Learning how to work together, the importance of friendship, perseverance and having fun despite daily challenges are all values that make a happy kid and a successful adult. It can be difficult to teach tiny humans these life lessons, since they’re not quite as tangible as the ABC’s! For this reason and so many more, we are loving Mighty Express—an exciting new Netflix original preschool series!

From Spin Master Entertainment, the creators of PAW Patrol, Mighty Express is a series of 11-minute adventures that set preschoolers in motion with action-packed, high-stakes missions, cool tools and trainloads of humor. In every episode a team of trains and their kid best friends work together to overcome obstacles in the vast, colorful and quirky world of Tracksville. The cast of diverse characters each have their own unique personalities, skill sets and jobs, reflecting the world around us with an inclusive spirit. Read on to learn more about the stars of the show, why your kids will love them and what they will learn along the way.

 

Max: The Leader

It’s not just his name; it’s his personality! Max is the leader of the group. His enthusiasm inspires the team to work together and have each other’s back (or engine). He assigns train cars for their missions, and while his job is to keep everything moving, he knows how to remain empathetic when any problem arises. Max takes his duties seriously but knows how to have fun!

Nico: Keeps Everyone on Track

As the resident smarty pants, he knows every inch of Tracksville. A problem solver with nerdy enthusiasm, Nico is an excellent multitasker, helping the team when they get stuck—figuratively and literally! Nico prides himself on keeping everyone happy and safe, not to mention, entertained, as the resident DJ!

Liza: The Train Whisperer

She is your go-to for everything train as the mechanical engineer. Creative and resourceful (not to mention handy), she makes sure the trains are running and feeling their best. Liza is ever-curious about the world around her and methodical in her work—she’s also a reliable friend with a big heart to match her big talent.

Meet the (Personality-Packed) Trains

With so many new friends on board, your little one is sure to find a train they can relate to! Freight Nate is the strongest and fastest train of the bunch, and always there to help friends out of sticky situations. Then there’s Build-It Brock, a shy, gentle giant that’s highly skilled at building whatever the town needs.

Mechanic Milo is dependable and enthusiastic about his array of tools that he’s always willing and able to fix anything with. Your little animal lover will fall for Farmer Faye who helps move animals and produce, always with a kind word to share.

Rescue Red is the resident firefighter who takes safety very seriously. Fire engine train Flicker is Red’s little brother, high energy and playful, and one of the younger trains in town. Friendly, cautious and polite, Peoplemover Penny gets kids where they need to go, all while singing sweetly along the way!

Ten Mighty Express episodes roll onto Netflix today including ‘Nate’s Fright Night’, a fun Halloween special where the characters dress up as superheroes, sure to get your little one into the Halloween spirit. Hop on board and follow along @MightyExpressOfficial and Mighty Express YouTube.

 

—Jamie Aderski

A new train is entering the station. Spin Master, the company behind Paw Patrol is launching Mighty Express on Netflix. Each 11-minute animated adventure stars a team of best friend trains and kids.

Mighty Express

Spin Master Corp.announced today the CG animated preschool series Mighty Express will roll onto Netflix on Sept. 22, 2020. From the company behind the global blockbuster PAW Patrol, the new original series builds on Spin Master’s legacy of creating powerhouse franchises marking the company’s 11th series overall.

Viewers will hop on the fast track to Tracksville, where, in a vast, playful, quirky world crisscrossed by railway tracks, a team of trains and their kid best-buddies keep things moving and get the delivery done no matter what the trouble – one adventure after another! Each of the trains has a specialty which they use when going on Mega Missions or hauling cargo, be it animals, equipment, or giant dinosaur bones. They always rise to the occasion when trouble strikes!

“Spin Master Entertainment excels at developing evergreen global properties through compelling story telling and engaging characters that resonate with audiences,” said Spin Master Entertainment’s Executive Vice President Jennifer Dodge. “From the importance of friendship and teamwork, to boosting kids’ confidence in their own attributes and abilities, Mighty Express is a fun place for children to laugh and learn alongside the characters in the show. We are so excited for families to discover our first Netflix original series and we look forward to developing more content for the platform in the future.”

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Netflix

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Disney released their first-ever Summer Reading list for kids and families to enjoy while at home. The list is comprised of 15 recommendations for ages 0 through 16 and features new books from fan favorite authors. Also to help ensure that more readers have access to books this summer and beyond, Disney Publishing is also donating one million books to Boys & Girls Clubs across the country. 

Disney Summer Reading

Disney will also provide Boys and Girls Clubs of America with virtual programming led by Disney authors and illustrators, as part of the organization’s summer engagement series for club members

 “We have a long-standing relationship with Disney and are thrilled to bring one million books to children who participate in our programs,” commented Chad Royal-Pascoe, National Vice President, Corporate & Cause Partnerships, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “This donation comes at a time that is especially challenging for so many families and we know it will go a long way.” 

Visit shopDisney.com to check out the list, explore more books from Disney Publishing and expand the stories with activity sheets and more. Many of the books on the list are available in eBook, audio book and print formats.

Disney Summer Reading List:

Ages 0-3

100 First Words Lift-the-Flap Book 

Frozen 2 – Anna, Elsa and The Secret River by Andria Warmflash Rosenbaum

Little Kids First Board Book: Dinosaurs

Ages 4 – 8

Ellie Book by Mike Wu

What About Worms? by Ryan Higgins

Little Kids First Big Book of Animals 

Ages 7 – 10

Zeus the Mighty: The Quest for the Golden Fleas by Crispin Boyer

Beastly Bionics: Rad Robots, Brilliant Biomimicry, and Incredible Inventions Inspired by Nature by Jennifer Swanson

Peter & Ned’s Ultimate Travel Journal 

Ages 8 – 12

Disney Chills: Part of Your Nightmare by Vera Strange

Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret by Trudi Trueit

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia

Young Adult (Age 12 and up)

Star Wars: Queen’s Peril by E.K. Johnston

Straight on Til Morning: A Twisted Tale by Liz Braswell

Mother Knows Best: A Tale of the Old Witch Book by Serena Valentino

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Disney

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Hey Kid,

I’m taking some time to write you a note because by the time you’re big (yes, I know you’re big, you tell me every day), you’re probably not going to remember any of this—at least I hope you don’t. I hope you read about it in your world history class. And that the memories you’re making now, as a 3-year-old, are only fleeting.

Today, was hard.

You had a fit as we scootered past the park because you wanted to play, and I had to physically yank you away. You devolved into a puddle of tears on the sidewalk howling so hard I thought the neighbors were going to call CPS.

“The park, I want my park.”

“Remember, honey, we talked about germs and how we have to play inside and away from other people for a little while; we really can’t go into the park; get on your scooter and race to the house now.”

Showing your whiplash resilience and the coordination of an Olympic athlete, you jumped on the scooter and raced down the block home, beating Baba and me by several minutes. You are remarkable. Today, you fought a dragon. You donned your John Snow cosplay costume and challenged Baba the Dragon to a death match in the backyard, breaking the dragon’s wand deftly with your mighty blows. You laughed.

You ran fast fast fast; falling, stumbling—picking yourself up. Stopping to “work” in the dirt; digging into a flowerpot; moving soil from one barrel to the next. “I’m working,” you said. “Yes you are,” I said as I watched with wonder.

Today, was hard.

You wanted desperately to play with your friend next door. And as her mother and your fathers struggled to set up a playdate across the fence, you adapted as we had a picnic lunch separated by 15 feet and two wooden fences. There was a lot of screaming and a lot of fun!

Today, you worked on your three-point-grip, the letter “V,” and painted a sky. You do not sit still. Your teachers are miracle workers. As I sit in the living room and hear you take a bath upstairs, I can do nothing but smile.

Today has been a hard, good day.

“Are you kidding me?” You ask Baba. Why? I have no idea. But that fact that a 3-year-old has the chutzpah to utter such a sentence gives me hope for our world. Step by step we go on.

You fought a dragon, you had a playdate, you learned limits, you grew—a virus notwithstanding.

Love ya lots,

Papi

ALEXANDER FERNÁNDEZ
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Father, children's book critic, writer, judge, director, actor and amature photographer—together with his husband of 25 years—raising an energetic four-year old! "Parent is not just a noun, it's a verb.  If you're ever in doubt as to what to do, substitute the word caregiver.  It will steer you in the right direction."  

Kids are passing their time at home learning about new topics while exploring books. Children’s book author Donald Jacobson understands the struggles parents are having keeping their children entertained and engaged. He is offering free downloads of two of his books on his official website.

Both books celebrate the efforts of medical workers, scientists and other community helpers. He hopes that these books will help inspire positive thoughts and conversations with kids during these challenging times. 

“I’m a dad, and I’m adjusting to the work-from-home thing, so I know what parents are going through right now,” commented the clearly passionate Jacobsen. “I wanted to find some way to help struggling parents handle the stress of suddenly turning into full-time homeschool teachers, and this is one way that I knew I could help.”

The free kids’ books are titled My Daddy the Amazing Nurse and Mighty Mommies and Their Amazing Jobs. Both books are written by Jacobsen and illustrated by Graham Evans. A third book by Jacobsen and Evans, Celestina, the Astronaut Ballerina, is available for sale at Amazon.com.

In addition to being a children’s author, Jacobsen is a proud husband, a father to two girls, and a registered nurse who lives and works in Memphis, Tennessee with his happy and supportive family.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Donald Jacobson

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From being at home to hearing the news, there are A LOT of words buzzing around about COVID-19 and it’s almost impossible for kids not to hear scary facts and stories. Unfortunately, the situation IS scary and without even meaning to, we can create more fear or anxiety around it for our kids.

That’s the boat author and mom Sara Olsher found herself in. With a daughter with high anxiety, Sara has found that explaining to her daughter the facts in a way that kids can understand actually made her daughter feel better. Which is why she wrote What Happens When the Coronavirus Changes EVERYTHING?: Explain the Science of COVID-19 and How Staying Home Affects a Kid’s Day-to-Day Life. 

The book is currently available for a free download here or you can buy the paperback version on Amazon. She’s also created a shelter-in-place calendar set to help kids know what to expect each day.


It’s not the first time Sara has found herself facing a difficult situation and having to explain it to her daughter. First, it was divorce. And then in 2017, she was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and once again had to explain something very, very hard and scary, to her young child. She founded Mighty+Bright to help kids and families deal with difficult situations: using books and customizable magnetic calendars, Mighty+ Bright products aim to give children a sense of control (and therefore calm).

Learn more about Sara’s story and Mighty + Bright products at:

mightyandbright.com 

—Amber Guetebier

All images courtesy Sara Olsher/Mighty + Bright

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Earlier this week, National Geographic introduced NatGeo@Home, a digital resource for families looking to fill the gap with practical, educational, inspiring and entertaining content. From boredom busters and games, to videos and live daily tasks with National Geographic Explorers, NatGeo@Home aims to help inspire young people and support caregivers by offering a one-stop destination.

Nat Geo Kids Books is offering lively learning activities with a new series of downloadable worksheets filled with exciting experiments, workbooks, and fill-in-the-blank activities to help keep things educational yet fun.

fish

You will also find content from popular book series such as the Weird But True books and Zeus the Mighty, a middle-grade series where Greek mythology meets cute talking animals.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Jakob Owens on Unsplash

 

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“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. 

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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Apparently just one He-Man reboot isn’t enough to fight Skeletor. Netflix now has two new He-Man themed shows in the works!

The first He-Man series titled Masters of the Universe: Revelation is an anime reboot of the classic ’80s series, which will focus on continuing the storyline and tying up unanswered questions. This new show is written and directed by Kevin Smith. The release date is yet to be announced, but Smith recently tweeted that it would be at least another six months before the show is ready.

Meanwhile, Netflix has just announced another new He-Man series, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. This re-telling will feature 3D CGI animation and the storyline will follow the origin story of He-Man. As the Netflix synopsis explains, a lost young prince in Eternia transforms into He-Man when he discovers the powers of Grayskull. He must then face off against Skeletor and the forces of darkness.

photo: Courtesy of Netflix

Fans are already speculating if He-Man and the Masters of the Universe will feature any crossovers with Netflix’s extremely popular She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, which just launched its fourth season on the streaming platform.

No word yet on when He-Man and the Masters of the Universe will be released.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

 

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Have your intrepid excavators ever wanted to piece together their own dinosaur fossil? Now they can with the new LEGO Ideas Dinosaur Fossils set.

The new 910 piece set features fossils so detailed they could be on display in a museum. The set includes two dinosaur skeleton models, a Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops. The T. rex measures a mighty seven inches tall and 15 inches wide. It also includes a Pteranodon skeleton, which as any dino expert can tell you, is not a dinosaur, but a flying reptile.

Each posable, skeletal fossil stands upon a museum style display, complete with descriptive placard. The set also comes packed with a paleontologist toy minifigure, a buildable crate, dinosaur egg, bone, hat and book.

The set is designed for master builders ages 16 and up, so you might need to help your younger dino fans and make this a family project.

The new LEGO Ideas Dinosaur Fossils is priced at $59.99 and will be available in stores and online starting Nov. 1, 2019.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

All photos: LEGO

 

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