Dad of Divas' Reviews: May 2017

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Cookie Jam Blast a New Game from Jam City!




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Jam City, Los Angeles-based mobile game developer and publisher, today announced the launch of Cookie Jam Blast, the first iteration to its global hit Cookie Jam, which has been downloaded by more than 100 million players worldwide. Cookie Jam Blast, available now for iOS and Android devices, is filled with freshly baked fun and delightful entertainment.

“Cookie Jam has been Jam City’s most successful game to-date and the first game we have extended into a franchise brand,” said Chris DeWolfe, CEO and Co-Founder of Jam City. “We believe the Cookie Jam franchise is both an iconic brand and has the potential to be a multibillion dollar business for Jam City. We could not be more excited about the future of Cookie Jam and Cookie Jam Blast."

In the all-new Cookie Jam Blast, fans will follow Chef Panda’s quest to become the best pâtissier in the world. Aboard the Bakery Airship, players will visit new worlds like Sherbert Forest and Berry Fundae Island and encounter new charming characters like the Gingy, Scoops, and the Yummy worms. They will crunch their way through classic modes like Waffles and experience tasty, new game modes like revealing Yumsicles or collecting Topplers. All the while as they play through the game, players earn ingredients to craft scrumptious treats for their customers and level up their Chef Rank. For the first time, friends can also send each other Bee-a-Buddy booster charges to help blast through levels in the game.

“We’ve taken what Cookie Jam players love about the game and made their gameplay experience even sweeter,” said Joshua Yguado, President and COO, Jam City. "Cookie Jam Blast is visually stunning with richer 3D graphics, and we added a ton of new characters, new levels and a new crafting system for greater depth."

Cookie Jam has 5 million daily active users and has been downloaded by more than 100 million players worldwide since its debut in 2013. Cookie Jam also has earned Facebook’s Game of the Year and is continually listed among the top 20 grossing games globally.

Cookie Jam Blast is a free-to-play, match-3 puzzle mobile game available now for iOS and Android devices via the App Store and Google Play. For more details on Cookie Jam Blast or to connect with your Cookie Jam buddies, follow us @CookieJamBlast:



About Jam City
Jam City is a Los Angeles-based mobile game maker with global reach. Created in 2010 by former MySpace co-founders Chris DeWolfe, Aber Whitcomb, and former 20th Century Fox executive Josh Yguado, Jam City is the creator of 6 of the Top 100 highest grossing games across Apple's and Google's US app stores. Its portfolio of titles--which includes Cookie Jam, Panda Pop, Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff and Marvel Avengers Academy--has been downloaded more than 800 million times and is regularly played by nearly 50 million people monthly. Jam City has studios in Seattle, San Francisco, San Diego and Buenos Aires. In 2016, Jam City acquired TinyCo, a San Francisco studio at the forefront of bringing the world’s most popular entertainment franchises to mobile games.
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Sunday, May 21, 2017

Book Review - Geronimo Stilton and the Kingdom of Fantasy: The Ship of Secrets

Geronimo Stilton and the Kingdom of Fantasy: The Ship of Secrets

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About the Book
I, Geronimo Stilton, was called to the Kingdom of Fantasy for the tenth time! A fairy princess had called me there. She needed my help: The most powerful and dangerous wizard in the realm wanted to capture her -- and conquer the entire kingdom!

The wizard was hunting for special magical objects to increase his powers -- fairy dust to make him fly, the precious gold of the gnomes, the dazzling egg of fire, and more. It was up to me to foil his plans, with the help of magical friends new and old. Could we save the Kingdom of Fantasy?



My Take on the Book
This was an amazing book that brings together great fantasy fun, but also some very fun characters too. These are always a bit longer than the normal Geronimo Stilton books but they are still a ton of fun to read. The book was a quick read and the action makes the book simply move! This is a must read for any Geronimo Stilton fan!


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Thursday, May 18, 2017

Book Review - Nnewts: Battle for Amphibopolis

Nnewts: Battle for Amphibopolis

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About the Book
In the final, epic installment of the Nnewts trilogy, the fate of all Nnewts hangs in the balance! Herk, falling under the influence of Blakk Mudd, is slowly turning into a Lizzark and abandoning his Nnewt friends. Herk's siblings, Sissy and Zerk, have been corrupted by evil and the Lizzark army is still threatening Amphibopolis with total destruction. Now the Nnewts need a true hero to step up and save the day before it's too late!


My Take on the Book
This was a great new installment to finish off the trilogy. I loved the artwork as always, but even beyond that the author brings you both characters and a story line that you will not forget. There is action, humor and more making this book a ton of fun to read. Whether you have read the other books in the series or not this is a book that you can definitely pick up and enjoy, but by the end you will want to go back and read the rest! My kids are hoping that there may be future stories with these great characters in the future!

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Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Book Review - GIRL: Love, Sex, Romance, and Being You

GIRL: Love, Sex, Romance, and Being You

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About the Book
GIRL: Love, Sex, Romance, and Being You is an inclusive growing-up guide for teen girls with information on gender and identity, dating and romance, relationships, and sex. It gives teen girls practical information that is uncensored, factual, and unbiased, and aims to help readers develop into responsible and informed adults and prepare them for healthy romantic relationships. This book also includes self-reflection questions, media resources lists, illustrations, and diary entries as additional supplemental materials. This book is unique in that it is accessible and nonjudgmental to all who self-identify as a girl.



My Take on the Book
This is a raw book that any teen girl will find enlightening. The book is definitely uncensored and offers a fully factual account of so many of the things that these young women will go through in their lives. The book goes through issues regarding relationships, sex, dating, romance and so much more. There are questions that will lead the reader on a self-reflective journey and some great lists and additional resources that many will refer back to again and again. This is a valuable resource for any teen, The content is open, honest, and because of this, may have content that a younger teen may not be ready for. Parents may wish to go through the book first especially if you have a younger teen or even consider talking to your daughter about different sections of the book. In the end though this is a great resource for all teen girls today!

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Book Review - Zinnia and the Bees

Zinnia and the Bees
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About the Book
A colony of honeybees mistakes seventh-grader Zinnia’s hair for a hive ― and that’s the least of her problems. While Zinnia's classmates are celebrating the last day of seventh grade, she's in the vice principal's office, serving detention. Her offense? Harmlessly yarn-bombing a statue of the school mascot. When Zinnia rushes home to commiserate with her older brother and best friend, Adam, she's devastated to discover that he's gone ― with no explanation. Zinnia’s day surely can't get any worse . . . until a colony of honeybees inhabits her hive-like hair! Infused with magical realism, Danielle Davis delivers a quirky, heartfelt debut, exploring both the complex life of a young loner and a comical hive of honeybees. Together, these alternating and unexpected perspectives will touch anyone who has ever felt alone, betrayed, or misunderstood.



My Take on the Book
This book was Danielle Davis' first book . I am sure readers will see more books from this author. The chapter book kept me engaged in the story from the beginning to the end.
There were so many multiple layers within this story of Zinnia . She is a middle school girl with a brother who is 18 years old. Her mother is raising them on her own since their father died. Mom is a dentist and she takes on community issues.
Zinnia has the same issues with friends and insecurities as any middle school age girl. She loves her brother but then he leaves for his own destiny.
There are bees that become attached to Zinnia's hair so there is the story of the sequence of how she will remove them to a place they can call home.
Zinnia finds a new friend in Birch. They each help each other to grow and change and move ahead with their live issues.
The story is well written with great character development. The story line is easy to follow and will engage the reader through each chapter. The reader will meet "real" people who may remind you of people in your own life.
Your middle school child will enjoy this story.
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DVD Review - My Little Pony: Equestria Girls: Magical Movie Night



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About the DVD
Grab your popcorn, because the Equestria Girls are back for a magic-filled triple feature! There's a reason these seven girls look familiar. . . as they step through a magical mirror, they transport from the world of My Little Pony, transforming into teenage girls at Canterlot High. Full-time students and part-time magical pony-girls, the Equestria Girls are always ready to save the day with the Magic of Friendship! So, gather round for three mystical adventures when My Little Pony Equestria Girls – Magical Movie Night comes to DVD on August 8, 2017 from Shout! Kids in collaboration with Hasbro Studios. Pre-order is available now at Amazon.com and ShoutKids.com.

Dance Magic
With the Camp Everfree fundraising deadline looming, the Equestria Girls realize they need a new plan to raise more money and are ready to try new things. Rarity finds out about a music video competition, with a huge cash prize, and she’s eager to convince her friends at Canterlot High to enter the contest. However, the girls soon learn that Crystal Prep Academy is also interested in participating in the contest. The students at CPA have many more resources and are better dancers! The girls learn that sometimes coming together instead of competing is the best plan of all!

Movie Magic
The Equestria Girls have been specially invited by A.K. Yearling to go on the set of the upcoming Daring Do movie and they are overjoyed. For super-fan Rainbow Dash, watching behind the scenes as her favorite heroine comes to life is a dream come true. However, when a rare and important prop from the set goes missing, putting the movie on hold, Rainbow Dash’s dream becomes a nightmare. The Equestria Girls take it upon themselves to track down the missing prop and end up trotting into a real-life Daring Do adventure!

Mirror Magic
As the pages in her journal run out, there’s only one thing for Sunset Shimmer to do: return to Equestria as a pony to get a new journal! There, she meets new pony Starlight Glimmer and agrees to bring her back through the mirror portal to experience life as a human girl at Canterlot High. However, while Sunset Shimmer is away, a revenge‐seeking Juniper Montage finds a beautiful hand mirror enchanted with Equestrian magic. Not only can it provide a window into another land, but if you push the right button, It can also make things disappear into limbo, trapped between the two realms! Sunset Shimmer and Starlight Glimmer return to find the Mane 6 missing and Juniper Montage acting extremely suspicious. Will Sunset Shimmer and Starlight Glimmer save the girls, or are the Mane 6 lost in limbo for good?

Bonus Feature:
Sing-Alongs



My Take on the DVD
This is a great DVD that I loved sharing with my daughters. They are BIG My Little Pony fans this this DVD was a great fit for a fun movie night or two. They did a great job putting together all of your favorite characters and in this movie you get friendship, heart, magic and fun throughout. There are some laughs as well as a great story that you will relate too.

I did not know what to expect but the movie was a ton of fun with characters you know and love and a story line that was a ton of fun too.

If you are a fan of My Little Pony this is a great addition to your collection!


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Book Review - Project You: More than 50 Ways to Calm Down, De-Stress, and Feel Great

Project You: More than 50 Ways to Calm Down, De-Stress, and Feel Great

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About the Book
Find your balance. Make a protein-packed smoothie to energize for a busy day. Center yourself after a stressful week by taking five minutes to write in your journal. Strengthen your body and calm your mind with simple yoga poses and breathing techniques. Craft a vision board to help you achieve your goals. Create a time budget to organize your schedule. Develop an evening routine that will help you wind down before sleep. Award-winning author Aubre Andrus shares more than 50 do-right-now projects that will help you beat stress, smile big, and discover a calmer, more blissful you.


My Take on the Book
There are 50 do it yourself projects that will help the reader to beat stress, feel centered, and discover a calmer, confident, and more blissful you. There is so much in this book. For example it tells how meditation can help your life. Yoga is also discussed and suggested to the reader. There are many yoga poses in the book for the reader to try out at home. There are directions for making a stress ball to help yourself remove tension.

The author encourages the reader to write feelings using pen and paper. It stimulates the brain.
Why not take up a hobby you enjoy? 

So many wonderful ideas to help yourself feel better and the recommendations are easy to follow too.
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Book Review - Sam, the Most Scaredy-cat Kid in the Whole World: A Leonardo, the Terrible Monster Companion

Sam, the Most Scaredy-cat Kid in the Whole World: A Leonardo, the Terrible Monster Companion

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About the Book
One day Sam, the most scaredy-cat kid in the whole world, makes a terrifying discovery. It's not Frankenthaler the monster. It's her friend-Kerry!

Kerry, the second most scaredy-cat kid in the whole world, also makes a terrifying discovery. It's not Leonardo the monster. It's his friend-Sam!

"AAAAH!" yells Sam.

"EEEEK!" yells Kerry.

Something has to be done. Something BIG. But what?


My Take on the Book
Sam was considered the most scardey-cat kid . He was afraid of everything except Leonardo, the terrible monster. Sam met another monster that scared him but Leonardo convinced him that he was friendly.Kerry the other monster's friend and Sam became friends because they both found out that similar things scared them.

Is your child afraid of things that startle him or make him anxious? Maybe through a discussion you can help him find another friend who has fears and they can become friends too.
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Book Review - Cars 3: Lead the Way


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About the Book
In your life, you may find somebody important, somebody who steers you in the right direction, guides you down long roads, and keeps you on track to follow your dreams. Then, one day, you may find it's your turn to lead the way.

Ride along with Lightning McQueen as he revisits many of his cherished moments with the late and great Doc Hudson. Lightning has learned so many inspiring things from Doc that he would like to pass on to Cruz Ramirez-including a lesson about what it really means to win.




My Take on the Book
Our main characters are Lightning McQueen, Doc Hudson, and Cruz Ramirez. This story has a lot for us to learn from the events in the story. Here are a few of the lessons that came from the story:

  • Being a true champion does not mean it is all about winning.
  • You should remember to thank those who helped you.
  • Find creative ways to problem solve.
  • Always give back to others.
  • Friends and memories are a reward in itself.
These are all good ideas to discuss with your child.
The illustrations are part of the new Cars 3.

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Monday, May 15, 2017

Book Review - Night Night, Groot

Night Night, Groot

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About the Book
It's been a long day for baby Groot and he's ready to be tucked in for bed. Just as his eyes start to close, Rocket Raccoon bursts onto the scene! Groot can't go to sleep yet, there's a whole galaxy that needs to be defended and they must work together to save the day! Then maybe, just maybe, Groot will finally get the rest he deserves!


My Take on the Book
This book is written in rhyme with the story infusing many superstars into the story line.
It is time for Groot to go to bed but Rocket in the story comes to visit him and all of a sudden Groot is involved in an adventure. The adventure has lots of super heroes and Groot is part of the story.
Groot wonders if the story is real or a dream. What does the reader think?

It is a fun story with some superheroes, Groot , and Rocket.


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Book Review - Hair-pocalypse

Hair-pocalypse

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About the Book
In this outrageously funny picture book, a bad hair day seems like the end of the world. But Aidan Allen's hair isn't just bad - it's MAD! And over the course of one crazy day, Aidan's hair takes its revenge. But can Aidan stop it before it ruins his life?



My Take on the Book
Geoff Herbach has written a very funny story for children. Aiden Allen is a pretty typical little boy. His clothes are wrinkled, his shoes are untied, and he often has grass stained on his pants. However Aiden has a worse problem and it is his hair. His hair begins to do weird things and his hair is actually asking him to wash it. As you read the story you will see how the hair begins to take over Aiden and produce some funny hair dos.

Stephen Gilpin does an excellent job of using his creative talents to show how Aiden is feeling and his friends too. The reader can visualize the hair-pocalypse. You will thoroughly enjoy this funny story.
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Book Review - A Loud Winter's Nap

A Loud Winter's Nap

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About the Book
For Tortoise, winter is good for one thing: a nice long nap. Can friends open his eyes to a season full of surprises? Every year, Tortoise hibernates through winter. He assumes he isn’t missing much. However, his friends are determined to prove otherwise! Will Tortoise sleep through another winter, or will his friends convince him to stay awake and experience the frosty fun? In the follow-up to her bestselling Too Many Carrots, Katy Hudson delivers a charming picture book, featuring the fun of winter and the heartwarming benefits of friendship.



My Take on the Book
This story will definitely make you smile and laugh. It will make you want to reread it . This is a perfect story for a young child. The story has some repetition as the tortoise reminds his friends that " Tortoises do not like winter" . Tortoise tries to sleep in many different locations but he is disturbed by his friends wanting to play. It is not until Tortoise accidentally comes across a sled that he decides winter is fun.

You will love the expressions on the animals faces and so will your child. There are so many wonderful creative details in the art work.


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Book Review - A Different Pond

A Different Pond

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About the Book
Acclaimed poet Bao Phi delivers a powerful, honest glimpse into a relationship between father and son―and between cultures, old and new. A Different Pond is an unforgettable story about a simple event―a long-ago fishing trip. As a young boy, Bao Phi awoke early, hours before his father's long workday began, to fish on the shores of a small pond in Minneapolis. Unlike many other anglers, Bao and his father fished for food, not recreation. A successful catch meant a fed family. Between hope-filled casts, Bao’s father told him about a different pond in their homeland of Vietnam. The New York Times has said that Bao Phi’s poetry “rhymes with the truth.” Together with graphic novelist Thi Bui’s striking, evocative art, Phi’s expertly crafted prose reflects an immigrant family making its way in a new home while honoring its bonds to the past.



My Take on the Book
This is a powerful story about a family who came to the US from Vietnam in 1975 after the war was over there. The story is from a young boy's point of view of his family and life. Because the author led a life similar to the boy in the story , you see and feel the realness of the events in the story. The family and the boy have struggles with assimilating into the US, but they have family which brings them love and companionship in spite of their challenges. I think this is an excellent book to read to children today . We have many immigrants arriving in our country with different languages and cultures. It will do us all good to learn and appreciate our differences.

The Bui contributes beautiful and sensitive art work to this wonderful book.


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Sunday, May 14, 2017

Taking A Bite Out of Weeds With Lawn Jaws

Taking A Bite Out of Weeds With Lawn Jaws

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About Lawn Jaws
Get to the root of the problem with the Lawn Jaws Sharkteeth weed puller. The new sharktooth design has a total of 52 large teeth that stand up to tough roots and prevent slippage. Ergonomic design includes soft handles for easy firm grip for men and women. A no pinch design keeps hands safe and comfortable. This essential garden tool is rust resistant with stainless steel durability.

Custom slots allow for garden debris to pass through garden pliers, reducing clogging and soil build up. Speed up your landscape projects with the Lawn Jaws! Every gardener needs a pair of Lawn Jaws to keep their lawn, garden and flower beds weed free. Unique “sharktooth” back slanted teeth grip the weed like no other.


  • Get to the root of the problem instead of just pulling the tops off of unwanted weeds and grasses
  • Stainless steel alloy for durability with chrome finish for rust resistance
  • Pulls both weeds with tap roots as well as ‘bunch type’ grasses
  • Soft handles for easy, firm hand grip with no pinching


My Take on Lawn Jaws
I was really impressed with first how quickly these came, but also the fact that when these
did arrive they arrived in perfect condition and ready to use. When I removed these from the package I found that they were very comfortable to hold and the teeth in the Lawn Jaws really are sharp and grab and hold the weeds completely. This is made for larger weeks and if you try to use this on smaller weeds you may find that the jaws will slip through the weeds. The biggest challenge that I found with this is that when you get into the dirt and are working with weeds, dirt can get stuck in the jaws. Even though this sometimes happens, they still do work great! We have been going to town on some tough weeds and you can too with this fun lawn jaws.


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Graco 4Ever™ Extend2Fit™ 4-in-1 Car Seat - The Only Car Seat You'll Ever Need



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About the Car Seat
NEW 4Ever™ Extend2Fit™ 4-in-1 Car Seat - is the only car seat you’ll ever need – now rear-facing longer. It’s comfortable for your child and convenient for you as it transitions from rear-facing infant car seat (4–50 lbs.) to forward-facing 5-point harness (22–65 lbs.) to highback belt-positioning booster (40–100 lbs.) to backless belt-positioning booster (40–120 lbs.). With the addition of the 4-position extension panel, the Graco® 4Ever™ Extend2Fit™ provides 5” of extra legroom allowing your child to ride safely rear-facing longer.




About the product

  • 4-in-1 seat grows with your child, so you can enjoy 10 years of use, from 4 - 120 lb Extend2Fit 4-position extension panel provides 5" additional leg room
  • Up to 50 lb rear-facing allowing your child to safely ride rear-facing longer plush inserts keep your child comfortable washable seat cover is easy to remove without removing the harness
  • Simply Safe Adjust Harness System headrest and Harness adjust together one-hand, 10-position adjustable headrest easily adapts for your growing child
  • In Right LATCH system for an easy, one-second LATCH attachment integrated belt lock-off for easy vehicle seat belt installation easy-to-read level indicator helps eliminate rear-facing installation guesswork
  • 2 integrated cup holders keeps your child's drinks or snacks close at hand integrated harness storage compartment holds unused harness straps while in the belt positioning booster mode



My Take on the Car Seat
This was HUGE, so much larger than the car seats that we have had in the past. On top of this you the seat is also very comfortable for children as they grow.  Thus, the seat can grow with the kids too.They stated that you can keep sitting in this until your child is 120 pounds or 10 years of age. You can even have the seat rear facing until your child is 50 pounds. This seat provides you and your child everything that they need while they grow. I am so glad that we found this and I, for one am excited to be able to use this for years to come! Talk about saving money and getting top quality!






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