Sony Pictures The Star Releases November 17th

Have you heard of the upcoming movie The Star?  It releases nationwide on November 17th from the producer of Heaven is for Real and Miracles from Heaven (both movies I saw in the theater and enjoyed).  In Sony Pictures Animation's The Star, a small and brave donkey named Bo longs for a life beyond his village mill.  After finding the courage to break free Bo teams up with Ruth, a loveable lost sheep, and Dave, a dove with big aspirations, in a journey of a lifetime.  The friends follow the Star and become heroes in one of the greatest stories ever told.

Check out the official trailer below.



My favorite holiday is Christmas and the story of the first Christmas never gets old for me.  It's pretty amazing!  I love the idea of seeing it through a new perspective, that of the animals.  I'm drawn to animation movies with animals.  Even though he's a donkey, Bo is extremely relatable in his desire for more in life.  I have sometimes wondered what it must have been like for the donkey that bore the pregnant Mary and now audiences everywhere get to watch this adaptation of Bo and all the animals at the first Christmas.  Exciting indeed!

I also really liked the Lyric Video to "Life is Good" by A Great Big World.  I really enjoy inspirational and uplifting music.  Check it out below.



The Star website has some fun resources including an animated coloring book as well as many fun activities including printable diaromas, mazes, connecting the dots, character cards and more!

Remember, this movie premieres in theaters on November 17th.  Check out The Star's website to buy tickets and for more information.  Let me know what you think.

Disclosure:  Thanks so much to Sony and FlyBy for sending me this campaign information.  As part of this campaign I will receive Fandango tickets.  All opinions are 100% my own.

The Christmas Story Book Review

It is not uncommon for people to think about Christmas in July but what about August?  Honestly, Christmas is something that I think about pretty regularly throughout the year and I love that my kids enjoy Christmas books no matter the month.  I have a Christmas book to tell you about today, The Christmas Story by Anita Ganeri.  I really love the watercolor illustrations, they are beautiful (kudos to Rachael Phillips). 

 I love this page with the angels.

 D looking over the pictures.

 E listening to the story.

This story is geared for children ages 3-5 but I think the age range is even broader than that.  It is a fairly thin book and short story.  Each page is accompanied by a rich watercolor illustration.  My children love looking at the illustrations while I read them the story.  The book opens with the angel telling Mary what is to come and ends with Mary, Joseph and Jesus leaving Egypt and heading home to Nazareth.  This is a great addition to our Christmas story collection.  This book also has a few extras in the back: a recipe for Christmas Biscuits (cookies), the music and words to "Away in a Manger", and a blurb about Christmas in general and angels.

Read more about this book and author below.

About this book
The birth of Jesus is recounted in The Christmas Story, a richly illustrated book with bonus activities geared for children ages 3-5.  Children will follow Mary and Joseph as they receive blessings from angels, travel to Bethlehem for the birth, are visited by wise men, escape from a cruel leader who wishes them harm and finally return safely to Nazareth.  Simple words make the story perfect for reading aloud.  The book also includes additional information about the Christmas holiday, the words and music to "Away in a Manger" and a recipe for cookies.

About the author and illustrator
Anita Ganeri is the author of more than300 books for children, including Alive, The Body Box, DK First Encyclopedia, Eruption and I Wonder Why the Sea is Salty.  Rachael Phillips is an author and illustrator of children's books.

Disclosure:  Thanks so much to Trafalgar Square Publishing for providing me with my own copy of The Christmas Story to facilitate my review.  All opinions expressed are my own.