October 20, 2017
Educational Movies that Inspire, Move and Give Hope #StreamTeam
A good movie can do a lot of things. It can make us laugh, cry, smile and touch our hearts. It can also inspire us to be better people, to learn from our past mistakes and to hope for a better future. This to me is the true sign of a great movie. I want my kids to watch a documentary that helps them understand the world around them, how fragile it is and how to protect it. I want my eldest to learn about our past as a human race and how we need to move forward into the future with respect, kindness and fairness.
I have broken down my top movies and documentaries into two categories: Environmental and Historical. These are two very important categories for me and I think all people in general. It is so important to teach children about our past and how we move into the future as respectful, understanding and thoughtful adults. I love how after watching a movie like this, you run to your computer or tablet and start researching to learn more about what you saw. It could be about an animal, a war, a certain time period in history – it doesn’t matter the what, what matters is that it inspired you to learn more.
So here is my top five in each category (all of which can be found on Netflix Canada currently):
Top Five Environmental Documentaries
Planet Earth 2
This amazing series transports us all around the world learning about animals and nature. It is also the sequel to Planet Earth: The Complete Collection also found on Netflix. We fall in love with the animals and our heart goes out to them during their struggles. Like the penguins trying to climb up rocks or the lizards trying to make it past the snakes after they hatch.
Blue Planet: Natural History of the Oceans
The sea is an amazing, untouched world full of surprises and some of the weirdest creatures we will ever find. This series explores the entire marine world, from the familiar to those unknown.
Strange Creatures
The world is full of some strange-looking animals and insects. This series explores this crazy world! These animals may exhibit odd behaviour and show physical abnormalities for a wide variety of reasons.
Walking with Monsters: Life Before Dinos
Who doesn’t love dinosaurs? They are almost mystical with their power, mystery and brutality. This Emmy winning series takes you back 500 million years when fish, reptiles and sea scorpions ruled the Earth.
Wild North
This incredible journey explores three areas of Norway: the forests, coastlines and the highlands shaped by the ice age.
Top Five Historical Movies/Documentaries
Seven Wonders of the Industrial World
This movie series looks at some of the most ambitious man-made achievements of the industrial age including the Panama Canal and Brooklyn Bridge.
Timeless
In this incredible series (I love love love this one – have watched it twice now), a historian, a soldier and a programmer embark on a time hopping adventure in pursuit of criminals whose goal is to destroy history (and a certain group).
The Pyramid Code
There is something so beautiful and mysterious about this time in history. Explore the ancients in this series as scientists unlock secrets to the pyramid code!
Secrets of Great British Castles
England has a deep (somewhat dark) history and its castles hold even more secrets. In this series, follow along with historian Dan Jones as he explores the most famous castles and their infamous inhabitants.
Note: The next two films I feel are an important journey for children and teens to learn about. These movies may be suited to older children and teens. Use your own discretion when watching them with children but I do feel they add a lot of value, education and understanding.
Auschwitz: The Nazis and the Final Solution
Like its title suggests this series tackles one of the worst times in recent history, World War II and the holocaust. This series explores Auschwitz, the site of one of the largest mass murders in history. Please use viewing discretion but also weigh the importance of this subject in learning.
First They Killed My Father
I was very excited for this movie to premiere on Netflix. It focuses on the story of a five-year old girl who tries to survive during the rise and reign of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. I am sad to say that I did not know enough of the events that happened during this time and this really opened my eyes. I cried and it encouraged me to research and learn more.
Movies are a great way to learn and to understand past and present. What are some of your favourite educational films?
Disclosure: I am a #StreamTeam member and receive perks with this affiliation. All opinions expressed are my own.
October 19, 2017
Trick, Treat or Binge: Top 10 Child Friendly Halloween Flicks #StreamTeam
Halloween is by far my favourite holiday of the year. I begin decorating our house in the middle of September (although my husband makes me wait to decorate the outside until after Thanksgiving weekend) and begin working on crafts with my youngest around the same time.
I love the feeling of Halloween, the spirit, the colours and just the all around fun of the day and the excitement leading up to it. Family adventures to the pumpkin patches and hay rides complete the month!
I completely understand and can appreciate when some children are scared of the holiday. The monsters, ghosts and scary characters can definitely be overwhelming for some children (and adults too!).
Movies are a great way to introduce children to this holiday but you have to be careful about what you choose to let them watch. One scary movie can ruin the whole night for a child, trust me I am still traumatized to this day by Child’s Play. I can not walk out of a room that has porcelain dolls unless I walk out backwards so that I can ensure that doll isn’t going to come to life and attack me.
Here are my top ten child friendly Halloween flicks for you to enjoy before the big night hits:
Hotel Transylvania
The owner of Hotel Transylvania, Dracula, does double duty as an overprotective Father as an unwelcome suitor pays attention to his daughter.
Hotel Transylvania 2
In the second edition of this hilarious cartoon movie, Adam Sandler players the over protective Dracula. His daughter and son-in-law have a baby, Dennis, and Dracula will do anything to prove that his Grandson is a vampire. This hilarious movie is full of monsters and grossness that your child will love.
Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman
In this spooky feature-length film, Alvin, Simon and Theodore stage a production of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and things begin to get creepy!
Casper
A doctor who specializes in ghosts is hired by an heiress to rid a house of ghosts. His daughter befriends a friendly ghost that lives there. This movie is one of my favourite from my own childhood!
Coraline
Curious Coraline unlocks a door in her family’s home and is transported to a new universe that strangely resembles her own but better!
Monster High: Ghouls Rule
After learning that Monsters and Normies used to spend Halloween together, Frankie and her pals rally together the groups for a frightful good time!
Monster House
Three friends uncover the secret behind a scary abandoned house in their neighbourhood that seems to have a personality of its own and eats people!
ParaNorman
When an army of zombies invade a small town, it is up to an odd boy who has a knack for talking to the dead to save the day.
Power Rangers Super Samurai: Trickster Treat
When a Nighlock invades the Power Rangers dreams and turns them into nightmares, the Rangers must figure out what is reality and what is an illusion.
Scooby Doo
In this live action feature, Scooby Doo and the gang journey to Spooky Island, where a magical force has been awakened that could destroy human kind.
While these Halloween flicks are geared for younger children to late childhood, here are some that may be suited for an older child or early teen:
- Goosebumps
- Monster Trucks
- Are You Afraid of the Dark?
- R. L Stine’s Mostly Ghostly
What is your favourite Halloween movie of all time?
Disclosure: I am a #StreamTeam member and receive perks with this affiliation. All opinions expressed are my own.
October 18, 2017
13 1/2 Incredible Things You Need to Know About Everything
This myth-busting visual encyclopedia will amaze kids with 13 things they need to know about every topic they love and one “half fact” that dispels a common misconception or half-truth.
About 13 1/2 Incredible Things You Need to Know About Everything
This myth-busting visual encyclopedia will amaze kids with 13 things they need to know about every topic they love and one “half fact” that dispels a common misconception or half-truth.
Extraordinary images and irresistible fact snippets on each topic spread—from space to gemstones to the food we eat—make learning fun, but it’s the “13½” fact that kids will be most eager to know. Does cracking your knuckles really cause arthritis? Do ligers really exist? Are scorpions really deadly to humans? The answers to these questions and many others are revealed and will have kids digging for even more information behind the truths.
A perfect gift for curious young minds, 13½ Incredible Things You Need to Know About Everything will stimulate the imagination of young readers, satisfy their thirst for knowledge, and allow them to look at the universe from a new perspective as they explore a wide variety of topics and discover the truth.
My Thoughts
Children love to learn and explore the world around them. This book covers everything and anything that a young mind can think of or would want to know!
This large, hard covered book covers topics from animals to planets to technology and everything in between (ex) hot rocks, blood rush, chocolate chunks and busy bees are topics to name a few! Each topic comes with thirteen interesting and unique facts (think: a tiger’s claws are made up of the same substance as human nails, who would have known!). It also includes that very important 1/2 fact that clears up common misconception we may all have.
This is an excellent book for both young readers and more mature readers. Even adults will enjoy this book – I learned quite a few new interesting facts myself. I love this about educational books, if I can learn something new then I know it is a must read for my children. The illustrations are perfect and well suited for each topic. They are very realistic and seem to pop out of the page.
13 1/2 Incredible Things You Need to Know About Everything is a fantastic educational resource for your child and makes a perfect gift for the young child.
You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
October 18, 2017
My Little Pony: Holiday Hearts DVD Giveaway
Get ready for the holidays with your favourite little pony characters in My Little Pony Friendship is Magic: Holiday Hearts DVD!
About My Little Pony Friendship is Magic: Holiday Hearts
‘Tis the season to celebrate with family and your very best friends – the My Little Ponies!
But you know that no holiday in Equestria is complete without a little adventure. Join Twilight Sparkle, Spike, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy as they embark on six exciting adventures sure to put you in the holiday spirit!
Gather Around For Six Hearth-Warming Holiday Tales including:
- Applebuck Season
- Winter Wrap Up
- Castle Sweet Castle
- Hearthbreakers
- A Hearth’s Warming Tail
- Not Asking For Trouble
Bonus: Sing-Along
I love the My Little Pony series, I was a huge fan as a child and my love has only grown as I have become a parent and an Aunt (I know – my kids make fun of me because I love movies geared for children more than they do sometimes). These series are excellent for young children as they not only feature some of their favourite characters but they teach excellent life lessons that are crucial for this age group in a fun manner. Not to mention the awesome graphics and plot lines! This DVD does not disappoint at all.
This DVD, which is slightly over two hours long, has been released in North America on October 3rd from Shout! Kids Factory – just in time for you to purchase to add either under the Christmas tree or as an early Christmas surprise to help get your child in the Christmas spirit. You can purchase a copy of this DVD on Amazon or on Shout Factory.
The Giveaway!
Do you have a HUGE My Little Pony fan in your house? Or maybe a niece or nephew that this would be a perfect gift for? My Canadian and American readers can now enter to win one of two DVDs just in time for the holiday season. Please enter via the Rafflecopter form below – good luck!
Disclosure: I received a DVD copy of this movie. All opinions expressed are my own.
October 18, 2017
Good Night, Baby Moon Book Review
A special bedtime story that follows a family of curious rabbits on their nighttime walks to explain the phases of the moon, with a charming design that includes a light-up LED moon.
About Good Night, Baby Moon
A special bedtime story that follows a family of curious rabbits on their nighttime walks to explain the phases of the moon, with a charming design that includes a light-up LED moon.
When we first meet the family of rabbits in Good Night, Baby Moon, the moon is full and shining bright, but as the days wear on and the nights come and go, the baby rabbits ask their parents why the moon looks different and worry as it disappears and loses its glow. Their parents reassure them that all will be well and that soon it will be back, for this is not farewell.
This delightful story teaches little ones that the moon will always return, and is a fun and exciting way for them to learn. The sweet illustrations and light-up moon make it the perfect gift and will cause little ones to swoon.
Our Thoughts
A very special bed time story can be found in this book. Children are always full of questions and wonder, this book tackles the topic of what happens when something/someone goes away? Will they come back? These are honest fears in children and can sometimes be difficult for them to voice and understand.
This book uses the moon and its cycle to tackle the topic of leaving and coming back. The little rabbits love basking in the glow of the moon but are puzzled when it disappears. It isn’t until the next moon phase that the moon returns to their delight! It helps them to learn that things sometimes go away but they will always come back.
This book is done in darker tones which suits the story line. It also includes a light up moon on the cover to really help engage your child in the story! The story is easy to read out loud together with your child and flows very well together.
This is beautiful bedtime story perfect for children up to the age of seven.
You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and DK Canada.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.