Reviews: What's New This Week
Fun & Activities, Toys & Games, That's Entertainment
Here's a look at what's new in family entertainment as adapted from reviews and ratings by Common Sense Media. Click on the links to read the reviews in full.
New in Theaters: Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
Based on Rick Riordan's children's book series, "Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief" tells the story of a boy who, after discovering he is the son of Poseidon, is drawn into a battle of the gods. Although Percy is a tween in the book, here he's a teen and the action is likewise a bit more grown up. The intense battles with scary-looking creatures may be too much for Riordan's youngest fans. Rated PG, OK for Kids 11+
DVD: Free Style
"High School Musical" star Corbin Bleu grows up a little in "Free Style," a film about a motocross-obsessed teen trying to make it in the big leagues. Without a father around, he works hard to juggle his family responsibilities while pursuing his dream. Some mild language and scenes of underage drinking, along with the mature theme of the film, may make it inappropriate for younger tweens. Rated PG, OK for Kids 11+
TV: Star Struck
An ordinary girl meets a teen heartthrob in "Star Struck," a Disney drama starring Sterling Knight and Danielle Campbell. Accustomed to having girls fall at his feet, the teen superstar is surprised to find that his new acquaintance isn't the least bit impressed. With a strong theme of honesty and self-acceptance, the film is clean and tween-friendly in every way. Not Rated, OK for Kids 8+
Parents TV Council Says Howard Stern Would Ruin 'Idol'
Rumors are swirling that Howard Stern could replace Simon Cowell as a judge on "American Idol." Credit: Stephen Lovekin, Getty Images
The Parents Television Council says Howard Stern would ruin "American Idol."
A rumor that the King of all Media could take Simon Cowell's spot on the popular Fox TV singing show prompted PTC President Tim Winter to release this statement: "Unless Stern intends to undergo some sort of moth-to-butterfly metamorphosis -- though in his case the change would be more like rattlesnake-to-Labrador Retriever -- adding him to 'American Idol' would spell immediate death for one of the best franchises in American family entertainment," according to UPI.
The PTC has posted a petition on its Web site, addressed to Fox Entertainment President Kevin Reilly and "Idol" executive producer Simon Fuller, asking them to "immediately repudiate these rumors and commit publicly to keeping American Idol safe for family viewing."
Was New Orleans Student Sent Home for Wearing Colts Jersey?
A Louisiana High School student was told he could not wear a Colts jersey in Saints country. He was sent home, the local chapter of the ACLU got involved, and, after a couple of days, everyone apologized.
At first glance, this story sounded more controversial than the onside kick Saints' coach Sean Payton called for in Super Bowl XLIV. But should the judges up in the booth take another look? Or was the ruling on the field correct?
According to reports in the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Maurepas High School student Brandon Frost was "sent home" when he arrived at school two days before the big game wearing an Indianapolis Colts jersey. (In case you were watching the Puppy Bowl on Sunday, the New Orleans Saints beat the Colts by a score of 31-17.)
Livingston Parish schools adhere to a dress code. The Times-Picayune reports that principal Steven Vampran "had given students permission to swap their school uniforms for Saints gear ... in anticipation of Sunday's Super Bowl." He had not, however, given permission to wear anything else.
Celebrating Chinese New Year
Children participate in a Chinese New Year parade. Credit: kennymatic, Flickr
What is Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year celebrations have their origins in fear and myth. The legend tells that the wild beast Nien appeared at the end of each year to attack and kill villagers. Today, the end of the Chinese calendar year -- a lunar calendar divided into 12 months of 29 or 30 days -- is celebrated with 15 days of parades, parties and other festivities, including impressive fireworks displays. The fireworks are part of the legend, which says loud noises and bright lights would scare Nien away.
Get Your Baby Dior at Bergdorf Goodman's New Kid's Section
In The News, Fashion & Clothing
Alice + Olivia's $368 dress at Bergdorf Goodman. Credit: Bergdorfgoodman.com
Forget the generic baby blankets, no-name children's shoes and discount kids clothes. Some trendy tots -- well, their generously-funded parents, anyway -- just need custom-made designer duds, and Bergdorf Goodman is ready to dress them.
The New York luxury department store opened Little BG, a 1,200 square-foot children's section this week, according to Women's Wear Daily. Catering to infants through size 6, the seventh floor space features a floor-to-ceiling tree house and a whole lot of pricey little designer brands, WWD reports.
Parents with big bucks to spend will find Italian-made cashmere booties, onesies and receiving blankets, Pima cotton playsuits, Steiff mohair stuffed animals and sterling silver gifts, the site says.
Go ahead and custom order or buy special occasion wear (gasp!) right off the rack. Look for dresses from Isabel Garreton and Joan Calabrese, boys' suits from Hickey Freeman, ties and bow ties from Charvet and christening gowns from Baby Dior, WWD reports.
'Pregnancy Brain' Myth Busted by New Study
Just For Moms, Pregnancy & Birth, Sleep
Pregnant women can no longer blame forgetfulness on "Momnesia." Credit: Getty Images
So what if you tried to brush your teeth with shampoo, can't ever seem to find your keys and haven't managed to match your socks for a week? You're eight months pregnant, and "Momnesia" is certainly to blame. Right?
Well, maybe not. Turns out that a new study from Australia denies the existence of the conditions "pregnancy brain" and "Momnesia," the mental confusion and forgetfulness that are widely believed to afflict pregnant women and new mothers.
For years, pregnancy experts such as Heidi Murkoff, author of the bestselling "What to Expect When You're Expecting," have characterized forgetfulness as a true symptom of pregnancy, alongside backaches, bloating and stretch marks.
On Murkoff's Web site, she coaches: "As usual in pregnancy, it's just your hormones having some fun, this time at the expense of your memory," and goes on to explain that brain cell volume actually decreases during the third trimester of pregnancy.
Music Review: "Rock and Roll Garden" by Bari Koral Family Rock Band
Preschoolers, Fun & Activities, That's Entertainment, Music
Bari Koral will cure young couch potatoes. Credit: Loopytunes
Rock and Roll Garden by Bari Koral Family Rock Band
Some children's artists rely on gimmicks to draw audiences; others bank on gearing their sound toward parents and hope to pull in the kids by proxy. Bari Koral goes a more traditional route. She writes great songs, aimed directly at preschoolers, and trusts in their quality enough to know she'll win moms and dads over with them as well.
Koral has a solid-yet-gentle voice that makes you understand why she was a hit as a folk-pop singer on the college circuit in her previous life. Here, on her first full-length CD (following up a nice appetizer of an EP last year), she serves up the kind of ready-made dance tunes that are built to get little kids moving. Songs like "Clap It" and "Dance All Day" have steps written right into the lyrics, while onomatopoeia-based numbers like "Pop" and "Boom Boom" practically beg you to dance with their driving hooks -- the notes themselves feel like choreography.
Top 10 Kids' Books for Valentine's Day
Preschoolers, Kids 5-7, Kids 8-11, Teens & tweens, Fun & Activities, Holidays, That's Entertainment, Books
When choosing children's books for Valentine's Day, one general rule to follow: Avoid books that actually mention Valentine's Day in the title. That's where you're likely to get cutesy animals and sweet-but-generic text like, "Valentine's Day means hearts and roses. And little kisses on little noses." Here are 10 great kids' books that capture the spirit of the holiday in its many forms.
Amazon
Good communication is needed for any true love connection. That's the lesson learned by the swooning dog who has fallen head-over-tail for a cat who can't tell "bow-wow" from "arf." Don't worry, though. In this absolutely adorable tale, as in any good romance, love finds a way.
Amazon
It's a concept that, in the hands of a less talented writer, could have ended up a big saccharine mess. On each page, love-related terms, like "cherish," "heartfelt," "requited," and "tenderness," are defined as they relate to baking and cookies. But the prolific Amy Krouse Rosenthal turns it into a clever and touching rumination on love.
Mini Modern
Mid-century furniture for your new millenium kid. Credit: Little Nest
Most things get cuter when they're smaller, and that holds true of the iconic mid-century furniture designs reproduced in kid size by Australian maker Little Nest.
The line includes the adorable Yolk chair, shown, based on Arne Jacobsen's Egg Chair, as well as the tufted Madrid (a shrunken version of Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona) and the Mini-e (as in a mini Eames lounger).
Cute, yes, and maybe even collectible.
Available from $425 at littlenest.com
Frisbee Inventor Dies At 90
Walter Fred Morrison, in 1957, holding a Frisbee. Wormhole Publishers, AP
Walter Fredrick Morrison, the man credited with inventing the Frisbee, has died. He was 90.
Utah House Rep. Kay McIff, an attorney who represented Morrison in a royalties case, says Morrison died at his home in Monroe, Utah, on Tuesday. McIff is from Richfield, Morrison's original hometown.
"That simple little toy has permeated every continent in every country, as many homes have Frisbees as any other device ever invented," McIff said. "How would you get through your youth without learning to throw a Frisbee?"
Morrison's son, Walt, told The Associated Press Thursday that "old age caught up" with his father and that he also had cancer.
"He was a nice guy. He helped a lot of people," Walt Morrison said. "He was an entrepreneur. He was always looking for something to do."
