Just a month or so before we started BSCKids, I got a query to do something with Lost Worlds at BSC. This is a book recommended for ages 9-12 from Kingfisher (Macmillan) and by an artist that’s well known in the fantasy community–John Howe. Perhaps most notably, Howe did the concept art for the Lord of the Rings films, and the foreword for Lost Worlds is by none other than Ian Mckellen (Gandalf, Magneto) himself films and below we have a clip/book trailer where he talks Lost Worlds

What’s Lost Worlds about?

From the world of Aratta and Mohenjo-Daro to Atlantis and Camelot, this visually stunning book is a window with a view that takes readers on an historical, archaeological, and mythological journey through lost worlds, those abandoned in time, buried and forgotten, and the ones that live in the imagination. Attempting to put the most plausible pieces of history together, John Howe, concept artist for The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, begins the journey that will move readers to explore these lost worlds even further.

I find shopping for my kids has been kind of difficult this year, trying to find them cool stuff to buy at the age of 4 and 6.  Well close enough to 4 as my current youngest son turns 4 in early January.  After a month or two of thinking, looking on the web, and talking to some people I have finished most of my shopping for them.  It is a mix of new toys and classics and I hope that it might help some people out.  Please remember though, I have not yet Dad tested these toys, I can write a follow up after Christmas, but that will only help you for next year.  Also all toys were bought by me for my family, they were not review toys.

Land of Nod

Mini Golf – My boys love playing mini golf in the summer at Hilton Head, so I wanted something I could play on the hardwood floors that did not seem like it would take up a ton of room and was easy to clean up.

Labyrinth Game – If you have small kids in the house this is not for you.  That being said, my 6 year old is going to love this I think.  I saw them other places, but I heard that the quality is not the same as the good ole classic ones.  This will be seen on Christmas though.

Toys R Us

Imaginarium Medieval Castle – I just happened to get this on sale one day, I think it is awesome.  This may be one of those gifts that I really wanted, but my 6 year old should love it.  I am also sure that they will both play together with it, which was something I am hoping for.

Wii Sports Resort with 2 MotionPlus Remotes- My kids love the Wii, nothing more really needs to be said.  Well, it seems they do not have the one with 2 MotionPlus Remotes anymore.

Walmart

KidKraft Young Explorers Rocket Ship Set – Do not happen to see it anymore at Walmart, but my youngest son wants to grow up to be an astronaut so this seemed fitting.

Amazon

ThinkFun Rush Hour Jr – I had a game like this with castles when I was younger and loved it, hopefully it plays somewhat the same.  We have instituted family game night on Thursdays so we needed some new stuff which is why you see so many games on this list.

What’s in Ned’s Head? – My wife wanted to get them this last year, seems eh to me.

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Fuzzy Make-Your-Own Monster Puppet - For the 4 year old, I think he will get a huge kick out of this.  He is a play by himself sort of kid sometimes.  Plus I was having a hard time finding stuff specifically for him.

Scoot n Shoot Soccer – Another wife idea, if it works, should be interesting as we have a big living room and dining room that are hardwood floors.

Alex Toys Monster Clompers – I thought my 4 year old would get a kick out of these, now I do not know how often they will actually be used.

Mario Kart Wii with Wii Wheel- We currently play Mario Kart on the Wii, but the Gamecube version.  We all have a blast so I thought it was time to upgrade.  Plus this way I do not have to worry about us getting the wires all tangled up while we play.

Alex Toys Little Hands, My Rub Art – I think I wanted the sticker art one, but alas I got this instead.  Still seems cool

Crayola Beginnings Color Me A Song – My kids love to draw and color and I thought this was really cool.  I already tried out the demo mode, seems fun.

Wild Planet Hyper Dash – My kids will have fun with this, should be interesting when one of them bonks into something while running around though.

Ideal Spiral Ball- When we went to Hershey Park we played skee-ball for a long time, the kids did not want to stop.  I figured since I don’t have the room for a full blown skee-ball system just yet this might be the next best thing.  Plus since it is self contained you can actually move it around.

Gamewright Feed The Kitty – For game night

CHOMP – For game night

Snap Card Game – For game night

Cranium Cariboo – Discover hidden treasure and unlock secret doors – just sounds cool

Maui Toys Skyball 2 Pack-Colors May Vary – Have you seen the video?  I mean really they are just awesome, I may be going into neighbors yards and on my roof all summer to get them, but it will be worth it.

Bushnell Powerview 8×21 Compact Folding Roof Prism Binocular (Black) – They have kids binoculars and thought it would be a good idea to upgrade them for late night raids into the kitchen fridge, or to spy on the dogs.

Franklin Sports Future Champs Youth Football Goal Post Set No. 14266 – My six year old has really been into football lately so I thought this would be something fun to have in the backyard come summer time.

Costco

Crayola Crayon Maker – Yes, I know it is for older children, but since my kids love to color so much I figured I could oversee the making of the crayons and they could just use them.

International Playthings - I am probably one of the lucky ones because a few times a year they open up the warehouse and have a crazy sale.  You ever see those television shows where a mad rush of people running to bargain items?  Yeah it is like that, but no one gets run over.  They really do a good job at managing the sale and some real bargains are had.  I know we got some things 70% off retail this year.

So that is most of what I got the boys for the Christmas Holiday.  It is tough with a December and January birthday, but we get around that by taking them to the toy store and letting them pick out one big gift on their birthday since we take the day off of work.  Just seems a lot easier than trying to coordinate the birthday and holiday presents.  Spread the word with this list and help out other parents!

Another clip from Disney’s The Princess and the Frog to go along with the previous one from this week and the featurette. Like the latter, this clip is about music as Tiana (voiced by Anika Noni Rose) sings to her mother (Eudora, voiced by Oprah Winfrey).

I love me some G.I. JOE, so when the Collectors’ Club released their preview of their 2010 membership figures, I was tuned in. They have two offerings, one a 3 3/4 action figure for folks of awesome like myself, and one 12′ doll for the old people. I’m definitely happy to see Big Lob (fans of the animated movie from the ’80s know the deal) in the classic style.

The 2010 3 3/4″ Membership figure is a classic O-ring style BIG LOB. This G.I. Joe character was first introduced in the 1987 animated movie and was never made into an action figure. G.I. Joe collectors have waited over two decades for this figure and now is your chance to add him into your ranks. The figure includes filecard, weapons and accessories. Additional figures are available for Club Members to purchase. This figure is the perfect addition to your classic 3 3/4″ G.I. Joe collection!

The 2010 twelve-inch Membership figure is the URBAN ADVENTURER. The figure will come dressed in a black tee shirt and black shorts. He comes with the vintage style foreign head and has blonde life-like hair and beard. Additional figures will be available for Club Members to purchase and a separate accessory set will also be made available for purchase by Club Members as well. The figure, combined with the accessory set, (ordered separately from the Club) will complete this exclusive figure and make him ready for action! No Adventure Team collection is complete without him!

These are the free membership figures (details here), but are usually available on the secondary market a bit later.

I am a huge holiday show junkie and when I see that there is a new one coming on, I tend to clear the schedule to make sure I watch it. This year we have Prep & Landing, which premieres Tuesday, December 1st at 8:30/7:30c. While my wife was not so keen on the show from the short commercial we saw, I reminded her this is a Disney piece with some very talented voice acting.  While I love the classics, with the advent of DVD players and DVRs it seems they are not the special once a year shows anymore, so it is always nice to introduce something new.

Prep & Landing is ABC’s first television special produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. The half-hour holiday special reveals the never-before-told tale of an elite unit of Elves known as Prep & Landing.

I think they really went to town in the casting of some quality voice talent and as I have stated before, I believe that makes it even more fun for the adults to watch.  Also with quality voice talent you usually end up having a better product as these are the elite professionals in the business.   Check out some of the talent below and make sure to check it out on Tuesday.  I should have some thoughts on it later in the week.

Sarah Chalke … Magee
Mason Vale Cotton … Timmy
Lino DiSalvo … Grissel Toe Joe
Terri Douglas … Girl Elf
Dave Foley … Wayne
Kasha Kropinski … Miss Holly
Anne Lockhart … Mission control elf (voice)
Derek Richardson … Lanny
William Morgan Sheppard … The Big Guy
David DeLuise … Dancer

Starting Monday, December 7th in the morning Handy Manny will be getting some special voice talent.  Rosario Dawson (marine biologist), Giada De Laurentiss (pizza parlor owner), Jim Belushi (drawbridge operator), and Lance Bass (surfer dude), will all be joining the show by lending their voices.  Handy Manny (Wilmer Valderrama) is one of those shows that has grown on me after watching it with my boys a few times.

One of the best things about stars lending their voice talent to a children’s show is that it provides a bit of an Easter Egg to all the adults that spend the time to watch as well. Plus, who can beat a show that teaches children about fixing things. 

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is the third film in the franchise based off of the Chronicles of Narnia work by C.S. Lewis. We’ve seen some production images before, but this is the first time I’ve seen pics from the film itself. In fact, these are the first 3 “official” looks and comes to us via the film’s Facebook page.

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What’s it About?

This time around – Edmund and Lucy Pevensie, along with their pesky cousin Eustace Scrubb – find themselves swallowed into a painting and on to a fantastic Narnian ship headed for the very edges of the world.

Joining forces once again with their royal friend Prince Caspian and the warrior mouse Reepicheep, they are whisked away on a mysterious mission to the Lone Islands, and beyond. On this bewitching voyage that will test their hearts and spirits, the trio will face magical Dufflepuds, sinister slave traders, roaring dragons and enchanted merfolk. Only an entirely uncharted journey to Aslan’s Country – a voyage of destiny and transformation for each of those aboard the Dawn Treader – can save Narnia, and all the astonishing creatures in it, from an unfathomable fate

We won’t get the The Voyage of the Dawn Treader until next Christmas season, and it will be the first in the series not distributed by Disney. Instead, 20th Century Fox will do the deed. It returns Skandar Keynes, Georgie Henley, Will Poulter, Ben Barnes and Liam Neeson (as the voice of Aslan).

Yesterday, I shared an extended clip giving us a sneak peak at Disney’s Christmas release, The Princess and Frog. Today we have a little video feature that focuses on bringing back classical music to go along with the film that marks the return of Disney’s classic animation style. It’s 6-minutes of Disney goodness!

The Princess and Frog directed and written by the team of John Musker and Ron Clements, the duo who brought us Aladdin and The Little Mermaid. The film features the voices of Anika Noni Rose, Keith David, Jenifer Lewis, John Goodman, Oprah Winfrey, Terrence Howard, and Michael-Leon Wooley, and is coming out on December 25th!

Kicking off the BSCkids takeover, we have a contest subject that’s something everybody knows about: Star Wars. More than that, it’s the ever cool Clone Wars-related, and tools for future artists in-training over at Lucasfilm! We have 5 copies Draw Star Wars: The Clone Wars up for grabs, and one lucky winner gets one that’s signed by Bonnie Burton (who is also a twitter superstar–speaking of which, follow BSCkids on twitter!).

What’s it about?

Draw Star Wars: The Clone Wars is filled with tips, techniques, practice space, and translucent overlays to make you a master of drawing. Start with stick figures, move onto basic shapes, and finish up with the details. Use the included double-tipped metallic-colored pencils and black marker to make 20 Clone Wars characters come to life.

Here is a video about the book:

Improve Your Chances of Winning – If you Tweet or Retweet our contest announcement at @BSCkids we add an extra ballot to entry that doubles your chances of winning!

Good luck to all!

Woody and Buzz return next Summer in 3-D and we get a new look at Pixar’s Toy Story 3 with an international trailer. Earlier this year, Disney/Pixar released a teaser trailer, but this look gives us new footage!