Dreamworks Children’s DVDs: Madagascar Extravaganza! and… special screening of the movie, Trolls!

It’s down a matter of days before the latest movie, Trolls  from DreamWorks Animation is released. Any believe it or not, there are special screenings of the movie coming up in Wellington on Sunday 13th of November at local theatres. Might pay to check what time they are on and where. But nonetheless, the DreamWorks theme continues with this post that pays tribute to the Madagascar franchise! Check out all the movies!

 

image courtesy of amazon.comMadagascar.

The movie that started the franchise and the “I like to move it, move it” catch phrase! Spoiled by their upbringing with no idea what wild life is really like, Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe, and Gloria the hippopotamus from New York Central Zoo find themselves on route to Madagascar.

 

 

image courtesy of amazon.comMadagascar. 2, Escape to Africa

Follow Central Park Zoo animals, including, Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo, along with the delusional King Julien, psychotic penguins, the monkeys, and the lemur leaders as they unexpectedly are now stranded in the middle of Africa in Survivor/Castaway style, while having to deal with the locals – some good, some not so good, and human castaways adapting into Survivor mode . While Alex, (Reuniting with Mum and Dad), Marty, (putting his potential to full use) Melman, (finding multiple kindred spirits) and Gloria (finding a potential life mate) are rather happy with their new environment, they quickly realize that it’s not all that it seems. Meanwhile, the penguins attempt to repair the plane that they accidentally destroyed and find themselves having to deal with a few problems all the way, mainly union strikes with the monkeys. Overall a pretty funny movie from start to finish!

Check out the trailer here. Barrel of laughs all the way!

 

 

image courtesy of amazon.comMadagascar. 3, Europe’s most wanted.

Goodbye cruel world, I’m off to join the circus.” Such as the case with Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria and the whole crew, as they run off to join the circus to escape Captain Dubois of Animal Control also known as “the fickle woman who turned their whole world upside down.” A barrel of laughs all the way!

 

 

image courtesy of amazon.comThe penguins of Madagascar. Operation: Antarctica.

The delightful and quirky penguins finally get their own staring role in the delightful  spinoff: The penguins of Madagascar. The penguins embark on their own covert missions in the heart of Antarctic and watch as the wacky Penguins discover it takes a lot more than cute and cuddly to pull off their coolest caper yet!

 

 

New Non Fiction: Just in time for Easter and School Holidays.

With summer now over, Winter is slowly entering the Capital with the cold and nasty periods of gale winds, rain and the odd storm. Also with the school holidays and Easter around the corner, why not pop down to Wellington City Libraries and check out a new range of  non fiction in the Children’s collection for your enjoyment and pleasure, especially as we now have some new handicraft books to give you ideas on potential gifts you can give to your family and friends over Easter, or the odd birthday party here and there.

Check them out here!

The Book of Complete Nonsense.

Are you in the mood for nonsense poems? I am! All your favorite authors including Julia Donaldson, Spike Milligan, Roald Dahl, Edward Lear, Lewis Carroll and a whole lot more are featured in this fantastic book of rhymes and riddles that are bound to fry your brain. As an added bonus author,  Michael Rosen provides tips on how you can write your own nonsense poems. Fantastic to use if you have a creative writing homework assignment.

 

 

 

 

Africa : everything you ever wanted to know.

In the mood for another ‘not for parents’ read? Check out this new book on everything you ever wanted to know about Africa. This book opens up a world of amazing facts and stories  (probably facts and stories your parents don’t even know) about the people, places, History and culture of Africa. Another brand new read from the Country Series Book from Lonely Planets that  is not a guidebook and it is definitely not for parents.  Great for ages 8 to 11 years.

Also check out last month’s new ‘not for parents’ release: How to be a dinosaur hunter : your globe-trotting, time-travelling guide.

 

 

Philip Pullman’s Aladdin and the Enchanted Lamp.

The author of The Dark Materials Trilogy brings to life one of the greatest and classic Arab-Persian stories, (although the story is set in China) ever told. Be prepared to go on a magic carpet ride when reading this vivid retelling of  Aladdin, a poor tailor’s son who becomes a wealthy prince with the help of a magic lamp he finds in an enchanted cave. This is a story that has everything – comedy, drama, fantasy, magic, fear, excitement and a terrific plot.

 

 

 

Brilliant Badges to make yourself.

With School Holidays and Easter just around the corner, this is the perfect book to keep you entertained and give you gift ideas on what to give your family and friends over Easter and even the odd birthday here and there. There are fantastic ideas on how to make your own badges, including how to creat a dotty dinosaur badge, a paper-mache cat badge, a funky bow tie badge, a lollipop badge, a birthday badge  and a feathery chicken badge (A great badge idea for Easter!) Great for kids aged 8 to 12 years.

 

 

 

Crafty Creatures.

Forget buying soft toys when you can make your own, (or maybe get your mum or your nana to help). This book is a treasure trove of animal toys/projects to sew, knit and cross-stitch. It includes over 30 projects ranging from practical phone pouches and coin purses to delightful felt cats and teeny tiny animals ideal for necklaces and key fobs. My personal craft idea favorites from this book are the sock monkeys, ducklings and bunny girls (another gift idea for Easter), giraffes and my little pony, (No, not the Hasbro toys.) Another handicraft book to keep kids entertained over Easter and school holidays. If I could knit or sew, then I would be devouring this book like there was no tomorrow.