Scholastic Is Hosting a Virtual Book Fest TODAY

by Karly WoodMarch 20, 2020

In a well-timed move that coincides with surviving the first week home with the kids, Scholastic is hosting a Home Base Virtual Book Fest! The online celebration will be a time where authors and kids from all over the world can engage with each other with the help of a live moderator.

The real-time event will take place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. EST on Friday, Mar. 20 and will include a costume contest, trivia events, online Q&A and time with some well-known authors. So who’s joining this week’s Book Fest?

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Kids can chat with R.L. Stine, creative genius behind the Goosebumps series, Claribel A. Ortega of Ghost Squad, Sarah Mlynowski of the Whatever After series and Sayantani DasGupta of the Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond series.

To participate in the Book Fest, you will need a registered free Scholastic Kids account. Once you have signed up, you can log into Home Base on a browser or on a mobile device. Head to the Book Fest website to get all the details on how to sign up.

––Karly Wood

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Take Your Brick Building to the Next Level with LEGO and Nintendo

by Jennifer SwartvagherMarch 12, 2020

Now you can play with your favorite video game character without using a controller. LEGO and Super Mario are joining forces to create a new interactive way to play. Now you can bring Mario’s world to life using LEGO bricks.

Nintendo and the LEGO Group worked together to establish a new product line featuring an interactive LEGO Mario figure that collects coins in real-life game levels created with LEGO bricks. While not a video game or a traditional LEGO brick set, this new line lets kids experience Super Mario like never before.

The news was also shared in a video posted by the LEGO Group and Nintendo.

The video hints at what fans can expect when LEGO Super Mario launches later this year showing a player using an interactive Mario figure to collect coins in a real-life game level that has been created with LEGO bricks.

LEGO Super Mario will launch later this year, and more information will be made available in the future.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of LEGO

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New Light-Up Balloon Mickey Ears Debut at Parks & It’s the Best Day Ever

by Karly WoodFebruary 24, 2020

Last week, Disney Style announced that a new Mickey Balloon Ear Headband is joining the pack! The newest headgear has clear globes for ears with an inner red Mickey balloon––that lights up!

The velour headband comes with combs to help keep in place, which is helpful since the battery packs that power the lights make this a little extra heavy. On the side are the words “Best Day Ever” embroidered in red, blue and yellow.

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The headbands are already available for purchase at Disneyland for $35 each, and will roll out to Walt Disney World before you know it.

––Karly Wood

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Reese’s Just Released Candy-Filled Chocolate Eggs You Can Crack Open to Reveal More Reese’s

by Jennifer SwartvagherFebruary 18, 2020

What type of eggs do you want to find on your Easter egg hunt this year? There’s a new egg joining the traditional foil wrapped eggs of years past. Reese’s Pieces Shake & Break is the latest chocolate treat joining the egg-shaped lineup.

The hollow chocolate eggs are filled with Reese’s Pieces candy. When you shake them, you can hear the candies rattle inside.

The Reese’s Pieces Shake & Break candy is listed on Hershey’s Easter candy page. The new offering, along with the beloved Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs varieties, will ship to stores some time between January and Easter, April 12.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Hersheys

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“Husbands of Target” Is Today’s Must-Watch Video

by Karly WoodFebruary 15, 2020

Last year, Dude Dad went viral with his hilarious video, “My Wife Be Like…” While he spoofed tons of his wife’s idiosyncrasies, one main topic was her love of Target.

Now, Tayler Camus is back with a new video all about the bullseye retailer, and he brought some friends! Joining Calmus is Penn Holderness, Charlie Berens and Miles of You Betcha and the result is the hilarious video below.

References to red tag sales, throw pillows and hours spent alone in the parking lot have us chuckling. While we’re all laughing outwardly at the funny yet true jokes in the video, we do have to admit we’d fully support if every Target held a Dads of Target meetup so we could shop in peace.

––Karly Wood

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Disney+ Is Bringing Back The Mighty Ducks (and Emilio Estevez too!)

by Jennifer SwartvagherFebruary 14, 2020

“Ducks fly together.” Gordon Bombay is returning to the ice. On Thursday, Disney+ announced Emilio Estevez will be reprising his role of of the Mighty Ducks coach, which he played in the original film franchise.

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NO. CHILL. 🚨❄🏒 #EmilioEstevez is BACK as Gordon Bombay! Check out this photo from production on The Mighty Ducks, an Original Series coming soon to #DisneyPlus.

A post shared by Disney+ (@disneyplus) on Feb 13, 2020 at 10:48am PST

Disney+ shared a production shot of Estevez hitting the hockey rink once more as the beloved coach.

The popular streaming service captioned the post “NO. CHILL. 🚨❄🏒 #EmilioEstevez is BACK as Gordon Bombay! Check out this photo from production on The Mighty Ducks, an Original Series coming soon to #DisneyPlus.”

The original The Mighty Ducks movie was released in 1992, starring Estevez along with Joss Ackland, Lane Smith, Josef Sommer, Joshua Jackson and Elden Henson. The hockey film produced two sequels, D2: The Mighty Ducks in 1994 and D3: The Mighty Ducks in 1996. There was also an animated series based on the film series.

The Mighty Ducks is also the namesake for real-life NHL team Anaheim Ducks, which The Walt Disney Company founded a year following the movie’s release.

The 10-episode original series will star Lauren Graham (Glimore Girls, Parenthood) in the lead role as Alex, while Brady Noon (Boardwalk Empire) will portray her son Evan.

Also joining the cast are Swayam Bhatia, Taegen Burns, Julee Cerda, Bella Higginbotham, Luke Islam, Kiefer O’Reilly, Maxwell Simkins and De’Jon Watts.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Matthew Fournier on Unsplash

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This New JuJuBe Collab Is Pure Whimsy

by Jennifer SwartvagherJanuary 29, 2020

Every parent dreams of the ultimate diaper bag: one that has enough space to cram all the extras in and still looks stylish too. JuJuBe’s newest collaboration with tokidoki does just that. The Fantasy Paradise collection features all the functional compartments of a baby bag paired with adorable characters both you and your little ones will love.

This new collection from JuJuBe incorporates all your favorite tokidoki characters. A special two-toned teal interior makes it easy to find what’s inside each bag. A durable metal character-shaped zipper pull has the likeness of the adorable octopus-pirate, Piratako!

The new tokidoki x JuJuBe collection, includes over 20 pieces including two new bags for adults who don’t need diaper changing pads or insulated bottle pockets. While JuJuBe mainstays such as the Hobo Be and Be Right Back are a part of the Fantasy Paradise collection, two new bags, the All That tote and the Hipster are joining the popular line.

All That Tote

This new lightweight and durable design is perfect for storing shoes at the gym, doubling as a wet bag, or functioning as compartmentalized reusable shopping bag for groceries.

Hipster

This mid-sized fanny pack is perfect for those times you need to carry more than will fit in your pockets, but don’t want to lug a shoulder bag. It features a hidden pocket, two side zip pockets, and a large front pocket with credit card slots. An adjustable strap allows you to wear it around your waist or cross-body style.

The new collection launches at select retail locations on January 29 and online on January 30 at 4 pm PST. The collection includes pieces ranging from $15 up to $175.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of JuJuBe

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The Baby Shark Valentine’s Song Will Have Your Kids Falling in Love With the Tune All Over Again

by Shahrzad WarkentinJanuary 17, 2020

Just when you thought the Baby Shark craze was subsiding, another holiday arrives to bring it all back. This time, you might just love it!

Pinkfong’s massive hit “Baby Shark” has spawned plenty of remixes and covers on the song that you just can’t seem to ever get out of your head. The Baby Shark Valentine’s song follows the formula of all the rest, with the doo-doo-doos and the entire shark family joining in the heart-filled fun, but somehow the holiday of love manages to soften the song just enough to be tolerable.

“Valentine’s Day Sharks” as the song is dubbed, follows the Shark family as they gather flowers, balloons and cards for their loved ones. Instead of running in fear, the sea animals in the background are dancing and feeling the love.

The best part by far, is the breakdown at the end, where you get some relief from the doo-doo-doos as the sharks belt a rendition of “Skidamarink” to bring it home. Your kids are guaranteed to fall in love with Baby Shark all over again, and you might actually sing along.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Pinkfong via YouTube

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Serena Williams Just Won Her First Title Since Becoming a Mom

by Shahrzad WarkentinJanuary 14, 2020

A little more than two years ago Serena Williams became a mom and now, she just won her first tennis title since she welcomed Alexis Olympia!

Like many moms heading back to work after having a baby, Williams has faced plenty of challenges trying to find balance between motherhood and career. It hasn’t always been easy and the tennis champ has been candid about the hurdles she’s faced in interviews and on social media.

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The struggle has paid off, however, as Williams has proved you can be a mom and earn yourself a victory on the court too. “It feels good,” Williams said after her win in the singles final at the ASB Classic, according to CNN. “It’s been a long time. I’ve been waiting two years for this moment. I think you could see the relief on my face.”

The title was all the super star really needed, so she donated the $43,000 prize money from the win to the Australian bushfire relief. According to PEOPLE, Williams also announced that she will be joining tennis stars, like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, in a charity match later this month to raise funds to combat the fires.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Serena Williams via Instagram

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Fox’s New “LEGO MASTERS” Series Just Added Some Famous Guests

by Shahrzad WarkentinJanuary 9, 2020

As if brick fans weren’t already excited about the premiere of LEGO MASTERS on Fox, now the show has announced some famous celebrity appearances you won’t want to miss.

The new competition series hosted by Will Arnett will have contestants competing for the ultimate title of LEGO Master Builder by facing themed building challenges. Each week will feature a new theme and along with it a special guest star appearance.

Fox has just revealed that stars like Mayim Bialik, Terry Crews and a few special Star Wars cast members will be joining the show. Bialik will help contestants in a space-themed episode, while Crews will guest star in a “Good vs. Evil” challenge. Nicole Byer of Nailed It! will join in the fun for a storybook-themed episode. The LEGO Movie producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller will lend their expertise to a movie genre-themed challenge.

Of course, it wouldn’t be an epic LEGO show without some Star Wars in the mix. BB-8, C3PO and R2-D2 will make an appearance on an episode which challenges contestants to build their own droids.

LEGO MASTERS premieres on Fox Feb. 5.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: LEGO MASTERS via YouTube

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