Apple Juice Radio

Michael Foreman’s reissued picturebook classic The General and new animated African TV show Tinga Tinga Tales.

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We review Flood and Fang by Marcus Sedgwick, and put up with another Tinker Bell DVD.
Advisory(!) – contains immature banter about mature themes.

The quick review:

Flood and Fang: The first in the series of Marcus Sedgwick’s Raven Mysteries. Edgar the raven must protect the inhabitants of Castle Otherhand from danger (and their own foolishness), and a mystery that is both dark and frivolous ensues. Goth froth! With illustrations on almost every page, it’s great for readers transitioning into longer chapter books. Age 8+.

Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure: Lazy and dull sequel to Disney’s clever reimagining of Tinker Bell. Straight to DVD, straight to eBay…

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We re-live the traumas of Christmas TV, and enjoy new picture book Little Ogre’s Surprise Supper.

The quick review:

Christmas TV: Which movie screened over the holidays terrified our children the most? We talk about Bridge to Terabithia, and consider the merits of rival Willy Wonkas.

Little Ogre’s Surprise Supper: Little Ogre wants to make a special supper for his Mum’s birthday. Kings are too rich and princesses too sweet, so what can he cook? A boy called Jack! A vibrant picture book with a surprise ending that will delight children aged 3-6.

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Merry Christmas from everyone at Apple Juice Radio!

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We frown on Where the Wild Things Are and smile at Tell Me a Dragon.

The Quick Review

Where the Wild Things Are? Who cares! If our kids were as whiney as these wild things, they’d be on the naughty stair with no prospect of a hot supper EVER. Self-indulgent and pointless.

Instead we recommend Tell Me a Dragon (age 2+), a magical picture book that celebrates all different kinds of dragons – sea, sky, fire, ice, snaggle-toothed or pocket-sized – it will make even the grown-ups wish they could have one for real.

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We visit the Planet Science website, try a Horrible Science experiment, and review some of the best new science books for children.

The Quick Review

The Science Museum’s Everything You Need to Know about Science (age 5+) has lots of facts, big colourful pictures, and easy experiments to try at home… it’s a perfect introduction to everything from rocks to rocket science.

For age 8+ we recommend Really Really Big Questions to get kids thinking about life, the universe and everything. Is time travel possible? Are there such things as flying saucers? Is it wrong to design a baby? Get the kids reading now, and maybe they’ll come up with answers by the time they turn 40.

planet-science.com is another fun way to introduce young children to science, with stacks of online games and plenty of imaginative ideas for parents and teachers.

And the massive worldwide success that is the Horrible Science series of books and experiment kits did manage to give us a big bang of our own. Listen to the show to hear for yourself.

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We review Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr Fox and choose our own winner from the Roald Dahl Funny Prize shortlist. 

The Quick Review

Wes Anderson brings his familiar mix of artsiness and angst to his original take on Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox. Terrific, but not really recommended for young children. Go, enjoy, and if you must take the kids, be prepared to sign up for family therapy.

The Roald Dahl Funny Prize (books for age 6 and under) was won this year by Mr Pusskins Best in Show by Sam Lloyd. The further adventures of the irascible Mr Pusskins feels rather like Martin Scorsese winning Best Director for The Departed. It’s about time… but really?

Instead Apple Juice Radio gives its own (trophy-free) Funny Prize to one of the other shortlisted books: The Great Dog Bottom Swap by Peter Bently & Mei Matsuoka. A truly hilarious explanation for why dogs sniff each other’s bums when they meet, this imaginative story has more than enough bottom humour to have the whole family snickering. Listen to the show to hear our verdict on the entire RDFP shortlist.

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The Hallowe’en Books Special.

The Quick Review

Francesca Simon’s delightful anti-hero is back in a new collection of stories, Horrid Henry Wakes the Dead. Children everywhere love Henry for his roguish behaviour: think Victor Newman from Y&R or Eastenders’ Grant Mitchell and you’ll immediately get the appeal. Ages 5-9.

The Italian artist Eva Montenari’s Witches and Fairies is a whimsical story of gentle rivalry between two kinds of magical beings, with stunning illustrations apparently reminiscent of Bruegel. Listen to the episode to hear Andy being more pretentious than humanly possible. Ages 2-5.

One of the best ever Hallowe’en stories, The Witch’s Hand by Peter Sutton will be a sure hit with imaginative children and mischievous fathers. Ages 3-7.

This episode of Apple Juice Radio also features an interview with one of the Beastly Boys, a trio of writers who have created a series of books called An Awfully Beastly Business. Ulf is an orphaned werewolf who lives and works at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Beasts. With help from Tiana the fairy, a friendly giant, a mysterious ghost and a loyal vet, Ulf must stop an evil mastermind who wants to torture and kill beasts. Ages 8-12.

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We discuss Return to the Hundred Acre Wood and Wishing for Tomorrow, and enjoy wonderful new animated movie Up.

The Quick Review

David Benedictus does a good pastiche of AA Milne in The Return to the Hundred Acre Wood. Christopher Robin is back from school, and a summer of gentle adventures begins. Fans of the originals should enjoy this new take on the characters, complete with charming illustrations. Age 6+.

Hilary McKay’s Wishing for Tomorrow picks up where Frances Hodgson Burnett’s A Little Princess ends. All little girls (and their mothers) left wanting more at the end of the classic tale will be delighted by this subtly modern sequel. Age 8+.

Up. Pixar’s latest masterpiece. Uplifting, uproarious, uppermost film of the year… Go see, and add your own superlatives. Age 3 to 93.

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We review the picture book version of Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom and Bedtime Stories on DVD.

The Quick Review

Nelson Mandela’s autobiography Long Walk to Freedom has been abridged and released as a picture book. With moving illustrations by Paddy Bouma, the history of apartheid and story of Mandela’s life is made accessible to children. But with events like the Sharpeville Massacre also depicted, this is not a book for children under 10.

Bedtime Stories – Adam Sandler stars as a hotel handyman who tells his niece and nephew stories that start coming true. A bewilderingly long set up and not nearly enough screentime for the actual bedtime stories, combined with some adult themes and typical Sandler antics places this film firmly in 7+ camp. Unless you want to endure a crescendo of questions about what on earth is going on!

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