Dad of Divas' Reviews: January 2017

Friday, January 27, 2017

Game Review - Big Catch

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About the Game
  • FUN GAME PLAY: Save the fishermen lost at sea using your division skills. Help them reach home, catch fish, be friends with islanders and have fun in the surprise filled chase game
  • MATH SKILLS: Kids will get repeat practice of advanced division skills including division of 2 digit numbers with remainders
  • LIFE SKILLS: They also build 4 life skills like Strategic planning, Flexibility, Forward Thinking and Patience
  • FAMILY TIME: Super fun for kids and parents alike. A great way to bond over maths and have fun doing it
  • AGE 10+: Perfect gift for boys and girls 10 years and up or grade 5 and higher as they get introduced to division



My Take on the Game
My youngest daughter who is nine loves math and likes to challenge herself. That being said, being in third grade they have not done a lot of division yet, so this game helped to introduce to her the concept much more than she has had in the past. That being said, for someone that has not had some division already, this game makes division make a lot more sense. For my daughter it was the concept of having to distribute fish equally that helped her to understand a bit more. The great thing about this game is that it feels like a game and not learning. So I won't tell my daughter if you don't! That being said, you will find that this game really works and I know I have seen great leaps in the comprehension and understanding that my own daughter has with division since using this great game and so will you!

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Game Review - Monster Sock Factory

Monster Sock Factory


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About the Game
  • FUN GAME PLAY: Help dispatch sock packets for lovely little monsters. Be the first to ship 6 units to win the game
  • MATH SKILLS: Kids play and understand the fundamental concepts of multiplication starting with multiplication as repeated addition

  • FAMILY TIME: Lots of fun for the entire family. Perfect way to spend an evening bonding over maths and fun
  • TON OF PRACTICE: Each game session offers 4 times more math practice than classroom. Further, kids practice strategic thinking, patience & perseverance

  • AGE 8+: Perfect gift for boys and girls age 8 and up or in grade 3 and up or those who are just getting started with multiplication tables



My Take on the Game
My daughter is in third grade and they have been exploring multiplication heavily this year. That being said this game was a ton of fun as it beings in some very fun monsters and encourages your child to stretch their brain in the multiplication factors. Once we got started she did not want to stop!

I am so glad that we found this and I have found that even though this uses multiplication, it is so much fun and my daughter has become much stronger in her multiplication since starting to play!                                                    

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Book Review - Reformed

Reformed
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About the Book
Ian Hart has mastered the art of lying low. He might sometimes space out at the exact moment Mr. Dunford calls on him (it was field day!). And sure, he's a little clueless around the girls in his class. But Ian's nobody's fool. So how'd a kid like him get framed for pranking the new boy?

Too bad he won't have the chance to find out. Tonight, Ian and his friends Ash and Alva will be sleeping with one eye open . . . at bully reform school, where the hijinks are rougher, the mean girls are meaner, and even the teachers refuse to play by the rules.

It'll take all the schemes and wits Ian, Ash, and Alva can muster if they want to make it out of this nightmare and into middle school. But they're ready for action. Even if it means forging a secret alliance with a world-class hacker. Even if it means . . . wearing a tutu.

Watch your back. Hide your underwear. In a place like this, only the fearless survive.




My Take on the Book
If you ever though that things were bad in school for you, get ready to see things amped up to the max. In this book you will see how bad things can get in the reform school that the main characters are sent to. The book was a ton of fun to read as we found that each chapter offered more and more surprises and you continue to wonder whether the main characters will make it out of this school and back to their own school. By the end you can see how this school can truly reform all!

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Book Review - Pip Bartlett's Guide to Unicorn Training

Pip Bartlett's Guide to Unicorn Training

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About the Book
Some things Pip and Tomas will find when dealing with unicorns:


  • SHOW-OFFS
  • STAMPEDES
  • MYSTERY
  • A UNICORN WHO'S AFRAID OF EVERYTHING


Some things Pip and Tomas will not find when dealing with unicorns:

  • PEACE AND QUIET


Pip Bartlett has a way with magical creatures. But even she's challenged by Regent Maximus, a unicorn who's afraid of everything. With the help of her friend Tomas, Pip has to get Regent Maximus ready for a big unicorn competition-even if Regent Maximus would rather do anything than compete. Making matters worse, someone mysterious is trying to win the competition by cheating-and if Pip and Tomas don't stop the bad things from happening, it's not only Regent Maximus who'll have reason to be afraid."



My Take on the Book
This is a story that is so much fun! You will find yourself plowing through this book, not wanting to set it down, or at least that was what we found. While this is a sequel, you will find that it can stand alone too! The book is full of humor and fun as well as characters that really are memorable and unique. Get ready to jump on a new adventure with Pip and her friends!


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Book Review - The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Meets World

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Meets World

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About the Book
A 320-page Middle Grade Novel telling an original "tail" of Marvel's cute, quirky, and downright furry Super Heroine--Squirrel Girl!



My Take on the Book
I have been a big comics person for many year. I remember growing up in the 1980's and reading voraciously about teens my age that were receiving their powers. I related to their vulnerability as uniqueness and this is what always drew me in. I had heard of Squirrel Girl in the past but had never read any of the comics that were put out in the past, but this book sounded interesting. I started reading this and found that I did not want to put it down. It was a great background story of Squirrel Girl finding herself and her powers. Even more though is that this is a coming of age story that is down to earth and real. Squirrel Girl gives you an amazing young woman that I can see myself wanting to get to know and while she has tons of wit and spunk, she also has more heart than most superheroes. You also get a very diabolical villain as well - will Squirrel Girl be victorious? Highly recommend this book!!



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Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Book Review - The Adventures of Kung Fu Robot: How to Make a Peanut Butter, Jelly, and Kung Fu Sandwich

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About the Book
A nine-foot tall red robot who loves kung fu, his conscientious sidekick with a fear of getting in trouble, android ninjas, and a crazy chicken bent on world domination all come together in this graphic novel of superhero adventures. The corresponding FREE Kung Fu Robot app interacts ONLY with the book pages to unlock 32 fun kung fu surprises.

Based on the best-selling app, this madcap graphic novel follows the adventures of a robotic superhero and his best friend as they rush to save the city from the clutches of their evil arch nemesis, Kung pow Chicken, and his army of android ninja henchmen.

Kung Fu Robot is an international machine of mystery and the savior of all things awesome and cool. He's the world record holder for ice cream sandwiches eaten in one sitting, the reigning champion of continuous nunchucking, and once won a bronze medal for the simultaneous stomach rubbing and head patting. Together with his 9-year old sidekick, Marvin, he faces his arch-nemesis, Kung Pow Chicken: a robotically-enhanced, foul fowl bent on destroying the city's peanut butter and jelly supply. Kung Fu Robot and Marvin must save the day . . . and their lunches!

The engaging pursuit for the perfect peanut butter and jelly sandwich can't be contained on the page—it leaps onto your mobile screen with a FREE interactive companion app for an innovative, augmented reading experience.




My Take on the Book
This was a very fun book with characters that my daughters simply loved. On top of this the interactive app makes the story come alive. My daughters continue to laugh an the antics of the characters and especially at the arch nemesis name Kung Pow Chicken. While we had not used the app before reading the book we now can see why the app was so powerful and we truly hope that there are more books to come with these great characters!


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Book Review - Fairies to Color: With 200 Stickers

Fairies to Color: With 200 Stickers
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About the Book


Kids these days are so busy running from school to extracurricular activities that they can easily get over scheduled and overwhelmed. That's what's so great about Cool & Calm Coloring for Kids, a series inspired by kindergarten teachers' use of art therapy for "quiet time." In Fairies to Color, youngsters can create their own enchanted world with this coloring book. Includes 200 colorful stickers and illustrations of fairies, sprites, woodland creatures, and more. Like every book in the series, Fairies to Color includes:
  • Gorgeous illustrations with colored backgrounds that guide children through each design
  • Numerous illustrations for children to choose from that will help them relax, focus, and create something beautiful
  • Thick paper to keep their best efforts from bleeding through and ruining the other side
  • Detachable pages that let them pull out their favorites and hang them up for all to see

It's perfect for a quiet after school activity, in the car, or anytime kids need to unwind.



My Take on the Book
Another great book filled with great images to color for your kids as well as stickers that they can use to make their images completely pop off the page. This was a very fun book that gave my daughters some great time to just relax, creating beautiful images that they can keep or share with others!


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Book Review - Fabulous Fashion Coloring Fun: With 200 Stickers

Fabulous Fashion Coloring Fun: With 200 Stickers
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About the Book
Kids these days are so busy running from school to extracurricular activities that they can easily get over scheduled and overwhelmed. That's what's so great about Cool & Calm Coloring for Kids, a series inspired by kindergarten teachers' use of art therapy for "quiet time." In Fabulous Fashion Coloring Fun, Little fashionistas will create their own "top models" with this coloring book, filled with 200 colorful sticker outfits, accessories, and ultra-trendy patterns. Like every book in the series, Fabulous Fashion Coloring Fun includes:
  • Gorgeous illustrations with colored backgrounds that guide children through each design
  • Numerous illustrations for children to choose from that will help them relax, focus, and create something beautiful
  • Thick paper to keep their best efforts from bleeding through and ruining the other side
  • Detachable pages that let them pull out their favorites and hang them up for all to see

It's perfect for a quiet after school activity, in the car, or anytime kids need to unwind.


My Take on the Book
This book is filled with very cool images that are perfect for any young fashionista. If your child loves to color and design their own clothes, this book really allows them to be able to have a blast with creating their own color ensembles. The pages that come in this are thick and the images are well crafted which make the images great for keeping or for giving away. All-in-all this will offer hours of fun for any child!

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Book Review - The Fairy Creativity Book: Games, Cut-Outs, Art Paper, Stickers, and Stencils

The Fairy Creativity Book: Games, Cut-Outs, Art Paper, Stickers, and Stencils

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About the Book
This fun-filled activity book is packed with fairy princesses, flower fairies, fairy kingdoms, and much more. Let the magic begin!

Kids will enjoy hours of creative fun with:


  • Two sticker pages containing over 150 reusable stickers 
  • Stencil sheets that are easily removed so young artists can draw their favorite fairies 
  • Fairy-themed art papers that can be pulled out and used for home crafts such as a fairy wings and a fairy mobile 
  • Includes dot-to-dots, spot the difference, draw the dress, mazes, color-by-numbers, coloring pages, glitter-and-glue fairy dust, and sticker/stencil activities 
  • Two glossy scenes attached to the back cover, so kids can create enchanted fairy scenes with their reusable stickers time and again, and more 
Every puzzle, game, and craft activity is based on the fantastical world of fairies, including fairy princesses, water sprites, flower fairies, pixies, fairy godmothers, and more. Stoke children's curiosity and imagination while they discover all their favorite fairies in one magical place!



My Take on the Book
This is a great book that is filled with amazing activities, stickers and more, all geared to give your child hours of fun at their fingertips. If your child loves fairies and things mystical then this is the book for them!

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Saturday, January 21, 2017

Book Review - Animal Babies

Animal Babies

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About the Book
Kids these days are so busy running from school to extracurricular activities that they can easily get over scheduled and overwhelmed. That's what's so great about Cool & Calm Coloring for Kids, a series inspired by kindergarten teachers' use of art therapy for "quiet time" In Animal Babies, over 50 charming illustrations give children the chance to color lots of adorable animals, including bunnies, kittens, puppies, baby owls, and more. Like every book in the series, Animal Babies includes:
Gorgeous illustrations with colored backgrounds that guide children through each design
Numerous illustrations for children to choose from that will help them relax, focus, and create something beautiful
  • Thick paper to keep their best efforts from bleeding through and ruining the other side
  • Detachable pages that let them pull out their favorites and hang them up for all to see

It's perfect for a quiet after school activity, in the car, or anytime kids need to unwind.



My Take on the Book
This was a fun coloring book that allows you to create some very fun images that can be both colorful and unique. Each image is made for a child to enjoy and my daughters had a blast making some very unique images that they have been giving out to friends and family. This is a great book that anyone that enjoys coloring will enjoy!

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DVD Review - Long Way North

Long Way North

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About the Movie
LONG WAY NORTH is set in the late 19th century Saint Petersburg. Sacha, a young girl from the Russian aristocracy, dreams of the Great North and anguishes over the fate of her grandfather, Oloukine, a renowned scientist and Arctic explorer who has yet to return from his latest expedition to conquer the North Pole.

Sacha has always been fascinated by the adventurous life of her grandfather and has the same calling as Oloukine to be an explorer. But Sacha’s parents, who already made arrangements for her marriage, strongly disapprove of the idea to say the least. Defying her destiny, Sacha flees her home and launches an adventure-filled quest toward the Great North in search of Oloukine and his ship.

LONG WAY NORTH features an exceptional English voice cast of Chloé Dunn, Vivienne Vermes, Peter Hudson, Antony Hickling, Tom Perkins, Geoffrey Greenhill, Claire Harrison-Bullett, Bibi Jacob, Martin Lewis, Tom Morton, Leslie Clack, Kester Lovelace and Damian Corcoran. *French voice cast includes Christa Théret, Feodor Atkine, Thomas Sagols, Rémi Caillebot, Audrey Sablé, Fabirn Briche, Gabriel Le Doze and Boris Rehlinger.

LONG WAY NORTH DVD and two-disc Blu-ray+ DVD Combo Pack contain English and French audio tracks, English subtitles and insightful bonus content.
  • Conceptual pilot
  • Behind-the-scenes featurette
  • Interview with director Rémi Chayé and producer Henri Magalon
  • Still gallery – character design
  • Still gallery – concept art
  • Animated storyboards


My Take on the Movie
This was a fun movie that really allows you to experience the arctic in a while new way. The story brings back the great director Rémi Chayé back. I loved the work of Rémi Chayé from the past, especially his work from “The Secret of Kells.” In this great new movie you get a very strong female character. Sasha was a fun young character that really challenges herself to be able to try and find her missing grandfather.

While there are some aspects of the story that are beyond reality, you truly can set aside this and have fun. By doing this, you will see a girl that truly uses her creativity and imagination to be able to move her character and the story forward. The story of the movie was exciting and a bit sad, but in all it was a powerful movie with great animation.

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DVD Review - Miraculous: Tales Of Ladybug & Cat Noir: Be Miraculous

Miraculous: Tales Of Ladybug & Cat Noir: Be Miraculous

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About the Book
A third volume of action adventure that will have you feeling Miraculous!

The time is now. The city is Paris. And two amazing heroes stand to protect its citizens against evildoers: Ladybug and Cat Noir! But can this uncanny duo continue to keep their city safe from these dastardly ne’er-do-wells… and get their homework in on time?! That’s right. The superheroes known as Ladybug and Cat Noir are actually Marinette and Adrien, two young students with super-secret lives filled with super-awesome excitement!

Featuring seven amazing episodes from the action-packed animated series, Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir!

My Take on the Book
This was a very fun show that shows girl power in action and at the center of the story. The stories were fun and you do get to really get to know the characters more in these episodes. The animation throughout these episodes were strong and you get a good balance of villains and heroes! I love watching cartoons that have a superhero connection, and this one is a bit different because it takes place in France, but it makes the series feel fresh. All-in-all this series is a ton of fun for kids and adults alike!



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Friday, January 13, 2017

Book Review - Ballerina Theater: Color and Create Your Own Beautiful 3D Scenes

Ballerina Theater: Color and Create Your Own Beautiful 3D Scenes

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About the Book
Put the world is in your child's hands with this book that lets them color in and build their own amazing three-dimensional playset.

Your child will spend hours coloring, creating, and playing with Ballerina Theater. Kids can build scenes from favorite ballets, including Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, and The Nutcracker. They can create a scene from each ballet or create their own! All it takes is some colored pens or pencils and a healthy imagination! Children can color in and stack these die-cut card sheets and then mix and match them to create different colorscapes. Die-cut holes in the middle of the cards help create a stunning layered effect when the cards are stacked one behind another in the base. Twenty-four double-sided, press-out card sheets allow kids to put together many different card combinations to create their very own scenes.




My Take on the Book
This is a very fun set with some amazing opportunities to not only color and create some beautiful images but also allows you to create some very cool scenes that you can use to create your own ballet. I loved seeing the girls interacting with this and with all of the cards you really have a great opportunity to use your imagination to create stories you will never forget.



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Book Review - Challenging Picture Puzzles: Over 75 Timed Puzzles to Test Your Skills

Challenging Picture Puzzles: Over 75 Timed Puzzles to Test Your Skills

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About the Book
Your most exciting creative challenges start HERE!

There's no doubt about it: coloring is a great way to spur on creativity, while mazes make your brain work harder and better. But what if kids think coloring books are for babies or mazes are just plain boring? Tell them to think again, because Picture Puzzles, from the Challenging Books series, gets the puzzle challenges started right here! Every puzzle starts easy and gets harder, with time challenges to see if kids can beat the best of the rest. You can even color them in! Challenging Books are 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! Includes perforated pages.



My Take on the Book
This is a great book that really challenges you and your kids into having a ton of fun together but also to be able to create amazing images as well. This book has some cool mazes that are challenging and start easy and get harder.Each puzzle was a ton of fun!

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Book Review - Challenging Spot the Difference: Over 60 Timed Puzzles to Test Your Skills

Challenging Spot the Difference: Over 60 Timed Puzzles to Test Your Skills

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About the Book
Your most exciting creative challenges start HERE!

There's no doubt about it: coloring is a great way to spur on creativity, while mazes make your brain work harder and better. But what if kids think coloring books are for babiesor mazes are just plain boring? Tell them to think again, because Spot the Difference, from the Challenging Books series, gets the puzzle challenges started right here! There are up to 100 differences to spot if you are up to it! Every puzzle starts easy and gets harder, with time challenges to see if kids can beat the best of the rest. Spot those differences and beat the clock, then go ahead and color in some of these wacky, wonderful puzzles. Challenging Books are 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! Includes perforated pages.



My Take on the Book
My youngest daughter loves spot the difference books and this one was a book that really challenged her, but in the end she said she had a blast. What was interesting was that you are given a time limit to complete the puzzles which makes it even more difficult. The images you create in the end are beautiful and you can make them as colorful as you would like! Be challenged and creative at the same time!

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Book Review - Challenging Coloring: Millions of Animals: Over 90 Awesome Coloring Pages


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About the Book
Your most exciting creative challenges start HERE!

There's no doubt about it: coloring is a great way to spur on creativity, while mazes make your brain work harder and better. But what if kids think coloring books are for babies or mazes are just plain boring? Tell them to think again, because their best challenges start right NOW. In Challenging Coloring: Millions of Animals, your coloring adventures start here! These awesome, complex pictures offer you hours of challenges with loads of animals to color. Cats, fish, turtles, chimps, pandas, the list goes on. Color them completely or leave white spaces the choice is yours! Challenging. Books are 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! Includes perforated pages.




My Take on the Book
Get ready to be challenged. I can honestly say that both my kids and I were challenged by this great new book. You will find hours of fun in this amazing book and with the detailed images none of your images will be the same which makes it even more fun! The pages come out easily so you can give your created images to friends and family or even keep them for yourself. This was such a great book!

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Book Review - Magical Forest: Color and Create Your Own Beautiful 3D Scenes

Magical Forest: Color and Create Your Own Beautiful 3D Scenes

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About the Book
Put the world is in your child's hands with this book that lets them color in and build their own amazing three-dimensional playset. Your child will spend hours coloring, creating, and playing with Magical Forest. Children will enjoy creating an enchanted woodland filled with flowers, fairies, and forest-dwelling creatures. Whimsical illustrations allow them to create lots of different scenes. All it takes is some colored pens or pencils and a healthy imagination! Children can color in and stack these die-cut card sheets and then mix and match them to create different colorscapes. Die-cut holes in the middle of the cards help create a stunning layered effect when the cards are stacked one behind another in the base. Twenty-four double-sided, press-out card sheets allow kids to put together many different card combinations to create their very own scenes.



My Take on the Book
This is such a fun book that not only allows you to have fun coloring but also allows you to let your imagination fly. With the 3D playset that you can build and create your own world with your kids and then explore it and make your own stories together. This is such a fun set!

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