Dad of Divas' Reviews: January 2016

Sunday, January 31, 2016

Book Review - Beautiful Vintage: Creative Coloring for Grown-Ups

Beautiful Vintage: Creative Coloring for Grown-Ups

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About the Book
Make every day a fun "throwback" day with this coloring book that's inspired by all things vintage. From clockwork birds to art deco jewelry, to beautiful butterflies and beyond, these intricate patterns will make you eager to pull out your favorite colored pen and dive right in. This partially colored book features single-sided pages to color, so you won't have to worry about the ink bleeding through and ruining your work on the other side. Each page is also perforated, so you can easily pull out your favorite masterpieces and use them for decorations, gifts, or to inspire you to create bigger, better, more fabulous works of cool retro chic art.



My Take on the Book
My oldest daughter is into vintage items these days and this adult coloring book is all about vintage. She was drawn to this book from the very beginning and loved all of the classic designs as well as retro/vintage items that have been redesigned for optimal coloring. She particularly loved coloring these with her colored pencils and you will too!

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Book Review - Challenging Coloring: A Book Full of Creative Coloring

Challenging Coloring: A Book Full of Creative Coloring

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About the Book
There's no doubt about it: coloring is a great way to spur on creativity and help people focus. But what if kids think coloring books are for babies--or boring? Tell them to think again, because their best challenges start right NOW. This is not a little kid's coloring book! It's so jam-packed with creative challenges that kids will have to reach deep into their pencil cases to overcome each coloring obstacle. But when they do, the results will be AWESOME! This book is perfect for kids who like to kick things up a notch. The only question is…are they up to the test? Encourage them to say yes, and they'll enjoy hours of stimulating fun!



My Take on the Book
The front image on this book tells you a lot about the pictures on the inside. The images are challenging and there is a lot to color, but my daughters and I found that this book was a ton of fun to work on together. The book itself has an amazing array of images included and because there are so many challenges included in each picture, this is not for the youngest artist. However, even though I say that, my daughters and I did work together on a number of the pictures and we still had a blast. The book is beautifully done and if you are looking for an adult-oriented coloring book, this definitely fits the bill!


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Book Review - The Menagerie: Animal Portraits to Color


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About the Book
This lavishly illustrated, intricately designed collection of animal portraits offers hours of relaxing, absorbing fun to coloring book fans and animal lovers alike. It features sophisticated, custom-made artwork from two acclaimed illustrators whose work has captured the attention of keen colorists from around the world. From mighty bears to awe-inspiring tigers, and beyond, each page allows coloring fans to take their time, relax, and get lost in their own world, where color combinations and beauty are theirs to create and choose. Each exquisite headshot is printed on perforated paper, so it is easily pulled out and readily available for display once you've completed your coloring sessions. Long-time coloring book fans and beginners will be equally engaged and entertained, and will find their stress levels declining even as their creativity levels soar.



My Take on the Book
My daughters are big animal fans and this book takes Menagerie to a whole new level. You get so many amazing animals all in one book. Some of the animals that my daughters loved the best included the:

  • Bengal Tiger
  • Gorilla
  • Badger
  • Impala
The book helps you create pictures that are so fun and real. They draw you in and by using your favorite mediums you can create unique pictures you will want to share with others!



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Book Review - Motif Magic: Amazing Designs from Around the World to Color

Motif Magic: Amazing Designs from Around the World to Color

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About the Book
New from the best-selling Color Magic series! Motif Magic is another meditative coloring book that combines the youthful joy of coloring with the sophisticated composition of distinct patterns that everyone can color, share, and enjoy. These dazzling, intricate motifs include pharaohs and flowers, palm trees and peacocks, Buddhas and dream catchers, and other cultural designs inspired by locales around the world. There's a reason that coloring is a popular pastime with adults today because it encourages us to slow down, challenge ourselves to try something new, and create something that is simply exquisite. Best of all, once you complete these beautiful images, they are ideal for decorating, framing, and gift-giving.



My Take on the Book
These designs are amazing and ones that you will find to be mesmerizing as you create more and more of them. The designs are a mixture of cultural images that I have seen set throughout the world but many of them were so new to me. There were a ton of intricate designs that you will really love to work on and as you work on each layer of the image the picture comes together into something remarkable.


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Book Review - Ultimate Dot to Dot: Extreme Puzzle Challenge

Ultimate Dot to Dot: Extreme Puzzle Challenge


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About the Book
Connect-the-dots fans, rejoice! Ultimate Dot-to-Dot will captivate, motivate, and scintillate you for hours on end. You'll find hundreds of intricate dots to connect and projects to complete that are devilishly difficult…and wickedly fun. Put pen or pencil to paper and you'll soon free amazing animals, discover stunning objects, find intricate scenes, and so much more. Watch everything from lions to lizards, owls to peacocks magically appear as you complete these complex, varied, and challenging puzzles that dare you to keep making connections and having a great time while you do it. When you've completed each one, you'll also have an original and compelling work of art that you can pull out (the pages are perforated), frame, keep, or share.



My Take on the Book
This was an amazing book that really brings forth great animals through very intricate dots. I have never created such intricate designs in dot-to-dot in the past but I am so glad that I was able to find this and try this with my own daughters. You will love the pictures that you create as you go page-to-page in this remarkable book!

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Wednesday, January 27, 2016

DVD Review - Hatched

Hatched

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About the Movie


Crack open an exciting adventure for the entire family, as the action-packed, animated comedy HATCHED arrives on DVD and Digital HD February 16 from Cinedigm (NASDAQ: CIDM).

Just in time for Easter, HATCHED features the famous voices of Jeff Foxworthy (The Smurfs, The Aviators) and Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings franchise, “Sofia the First”). As part of a planned trilogy, the hilarious animated adventure follows Cluck Norris (Astin) and Charlie Horse (Foxworthy), along with Angelina Poultrie, Tiny ScharzHENegger, Meryl Cheep, and their other barnyard friends as they set out on an unexpected cosmic thrill ride!

Young chicks Cluck, Chickpea and Tiny SchwarzHENegger are determined to show everyone that chickens really can fly, but when their tiny alien pal, Magic, is in danger, this young feathered trio will join the efforts of their animal neighbors to save their home and their friend from the “fowlest” of villains.

With a few small-farm friends who hatch into big-time heroes, watch as HATCHED displays just how far some are willing to go in the name of friendship.

For the official trailer visit here: http://www.gorillapictures.net/hatchedpop.html



My Take on the Movie
This was a fun family movie with some great characters that you will love to go on an adventure with. You also get some great voices in the movie too. I love the names the characters too, as they connect to famous actors that you will recognive right away. The movie has a lot of heart and my daughters loved it from beginning to end!


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Book Review - A Baby's Guide to Surviving Dad

A Baby's Guide to Surviving Dad
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About the Book Hello, baby. The whole life thing is pretty new to you, right? Luckily, you have a dad. Unluckily, he's new to the whole being-your-daddy thing. So if you're going to survive, you need THE BABY'S GUIDE TO SURVIVING DAD. A clever, quirky picture book you can't live without.


My Take on the Book
This book would make a perfect little gift for a new dad. It is humorous and the illustrations which follow the text beautifully, will put a smile on your face. From changing diapers and feeding to play time and taking a bath, the new dad in this book has a lot to learn . The baby in the book is helping in some funny ways to initiate dad into fatherhood. You will see the love that the dad and baby share throughout each activity.
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Book Review - Stinky Cecil in Terrarium Terror


Stinky Cecil in Terrarium Terror

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About the Book
Stinky Cecil is back in a hilarious new adventure!

Cecil and his amphibian pals are taking a well-deserved break after saving their pond from freeway construction when a third-grade science class shows up for a field trip. The kids nab Cecil for their classroom terrarium!

Stinky Cecil in Terrarium Terror


At first Cecil is terrified, but he quickly gets used to being a class pet. That is, until Nesbit the chameleon shows up. Nesbit wants to be just like Cecil, so he matches his colors and follows him all around the terrarium. He’s driving Cecil crazy!

Meanwhile, Cecil’s pals back at the pond are planning a rescue mission using Jeff the hamster’s radio controlled helicopter. But what will they do about Nesbit?

Stinky Cecil in Terrarium Terror


Join the whole pond gang for this second delightful environmental romp.



My Take on the Book
I believe you and your child will enjoy this book which is written like a comic book. It is colorful and the story will keep you engaged to the very end. There is adventure as Cecil , the toad, is captured by children in a science class and put in the classroom terrarium. Here Cecil meets two other animals. Of course his friends want to rescue him and thus the mission commences.

Along the way, the author has added information about the environment which fits in well with the story line. The author included basic information about garter snakes, chameleons , and how to build a terrarium for your home. 

The illustrations showing the characters expressions are quite humorous and add to the the enjoyment in reading the story.


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Monday, January 25, 2016

Book Review - The Conscious Parent's Guide to Autism

The Conscious Parent's Guide to Autism

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About the Book
Help your child feel confident and capable!

If your child has a diagnosis of "on the autism spectrum," you may be feeling overwhelmed and most likely intimated. Often the focus is on "disabilities" rather than "abilities," and you may be left wondering what you should expect as your child journeys through life. With The Conscious Parent's Guide to Autism, you will learn how to take a relationship-centered approach to engage your child. Conscious parenting means being present with your children and taking the time to understand their point of view. Using this mindful method, you can help your child improve language skills, motor skills, and social skills.

You'll also learn how to:
  • Honor your child's unique perspective and cognitive strengths
  • Adapt a conscious parenting philosophy that works for everyone
  • Identify triggers that can lead to sensory overload
  • Help your child feel in control with calming routines
  • Lower stress levels for the entire family, including other siblings
  • Educate your family and friends about autism
  • Advocate for your child
  • Find ways to improve communication

With The Conscious Parent's Guide to Autism, you'll learn to create a calm and mindful atmosphere for the whole family, while helping your child succeed and thrive.



My Take on the Book
Autism is a spectrum disorder that is so misunderstood by many. This book provides a comprehensive look at what autism is, as well as what parents can and should do to support their child.

The book was a treasure trove of resources. The author gives detailed information about autism in general, but also on parenting tips too. The book was insightful and practical and there were many times where I really appreciated the advice, examples and more that were offered to help me beter understand the concepts being shared.

If you have a child with autism or know someone who does, this is a valuable resource that you will not want to pass up!


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Book Review - Black Widow Forever Red

Book Review - Black Widow Forever Red

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About the Book
Enter the world of the Avengers' iconic master spy

Natasha Romanoff is one of the world's most lethal assassins. Trained from a young age in the arts of death and deception, Natasha was given the title of Black Widow by Ivan Somodorov, her brutal teacher at the Red Room, Moscow's infamous academy for operatives.

Ava Orlova is just trying to fit in as an average Brooklyn teenager, but her life has been anything but average.The daughter of a missing Russian quantum physicist, Ava was once subjected to a series of ruthless military experiments-until she was rescued by Black Widow and placed under S.H.I.E.L.D. protection. Ava has always longed to reconnect with her mysterious savior, but Black Widow isn't really the big sister type.

Until now.

When children all over Eastern Europe begin to go missing, and rumors of smuggled Red Room tech light up the dark net, Natasha suspects her old teacher has returned-and that Ava Orlova might be the only one who can stop him. To defeat the madman who threatens their future, Natasha and Ava must unravel their pasts. Only then will they discover the truth about the dark-eyed boy with an hourglass tattoo who haunts Ava's dreams. . . .

Black Widow:Forever Red features all the heart-pounding adventure readers expect from Marvel, written by #1 New York Times best-selling author Margaret Stohl. Uncover a new side of the Marvel Universe that will thrill loyal fans and newcomers alike, as Stohl reveals the untold story of Black Widow for the very first time.



My Take on the Book
I am a big fan of the Avengers and as a dad of girls I have been a big proponent for the story of Black Widow to come out. This book surrounds Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow's past as she had saved a girl named Ava and now Ava has grown and with a boy named Alex, she ventures off to search for Natasha and on the way runs into tons of adventure! The book unveils so many secrets throughout the book and you will be left guessing until the end. The characters in this book were engaging and real and you will find yourself on the edge of your seat as you want to find out more and more about the story and about the characters!


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Book Review - Dali & Disney: Destino: The Story, Artwork, and Friendship Behind the Legendary Film



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About the Book
A stunning tribute to the lifelong friendship and collaboration of Salvador Dali and Walt Disney. In 1945, the two began working on a project together, intended to be a short animated film called Destino. Dali partnered with Disney Legend John Hench to storyboard the film, but production was brought to a halt because of financial difficulties. Over fifty years later, Walt's nephew Roy E. Disney decided to give it new life. The film went on to be nominated for an Academy Award in 2004 . This volume showcases all 150 pieces of art created by Dali and Hench. Also, the sole piece of animation art that was filmed in 1946 is showcased in a series of images explaining how it was digitally cut apart, restored and then reassembled for the 2003 completed film version.


My Take on the Book
I had heard stories of Disney and Dali spending time together but I never really knew anything about the story itself. This book explores the film, Destino though amazing artwork created by Dali and Hench and a wonderful story of how everything was put together. The book also shares the connection and friendship between Dali and Disney which I was not completely aware of before reading this. If you are a Disney or Dali fan you will be sure to love this book!



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Book Review - Before Ever After: The Lost Lectures of Walt Disney’s Animation Studio


Before Ever After: The Lost Lectures of Walt Disney’s Animation Studio

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About the Book Before Ever After is a treasury of rare and unpublished lecture notes, photographs and drawings which reflect the culture of learning that Walt Disney curated to raise the level of his artists in preparation for their first feature: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Walt hand-picked instructors from the renowned Chouinard Art Institute to hold classes on action and drawing. He screened films for study. He brought in talent from Architect Frank Lloyd Wright to choreographer George Balanchine to humorist Alexander Woollcott to teach and inspire his team. The result is a stunning collection of transcripts and history which not only lay the artistic foundation for the animated art form, but also give us an intimate look inside the walls of Walt Disney's studio during a seminal and profoundly creative moment in time.



My Take on the Book
This was a huge book (almost 45- pages) that has so many amazing documents included within. The book has so many photos and documents that I had never seen before and the lectures were interesting and very revealing. In the end I was craving more, the book was that good. So get ready for seeing the history of Disney in a brand new way.



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Book Review - Super Happy Magic Forest


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About the Book
Welcome to the Super Happy Magic Forest, a super happy, super magical place filled with picnics, dancing, and fun. That is until the source of all things joyous, the Mystical Crystals of Life, are stolen!

Five heroes -- a fairy, a unicorn, a faun, a gnome, and a talking mushroom -- have been summoned by wise Old Oak to retrieve the Crystals, but the epic quest won't be easy. They must first battle through frozen lands, navigate past scary dungeons, and encounter terrifying creatures along the way. Will these heroes save the day? It's hard to say!

With so much to laugh at and explore, lovers of silliness, adventure, and all things magical won't be able to get enough of Super Happy Magic Forest!


My Take on the Book
This book has so many amazing characters and a fun story too. The illustrations jump right off the page and the book is a ton of fun for all ages. You will love sharing this with your own family as much as I loved sharing it with my own daughters.


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Saturday, January 23, 2016

Book Review - My Easter Basket

My Easter Basket
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About the Book
Easter is coming! When their teacher tells them today's the day to create their Easter baskets, all of the children are so excited. There's so much to paint, draw, and do--and they can't wait to take their baskets home and show them off! Little ones will adore this board book that's bursting with bright illustrations and fun text. Sturdy board pages in different shapes give this colorful book a layered 3D effect that youngsters will enjoy, and it's perfectly sized for little hands to hold. Give this "anytime" book to your favorite little "peep" for the perfect Easter surprise.




My Take on the Book
What will be hiding in the fun Easter Basket in this book. The book was a ton of fun with fun images and colors as well as easy to read text. The book is written with small hands in mind and you can tell that young kids will love reading this with you too!

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Book Review - Fun at Home

Fun at Home

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About the Book
Little ones see all the fun things they love at home, including bathtubs and towels, teddy bears and high chairs, and more. This adorable board book comes along with a perfectly shaped hole in the corner of the book so baby can grab and hold it. It's a fun way to introduce little ones to incredible sights and sounds--and all the wonderful things they love about home. Fun photographs and cute illustrations keep young children intrigued, amused, and coming back for more.



My Take on the Book
This is a fun book for very young readers that showed all of the things that people love at home. It was an adorable board book that any baby or young child will enjoy. The book allows you to introduce your baby to the sights and sounds of the things in your home!

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Friday, January 22, 2016

Book Review - Bathtime with Theo and Beau

Bathtime with Theo and Beau

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About the Book
Beau is dirty. Theo is dirty. It must be BATHTIME!

The only thing better than watching Theo the dog (part-Boxer, part-Shepherd, part-Labrador, part-Sharpei) curl up for a nap with his best friend Beau (a two-and-a-half year old toddler) is watching them having a blast together in the bath. The strong friendship, trust and love that was so visible in Naptime with Theo and Beau, is once again on full display in Jessica Shyba's absolutely adorable and unbelievably charming photos.

Prepare to have your heart stolen all over again by these world famous viral sensations!




My Take on the Book
This was a great book that shows the love between dog and boy. This book was filled with beautiful pictures of this great duo that some of you may have seen before. My girls really loved the pictures and the story and you will love how adorable the pictures and the overall story was too!

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Book Review - My Best Friend & Me: James & Cooper Finger Puppet Book

My Best Friend & Me: James & Cooper Finger Puppet Book
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About the Book
James and Cooper the crocodile live in Australia, and they love going outdoors to play. Come along and join them as they experience some wild adventures! Barron's adorable My Best Friend and Me series just keeps getting bigger! Vivid designs and built-in animal finger puppets make these little board books hard to resist. James and Cooper are one of four new additions with characters from all over the globe, featuring more kids and animals from various continents and climates.





My Take on the Book
This was a fun book with some great characters that will keep you coming back for more. I really liked meeting James and Cooper in this story and you will too. One of the best things was the built in finger puppets that were in this book. They were so much fun and my daughters liked them too!

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