island-Kingdom of Immadia.
Evil has a new enemy. Aranya, Princess of Immadia. Dragon Shapeshifter.
My Thoughts
Dragons, shapeshifters, an evil empire and a strong female heroine – all of this can be found and more in Aranya!
I fell in love with the plot line of this audiobook, we have Aranya who is the Princess of Immadia. She was taken by her Father’s soon to be enemy. On the way there, they are faced with attacks and Aranya falls in love with the enemy. She wants to see the good in him and at times she can but the ultimate betrayal comes when he is forced to execute her. While everyone fears her dead, the most amazing thing happened – she shifts into a dragon!
Shapeshifting was a talent long thought lost to her people. Dragons were just a memory from long ago and an image that no one could imagine. This starts an incredible journey for Aranya as she learns her true inner strength, courage and skills. She is just a young princess but she is carrying quite the burden on her shoulders. When she meets her Dragon Rider, we embark on a journey of self-discovery, battles and the bond between the two of them. The Dragon and Dragon Rider have an incredible bond, full of humour, respect and love. It was amazing to watch the two grow – especially her Dragon Rider!
The final battle is full of surprises! I was so shocked and could not stop listening at that point. We had enemies that turned friend, new friends that were long thought gone and an impossible battle to fight! Aranya and her Dragon Rider were in the thick of it all.
The story is very well narrated, I liked how it felt that at the beginning Aranya sounded more timid and agreeable but by the end her voice was full of power and strength. It follows how the plot developed and Aranya grows in her own physical, mental and emotional strength.
Aranya is an excellent story from start to finish – it is a little long but well worth every moment!
Marc is a South African-born dragon masquerading as an author, who loves writing about dragons and Africa, preferably both at the same time. He lives and works in Ethiopia with his wife and 4 children, 2 dogs and a variable number of marabou storks that roost on the acacia trees out back. On a good night there are also hyenas patrolling the back fence.
He’s the author of 21 fantasy books in 3 languages (2 more languages coming this year – watch this space!), including 8 rip-roaring dragon fantasy bestsellers. Dragonfriend won a Gold Award for Fantasy in the 2016 IPPY Book Awards. Look out for Whisper Alive, his latest release. The 4th tale in the Dragonfriend series, Dragonstar, is coming soon!
When he’s not writing about Africa or dragons Marc can be found travelling to remote locations. He thinks there’s nothing better than standing on a mountaintop wondering what lies over the next horizon.
About the Narrator
A native of London, England, Shiromi Arserio is a stage actor, voice talent and audiobook narrator. She holds a B.A. in Theatre from Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance. In addition to narrating dozens of audiobooks, her voice can be heard in documentaries, e-learning projects and video games such as Nancy Drew: The Shattered Medallion. Shiromi currently resides in the Seattle area with her husband and her two furbabies.
In a world of religious fervor, devastating sickness, and incessant greed, can the alliance of their forefathers survive? Or will New England feel the wrath of tragic, bloody war?
About My Father’s Kingdom
In 1620, more than 100 devout men and women crossed the treacherous Atlantic Ocean and established a colony in the New World where they could build a righteous and Godly society. Without the fortuitous friendship of the Wampanoag people and their charismatic leader Massasoit, however, it is doubtful the holy experiment would have survived.
Fifty years later Plymouth Colony has not only survived, it has prospered, and more and more Englishmen are immigrating to New England. The blessed alliance with the Wampanoag, however, is in severe jeopardy. Massasoit has passed away along with most of the original settlers of Plymouth Colony, and their children and grandchildren have very different ideas about their historic friendship.
Thrust into the center of events is Reverend Israel Brewster, an idealistic young minister with a famous grandfather and a tragic past. Meanwhile, Massasoit’s son, known as “King Philip” by the English, is tormented by both the present and the past. He is watching the resources and culture of the Wampanoag nation fade away at the hands of the English and desperately wishes to restore hope and security to his people .In a world of religious fervor, devastating sickness, and incessant greed, can the alliance of their forefathers survive? Or will New England feel the wrath of tragic, bloody war?
My Thoughts
This incredibly powerful story is based in Puritan New England and tells the story of the struggles of both the Native Americans and the Englishmen immigrating. This time period is told from the eyes of both the Wampanoag, through Linto and Metacomet, and the Englishmen through Reverend Israel Brewster. It is based during the time before that is known as King Philip’s War. I had studied history in University and we are taught many history lessons throughout high school (in Canada) but not once was this war ever mentioned. This is actually quite disappointing as once I finished the book and started doing research on it, this was actually considered one of the deadliest wars to have ever occurred between the Native Americans and the settlers, with both sides suffering decimating loss of life.
The two groups had originally come to an agreement fifty years earlier – the Wampanoag people helped the Englishmen survive and in turn the English gave them items from the new country such as pots, blankets and more. Fifty years later and following the passing of Massasoit, this alliance is being threatened. The newly arriving Englishmen are not as kind and devoted to the original alliance. There are some that are weary of the alliance and can’t see beyond their prejudice that the Wampanoag people are just like them. Then there are others like Reverend Israel Brewster who questions everything he has ever been taught when his wife dies and believes that the Wampanoag people are just like them. The Wampanoag people are tired of seeing their people suffering, they are suffering from disease, alcohol, deceit, stealing of their land and the murder of their people.
This is an important novel that is well written and narrated. It explains the story honestly and accurately (with an authors note in the end with regards to some changes he had made with language and the naming of the Native American people). It was charged full of emotion, there were so many time that I found myself outraged, angry and in tears at the suffering and injustice. Some of the more emotionally draining moments come near the end of the story which also helped sparked my interest in the real life events leading up to and after this time period.
I strongly believe that this audiobook and accompanying novel should be a must read for all high school students in the US and Canada. It gives a real, honest look at life during this time through the eyes of both sides. It helps to spark curiosity, understanding and empathy. It was well written and narrated from start to finish, I loved every moment.
You can purchase a copy of this audiobook on Audible and Amazon.
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
James W. George is a debut author currently residing in Virginia. He is a graduate of Boston University, a military veteran, and a lover of historical fiction.
About the Narrator
Angus Freathy was born and educated in London – that’s the one in England, for you Ohio folks!
After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant, he went to Switzerland to join Nestlé for a 2-year wandering assignment, which lasted 37 years and involved travel and work on every continent (except the cold ones at the top and bottom).
Periods of residence in the U.S., Hong Kong and Switzerland have resulted in a network of friends and acquaintances with an amazing range of world insight and a wide repertoire of mostly excellent jokes.
Since retirement, Angus and his (still working) wife, Debra have lived in Oregon, Maryland and are now in Dublin, Ohio, ‘the only place we have actually chosen to live since we have been married!’.
Following a crushing rejection by the BBC at the age of 19, Angus is re-activating a long-held ambition and launching a new career in voice-over, with the sole intention of having some fun and being in touch with some very talented people.
Laurie Gelman’s clever debut novel about a year in the life of a kindergarten class mom—a brilliant send-up of the petty and surprisingly cutthroat terrain of parent politics.
About Class Mom
Jen Dixon is not your typical Kansas City kindergarten class mom—or mom in general. Jen already has two college-age daughters by two different (probably) musicians, and it’s her second time around the class mom block with five-year-old Max—this time with a husband and father by her side. Though her best friend and PTA President sees her as the “wisest” candidate for the job (or oldest), not all of the other parents agree.
From recording parents’ response times to her emails about helping in the classroom, to requesting contributions of “special” brownies for curriculum night, not all of Jen’s methods win approval from the other moms. Throw in an old flame from Jen’s past, a hyper-sensitive “allergy mom,” a surprisingly sexy kindergarten teacher, and an impossible-to-please Real Housewife-wannabe, causing problems at every turn, and the job really becomes much more than she signed up for.
Relatable, irreverent, and hilarious in the spirit of Maria Semple, Class Mom is a fresh, welcome voice in fiction—the kind of novel that real moms clamor for, and a vicarious thrill-read for all mothers, who will be laughing as they are liberated by Gelman’s acerbic truths.
My Thoughts
Class Mom is by far one of the BEST books I have read all year. I have not laughed out loud (literally) from a book in what feels like forever, I even had tears in my eyes at times while reading. Class Mom is witty, honest and down to earth. I knew from page one that I would fall in love with this novel and it did not disappoint me at all.
Jen Dixon is down right hilarious. The way Laurie develops her character, you feel instantly connected to her from page one. She is the type of person that you just want and need as a best friend. She is honest, loving but still full of adventure and life. You can relate to her struggles, her fears and her ambitions. She is just like every one of us, the parts of us we are afraid to show and the parts of us that we allow the world to see.
In this novel, we watch as Jen navigates the world of “Class Mom” (a title I didn’t know existed but for those of us who don’t know what a Class Mom is – they are sort of like the Teacher’s Assistant that connects with the parents in the class giving updates, getting people signed up for parties, trips, etc..). I still vividly remember my two years as Parent Council president and while I loved the role, it was the politics I couldn’t handle. The parents that complained but would never help, the parents that had been on the Council but would hold back information until the last-minute and the ones who just truly made your life miserable (but there were also the really amazing ones and the students who made it all worth it!). Toss this in with her preparation for a mud run, an old crush returning to her life and life itself and you have a story that is just downright funny and one that so many of us can relate to. Although I really wish I could have her humour and witty responses, I am definitely not quick enough on my feet to come back with some of those replies – it would have served me well as President and even in life in genera.
I fell in love with the way Laurie writes. It is a personal novel and I felt like I was able to really get to know Jen. She writes the same way as you would expect to have a conversation with your best friend. It was intimate, honest and funny. You feel as though you are there with Jen and her friends in each moment, each struggle and each adventure.
Class Mom is the must read book of the year. You will laugh, you will cry and you will not want to put it down.
Laurie Gelman was born and raised in the Great White North. She spent twenty-five years as a broadcaster in both Canada and the United States before trying her hand at writing novels. Laurie lives in New York City with her husband, Michael Gelman, and two teenage daughters. Class Mom is her first book.
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.
