While my entertainment blog still appears on www.simcoe.com, it can now be found at:
http://www.simcoe.com/blog/628265So, read any posts that you haven't read here...and then head over to the new location for some new posts!
March 23, 2010
March 16, 2010
DIY Books!
"Do It Yourself" (DYI) and other instructional books are very useful. Whether you are looking to build a shed, fix a leaky pipe, build a small cabin, decontaminate your home, make some drapes, learn about art, use greener energy or grow your own food you'll find something to your liking in the books below.
John D. Wagner and Bill Hylton
Creative Homeowner
2009, 112 pages
ISBN: 9781580114394
Sheds can come in handy for a variety of uses. Sheds Step-by-Step not only describes how to build a shed, it provides guides "to building three popular garden sheds" - a saltbox garden shed, a gambrel yard shed and a gable potting shed.
Chapter one addresses the tools and materials required to build a shed while the second chapter looks at the types of foundations, working with concrete, footings, piers and more. Chapter three contains "Building Basics" and features : floor framing, wall framing, windows & doors, framing roofs and adding electrical power.
Chapter four pertains to building the saltbox garden shed while chapter five is on the gambrel yard shed and chapter six is all about the gable potting shed. Diagrams, material lists, photographs and informative text will help you create a useful and attractive shed.
Creative Homeowner
2007, 2009, 112 pages
ISBN: 9781580114646
Whether you do some of your own home repairs or you get a "professional", it is good to have some good books on fix it yourself projects. If you attempt the repairs yourself, a good DIY book can be invaluable and if you get someone else to do it, at least the book will educate you a little on what is involved which will also be useful.
Plumbing Step-by-Step is divided into chapters on: plumbing basics, drainpipes, water pipes, toilets, sinks & faucets, faucet repairs, tubs & showers, water heaters and dishwashers. Informative text and lots of colour photographs along with some diagrams provide the reader with a good step-by-step procedure of what needs to be done to complete various plumbing jobs.
Gerald Rowan
Storey Publishing
2009, 216 pages
ISBN: 9781603424622
I've been looking for a book like this for some time. A book with lots of plans for eco-friendly, small cabins. While a few of the cabins are over 700 square feet, most are much smaller. The cabins are arranged by size, from the smallest to the largest, with the first cabin, "Micro Cabin" at 162 square feet. In all there are designs for 50 small cabins.
With the various cabins options are given - such as if a pitched roof could support solar panels or if a deck can be converted to an open or screened porch.
Besides the cabins included in the book, there is lots of other good information pertaining to nature living with a small footprint. A chapter on design includes information on local building codes, aesthetic concerns, location, access, budget, construction materials and more. Other chapters contain valuable information on bedroom features, heating, fireplaces and stoves, composting toilets, outhouses, solar heating and much more.
I've looked through several books about small cottages and cabins and this is easily the best I've seen. When it comes to living with nature, smaller is better and Compact Cabins offers lots of small, attractive, efficient structures you can build for your nature retreat.
Eric Ryan and Adam Lowry with Rima Suqi
Chronicle Books
2008, 158 pages
ISBN: 9780811863919
We live in a world largely contaminated by toxic chemicals. And this includes our indoor living areas. In Squeaky Green the authors provide considerable information about how to rid homes of dangerous chemicals and make them truly clean.
The book is divided into sections for the living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, laundry room, kids' rooms and pets. The authors cover areas such as paints, carpets, vacuums, furniture, antibacterials, plastics, nonstick coatings, floor cleaners, no-iron sheets, candles, mattresses containing PBDEs, triclosan in toothpaste and mouthwash, antibacterial soaps, fabric softeners, paints and markers, PVC plastic toys, wipes, flea collars, pet grooming supplies and much much more.
People spend considerable time, cleaning material and money to make their homes cleaner. But are they cleaner? Often they are not as dirt is replaced with chemicals and other nasty items. If you are interested in making your home healthier and safer for your family, you might start with reading Squeaky Green.
Esther Ferington
Sunset Publishing
2010, 239 pages
ISBN: 9780376014689
Another informative book on plumbing is You Can Build: Plumbing. This Sunset Publishing book is divided into nine sections: 1. Plumbing in Your House, 2. Tools & Materials, 3. Upgrading Bathroom Fixtures, 4. Fresh Options for Your Kitchen, 5. Other Plumbing Projects, 6. Pipefitting, 7. New Plumbing Lines, 8. Outdoor Projects and 9. Help Section.
The first two sections provide information on home plumbing systems, conserving water and plumbing tools and materials. Section three looks at projects in the bathroom such as installing bathroom faucets while section four pertains to the kitchen and includes adding a faucet and sprayer, installing a dishwasher and upgrading to a new sink. Other sections cover water heaters, different pipes and many other projects.
Several items featured in the book to help the reader include safety notices, skill level required, shopping guides, how long a project will take and tools required. Lots of photos, diagrams and illustrations complement the text.
Alan and Gill Bridgewater
Ulysses Press
2009, 192 pages
ISBN: 9781569755686
Looking to reduce your carbon footprint? Want to reduce energy bills along with your impact on global warming? If you answered yes then Renewable Energy for Your Home should be on your reading list. The various energies are included - each with it's own chapter.
The first chapter is "Getting Started" and looks at what off-grid energy is. The other chapters cover: solar, wind, wood fuel, bioenergy, water energy, geothermal, gas and storing energy.
Lots of illustrations, diagrams and sidebars complement the informative text. Whether you want to know how composting toilets work or basic information on geothermal energy you will find it in Renewable Energy for Your Home.
The New Solar Home
Dave Bonta & Stephen Snyder
Gibbs Smith
2009, 160 pages
ISBN: 9781423603900
If our species is to better protect the environment, solar heat will play a significant part. In The New Solar Home the authors look at various solar homes. The homes are of various sizes and in different locations including cities, suburbs and remote sites. Besides featuring various homes the authors include a chapter on "Solar Basics". "Energy-conscious lifestyle tips" and "Great Green Features" are included with the different homes.
I particularly liked the "Bonta Home" which is located in Weathersfield, Vermont. The eco-friendly home, which includes an off-grid guest cottage, is located in a beautiful setting.
If you're looking to live off-the-grid or are interested in a solar home or cottage then you'll want to read The New Solar Home.
Wendy Baker
St. Martin's Griffin
2009, 288 pages
ISBN: 9780312586539
Looking at adding or changing some of your curtains, drapes or blinds? Wendy Baker has gathered together lots of window dressing designs that provides the reader with lots of ideas and ways to dress up your windows.
The chapters are: 1. Getting Started, 2. Essentials, 3. Finishing Touches, 4. Basic Headings, 5. Traditional and Modern Designs, 6. Alternatives to Curtains, 7. Shades and Blinds, 8. Beds, 9. Accessories and 10. Skills and Techniques. Lots of illustrations provide the reader with an idea of how window designs will look.
I was surprised at how many items are involved in dressing up windows - everything from fabric tie-backs, hold-backs, burlap curtains, steel poles for bay windows, shades, shutters and much much more.
If you have windows, know that you want them designed, but you're not sure how or with what, then this book will give you lots of ideas!
Foreword by Ross King
Dorling Kindersley Limited
2008, 612 pages
ISBN: 9781553630913
Art: The Definitive Guide contains an incredible amount of art information - particularly art history. The first section is on "Looking at Art" and pertains to such things as subject and composition, perspective and viewpoint, light and shade, media and techniques, colour and brushstrokes and texture.
Next, the impressive book looks at art through the ages beginning with "Prehistory to 1400 CE", which features some beautiful cave paintings, to "1945 Onwards". Also covered is art during the 15th and 16th centuries, 17th and 18th centuries, 19th century and early 20th century. The book covers an impressive number of works of art (more than 2,500) in colour which are "...presented as a chronological catalogue..."
Also contained in this large volume are profiles of more than 700 artists including some of their works.
Art students and those who appreciate art will enjoy the considerable information packed in this impressive volume.
Lina Hanson
Rodale
2009, 194 pages
ISBN: 9781605298818
Lina Hanson is a "celebrity makeup artist" and in Eco-Beautiful she informs you how to use beauty products that are good for both you and the earth. Hanson covers eco-friendly makeups and toxic ingredients to lookout for - and avoid, skin treatments, beauty foods such as artichokes, beans, beetroot and blueberries and various other beauty tips with the planet in mind. There is even directions for making your own eco-friendly lip balm.
An informative glossary as well as lists of eco-friendly makeup companies, skin-care companies, green web sites, green shopping web sites, green blogs and books for an eco-friendly lifestyle and healthy eating are at the end of the book.
editors of Rodale Gardening Books, compiled by Judy Pray
Black Dog & Leventhal
2010, 496 pages
ISBN: 9781579128371
If you are looking for information on gardening, have you come to the right book! Garden Wisdom & Know-How: Everything You Need to Know to Plant, Grow and Harvest contains an incredible amount of information pertaining to gardening.
Chapter one covers "getting started" and includes information on soil, compost and tools. Chapter two deals with gardening techniques including planting, mulch, pruning and watering. The flower garden is the focus of chapter three while the edible garden (vegetables, fruits, herbs) is what chapter four is all about. Chapter five is about the landscape garden (lawns, groundcover, trees and shrubs, vines) while chapter six is about gardening indoors. Chapter seven has considerable information on attracting wildlife to your garden. Chapter eight covers garden design and landscape while chapter nine is about garden projects. "Weeds, Pests, and Disease" is the final chapter.
The oversized book is packed with information, illustrations and sidebars. The pages are divided into three columns and the pages are thin. Reading this book is enjoyable - sort of like reading a compact, thick newspaper. According to the book's cover there are "7,354 charts, lists, tips, instructions, diagrams, and illustrations".
No matter how experienced a gardener you are, you are sure to find lots of good information in this impressive book!
Happy gardening.
Deborah Schneebeli-Morrell
Cico Books
2010, 144 pages
ISBN: 9781907030215
I like herbs and they're so useful in cooking. I've also used certain herbs to make a nice cup of tea too. In Grow Your Own Herbs in Pots: 35 Simple Projects for Creating Beautiful Container Herb Gardens the author provides 35 projects for making herb gardens in a container. And while these projects are interesting, there is so much more offered in the book.
In the section on "Getting Started" there is information on growing and selecting herbs as well as sowing seeds, buying plants, harvesting herbs and preparing containers. Next, the author describes projects for growing herbs. There is a section on herbs for cooking as well as sections on herbs for health and decorative and scented herbs. Often the herbs are grown in old containers providing an interesting look for the healthy plants. Projects such as "Salads and coriander in a galvanized tub" and "Indispensable basil in olive oil cans" provides fun ways to make attractive herb gardens while reusing containers you might not normally have a need for.
Arthur O. Tucker and Thomas DeBaggio
Timber Press
2009, 604 pages
ISBN: 9780881929942
In The Enclycopedia of Herbs: A Comprehensive Reference to Herbs of Flavor and Fragrance Arthur O. Tucker and Thomas DeBaggio look at numerous herbs. Information featured includes the plant's botanical name and family, whether it's an annual or a perennial, the plant's hardiness and height, light requirements, soil type needed, water consumption and pH. Plant history, landscaping and craft uses, the chemistry of its essential oils and other information are also included. Chapters on plant identification, growing conditions, container cultivating, propagation and planting and keeping herbs healthy and the harvest are also included.
If you are really into herbs, you should check out this book.
March 12, 2010
More DVDs for March Break!
Now that March Break has arrived here are some good DVDs to relax with. Most of these are good to watch with the whole family while others, such as 2012, aren't appropriate for younger children (it may stress some adults too!) Happy viewing!
Fantastic Mr. Fox (Fox Home Entertainment, rated PG)
Available on DVD on March 23 is the stop-motion animated movie Fantastic Mr. Fox. Nominated for two Oscars and based on the book by Roald Dahl, this film is about Mr. and Mrs. Fox (voices of George Clooney and Meryl Streep) who live a happy life with their son (Jason Schwartzman). That is until Mr. Fox returns to his burgling past and plots a huge theft from farmers Boggis, Bunce and Bean as the victims. These are some of the nastiest farmers around and they aren't about to put up with Mr. Fox's heists. Others who lent their voices to this fun film include Bill Murray, William Dafoe and Owen Wilson.
Robin Hood: Season Three (Warner Home Video, rated PG, 5 discs)
Robin Hood on BBC was on from 2006-2009 (39 episodes). The third season of Robin Hood was recently released from Warner Home Video and it features 13 entertaining episodes on 5 discs about Robin Hood, Tuck, Little John and others as they rob from the rich and give to the poor. This season sees Brother Tuck (David Harewood) join in the fight against injustice. Others in the fun series include: Jonas Armstrong (Robin Hood), Richard Armitage (Guy of Gisborne), Keith Allen (Sheriff of Nottingham) and Gordon Kennedy (Little John).
Special features include a costume featurette, "A Legend Reborn" and character profiles.
The African Queen (Paramount Home Entertainment, rated G)
It's been a long time since I've seen the 1951 movie The African Queen starring Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn. The restored and remastered film directed by John Huston is now available for the first time on DVD.
Filmed on location in the Belgian Congo, Rose Sayer (Hepburn) is a missionary who joins forces with Charlie Allnut (Bogart), a riverboat captain, to attack a German warship in war-torn East Africa.
Humphrey Bogart won an Oscar for "Best Actor in a Leading Role."
The Neverending Story (Warner Home Video, rated PG, Blu-ray)
Children of all ages enjoy the film The Neverending Story. Well, now this 1984 movie is on Blu-ray disc with 5.1 audio. It features a boy who is given a magic book. When the boy, Bastian, reads the book he enters the story (which includes racing snails, bats, luckdragons and elves) and becomes instrumental in protecting the doomed land Fantasia.
Directed by Wolfgang Petersen, The Neverending Story is a good family film.
SpongeBob's Last Stand (Paramount Home Entertainment, rated G)
If you are looking for a quality cartoon for March Break there is SpongeBob's Last Stand - close to 90 minutes of seven episodes of everyone's favourite sponge.
The episodes included are: "SpongeBob's Last Stand" where SpongeBob and Patrick try to stop a highway that would destroy Jellyfish Fields, "Pet or Pests" where SpongeBob cares for worms, "Komputer Overload" where Karen leaves Plankton, "Gullible Pants" which sees Mr. Krabs putting SpongeBob in charge of the Krusty Krab, "Overbooked" where SpongeBob makes plans with three people, "No Hat for Pat" where Patrick wants a hat so he accepts work from Mr. Krabs and "Toy Store of Doom" which has SpongeBob and Patrick getting locked in a toy store overnight.
The funny DVD includes numerous special features including "Karaoke Music Videos", "Bollywood Bob" and "How to Make a SpongeBob SquarePants."
2012 (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, rated PG)
Looking for an action/adventure movie that will keep you on the edge of you seat? 2012 sees scientists discovering that the Earth's core is heating up threatening the planet's species - including humans. While governments plan on saving some from the various species to repopulate the Earth, the catastrophe occurs as volcanoes erupt, earthquakes occur and tsunamis swamp much of the planet. While governments deal secretly with the impending catastrophe, Jackson Curtis (John Cusack) also learns about what is going to occur and sets out to save his family.
While there are parts of the movie that are unbelievable, it is an entertaining film. The special effects are awesome and the cast is impressive too that, along with Cusack, includes Amanda Pete, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Woodie Harrelson, Danny Glover, Thandie Newton and Oliver Platt. Rest up before watching the movie though. Not only is it 158 minutes in length, but there are catastrophes occurring all of the time that will take their toll on you. Due to the intense disaster sequences this film isn't appropriate for young children.
Special features include deleted scenes, an alternate ending and commentary.
Star Trek (Paramount Home Entertainment, rated PG)
Star Trek was a movie that our family intended to see at the drive-in last summer when it was released. We missed it. Fortunately, it is now on DVD and we just watched it. It was very good.
Set in the year 2233, Romulans are causing problems. First they attack the Federation starship USS Kelvin where the ship's captain is killed. The acting captain, George Kirk, also dies while saving the rest of the crew including his wife who is in labour and who has a son, James T. Kirk, before her husband dies. Several years later the Romulans destroy the planet Vulcan killing most of the Vulcans.
The Romulans are eventually stopped by Kirk, Spock and others. During the film you are introduced to the various characters who were in the original television series and films.
The movie itself has a good plot and special effects, but it is also fun seeing where the main characters came from to join up and serve on the USS Enterprise. It was nice seeing Leonard Nimoy having a prominant role in the movie. Others in the film included: Chris Pine (James T. Kirk), Zachary Quinto (Spock), Eric Bana (Nero), Bruce Greenwood (Christopher Pike), Karl Urban (Dr. Leonard 'Bones' McCoy), Zoe Saldana (Nyota Uhura), Simon Pegg (Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott), John Cho (Hikaru Sulu) and Anton Yelchin (Pavel Chekov).
Several good bonus features are also included.
March 09, 2010
Warner Movies for March Break!
During March Break, some parents may find watching a good movie a nice relaxing break while their children are on holidays. The following movies from Warner Home Video are entertaining and a good way to spend a part of March Break. If you like old movies, check out the Turner Classic Movie collections.
Turner Classic Movies Greatest Classic Films Collection: Romance (rated PG)
I admit that "romance" movies aren't my favourite, but I do enjoy some - particularly the older films and I found Splendor in the Grass to be entertaining. This 1961 movie is about the intense romantic feelings two teenagers have for each other in 1920s Kansas. Unfortunately, their families backgrounds get in the way of a happy ending. The cast includes Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty in his screen debut.
The other movies in this collection are Love in the Afternoon (1957) which sees music student Audrey Hepburn getting involved with millionaire Gary Cooper, Mogambo (1953) where two women (Ava Gardner and Grace Kelly) become romantic interests of safari guide Clark Gable and Now, Voyager (1942) which has Bette Davis having to deal with a domineering mother in order to discover love.
If thrillers are more to your liking, particularly those from director Alfred Hitchcock, then you'll want to check out this nice collection of four films: Suspician (1941), Strangers on a Train (1951), The Wrong Man (1956) and I Confess! (1953). Actors in these good Hitchcock thrillers include Cary Grant, Joan Fontaine, Henry Fonda, Vera Miles, Montgomery Clift, Anne Baxter and Karl Malden.
Looking for some fun, older, sci-fi flicks? Turner Classic Films has a good set which contains: Them! (1954), The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953), World Without End (1956) and Satellite in the Sky (1956). Recently I enjoyed watching this collection. It was fun seeing who was in the films - and there are some impressive actors in these movies!
Them! features radiation-mutated ants. And not just any old radiation-mutated ants - these guys are twelve feet long! It doesn't pay to fool around with atomic tests. Needless to say these massive insects cause big problems for Los Angeles. Entertaining movie featuring Edmund Gwenn, James Whitmore, James Arness, Joan Weldon and Fess Parker.
Next is The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms which again has atomic testing causing considerable grief. This time it's the Arctic where the test "awakens a gargantuan prehistoric dinosaur." This time it's New York which is the target. This movie was from a story by Ray Bradbury.
World Without End contains a plot involving "Mars-mission astronauts", a time warp and a "post-apocalyptic future Earth". Cool! Although they are from the past, it's up to these astronauts to save Earth's future. Cast includes Hugh Marlowe, Nancy Gates and Rod Taylor.
The fourth movie in the collection is Satellite in the Sky which sees a crew guiding a "jet rocket ship on the first space flight."
Turner Classic Movies Greatest Classic Films Collection: Marx Brothers (rated PG)
I really enjoy Marx Brothers movies. Besides the funny antics of Groucho, Chico and Harpo Marx, along with other good actors, you're usually entertained to excellent dance scenes as well as the phenomenal music of Chico (piano) and Harpo (harp). While I've seen the four movies in this set I enjoyed watching them again.
The 1937 film A Day at the Races features Groucho as Dr. Hugo Z. Hackenbush, a veterinarian who poses as a doctor for a sanitarium in order to keep the sanitarium open. Joining the Marx brothers in this crazy movie are Maureen O' Sullivan, Margaret Dumont, Allan Jones and The Crinoline Choir.
A Night in Casablanca (1946) has Harpo, Chico and Groucho (Ronald Kornblow) employed in a hotel where Nazis are trying to recover stolen treasure.
A classic is Room Service (1938) which sees the Marx Brothers attempting to get support for their new Broadway play. Lucille Ball and Ann Miller co-star.
At the Circus features Chico, Harpo and Groucho (Attorney Loophole - Groucho had great character names) along with Eve Arden and Margaret Dumont in this 1939 film.
Movie Anniversaries from Warner Home Video
And while on the topic of good, old movies here are some more from Warner Home Video which are celebrating anniversaries in 2010!
The Shop Around the Corner (1940 - 70th Anniversary, rated G)
This fun, romantic movie features James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan as two shop workers who love each other, but who don't know it yet. This film "...was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being 'culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.'"
David Copperfield (1935 - 75th Anniversary, rated G)
I had never seen this movie starring W.C. Fields, Lionel Barrymore, Maureen O'Sullivan, Lewis Stone, Basil Rathbone, Roland Young, Madge Evans, Freddie Bartholomew, Frank Lawton, Elizabeth Allan and many others and I thoroughly enjoyed it. David Copperfield is a boy whose father has died. His mother remarries a mean man. Life is difficult in 19th Century England. David's mother dies and David is sent to work. The movie follows David Copperfield as he grows up including those people who are in his life.
Bad Day at Black Rock (1955 - 55th Anniversary, rated PG)
Spencer Tracy is Macreedy, a World War II veteran who stops in Black Rock on personal business and who is met with violence from a town keeping a terrible secret. Nominated for three Oscar's, this film features an impressive cast that includes Spencer Tracy, Anne Francis, Walter Brennan, Dean Jagger, Robert Ryan, Ernest Borgnine and Lee Marvin.
Blackboard Jungle (1955 - 55th Anniversary, rated 14A)
In this movie about life at the inner-city North Manual High school, Glenn Ford is Richard Dadier, a teacher trying to make a difference. Unfortunately he is up against violence, gangs and a general lack of caring. Nominated for four Oscars, this film featured as its theme music "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley and the Comets.
Woodstock: Ultimate Collector's Edition (1970 - 40th Anniversary, Blu-ray Disc, 2 discs)
Recently I watched the Blu-ray edition of Woodstock: Ultimate Collector's Edition and it was excellent. The very good movie from four decades ago is accompanied by a second disc of extras that includes over two hours of never before seen footage of such performers as Joan Baez, Paul Butterfield, Canned Heat, Joe Cocker, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Mountain, Sha Na Na, The Who and Johnny Winter. Combine this with performances in the movie by Crosby, Stills & Nash, Richie Havens, Country Joe & the Fish, John Sebastian, Ten Years After, Arlo Guthrie, Country Joe McDonald, Jimi Hendrix and others and you've got an excellent 2-disc set that provides hours of entertainment.
The hi-def picture and hi-def sound are very good. There is lots of good bonus material including "The Museum at Bethel Woods: The Story of the Sixties & Woodstock" and interviews with Grace Slick, Michael Wadleigh, Michael Lang, Martin Scorsese and more.
The impressive collection also includes: a lucite display with images from the festival, a 60-page commemorative Life magazine reprint, an iron on Woodstock patch, Woodstock fact sheet and reproductions of festival memorabilia.
Hippies rejoice!
March 07, 2010
March Break Reading for Kids!
Need a good book for March break? Even though they get a break from school, kids should read regularly during their holiday from school. Below are some good books for children!
Sue Kim, photos by Tilde
Little Simon
2010, 12 pages
ISBN: 9781416994350
ages 2+
How Does a Seed Grow? provides simple needs for seeds to grow into plants. The seeds featured in the book are tomato, blueberry, bell pepper, pea and orange. For each plant there is a large, foldout page showing a photo of the plant growing on one side with a photo of a child holding the fruit or vegetable on the other side.
This is a good book to get young children interested in gardening.
Alison Inches, illustrated by Viviana Garofoli
Little Simon
2010, 22 pages
ISBN: 9781416995142
ages 3+
I Can Save the Ocean!: The Little Green Monster Cleans Up the Beach is an entertaining and educational book about how Max, the Little Green Monster, discovers garbage in and around the ocean and vows to help clean up all of the trash. First, Max must learn how all of the pollution reaches the ocean. After investigating where all of the trash in the ocean originates, Max sets about making things better. Not only does Max set a good example of how to be green, he teaches his friends how to be green monsters.
The informative story is complemented with fun illustrations. Definitions for such words and terms as "recycled paper", "biodegradable", "pollution" and "tide pools" are included.
Besides the important message of the book, I liked the fact that the pages are printed on 100% recycled paper.
Emily Sollinger, illustrated by Jo Brown
Little Simon
2010, 10 pages
ISBN: 9781416978213
ages 3+
Another fun, "green" book for young children is This Is Our World: A Story About Taking Care of the Earth. This simple 10-page book shows how we can make the Earth a more beautiful place by planting trees, cleaning up pollution, recycling and planting vegetables. The colourful book is made "from 70% recycled material" and includes two puzzles. By collecting puzzle pieces found throughout the book and placing them in a designated spot on the last page of the book you will create two puzzles.
Ursula K. Le Guin, illustrated by S. D. Schindler
Orchard Books
2009, 26 pages
ISBN: 9780545042161
ages 3+
What does a cat dream about? When a cat falls asleep after playing he dreams. He dreams of raining mice, he dreams that all of the dogs have run away. He dreams of kibbles and cream and of climbing a catnip tree. When his dream has him falling out of the tree, he wakes up and goes to sleep in his human guardian's lap.
The fun story is complemented with excellent illustrations.
Jim Arnosky
Scholastic Press
2009, 32 pages
ISBN: 9780439903646
ages 3+
I'm a Turkey is an informative book for young children that provides some basic information about wild turkeys. Tom is a wild turkey in a flock of 102 wild turkeys. Young readers will enjoy the good illustrations while learning such things as how wild turkeys communicate, how they fly and how much they weigh. I'm a Turkey is a good nature book for young children.
Natalie Russell
Macmillan Children's Books
2009, 26 pages
ISBN: 9780230701472
ages 4+
Moon Rabbit is an entertaining book for young children about a rabbit, Little Rabbit, who enjoys living in the city. At night though, Little Rabbit wonders if there might be another rabbit out there who she could play with. When Little Rabbit meets Brown Rabbit in a park they become good friends. But Little Rabbit longs to return to the city that is her home that she likes so much. What will happen when Little Rabbit returns home?
Moon Rabbit is a nice book with colourful illustrations that young children will enjoy.
Richard Brassey
Orion Children's Books
2000, 24 pages
ISBN: 9781444000573
ages 4+
A good children's book by Richard Brassey is Greyfriars Bobby: The Classic Story of the Most Famous Dog in Scotland. Brassey tells of Greyfriars Bobby - a Skye Terrier who spent 14 years "faithfully guarding his master's grave" in Scotland.
Besides covering the dog's loyal act, Brassey also looks at the small dog's life and friends that he made. Brassey also addresses some of the wrong information associated with the story along with a statue of Greyfriars Bobby that was put up in Edinburgh of Scotland's most famous dog!
Richard Brassey
Orion Children's Books
1996, 24 pages
ISBN: 9781444000566
ages 4+
Another good book by Richard Brassey is Nessie: The Loch Ness Monster which provides a fun history of the world's favourite "monster". Children will enjoy the illustrations as well as how Nessie may live in Loch Ness, how she possibly came to be there as well as some of the reported sightings of her.
Magic Pickle and the Creature from the Black Legume
Scott Morse
Graphix
2009, 121 pages
ISBN: 9780545138864
ages 7+
Jo Jo Wigman is a girl with a fairly normal family that includes parents and her brother Jason. What's not normal is Jo Jo's roomate who lives under her bedroom floor. Jo Jo's roommate is a super hero. He's the Magic Pickle!
In the latest Magic Pickle book by Scott Morse (Magic Pickle and the Creature from the Black Legume), the Magic Pickle and Jo Jo fight the Black Legume who has gone on a field trip to Pete's Perfect Peanuts, a peanut butter factory, where Jo Jo and her class were going to learn how peanuts became peanut butter, peanut oil and peanut-filled candy bars. Unfortunately, the evil Black Legume immobilizes everyone by covering them in chunky peanut butter. The Black Legume's goal is to rule the world. Can he do it or will Jo Jo and the Magic Pickle save the day?
This fun chapter book with humourous illustrations is the latest Magic Pickle book.
Ian Graham
Silver Dolphin Books
2007, 31 pages
ISBN: 9781592237586
ages 7+
Solar System is another book in the "3-D Explorer" series. Recommended for children 7 years old and older, it includes such topics as: the solar system, Earth in space, landing on Mars, orbiting Earth, space rocks, gas giants and much more. The illustrations are very good and the text is informative and presented in an easy to understand manner. The text and illustrations are complemented by five very cool, 3-D pop-up scenes of the planets, landing on Mars, orbiting the Earth, moon missions and a comet strike.
Solar System: A Journey to the Planets and Beyond will keep children who are interested in space entertained and informed!
David Suzuki and Kathy Vanderlinden
Greystone Books
2001, 127 pages
ISBN: 9781550548235
Looking for some eco-activities to keep your children entertained? Eco-Fun: Great Projects, Experiments and Games for a Greener Earth is full of interesting activities and experiments that children will enjoy while they learn about the environment.
Some of the projects in the book are: watching plants make oxygen, making "green" cleaners, making soil, making a composter, making veggie chili, making a solar water heater, making paper, planting a tree and making a diary of a tree.
The instructions (including illustrations) for doing the various activities are good and there is an informative glossary at the end of the book.
One criticism that I have pertains to some activities where animals are kept in captivity, even briefly, e.g. "Worm World" where a wormery is created and "Autumn Bug Hunt" where insects are captured. While the authors do say to return the animals where they were found, I think it is important not to capture them in the first place.
Meredith Badger
Scholastic Canada Ltd.
2006, 151 pages
ISBN: 9780545989756
ages 7+
Fairy School Drop-Out is a fun book about a fairy, Elly, who doesn't like all the things that go together with being a fairy. Elly likes to skateboard to school, which isn't allowed, as opposed to flying with other fairies. Elly also doesn't enjoy learning spells, which also is important for fairies, and she doesn't look after her wand very well. Elly's less than good behaviour (she even turned one of her teachers purple - twice) got her expelled from two fairy schools.
For Elly things began to get better when she met Jess, a human neighbour. Although fairies aren't supposed to get caught in a human's house, Elly broke the role when she attempted to retrieve her younger sister.
Will Elly and Jess become friends? Will Elly get expelled from her third school?
You'll have to read Fairy School Drop-Out to find out.
Chris D'Lacey
Orchard Books
2009, 104 pages
ISBN: 9780545168151
ages 7+
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Chris D'Lacey's "The Last Dragon Chronicles" which contains the books: The Fire Within, Icefire, Fire Star and The Fire Eternal (highly recommended, ages 9+).
The Dragons of Wayward Crescent: Gruffen features characters in that series, namely Lucy Pennykettle and her mother Elizabeth and the dragons created by Elizabeth Pennykettle.
In this book Lucy is scared of a monster in her bedroom and Mrs. Pennykettle makes a guard dragon, Gruffen, to protect her. Once Gruffen finds out who the "monster" is, he helps the animal find a new home which she so desperately needs.
Interesting story about dragons is mixed in with information about nature. Children who enjoy "The Dragons of Wayward Crescent" series will enjoy "The Last Dragon Chronicles" series.
The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Completely Fantastical Editiion
Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
2009, 594 pages
ISBN: 9781416986850
ages 8+
The Spiderwick Chronicles is a wonderful story told in a
series of five books: The Field Guide,
The Seeing Stone, Lucinda’s Secret, The Ironwood Tree and The
Wrath of Mulgarath.
The exciting adventure features three children – Jared
Grace, his twin brother Simon and their sister Mallory who, along with their
mother, have moved into an old, ramshackle mansion. While in their new home the
Grace children discover the book “Arthur Spiderwick’s Field Guide to the
Fantastical World Around You” which describes faeries and other creatures who
live in and near the Grace mansion. The field guide was written by Arthur
Spiderwick – a distant relative of the children – and contains information on
boggarts, goblins, elves, sprites and other beings. Unfortunately, discovering
the field guide brings with it lots of trouble as it is a much wanted book and
places the Graces in immediate danger.
This impressive collection contains all five books in the
series along with “three recently unearthed bonus chapters”, a Spiderwick gallery
and “Tony DiTerlizz’s Sketchbook” which contains lots of sketches of the
characters in the book. Numerous wonderful illustrations are featured
throughout the story.
Children of all ages will enjoy this wonderful adventure!
Lucy and Stephen Hawking (read by Hugh Dancy)
Simon & Schuster Audio
2009, 5 CDs
ISBN: 9780743583701
ages 8+
If your March break includes lots of travel, a good audio book might be just the thing. Recently our family enjoyed George's Cosmic Treasure Hunt by Lucy and Stephen Hawking. This is the second book featuring George, Annie, Eric and the supercomputer Cosmos and their space travels. (The first was George's Secret Key to the Universe.) We listened to the unabridged story while going to and from our children's hockey games and practices.
In this story Annie seeks the help of her friend George to help solve a mysterious message found on Eric's (Annie's father) supercomputer. Could the message be from an alien? Helping George and Annie is Emmett. Their attempts to learn about the weird message left on Cosmos takes them deep into space on a cosmic treasure hunt!
The fun and entertaining story (well read by Hugh Dancy) contains recent "...scientific knowledge about our Universe, including special essays from some of the top scientists in the world!"
This audio book will entertain the whole family.
February 22, 2010
Sitcoms & Movies
I'm still trying to catchup on DVDs. The following were recently, or relatively released, released and deserve a look.
The Mary Tyler Moore Show: The Complete Sixth Season (Fox Home Entertainment, 3 discs)
Season six of The Mary Tyler Moore Show is now available. One of the most popular sitcoms in television history (it ran from 1970 - 1977, 168 episodes), the show boasts an incredible cast including: Mary Tyler Moore, Ed Asner, Ted Knight, Gavin MacLeod and Betty White. Join Mary, Lou, Murray and Ted in the WJM-TV newsroom for another season (24 episodes). In season six there is lots happening including Lou's ex-wife is getting married, Mary moves into another apartment, Ted may get a job as a game show host and Ted and Georgette get married. This season also features the famous episode of Chuckles the Clown's Death - "Chuckles Bites the Dust." More than 600 minutes of good comedy.
Guest stars in season six include Penny Marshall, Mackenzie Phillips, John Ritter, Dabney Coleman and Betty Ford.
Moon (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, rated 14A)
An interesting sci-fi flick is Moon starring Sam Rockwell as Sam Bell, an employee of Lunar Industries - a company that mines most of the Earth's energy on the dark side of the moon. Bell is nearing the end of his 3-year-long contract and he longs to return to Earth and his wife and daughter. On the moon he is kept company by the base's computer - Gerty (voice of Kevin Spacey). Bell's growing sense of paranoia increases when an accident leads to a disturbing discovery.
Special features include commentary with writer/director Duncan Jones and producer Stuart Fenegan as well as creating the visual effects.
Glee: Season 1 Volume 1 Road to Sectionals (Fox Home Entertainment, rated 14A, 4 discs)
I didn't think I'd like Glee, a show about a school glee club, but I was wrong. Glee is an entertaining, funny show with a good cast. Season one Volume one contains the first 13 episodes of the show including the Director's cut of the Pilot where Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison), a Spanish teacher at William McKinley High School, attempts to improve the school's floundering glee club. Schuester wants to return the less than popular, often ridiculed, club back to its glory days. Unfortunately, there are many roadblocks that have to be overcome.
Impressive musical numbers with good plots and characters make Glee an entertaining show that reminds me a little of the TV show Fame. Special features include behind-the-scenes featurettes, audition videos from the cast as well as cast versions of popular songs. Guest stars include Josh Groban (episode three - "Acafellas".)
Casablanca (Warner Home Video, Blu-ray Disc, rated PG)
This classic film which features Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) as resistance leader Victor Laszlo's (Paul Henreid) only hope of getting out of the country and away from the Nazis who are after him. To complicate matters, Victor's wife is Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) Blaine's ex-lover who broke his heart. Will Blaine help out, or will bitterness get in the way?
Casablanca won three Academy Awards including Best Picture. Fans of the 3-time Oscar-winning film will be interested to know that the 1942 movie is now available on Blu-ray Disc "with a new high-definition transfer".
Lots of bonus features are also part of this new release and include commentaries by Roger Ebert and historian Rudy Behlmer, an introduction by Lauren Bacall, additional scenes and outtakes, documentaries, featurettes, an audio bonus and more!
Stargate Universe SGU 1.0 (MGM Home Entertainment, rated 14A, 3-disc set)
Another popular TV show on DVD is Stargate Universe SGU 1.0 which features a new story from TV's longest running Sci-Fi series - Stargate SG-1. This show (which is also available on two-disc Blu-ray) contains the first 10 episodes of the series (more than 400 minutes) which finds a group of people stranded billions of miles from Earth aboard the ship "Destiny." These people were fleeing an attack and now must find a way to return home. Actors include Robert Carlyle, Brian J. Smith, Justin Louis, David Blue and Jamil Walker Smith while original cast members Richard Dean Anderson and Amanda Tapping also make appearances. Ming-Na, Lou Diamond Phillips, Louis Ferreira, Alaina Huffman and Elyse Levesque guest star.
Lots of bonus feature which include an extended version of "Air" - the pilot episode, audio commentaries and more.
Coronation Street Volume 4: 1966-68 (E1 Entertainment, 2 discs rated PG)
The latest volume (Volume 4) of Coronation Street (on TV since 1960!) episodes from the 1960s is available on February 23 from E1 Entertainment. This 2-disc set from 1966-68 contains eight episodes of the incredibly popular show from Britain that is shown on the CBC here in Canada. This set introduces Bet Lynch (Julie Goodyear) as well as regulars Ena Sharples (Violet Carson), Annie Walker (Doris Speed) and Ken Barlow (William Roache). For those that have been watching this show since the sixties, this set includes the train crash where Jack, Ena, Elsie and Lucille go missing.
More than 190 minutes of black & white TV of this entertaining "soap" from the UK for Corrie fans!
Pie In the Sky: Series 1 (Acorn Media, 3 discs)
I didn't know if I'd like Pie In the Sky. After all, it involves a detective inspector who wants to retire and open a restaurant. Didn't sound like my kind of TV show. What it had going for it was that it was from the UK and I thoroughly enjoy British television. So I gave it a try - and I'm glad that I did. Pie In the Sky is a good mystery series featuring Richard Griffiths as Detective Inspector Henry Crabbe - a man who after 25 years in the police force wants to retire and open "Pie In the Sky" - his dream restaurant.
Episode one sees Crabbe getting shot while on the job and, for him, this is the last straw. He wants to retire to open his restaurant. Unfortunately, the force doesn't want to let him go so Crabbe becomes a part-time detective and a part-time chef/restaurateur. Crabbe's wife Margaret (Maggie Steed) isn't so sure that combining cooking with sleuth work is a good idea. Fortunately, Crabbe is very good at both and, with some help from his friends, can run a great restaurant while solving important crimes.
Pie In the Sky: Series 1 features the first 10 episodes of this lighthearted, entertaining mystery series that ran from 1994-1997.
Have Gun - Will Travel: The Fourth Season Volume One (Paramount Home Entertainment, rated PG, 3 discs)
Those who like westerns, especially from the golden age of television, will enjoy Have Gun - Will Travel, a half hour western starring Richard Boone as Paladin, a nice guy who helps people, preferably without violence. But when violence is required, Paladin is good at it. This show ran from 1957-63.
I enjoyed this show which I hadn't seen before. Have Gun - Will Travel: The Fourth Season Volume One contains the first 19 episodes of the show's fourth season. Paladin offers many services including that of detective or bodyguard and he works out of the Hotel Carlton in San Francisco.
Guest stars in this set include Robert Blake, George Kennedy, Jack Albertson, Peter Falk and Brett Somers. This DVD set will be available in March.
Matt Houston: The First Season (Paramount Home Entertainment, rated 14A, 6 discs)
Another DVD set available in March is Matt Houston: The First Season. Matt Houston was an hour-long crime drama that lasted three seasons on ABC from 1982 to 1985. Lee Horsley was Matt Houston, an oil tycoon from Texas who becomes a private investigator in California. Houston's friend, C. J. Parsons (Pamela Hensley), a lawyer, helps Houston in his crime solving exploits.
Season one sees Matt Houston helping various people including his former girlfriend, a publisher who is in danger and a football player accused of killing his coach. Even Matt Houston himself is accused of murder in season one!
The 23 episodes in this six disc collection features such guest stars as: Jill St. John, Heather Locklear, Fred Biletnikoff, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Britt Eklund, Dick Butkus, Janet Leigh, Cesar Romero, Hope Lange, David Cassidy, Norman Fell, George Takei, Barbi Benton, Sonny Bono, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Werner Klemperer, Alan Hale Jr., Dick Sargent, Martin Landau and Markie Post.
Little Mosque on the Prairie: The Complete Third Season (E1 Entertainment, rated PG, 3 discs)
This popular and funny CBC sitcom pertaining to Muslims and Christians living together in the prairie town of Mercy is currently in its fourth season. Season three is now available in a 3-disc set from E1 Entertainment. Season three sees Rayyan accepting J.J.'s marriage proposal, Mercy gets a vegan store, Yasir is offered the job of building inspector and Rayyan and J.J.'s wedding day has arrived.
Special features include audio commentary of some episodes, webisodes, gags and deleted scenes.
February 10, 2010
More Books!
Whether you're still gathering books for winter or thinking ahead for your summer reading, here's numerous books you may want to consider.
Yoga Exercises for Teens: Developing a Calmer Mind and a Stronger Body
Helen Purperhart
Hunter House Publishers
2009, 110 pages
ISBN: 9780897935043
It is never too soon to becoming healthier - both physically and mentally. In her book Yoga Exercises for Teens: Developing a Calmer Mind and a Stronger Body, Helen Purperhart provides "step-by-step instructions and illustrations for 111 exercises" as well as visualization exercises for relaxation, the spiritual benefits of yoga and tips for parents and teachers. The author gears the exercises for teenagers and "...she takes into account teens' developing bodies, different muscle tone and different needs..."
Teenagers interested in yoga will want to check out this book.
The Migration of Birds: Seasons on the Wing
Janice M. Hughes
Firefly Books
2009, 207
ISBN: 9781554074327
Our rural home is also home to a variety of birds who live here year-round as well as those migrating north in the spring and returning in the fall on their way south. It is a joy and pleasure to watch these beautiful animals who share their space with ours – even temporarily. In her book The Migration of Birds: Seasons on the Wing Janice M. Hughes provides interesting information in the chapters: “Bird Migration through Human History”, “The Five Ws of Avian Migration”, “The Phenomenon of Flight”, “Fueling the Journey”, “Finding the Way” and “Migratory Birds in Peril”. In these chapters Hughes also profiles birds such as Shrikes, Yellow Warblers and Bohemian Waxwings.
The chapter "Migratory Birds in Peril" looks at birds who are in decline and there are many. According to Hughes, "In the past two centuries alone, more than a hundred bird species are known to have disappeared because of single human-caused factors." Some of the causes, particularly in the past, including killing birds for their feathers, eating them, killing them for "sport" and killing them through the use of pesticides. Current things affecting bird species caused by our species include habitat loss, global climate change and uncontrolled population growth. Hughes looks at other threats to birds as well including cats ("...reasonable appraisals suggest that the domestic cats of Wisconsin kill approximately 40 million birds per year.") as well as collisions with buildings ("...in the United States alone, as many as 976 million birds die annually from striking windows.")
Lots of nice photographs and illustrations complement the interesting text.
The Migration of Birds is an important read for anyone interested in birds, animals or the environment.
The Woodworker’s Technique Bible: The Essential Illustrated Reference
Paul Forester
Firefly Books
2009, 256 pages
ISBN: 9781554074884
Looking for an easy-to-use guide for working with wood? If
you are, The Woodworker’s Technique
Bible: The Essential Illustrated Reference is a good guide. Featuring
numerous colour photographs and a binding that allows you to lay the book flat,
you can easily follow the instructions while working on the project.
Divided into several sections, Paul Forester looks at: “Wood
and the Workshop”, “Core Tools and Techniques”, “Jointing Techniques”, “Specialist
Techniques”, “Finishes and Fittings”, “Practical Applications” and “Gallery”.
Within each of these sections there is considerable information on various
topics – everything from buying wood and planning a workshop to measuring,
sawing, chiseling, gluing and clamping, joints, shaping and bending,
woodturning, finishes as well as simple projects (e.g. making a small table).
The Woodworker’s Technique Bible is an impressive step-by-step guide to woodworking techniques.
Old Ontario Houses: Traditions in Local Architecture (Revised and Expanded)
Tom Cruickshank, photographs by John de Visser
Firefly Books
2009, 223 pages
ISBN: 9781554075041
I like old houses. Our family lives in an 1895 house and we love it. It oozes character not found in newer homes.
In his interesting book Old Ontario Houses, Tom Cruickshank covers many impressive homes in the province looking at their past and fascinating architecture. The houses are divided into the following areas: Upper St. Lawrence, Bay of Quinte, Danforth Road, Dundas Street, Niagara, Lake Erie Shore, Southwestern Breadbasket, Western Highlands, On the Edge of the Shield and Canadian Shield.
History is fascinating and Old Ontario Houses takes you on a trip across the province to look at and read about some of the beautiful old houses and their impressive architecture. Cruickshank's knowledge on Ontario architecture and history is complemented by John de Visser's beautiful photographs resulting in a book that those with an interest in architecture, particularly century homes, will enjoy.
The Ultimate DVD Easter Egg Guide: How to Access the Hidden Extras on Your DVD
Jo Berry
Orion Books
2009, 458 pages
ISBN: 9780752875200
For those of you, like me, who don't know what a DVD Easter egg is, it is, according to Jo Berry, "...an extra feature, clip, or even game that has been hidden within the menus on a DVD." Berry points out that sometimes the eggs are easy to find and "...sometimes they are pesky little buggers that need codes, quick fingers, and infinite patience to discover (yes, I'm talking about the ones buried on your Star Wars DVDs, Mr George Lucas)."
The first edition of Berry's book was written in 2003 and featured approximately 100 DVDs. This second edition features "over 240 DVDs that contain Easter eggs". For each movie featured by Berry there is a brief description of the DVD as well as the Easter egg, how to access it and what it is. The movies are listed alphabetically from Aardman Classics to Zoolander.
Arch Enemy (audio book, unabridged)
Frank Beddor
Scholastic Audiobooks
2009, 8 CDs
ISBN: 9780545103237
I like audio books for many situations - including when we take car trips of any length with our children. Trips go relatively quickly when you're listening to a good audio book. Audio books are good ways to entertain and encourage imaginations while on the way to hockey practice, to go shopping or while on vacation.
Arch Enemy is the third book in Frank Beddor's "The Looking Glass Wars" trilogy. The first two books were The Looking Glass Wars and Seeing Redd. In this final book Arch declares himself the King of Wonderland and the last battle for Wonderland occurs.
Beddor's reimagination of Lewis Carroll's books Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass are entertaining for adults and young readers.
The Goose Man: The Story of Konrad Lorenz
Elaine Greenstein
Clarion Books
2009, 32 pages
ISBN: 9780547084596
ages 3+
The Goose Man: The Story of Konrad Lorenz is the true story of Konrad Lorenz - a boy who loved animals and who grew up to study them. Even though he became a doctor, he was more interested in learning about animals so he became a scientist and studied how animals behave. In this nicely illustrated children's book you will learn how Lorenz spent much of his life with animals, particularly geese, and how he had a special goose friend he named Martina.
Snow Party
Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Mark Jones
Blue Apple Books
2008, 34 pages
ISBN: 9781934706282
ages 3+
It is the shortest day of the year and snow people are celebrating the winter solstice. After a big snowfall the snow people gather in a beautiful spot where they prepare to have a nice party which includes playing, eating and dancing. The next morning another snowfall has covered the countryside hiding any evidence of the snow people's celebration.
Lost and Found: Three Dog Stories
Jim LaMarche
Chronicle Books
2009, 42 pages
ISBN: 9780811864015
ages 3+
Lost and Found: Three Dog Stories is just that - three stories about dogs who are lost or found. "Molly" is a story about a dog, Molly, and a girl who go for a walk and the girl depends on Molly to show her the way home again. "Ginger" is about a dog who is hiking with a boy, Jules, and his father when Ginger chases a deer and becomes lost. Quick thinking by Jules ensures that Ginger is found. "Yuki" sees a boy, Jack, find a stray dog, Yuki. When the owner can't be located, Jack hopes that he will be able to keep Yuki - even though Jack's mother told him that they couldn't afford the dog.
Nice stories with happy endings and good illustrations will ensure that children of all ages will enjoy these dog tales.
By the Light of the Harvest Moon
Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Mark Jones
Blue Apple Books
2009, 34 pages
ISBN: 9781934706695
ages 3+
During a harvest moon, and after the wind picks up late at night, leaf people emerge where they play, stack pumpkins and have a dessert party during the autumnal equinox. The leaf people eat treats from the fall harvest including pumpkin, apple, pear and pecan pies! When the wind blows the leaf people back into the air the party is over.
Good illustrations and a nice story will have young children using their imaginations and possibly wondering if leaf people really exist.
February 01, 2010
Lots of Good DVDs!
After a fun day spent outdoors enjoying a Canadian winter, it is nice to curl up on the couch and enjoy an entertaining DVD. The following are some that I enjoyed recently.
The Sherlock Holmes Collection (BBC/A&E, 3 discs)
Fans of Sherlock Holmes will enjoy this 3-disc set of the BBC television series that aired in the sixties. Filmed in Chesire, England by the BBC, this series contained 29 episodes. Unfortunately, only five episodes survive from this series and these are contained in this collection which features approximately five hours of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson solving murder mysteries (there is also the bonus "Sherlock Holmes: The Great Detective".)
The five cases in this set are: "The Hound of the Baskervilles" (2-part episode), "A Study in Scarlet", "The Boscombe Valley Mystery", "The Sign of Four" and "The Blue Carbuncle". All of these episodes were aired in 1968 and star Peter Cushing as Sherlock Holmes (Douglas Wilmer was Holmes in earlier episodes of this series) and Nigel Stock as Dr. Watson.
I enjoyed the 2-part episode "The Hound of the Baskervilles" which sees Holmes and Watson on the moors solving the murder of Sir. Charles Baskerville.
Bonekickers (Acorn Media, 3 discs)
I just watched the first few episodes of Bonekickers and was impressed. Bonekickers is from the creators of Life On Mars, which was great, and features a team of four skilled archaeologists who can unravel mysteries from the past.
The series is set in the city of Bath and is an entertaining combination of ancient history with modern crime scene analysis. Julie Graham is Dr. Gillian Magwilde and she leads the team of archaeologists. The cast also includes Hugh Bonneville, Adrian Lester, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Michael Maloney.
Season one contains six episodes. "Army of God" has the team of archaeologists unearthing a 2,000-year-old piece of wood stained with blood which attracts the attention of "a fanatical Christian preacher." Episode two, "Warriors", digs up political issues when the bones of 18th-century slaves are revealed in the Bristol Channel. Other historical revelations include King Arthur's Round Table and Joan of Arc.
This fun BBC series is approximately 344 minutes in length.
Super Friends!: DC Comics Classic Collection - Season One Volume One (Warner Home Video, 2 discs, rated G)
Looking for some animated entertainment for your children or your inner child? Super Friends! DC Comics Classic Collection Season One Volume One is now available. The 2-disc set contains the first eight episodes from this 1973 show from William Hanna and Joseph Barbera.
Join the DC Comics Super Heroes - Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Batman, Robin (voice of Casey Kasem) along with Wendy, Marvin and Wonder Dog as they save "...humanity from the threat of destruction at the hands of alien invaders, misguided geniuses and overzealous scientists."
Approximately 360 minutes of cartoons along with the special feature "Super Friends Trivia Challenge."
The King of Queens: 6th Season (Paramount Home Entertainment, 3 discs, rated PG)
A good sitcom that ran from 1998 to 2007 was The King of Queens. This sitcom features Doug Heffernan (Kevin James), a delivery man who is married to Carrie (Leah Remini). Things at home are pretty good - until Carrie's father, Arthur Spooner (Jerry Stiller) moves in with them.
Now available is the sixth season of this funny, half hour comedy. The King of Queens: 6th Season contains close to 9 hours of comedy and features many funny storylines. Season six (2003-2004) sees Doug lose weight, lose at ping pong to Carrie and Arthur, Carrie looks for a job and Arthur and Doug participate in a shuffleboard tournament.
Season six has 24 episodes and features such guest stars as Judge Reinhold, Janeane Garofalo and Jon Favreau.
James, Remini and Stiller are very funny, especially together, making The King of Queens one of the better sitcoms on television in recent years.
The Simpsons: The Complete Twentieth Season (Fox Home Entertainment, rated 14A, Blu-ray Disc)
Wow. The Simpsons are currently in their 21st season! The incredibly popular animated comedy show created by Matt Groening and featuring Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson has already had well over 400 episodes. Joining the Simpsons are such funny characters as Mr. Burns, Principal Skinner, Ned Flanders, Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum and Milhouse. Besides the funny plots there is also an impressive list of guest stars, well, guest voices to be more precise. The 21 episodes in season 20 sees such guest voices as: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Joe Mantegna, Denis Leary, Joe Montana, Marv Albert, Mark Cuban, Emily Blunt, Ed Begley Jr., Kelsey Grammer (Sideshow Bob), Anne Hathaway, Ellen Page and Jodie Foster.
Season 20 sees Homer and Ned going into business together, Bart makes prank calls with Denis Leary's cell phone, Mr. Burns wins a pro basketball team, Flanders buys the Simpsons' house, Grandpa Simpson revisits a pub in Ireland, Homer is kidnapped and much more more - and all in Blu-ray!
Chuck: The Complete Second Season (Warner Home Video, 6 discs, rated 14A)
Last year I watched the first season of Chuck and really enjoyed it. Chuck is a comedy/action show about a computer nerd, Chuck Bartowski (Zachary Levi), who accidentally downloads important government information into his brain. Protecting Chuck, and using him for his downloaded information, are two agents - Sarah Walker (Yvonne Strahovski) and Major John Casey (Adam Baldwin).
This 6-disc, limited edition set contains all 22 episodes from season two including a 3D episode (episode 12) with two pairs of 3D glasses.
Season two sees Chuck getting his life back (but not for long), Chuck and Sarah attend Sarah's high school reunion, Chuck's college girlfriend is back in Chuck's life and Chuck is reunited with his father. Some of the guest stars in season two include Nicole Richie, Morgan Fairchild, Bruce Boxleitner, Andy Richter, Jenny McCarthy, Scott Bakula and Chevy Chase. There are lots of special features in this set.
Fans of this show, which I think is a combination of Get Smart and The Man From U.N.C.L.E., will enjoy the more than 1,000 entertaining minutes contained in this nice limited edition collection.
The Game: The Second Season (Paramount Home Entertainment, 3 discs, rated 14A)
The Game is currently in its third season. This spin-off from the show Girlfriends looks at the relationships of women (Melanie, Tasha and Kelly) with pro football players on the San Diego Sabers. The cast includes Tia Mowry, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Brittany Daniel, Pooch Hall, Coby Bell and Hosea Chanchez. Lee Majors also joins the cast as Coach Ross in season two and The Game: The Second Season was recently released. I wasn't a big fan of the half hour comedy/soap. While it was funny at times, for me it wasn't consistently funny enough for a comedy or dramatic enough for a drama.
The 3-disc set includes all 20 episodes from season two.
Becker: The Third Season (Paramount Home Entertainment, 3 discs, rated PG)
Most shows, at some point, start to deteriorate before they are canceled or leave on their own terms. Becker was on the air for six seasons (1998-2004, 129 episodes). Becker: The Third Season recently became available and watching the episodes on the 3-disc set it is obvious that this show was still going strong after season 3.
For those who aren't familiar with Becker, it is a half hour comedy about Dr. John Becker (Ted Danson), a curmudgeon of a doctor with a big heart for his patients (although he rarely exhibits it). Joining Becker in his office are the flakey Linda (Shawnee Smith) and the efficient Margaret Wyborn (Hattie Wilson). Other regulars on the show include Jake (Alex Desert) and "Reggie" (Terry Farrell) who work in the diner up the road. Bob (Saverio Guerra) also has a more regular role in season three as the superintendent at Becker's apartment building.
The cast of this show is excellent and there are non-stop funny moments throughout every episode of this witty, entertaining sitcom. Season three has various things happening including Becker's car is stolen, Reggie receives a marriage proposal, Bob is superintendent, Becker tries to quit smoking, Linda and Reggie date the same man, John's old TV breaks and the final three episodes have Becker being sued by one of his patients.
Some of the guest stars in season three are: Leonard Nimoy, Regis Philbin, Mariel Hemingway and Jaclyn Smith.
Becker: The Third Season contains 24 hilarious episodes.
Callan: Set 2 (Acorn Media, 4 discs)
Just released on DVD (January 26) by Acorn Media is Callan: Set 2. Callan is a top secret agent and assassin for the S.I.S., (British counterintelligence) during the Cold War. This British spy drama was done over four seasons - 1967, 1969, 1970 and 1972 (43 episodes). Callen: Set 2 contains the final 13 episodes (done in 1972) of the show (season 4). The final season sees Callan (Edward Woodward) captured and imprisoned (not to mention interrogated) by the Soviets, his funeral is staged by his superiors, he is promoted (although not something he wanted) and he is also relieved of his duties. Throw in lots of other neat intelligence and espionage stuff and you have a good spy drama.
Joining Edward Woodward in this spy drama are Russell Hunter, Lisa Langdon, Anthony Valentine and William Squire. Special features include commentaries by Edward Woodward for episodes 5 and 11 along with a Woodward biography.
The Godfather (Paramount Home Entertainment, rated 18A, Blu-ray)
Looking to add to your Blu-ray library? The multiple Academy Award-winning film The Godfather is now on Blu-ray.
Francis Ford Coppola's famous 1972 film featured Marlon Brando as the head of the Corleone family. Also starring in this movie that received 10 Academy Award nominations are Al Pacino, Robert Duvall and James Caan.
This restored film features the director's commentary along with 5.1 digital surround sound.
Grumpy Old Men/Grumpier Old Men (Warner Home Video, rated PG, Blu-ray)
And, if you are adding to your Blu-ray collection you have to at least consider including the classic comedy movies Grumpy Old Men and Grumpier Old Men. Of all the movies I've watched over the years, these two are near the top of my favourites list.
The films feature Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon as widower neighbours in Minnesota. When an attractive widow (Ann-Margaret) moves in, both men compete for her affections - with hilarious results. Ossie Davis, Darryl Hannah, Kevin Pollak and Burgess Meredith are also a big part of the special cast in Grumpy Old Men.
Most of the original cast returns for Grumpier Old Men which also has Sophia Loren play a new resident who turns the bait shop into a "ristorante". Both movies feature lots of laughs along with some touching moments. And while the movies are well written, it is the actors, and how well they work together, that make these two films absolute "classics".
The Burning Plain (E1 Entertainment, rated 14A)
The Burning Plain is an interesting romance-mystery starring Charlize Theron and Kim Basinger. Stick with the movie as the beginning is a little confusing, but the movie is quite good. It starts off with the remains of a burnt out trailer where two lovers died. The movie then jumps to different people in different times as it looks at the lives of several people, including two children of the couple who were having an affair and died in the trailer. As the movie progresses you see what happened before the fire as well as the affects it had on the lives of the two families of the lovers who died in the trailer.
January 22, 2010
Books, Books, Books!
There are lots of good books to help you enjoy your winter reading including the following for various ages.
Art & Nature: Three Centuries of Natural History Art from Around the World
Judith Magee
Greystone Books
2009, 256 pages
ISBN: 9781553655176
If you like art and nature, you will likely enjoy Judith Magee's book Art & Nature: Three Centuries & Natural History Art from Around the World which "...looks at natural history illustration continent by continent." Some of the great natural history artists featured include Alfred Russel Wallace, John Gould, Ernst Haeckel and John James Audubon. It is interesting looking through art of the natural world from different eras and which covers The Americas, Australia, Asia, Africa and Europe.
Art & Nature will appeal to those interested in art as well as anyone with an interest in the natural world.
Seeds: Time Capsules of Life
edited by Alexandra Papadakis
Firefly Books
2009, 264 pages
ISBN: 9781554075584
Seeds are both fascinating and vital and Seeds: Time Capsules of Life provides an interesting look at seeds including great photographs. The illustrated guide covers such topics as what a seed is and seed evolution, naked seeds, dispersal of seeds (e.g. wind, water, animals) and the Millennium Seed Bank. An extensive glossary and bibliography are also included.
Seeds are a vital part of life and learning about them as well as protecting and preserving them becomes increasingly important as our species destroys habitat and threatens plant species worldwide.
Seeds: Time Capsules of LIfe is an impressive source that provides the reader with informative text and beautiful photographs about these incredible future plants.
The Historical Atlas of World Railroads
John Westwood
Firefly Books
2009, 400 pages
ISBN: 9781554075232
Those who like trains will enjoy The Historical Atlas of World Railroads by John Westwood.The impressive coffee-table-style book is packed with information pertaining to "...the rise, fall and revival of world railroads over the course of 200 years." Great photographs and maps along with interesting text provides the reader with a fascinating journey by rail around the world. Westwood covers such topics as "The Beginning of Railroads, 1700-1824", "Railroads of Britain and Ireland, From 1852", "The Orient Express, A Glorious Past" and "Railroads in Canada, From 1836".
While The Historical Atlas of World Railroads will be appreciated by train enthusiasts, it is also for those with an interest in travel, transportation and history. It also makes a good coffee-table book for visitors to peruse.
The Firefly Mini French/English Visual Dictionary (second edition)
Jean Claude Corbeil and Ariane Archambault
Firefly Books
2009, 594 pages
ISBN: 9781554074938
Whether you are a student taking French or planning on visiting a French-speaking area, you will likely benefit from The Firefly Mini French/English Visual Dictionary that "...uses pictures to define words." The dictionary is designed "for the general reader and students of language" and is divided into sections such as: vegetable kingdom, animal kingdom, food and kitchen, science and sports and games - to name a few. Good, colour illustrations contain both the English and French spellings of single objects. Larger objects, such as a restaurant or hotel rooms will contain a diagram of the various items typically located within them along with the French and English names of each item.
The Anti-War Quote Book
edited by Eric Groves, Sr.
Quirk Books
2008, 176 pages
ISBN: 9781594742293
You don't have to be opposed to war to enjoy the quotations found in The Anti-War Quote Book - but it helps.
I enjoy reading quotations and I enjoyed reading the intelligent thoughts found in The Anti-War Quote Book. Some of the quotations I particularly enjoyed include:
"Who is a hero? He who turns his enemy into a friend." - The Talmud
"Blind faith in your leaders or in anything will get you killed." - Bruce Springsteen
"The real and lasting victories are those of peace and not of war." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
"The time not to become a father is eighteen years before a war." - E. B. White
"It is hard for me to understand a culture that spends more on wars and weapons to kill than it does on education and welfare to help and develop." - Dan George
"There never was a good war or a bad peace." - Benjamin Franklin
Grateful Dead Scrapbook: The Long, Strange Trip in Stories, Photos, and Memorabilia
Ben Fong-Torres
Chronicle Books
2009, 64 pages
ISBN: 9780811870894
Dead Heads will be interested in the book Grateful Dead Scrapbook: The Long, Strange Trip in Stories, Photos, and Memorabilia. While it is only 64 pages, this is somewhat deceiving as the book is filled with lots of information and cool stuff. Chapters look at "The Birth of the Dead: Through 1965" (Chapter One) and continues through "Summer's Comin' In: 1966-1967" (Chapter Two), "Shakedown: 1974-1978" (Chapter Six), "Dead Reckonings: 1979-1984" (Chapter Seven) and "So Many Roads: 1992-1995" (Chapter Ten) to name some.
Accompanying the informative text about this very popular band are excellent photographs, reproductions of backstage passes, fold-out posters and a variety of other material including, "The full program from the Dead's unprecedented Egyptian concerts", "An early bumper sticker" and an audio CD with "never-before-heard interviews with Jerry Garcia".
Shapes That Roll
Karen Nagel, illustrated by Steve Wilson
Blue Apple Books
2009, 36 pages
ISBN: 9781934706817
ages 2+
Shapes That Roll is a fun book for young children that shows them various shapes and colours. The colourful illustrations will keep children entertained as they learn to identify arrows, circles, squares, stars, hearts, ovals, triangles, rectangles, diamonds, crescents and more.
January 18, 2010
Movies & TV Series on DVD
I've been under the weather recently and haven't been able to update my blog. In order to catch up, I'll be featuring numerous DVDs, along with some books, in the next few weeks. While some of the reviews will be a little shorter than normal, you will get a good idea of many DVDs that have been released recently - or relatively recently. Winter is a good time to catch up on your reading and hibernate with some DVDs as well!
Life On Mars: Series 2 (Acorn Media, 4 discs)
A while back I reviewed Life On Mars: Series 1 (the first 8 episodes of this show) and gave it a very good review. Well, Series 2 was recently released and the second (and last) set of 8 episodes is even better!
Life On Mars is primarily a crime drama set in Manchester, England in 1973. DCI Sam Tyler (John Simm) is involved in an accident in 2006 and wakes up in 1973. What you have is two detectives, who are the same person, in the same place (Manchester) 33 years apart. The beginning of each episode has DCI Tyler saying,
"My name is Sam Tyler. I had an accident and I woke up in 1973. Am I mad, in a coma or back in time? Whatever's happened, it's like I've landed on a different planet. Now maybe if I can work out the reason, I can get home."
Detective work in the early seventies is much different than in 2006. They rely less on high-tech gadgets (which they don't have) and more on brute force (which they have plenty of). Joining Tyler in the department, which places more value on results than on how the results are obtained, are his boss, Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister), and colleagues Ray Carling (Dean Andrews), Annie Cartwright (Liz White) and Chris Skelton (Marshall Lancaster).
Series 2 features the final 8 episodes. As the department continues to fight crime, Tyler is also doing his best to get home. Life On Mars is an excellent crime drama with liberal doses of comedy (Philip Glenister delivers some hilarious lines) along with a hint of science-fiction as the idea of time travel is always present.
Life On Mars is one of the best television shows I've seen. Set in 1973, complete with bell bottom pants and groovy music, I enjoyed all 16 episodes and would have liked to see the show go another series or two. However, it does go out on a high note. Not only was the exceptional show getting better with each episode, but the final show is one of the most creative, interesting and satisfying for a television series.
Highly recommended!
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, rated G, 2 discs)
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is a fun, animated family movie that sees Flint, an inventor, make a machine that produces food from water that falls from the clouds. Spaghetti, cheeseburgers, ice cream and other food falls from the sky. Unfortunately, the town's mayor sees Flint's latest invention as a solution to the town's disappearing tourist attractions (the town's main claim to fame has been sardines) and with the added pressure put on the machine and Flint, bad things start to occur. In order to save the world, or at least their corner of it, Flint, weather girl Sam and Steve, Flint's monkey assistant, must find a way to stop the food producing machine.
The 2-disc set features both a full screen and theatrical widescreen versions along with lots of special features including "Flint's Food Fight Game", "'Raining Sunshine' Music Video by iCarly's Miranda Cosgrove", "Interactive 'Raining Sunshine' Sing-A-Long", "Extended Scenes", "A Recipe for Success: The Making of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" along with commentary and other bonus features.
Dark Country (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, rated 18A)
Dark Country is a bizarre suspense/psychological thriller. When a just wedded couple, Dick and Gina, head off on their honeymoon traveling across the desert at night, they hit a pedestrian. When the man gains consciousness in the back of their car he cries out in pain and threatens the couple. Dick kills the man and the newlyweds bury the body. While trying to cover up their actions, things begin to unravel for the couple who turn on one another. Interesting idea, but Dark Country won't be mistaken as one of the better suspense/horror films.
The Skeptic (E1 Entertainment, rated 14A)
Tim Daly is Bryan Becket, a lawyer moves into his late aunt's haunted Victorian mansion after her mysterious death. Becket doesn't believe in ghosts or the supernatural. Becket's friend and colleague, Sully (Tom Arnold) does believe in the supernatural and tries to warn Becket about the house which holds a mysterious secret. OK supernatural film, but nothing exceptional about it.
The Fox and the Child (E1 Entertainment, rated G)
The Fox and the Child is a family nature film that sees a young girl develop, over time, a friendship with a fox. By allowing the girl into her world, the fox introduces the child to the beauty and many wonders of nature. The scenery (the movie was filmed in France) is spectacular. I have mixed feelings about the movie. On the one hand it does show several positives pertaining to the wonder and beauty of nature - including threats from our species. Unfortunately, while the credits apparently indicate that no animals were harmed during the film, there are several instances where animals were seemingly put in situations where they would have been stressed to say the least. Several acts by the child to animals were also inappropriate. If this film is used by parents, teachers or other educators to inform children about nature, these negative acts should be pointed out and explained why they are wrong. The film does show foxes in a positive light, which is good and it does send the message at the end of the film that children and animals do live in separate worlds. Kate Winslet narrates the English version.
Get Smart: Season 5 (Warner Home Video, rated PG, 4 discs)
The final season of this spy-spoof television show is now on DVD. Created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry, Get Smart was a good sitcom that ran from 1965 - 1970 (138 episodes). In the fifth and final season Maxwell Smart learns that Agent 99 is going to have their baby (which she does in episodes 7 and 8 - twins in fact!), Max is kidnapped, agents of CONTROL are aging quickly and in a different episode, they're suffering bad dreams. Episodes 15 and 16 see Max and 99 in London to investigate the reappearance of Jack the Ripper as a formula has been created to bring wax characters to life ("House of Max" 2-part episode.) The last episode of this fine show ("I Am Curiously Yellow") aired on May 15, 1970.
Some of the guest stars in season five included Billy Barty, Al Molinaro, Broderick Crawford, Vincent Price and Pat Paulsen.
The Mary Tyler Moore Show: The Complete Fifth Season (Fox Home Entertainment, 3 discs)
Another popular show that has recently released its fifth season is The Mary Tyler Moore Show. This show ran for seven seasons from 1970 - 1977 and featured Mary Tyler Moore as Mary Richards who is a producer of a television news show. Joining Mary Tyler Moore at WJM-TV are Ed Asner (Lou Grant), Ted Knight (Ted Baxter), Gavin MacLeod (Murray Slaughter) and Valerie Harper (Rhoda Morgenstern). Georgia Engel, Betty White and Cloris Leachman were also part of this impressive cast.
Season five has lots of fun and sees Mary going to jail, everyone gets trapped in the news room during a storm, Ted asks Georgette to marry him, Lou becomes Mary's neighbour and a consultant changes the newsroom.
The Mary Tyler Moore Show: The Complete Fifth Season offers more than 600 minutes of quality TV comedy during the mid seventies!
