All Is Vanity. Nothing's Fair: "Mirror Mirror"

If you’ve visited this site, you may already know how much I love and admire Walt Disney’s 1937 classic film, Snow White. It’s one of our most popular posts to boot. So—a new Snow White story? I’m there. In fact, Mirror Mirror directed by Tarsem Singh starring Julia Roberts as the wicked queen is just one of two major motion pictures on the subject. Charlize Theron will take her bite of the apple this June in Snow White and the Huntsman. I totally get it. Who wouldn’t want a chance to play Snow White’s wicked queen, this vain and murderous villainess for the ages? My take on Julia Roberts’ performance as the wicked queen is also my review of the film: good but not great.

The Doctor Is Real In

TV Shows We Love: Doc McStuffins
There’s a new gal in town you should meet. She’s an adorable little girl who “operates” a clinic for stuffed animals and toys. She’s Doc McStuffins. (Everyone, including her parents, calls her “Doc.”) Her clinic is her backyard playhouse. Her medical staff consists of toys—stuffed lamb, snowman, hippo and a plastic dragon—who come to life when they’re “alone” with Doc.

Media Darlings Is One Year Old!

Here’s a short recap of our first very wonderful year:

Our first story went live on Monday, March 28, 2011. It was a tribute to my favorite documentary, The Hobart Shakespeareans. My title folded in documentary subject Rafe Esquith’s motto, “Work hard and be nice.”

TV Shows We Love: “The Aquabats! Super Show!” and “Mike the Knight”

I’m in tween heaven: The Aquabats have their own show. Don’t confuse this band with The Monkees, a band that was created by tv producers in order to create The Monkees tv show. The Aquabats are a real-live band. Originally formed in 1994 in Orange County, California, they’ve released five full-length studio albums and have toured internationally. And they’ve found new life in the world of kid’s television, thanks to front man Christian Jacobs (The MC Bat Commander) who co-created, writes, and directs Yo Gabba Gabba! for the littlest hipsters. Jacobs seems awfully fond of exclamation points, but his shows are worthy of all the excitement.

Hello, Gorgeous!

Picks from the Book Industry Guild of New York’s 26th Annual Show
This show honors the art of bookmaking in all its glory: beautiful papers, masterful printing, gorgeous illustrations and typography, expert binding; in short, all the elements of gift-worthy “keeper” books that are as beautiful as they are smart (just like you!). The books honored by the Book Industry Guild are anti-e-books. They’re a feast for the eyes as well as food for the soul.

Let Me Draw You a Picture!

Books We Love: Make a World by Ed Emberley
If you have a child who is just learning how to write, you know that they learn their letters one stroke at a time. There are any number of workbooks and apps that encourage kids to trace letters. It’s fundamental and one of the building blocks of literacy. I don’t need to sell you on its importance.

Books We Love: “Just a Second” by Steve Jenkins

I love it when a book changes what I know AND how I think. I don’t generally expect such a paradigm shift from a children’s book, but Just a Second does just that, compelling the reader to imagine what can (and does) take place in the span of a second.