Tag Archives: cartoon

Why Toddlers Love SpongeBob Squarepants

Many toddlers, including my son, love the cartoon, “SpongeBob Squarepants.” SpongeBob offers a lot of entertainment for toddlers, who otherwise have a short attention span. Although many parents don’t care for this cartoon, it can actually be good for children. SpongeBob offers a lot of music and most all toddlers love music. They can sing along to the songs in the cartoon and practice their unique dance skills. My son is adorable when he tries to copy the dances in the “SpongeBob Squarepants” episode featuring, “Band Geeks.” This is one of our favorite episodes. I don’t think I have ever … Continue reading →

“Prep & Landing” Latest Christmas Classic

Picture the Christmas elves: cheery, squeaky-voiced workers wearing green pointed clothes and singing Christmas carols to themselves as they toil building toys in the days leading up to Christmas Eve. Once the big night arrives, however, their job is done and they fade into the background as Santa Claus takes the reins for the main event. “Prep & Landing” tells a different story. The new Disney animated Christmas special, airing on ABC tonight at 8:30 EST, reveals the existence of an elite task force of elves. This group, dubbed Prep and Landing, travels to each house on Christmas Eve just … Continue reading →

Comic Strip Mom Prepares to Say Good-Bye

When I was a girl I adored reading The Family Circus comic strip. Each Sunday I would run outside to get the newspaper and eagerly flip to the comic section to see what Billy, Dolly, Jeffy and PJ were up to (my favorite was when creator Bil Keane would use thick dotted lines showing the characters’ paths through the neighborhood or house). The Family Circus family was much like my own. I could relate to Dolly being the only girl in a family with three pesky brothers. And like the cartoon clan my brothers and I would pile into our … Continue reading →

Inspiration for Famous Comic Strip Mommy Dies

Sad, sad, sad. The woman who served as the inspiration for the mommy in the world famous “Family Circus” comic has died. Thelma Keane was 82. According to news reports, Thelma, who was the wife of “Family Circus” creator Bil Keane, died of Alzheimer’s disease last Friday. I happen to be a huge “Family Circus” fan. I started collecting the comic when I was 7 years old (decades ago). I would use all the money I would get from Christmas and birthdays to fund my addiction to the small paperback books that followed the lives of two good-humored parents and … Continue reading →

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Chipmunk Adventure (1987)

I used to watch Alvin and the Chipmunks when I was a little girl. With the release of the new film “Alvin and the Chipmunks,” a whole new generation is being introduced to the furry little singing rodents. My kids were thrilled when I brought home “The Chipmunk Adventure.” Although animated and not live action, like the new film, they enjoyed learning more about Alvin, Simon, and Theodore. Dave is getting ready for a long trip to Europe for business. Alvin really wants to come along, but Dave tells him no. He’s hired Miss Miller, an eccentric elderly lady, to … Continue reading →

The Bugs Bunny Road Runner Movie (1979)

I got this movie in the mail today from Netflix, and sat down to watch it with my kids. We all enjoyed it a lot–in fact, we watched it twice. We begin our show with an interview with that most dashing of all movie heros, Bugs Bunny, which takes place in his posh Hollywood mansion. He tells us the secret of his success, which is that movie goers love a good chase. From the dawn of time, men have been chasing animals (to eat) each other (as competition) and girls (because they’re in love). Then women started chasing too, creating … Continue reading →

Hercules (1997)

Released in June of 1997, “Hercules” is the 35th animated movie in the Disney line-up and has become one of the most popular. With a storyline loosely based on Greek mythology, it’s a surefire hit, right? Well, it was with most people, but not with me. I’ll explain why later. For a description of the film: Little baby Hercules was born to doting parents Zeus and Hera. His natural destiny is to be a god on Mount Olympus, but through a strange turn of events that you’ll just have to watch the movie to see, his divinity is taken from … Continue reading →

Dumbo (1941)

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s a baby elephant with really big ears! Mrs. Jumbo belongs to the circus, and she is feeling lonely. All the other elephants have had children, and she hasn’t. But one night as the train is wending its way through the dark to the site of the next show, Mr. Stork flies overhead with his delivery. It’s a heavy one, that’s for sure. He pops his head into the elephant car, and sure enough, it’s for Mrs. Jumbo! She unwraps her bundle to find a sweet little guy with big blue eyes and … Continue reading →

The Little Mermaid- Platinum Edition

One of my favorite Disney movies of all time is “The Little Mermaid”. When I was in middle school I actually played Ursula in a performance of the tale, and have been absolutely hooked ever since. I purchased an Ursula limited editor doll, and owned a VHS copy of the movie that at one point I watched and sang along with almost every single day. I’m still prone to bust out with my own rendition of “ A Whole New World” ever now and then. In “The Little Mermaid” a mermaid named Ariel falls in love with a man who … Continue reading →

The Ant Bully: A Backyard Adventure

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When I was younger I was huge fan of the movie “Honey I Shrunk the Kids”. One image that always stands out in my mind from the movie is the ants. In one scene in the movie the children get lost in the yard and the ants seem like monsters. That image of larger than life animals has stayed with me well into adulthood. Life size ants are back to some extent in the movie “The Ant Bully”. In the Ant Bully a young boy named Lucas Nickle is terrorized at school by bullies. If you have ever been bullied, … Continue reading →