In the Heights movie is a celebration of love, dreams, community, family, and the melting pot that makes New York the greatest city in the world
Fair warning: This is not so much a review of the new In the Heights Movie, opening tonight, as it is a love letter. I am a movie person, as any longtime reader here knows. I’m also a Broadway person, a Lin Manuel person, and a proud native New Yorker. Put them...
Kate DiCamillo on why kids need superheroes right now | Spawned 228
It’s a bit of a statement say we fan-grilled a bit over this week’s guest on the Spawned Parenting Podcast, two-time Newbery award-winning author Kate DiCamillo. Surely you know her incredible children’s books like The Tale of Despereaux, Because of...
Gen Xers! We found 7 fun 80s movie-themed board games that are totally excellent
At my house, we always start the new year with new board games found under our tree, and this year, it’s included some really fun board games inspired by 80s movies. As we face the fact that there’s a whole lot of winter to go (and stay-at-home orders and...
Roald Dahl’s The Witches is great campy fun, and don’t believe anyone who says differently.
As a movie buff, I tend to be skeptical of reboots. Especially reboots of movies like Roald Dahl’s The Witches which became an instant Halloween classic in the 90s. But the 2020 version, now on HBO Max, is more of a reimagining than a reboot. And a needed one,...
10 books kids and teens should read before they become movies and TV series in 2020.
This year, even though we haven’t been able to go to actual movie theaters, we’re still seeing plenty of great movies from home. Yay for film companies adapting! And yay for me spending less than $50 to get everyone popcorn! If you’re big on reading...
Bingewatch Nation! Why you should give yourself permission, and what to watch these days. And nights. | Spawned 195
We are safe-distance podcasting today! We have wine! And we are punchy! With all the time we have (no, we don’t entirely have a lot of time) we are watching ALL THE SERIES and laughing through this conversation today about our binge watching recos — what...
Stream these 15 terrific, kid-friendly educational documentaries that aren’t necessarily made for kids.
As a homeschooling mom, I know how educational documentaries for kids can help fill the days, balance entertainment with education, and even give us longer breaks when we need it. I even included it in my tips for parents who are now homeschooling, while schools are...
The diversity of women taking over entertainment: Editors Best of the Year
It’s hard to even know where to start with this — each of these women could be their own Editors Best of the Year, but together, they’re even more powerful. And that’s saying something. We have to start somewhere, so, as we often do,...
Illustrators see the beauty and meaning of Halle Bailey as Ariel and we’re here for it.
With the announcement of the inspired casting of Halle Bailey as Ariel in the upcoming Little Mermaid live action reboot, certain people in certain corners of the internet lost their GD minds. I alternated between bemusement and more uh, intense feelings, about those...Hi! We’re Kristen + Liz!
We started Cool Mom Picks in 2006 to help make life cooler, more meaningful, and more fun for parents of all kinds.
Trivia: It was called Cool Mom Sh*t for the first two days. (Yeah, we rethought that.)
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