Book Review - The Art of Wish

About the Book
This stunning volume of the Disney Art of series is an exclusive look behind the scenes of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ original feature film Wish. 

A deluxe installment of the beloved Art of Disney series shares the story behind the art and making of Wish, a feature film set to release during the 100th anniversary year of Walt Disney Animation Studios. A film that could only come from Disney Animation, this epic animated musical is inspired by the legacy of films from the studio and asks the question “How did the wishing star, upon which so many characters wished, come to be?”

The story follows Asha—an optimist with a sharp wit who cares endlessly about her community. In a moment of desperation, Asha makes an impassioned plea to the stars, which is answered by a cosmic force: a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, they face the most formidable of foes to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen.

This stunning Disney book highlights the beautiful artwork from the film’s creation—including character designs, storyboards, color scripts, and much more—and features exclusive interviews from the creative team along with behind-the-scenes details.

My Take on the Book
This is such a great book that brings the art of the Disney Movie Wish alive. The movie was such a wonderful story, and the color and artwork throughout were things that my family and I thoroughly enjoyed. This book really allows you to relive that experience page after page. One of the things I love about this and the other Art books is that you really get taken into the movie and brought behind the scenes into the creative process, and by the end, you leave knowing so much more about the movie and the people that brought the movie to life. 

----------------------------------------
New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews?
Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader
Questions? Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

Book Review - Dear Ruby, Hear Our Hearts

c

About the Book

In Dear Ruby, Hear Our Hearts National civil rights activist and icon Ruby Bridges responds to letters from thoughtful and concerned young students from across America.

"I've heard their hearts and now share those hearts with you. These pages truly speak to the power of children!" -- Ruby Bridges

Ruby Bridges was the first Black child to attend an all-white elementary school in New Orleans. She established the Ruby Bridges Foundation to promote tolerance and to create change through education. She traveled across the US, listening to the inspiring voices of young children.

Dear Ruby, Hear Our Hearts is a compilation of letters from concerned young students about today's issues, including bullying, climate change, gun violence, and racism. Reading Ruby's intuitive and inspirational responses, young readers will embrace the courage to be brave, bold, and confident.

Dear Ruby,

My name is Olivia. Thank you for sharing your story. It made me want to be brave and stand up to make a change. You showed me to not give up when something is unfair. You can make it change, no matter what. I bet you were scared just like me. You said that if someone or something is putting you down, you get back up.

My heart heard that, and I am trying to be more like you.

Sincerely,

Olivia

My dearest Olivia,

I am so pleased you wrote to me, especially about standing up. I know all too well how scary it can be to stand up for yourself or even others. Just know it takes a courageous and brave person to stand up, even if you are afraid. It happens to us all!

I am proud of you,

Ruby Bridges

The students' letters and Ruby's responses are powerfully illustrated with dynamic and thought-provoking artwork by John Jay Cabuay.



My Take on the Book
The thing that I love about this book is that through every letter that Ruby Bridges answers she is touching on real concerns that are impacting kids and society as a whole. I can see so many kids connecting with what Ruby is sharing and I know that this book, while short could have gone on for many more pages, as I know that Ruby gets even more mail than this. 

----------------------------------------
New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews?
Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader
Questions? Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

Book Review - The Complete Book of US Presidents, Fourth Edition: Updated for 2021

About the Book

In The Complete Book of US Presidents discover the history and personal stories of 46 US Presidents in this beautifully illustrated volume.

From the first president, George Washington, to the forty-sixth, Joe Biden, the United States has seen a host of extraordinary men take office. Their stories are all included in this fourth edition of The Complete Book of US Presidents by journalist and historian Bill Yenne.

This book features short, biographical essays about the lives of 46 presidents, jam-packed with unusual details and commentary on the significant roles each commander-in-chief played in the shaping of the United States and its relations with the world. Lavishly illustrated, including the presidents' official White House portraits, sidebars about each and every vice president and first lady, and intriguing anecdotes, this book is accessible to a broad audience and will captivate any history lover.

The Complete Book of US Presidents is an expansive collection that reflects on America's rich presidential history, telling the story of a nation through the biographies of some of its greatest political leaders.

My Take on the Book

This book really takes the time to delve deeply into our US Presidents, even the ones that you do not know a lot about. The book goes from President to President and gives you a great understanding about what they did in office and in reading this you definitely get a good summary of the positive and negatives of the President as well as what they did or did not accomplish while in office. I appreciated that the book also included information on the President's wives and even the Vice Presidents too. If you love US history and want to know your Presidents even more than you do, this is the book for you!

----------------------------------------
New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews?
Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader
Questions? Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

Book Review - Drawing 100 Years of Disney Wonder: A retrospective collection of artwork featuring iconic Disney characters from the past 100 years

About the Book

In Drawing 100 Years of Disney Wonder you can travel back through 100 years of The Walt Disney Company with 240 pages of art instruction and animation history with Drawing 100 Years of Disney Wonder.

Featuring Mickey Mouse and his friends, the Disney Princess characters, Pixar characters, and so much more, Drawing 100 Years of Disney Wonder is a must-have collector's item which celebrates beloved animated characters through step-by-step drawing projects, character sketches, and vintage artwork from the Disney archives. Each section of drawing lessons is categorized by decade in Disney history, along with historical context and interesting anecdotes and facts sprinkled throughout.

In each decade, learn how Disney animators have drawn the following characters and dozens more:

• 1920s: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit 1930s: Donald Duck, the Big Bad Wolf, and Snow White
• 1940s: Pinocchio, Dumbo, and Bambi
• 1950s: Cinderella, Alice, and Tinker Bell
• 1960s: Cruella De Vil from One Hundred and One Dalmatians, Baloo from The Jungle Book, and The Sword and the Stone’s Arthur
• 1970s: Marie from The Aristocats, Robin Hood, and Winnie the Pooh
• 1980s: Tod and Copper from The Fox and the Hound and The Little Mermaid's Ariel
• 1990s: Aladdin and Jasmine, Simba from The Lion King, and Woody from Toy Story
• 2000s: Stitch, Lightning McQueen from Cars, and Tiana from The Princess and the Frog
• 2010s:Frozen’s Elsa and Anna, Moana, and Coco’s Miguel
• 2020s: Ian and Barley from Onward,Encanto’s Mirabel, and Meilin from Turning Red

Artists and Disney fans alike will be entertained and enlightened by the well-rounded collector’s experience that is Drawing 100 Years of Disney Wonder.

My Take on the Book
For anyone who loves Disney and Disney animation, this is a must-have! The book really explores 100 years of Disney history and places it smack-dab in front of you where you can explore and enjoy it thoroughly. On top of learning more about the behind-the-scenes aspects of Disney, you also can learn about drawing some of your favorite Disney characters as well (though the book is not really a drawing book per se). The book offers a plethora of information on the history of animation and I found myself completely drawn into every page and I came out of the book knowing so much more! The book is an enjoyable read and one that you will not forget! 

----------------------------------------

New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews?
Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader
Questions? Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

Book Review - Too Many Interesting Things Are Happening to Ethan Fairmont

About the Book

In Too Many Interesting Things Are Happening to Ethan Fairmont, Nick Brooks, award-winning filmmaker and author of Promise Boys, mixes out-of-this-world sci-fi with contemporary themes of friendship, community, and social justice in this hit middle-grade series.
 
Ferrous City is suddenly a lot more interesting—in fact, a little too interesting for Ethan Fairmont.

Ethan’s beloved neighborhood is full of new faces. Lifelong residents are being priced out of their homes, and new businesses are replacing old favorites. At school, Ethan finds a rival in new-kid Fatima, an inventor who is just as science savvy as him. She even has TWO patents! Then there’s the mysterious real estate agent with way too many questions for Ethan. Not to mention the extraterrestrial-obsessed Jodie and his “Aliens Are Here” club.
 
It’s all too much for Ethan and he begins to miss Cheese, his adorable six-eyed alien pal, even more. Fortunately for Ethan and his friends Kareem and Juan Carlos, distraction comes in the form of a top-secret project. Cheese left a communication device under Ethan’s bed before exiting the planet. There’s just one problem: they can’t figure out how it works!
 
As Ferrous City continues to change and eyes are everywhere, will the trio be able to keep their secret and reach Cheese, or is something nefarious brewing right next door?
 
E.T. meets Stranger Things in the second title of this unforgettable sci-fi adventure series, perfect for readers ages 8 to 12.

My Take on the Book
This was a great sequel that really brought together all of the characters that you have come to love, while pushing Ethan in while new ways. Ethan is dealing with a lot of change in his life which he seems to take in strides while also having issues with trust when it comes to the people around him. The book is a great read and by the end the book is left wide open for some great things to come! I am looking forward to the next book in the series!

----------------------------------------
New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews?
Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader
Questions? Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

Movie Review - Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas

About the Movie

A modern-day movie musical about the making of a network TV special, Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas is the frenetic backstage story and delightful on-camera results of Dolly's desire to uplift an exhausted world's spirits by sharing the unique "mountain magic" she has always found in and around Dollywood at Christmas. Throughout the movie's production numbers and rehearsal chaos, Dolly finds herself taking a private journey into her past, guided by the mysterious appearances of her personal Three Wise Men. When it's time for her big special to air live, a renewed and inspired Dolly goes rogue and shows the world that the real magic of Christmas lies in the hearts of the children we all once were, the realization that Christmas is about the people we share it with, and how her faith remains the common thread between Christmases past, present, and future.

 

My Take on the Movie
This was a very fun movie that brought out Dolly in all of her glory. I will say that I would have appreciated to hear more Christmas music as there was not as much as I would have thought. The movie does have a lot of music in it, but it was a bot of a hodge-podge of music which leads to the overall show that is being created. People that are BIG Dolly Parton fans just want to see Dolly sing and hear her tell stories. You do get some of this, but I would have loved even more. That being said, it was still a fun movie overall!

----------------------------------------
New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews?
Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader
Questions? Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

Book Review - The Plantastic Cookbook

About the Book

"As an Edible Schoolyard chef, Gwen embraces the joys and wisdom of farm to table eating. In this bountiful recipe collection she shares her love and reverence for our planet through fresh, seasonal food prepared simply and beautifully." —Alice Waters

In The Plantastic Cookbook you get a lively and flavorful collection of plant-based recipes developed by Hollywood caterer and Edible Schoolyard Chef/Director Gwen Kenneally. Sections include toasts and jam, soups and stews, greens and sides, jackfruit, quinoa, grilled entrees, party fare and sweets. Over 90 recipes to expand the vegan palate and introduce new flavors and cooking techniques to those not yet familiar with the joys and benefits of plant-based eating.

My Take on the Book
Part of the great things about eating vegetarian is to be able to bring fresh food to your table over and over again. This book is full of so many great recipes that allow you to bring that fresh food to your family day in and day out. The book was easy to follow and there are so many different types of recipes that you can eat throughout the year. I love how easy the recipes were to follow and I am looking forward to trying so many of these recipes in the future!

----------------------------------------
New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews?
Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader
Questions? Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com