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Fun for children – Spring

Fun for children – Spring September 18, 2013Kids0 Comments

Here’s what’s new in some fun things for children, with the latest DVDs, Margaret Mahy’s doggy tale, and even how to eat your greens painlessly…

The Little Mermaid – out September 11th on DVD and Blu-Ray

We are BIG mermaid fans here. We have mermaid toys, saw Ariel th emermaid in Disney on Ice, and own a mermaid dress up costume with a fishtail skirt that enables one to actually walk on dry land without making deals with sea witches and losing one’s voice. So it was a logical progression that we should get the mermaid DVD. It’s the child-friendly version of the rather gruesome original fairytale, where Ariel, youngest daughter of King Triton, who longs to lead her royal-but-wet existence to be with humans (whom her father calls “barbaric fish-eaters”) strikes a deal with Ursula, the Sea Witch. That can’t go well, you’re all thinking, but never worry – true love will prevail.

Quest for Crystal Mickey – out September 11th on DVD

A new title from the popular Mickey Mouse Club House stable, Quest for Crystal Mickey follows the adventure of bad guy Plunderin’ Pete stealing the magical Crystal Mickey statue from the Clubhouse, causing the Clubhouse to sink into the ground. The team must try to get the statue back, led by Kansas City Mickey.

The Wizard of Dizz – out September 11th on DVD

In this second Micky Mouse Clubhouse adventure this month, we head to the magical land of Oz – which by coincidence is perfect timing in New Zealand as WICKED the Broadway musical opens here this week, too. The classic story is given a new take with Minnie starring in thiss new full-length adventure: The Wizard of Dizz. Minnie and Pluto end up in the silly but spectacular land of Dizz. It is an amazing place, with rainbow trees, butterfly bows and friendly “Chipmunchkins”, but what Minnie wants the most is to get home. Together, Minnie and her new friends Scarecrow Goofy, Mickey the Tin Mouse and Donald the Lion set off to ask the wonderful Wizard of Dizz to make their dreams come true. But look out! Bad Witch Pete wants Minnie’s magical, sparkly green shoes, and he’s got a few tricks up his sleeve.

Disney Junior DOC McStuffins Time for Your Checkup

The Doc is in, with this fun and educational DVD for children’s check ups. It was a new character to me; Doc is a six-year-old girl named Dottie McStuffins who aspires to be a doctor like her mother. It’s great that it’s a Disney series of African Americans, and the doctor is the mother, not the father. Dottie pretends to be a doctor and fix her toys – who come to life each time she puts her stethoscope on. It helps children ease fears of medical checkups and doctors through tales with Doc and her animal toys Stuffy, Hallie, Lambie and Chilly.

This is on hot demand from my daughter and is a clear favourite. We even did some check-ups on our animal soft toys.

Dashing Dog by Margaret Mahy, illustrated by Donovan Bixley.

Dashing Dog is a beloved children’s story brought to new life for a new generation of children and beautifully re-illustrated by Donovan Bixley. He says, "Margaret Mahy’s work is poetry. It’s elegant and strong and has that trademark Mahy sense of ridiculousness. It was working on this book that reinvigorated my belief and passion that picture books are children’s first exposure to the written and visual arts, and of huge importance."

My children particularly enjoyed the rhythm and the language, as well as the gorgeous pictures. I know it will become a favourite book.

The book includes a CD read by Margaret Mahy. Out 1 October 2013 RRP $29.99 from Harper Collins.

Radiance Kids Probiotic and Radiance Kids Vege

The child that will eat everything is a rare and valueable thing indeed. So Radiance, a New Zealand company who do a number of health products, have developed two superfood chewable tablets: Radiance Kids Probiotic and Radiance Kids Vege. The tablets don’t require refrigeration and have no artificial sweeteners, colours or preservatives. They contain high energy, phytonutrient-rich greens like spinach and broccoli alongside carrot and beetroot extract all cunningly disguised in a tropical fruit and for good gut health, a probiotic tablet that tastes like strawberry. Radiance Kids Probiotic retail for $23.90 (45 chewable) and Radiance Kids Vege for $21.90 (60 chewable).