Nick Jr. Series’ Latest DVD Is A “Super” New Release For Its Fans

Courtesy: Shout! Factory/Shout! Factory Kids/Nick Jr./Viacom

Shout! Factory Kids and Nick Jr. have teamed up to release another collection of episodes from the network’s hit series Kuu Kuu Harajuku next month that is certain to entertain the series’ key audiences.

The companies, along with dhx media, Red Flags Fly, Film Victoria, Moody Street Kids and Vision Animation, will release the series’ latest DVD Super Kawaii on Sept. 26 in stores and online.  The DVD, whose run time just tops the two-hour mark, offers plenty of entertainment for its target audiences in part because of its episodes.  This will be discussed shortly.  The stories presented in each episode are collectively just as important to discuss in examining this new DVD as the episodes themselves.  It will be touched on later.  The disc’s bonus material rounds out its most important elements, and will also be discussed later.  Each element noted here is important in its own way to the DVD’s overall presentation.  All things considered, they make Super Kawaii another “super” collection for any young Kuu Kuu Harajuku fan.

Shout! Factory Kids’ new Kuu Kuu Harajuku DVD Super Kawaii is another “super” collection for any of the series’ young fans.  That is due in part to the episodes presented in this latest collection.  The collection’s 12 total episodes are all culled from the series’ first season rather than being pulled randomly from each of the series’ two current seasons.  Even more interesting to note is that they are presented here in exactly the same chronological order as they were presented in their original airing on Nick Jr. The episodes’ ordering and the fact that they are all pulled from the same season is important to note because of how often companies out there release compilation DVDs whose episodes seem to be randomly pulled from their respective series. Every company does and has done this. Considering this, the episodes and their precise ordering create a solid foundation for the DVD’s presentation.  The foundation formed through the episodes and their ordering allows the stories presented within the episodes to sit easily atop them.

The stories that are presented within the DVD’s featured episodes are key to discuss in examining this DVD because of the variety in the stories.  The majority of the stories presented here center on HJ5 going on various adventures linked to them performing while facing just as many varied situations.  “Music Zoo” for instance finds the girls having to help clear Music’s reputation and record so that they can perform at their local zoo.  “Delectabubbles” finds the girls of HJ5 having to escape from an evil queen who wants to keep them in a bubble to silence them once and for all.  “Life is But A Dream” puts the ladies into one collective dream and leads to an interesting outcome for another concert.  Of course not every one of the stories shown here centers on the girls’ concerts.  Others are random adventures such as “Control + Alt + Dimension,” which uses a classic alternate universe story line for its setting.  Of course in this story, one of the girls ends up in an alternate universe in which everything is opposite of her universe.  HJ5 is evil while General NoFun and his sidekick Commander Boring are the good guys. The story follows Music as she tries to get back to her own universe, having to use the good Gen. NoFun and Cmdr. Boring to help her.  As if all of this is not enough, there is even an episode that takes a stab at record labels and their tactics in another of the set’s stories.  Between all of these stories and others not noted here, it becomes clear in examining the stories why they are so important to this DVD’s overall presentation.  They show the writers’ abilities to keep things fresh from one episode to the next even when using one central plot line for the stories.  On a side note, anyone that is or has been a fan of Hanna-Barbera’s classic animated series Josie & The Pussycats will especially find these stories entertaining as they clearly show that series’ influence from one to the next.  When this is considered along with everything else noted here, it becomes even more clear why these stories are critical to the DVD’s overall presentation. They are stories that will entertain older audiences just as much as younger viewers who might not be so familiar with the series’ obvious influence.  Now keeping everything already discussed in mind, the episodes and their stories are only a portion of what needs to be discussed in examining this DVD’s overall presentation.  Its bonus material is just as important to discuss as those aforementioned items.

The bonus material included in the DVD introduces the voices behind the girls of HJ5, and is actually interesting in its own right. The young ladies who bring the girls to life talk about the importance of the group being presented as strong, confident characters and about the characters themselves among other topics.  Those other topics include how the cast came together, how the characters’ personalities were created and more.  The featurette runs roughly 20 minutes or so, and not a moment is wasted.  The whole run time is filled with information that expertly introduces young audiences to the show on another level.  That breadth of information presented in the bonus featurette strengthens the DVD’s presentation even more, showing even more why this DVD will keep the series’ target audiences entertained with each watch.

Shout! Factory Kids and Nick Jr.’s new Kuu Kuu Harajuku DVD Super Kawaii, is a presentation that is certain to keep its young target audiences entertained from start to finish.  That is thanks in part to the episodes, which are presented here in the same chronological order as they were presented in their original airing.  The stories presented here will entertain those same audiences thanks to their variety while older audiences familiar with its forebear, Josie & The Pussycats will be entertained by the series’ comparisons.  The bonus material included in the DVD adds even more depth to the DVD’s presentation, adding even more enjoyment to the experience.  Each item is important in its own right to the set’s presentation.  All things considered, Super Kawaii proves to be another “super” collection for any Kuu Kuu Harajuku fan.  It will be available Sept. 27 in stores and online, and can be pre-ordered online via Shout! Factory’s online store.  More information on this and other titles from Shout! Factory is available online now at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.shoutfactory.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/shoutfactoryofficial

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ShoutFactory

 

 

 

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Shout! Factory Kids, Nick Jr. Partner For New Kuu Kuu Harajuku DVD

Courtesy: Shout! Factory/Shout! Factory Kids/Nick Jr./Viacom

Shout! Factory Kids has teamed with Viacom and Nick Jr. to ring audiences another new collection of Kuu Kuu Harajuku episodes.

Kuu Kuu Harajuku: Super Kawaii is currently scheduled to be released Tuesday, September 26 on DVD in stores and online. The set features 12 more episodes from the series’ debut season.  Pre-orders are available now via Amazon and ShoutFactory.com.

This time out, the young ladies of HJ5 have to turn Music back to herself when she turns into her alter ego, Muzaka in “Music Zoo.”  “Oh G” sees one of Pigment’s paintings come to life, leading the ladies to have to get things back under control.  In “Control + Alt + Dimension” Love ends up in an alternate dimension and has to get back to her own world.

These are just some of the episodes featured in the series’ latest release.  Nine other episodes fill out the disc.  As an added bonus, the collection also features interviews with the series’ voice vast.

More information on this and other titles from Shout! Factory and Shout! Factory kids is available online now at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.shoutfactory.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/shoutfactoryofficial

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ShoutFactory

 

 

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Transformers Fans Of All Ages Will Enjoy Shout! Factory Kids’ Latest Rescue Bots DVD

Courtesy: Shout! Kids/Shout! Factory

Shout! Factory Kids will release the latest addition to its kid friendly Transformers series Transformers Rescue Bots this Tuesday, February 10th. Transformers Rescue Bots: Jurassic Adventure is the sixth of the series’ collections released by Shout! Factory Kids and Hasbro Studios. Five previous collections having already been released, it is common sense that this DVD is just as worth the watch as the series’ previously released compilations. The central reason that it proves to be just as worth the watch as its predecessors is the collection of episodes chosen for the single-disc presentation. Six more episodes have been culled for the set starting with the series premiere “Family of Heroes.” The set also pulls in a second episode from Season One in the form of “Return of the Dinobot” that presents a Dinobot unlike anything most audiences know of from the Transformers’ previous incarnations. There is also a two-part episode from Season 2 and a pair of stand-alone episodes also from Season 2 to complement. All six episodes together make for plenty of enjoyment for Transformers fans of all ages. The same can be said of the writing behind each episode. Whether in the series premiere, the included two-part episode from Season 2, or for the remaining pair of episode, the writing in these episodes is to thank for their enjoyment. And last but hardly least worth noting of these episodes is work of the series’ all-star cast. Veteran actors LeVar Burton (Star Trek The Next Generation, Reading Rainbow, Captain Planet and the Planeteers), Jason Marsden (The Fairly Oddparents, The Garfield Show, Batman: The Brave and the Bold), and Mauriche LeMarche (The Simpsons, Futurama, Animaniacs) are joined by the likes of Parvesh Cheena (Outsourced, Sean Saves the World, A To Z), Steve Blum (Digimon: Digital Monsters, The Boxtrolls, Cowboy Bebop: The Movie), and Elan Garfias (Handy Manny, Chowder, Ni Hao Kai-Lam) among other names. And the interpretation of the episodes’ scripts rounds out the reasons that these episodes are so enjoyable. Regardless of the cast members’ level of experience, nothing but professionalism was shown in each episode, making easier suspension of disbelief and in turn the overall enjoyment of the episodes. By itself, the work of the cast in each of these episodes makes for its own level of enjoyment among audiences. Together with the work of the series’ writers and those charged with assembling the episodes, all three elements make Transformers Rescue Bots: Jurassic Adventure a great adventure for Transformers fans of all ages.

Transformers Rescue Bots: Jurassic Adventure is not the first collection of episodes that Shout! Factory Kids has released from Discovery Family’s family friendly update on Hasbro’s classic franchise following everyone’s favorite robots in disguise. It is however a fully enjoyable collection of episodes. It is a fully enjoyable collection both for those that are and those that are not so familiar with the series. The central reason for that enjoyment is the collection of episodes pulled for the DVD. Regardless of audiences’ familiarity with the series, every one of the series’ fans finally gets to see how the series started thanks to the inclusion of its premiere episode to open the whole thing. Audiences also get to see the writers’ vision of at least one of the legendary Dinobots as well as other early adventures of the Rescue Bots. The collection in whole offer loads of action and laughs for Transformers fans of all ages. The episodes by themselves offer loads of action and laughs for the whole family. That is thanks to the adventures that make up each episode. Keeping in that vein, the writing behind each of the episodes is to thank for making each episode so enjoyable.

The writing that went into each of the episodes on this DVD is just as noteworthy as the episodes themselves in considering what makes it so enjoyable. One way in which the writing proves so important is in the series’ premiere episode “Family of Heroes.” Audiences will note in this episode that at least one of the Rescue Bots—Heatwave—is not instantly fond of being on Earth. As a matter of fact, he would much rather take a mission on another planet than deal with humans who want to control them. Obviously they aren’t really trying to control the Rescue Bots. And eventually, Heatwave overcomes his mistrust as Cody and his family prove that they can be trusted. Yes, it’s a tried and true story element used in so many other series and movies. But especially in the case of this series, it’s interesting to see that things don’t start out with a full-on “happy-happy-joy-joy” vibe for the Rescue Bots or for the humans in terms of their relationship. It is just one example of why the writing in these episodes makes them so enjoyable. The writing in the two-part episode “What Lies Below”/”What Rises Above” is another good example of why the writing behind the episodes makes them so enjoyable. It could even be argued to be the best example of the disc’s episodes in terms of its writing. That is because of the amount of material that went into the episode in whole. Chief Burns and his brother Woodrow (voiced here by Mark Hamill—Star Wars, Batman: The Animated Series, Codename: Kids Next Door) have to come to terms with the tensions built between them ever since their childhood. At the same time, Heatwave exhibits his own personal growth as the leader of the Rescue Bots as he and Optimus Prime work to get back to the others and get out of the volcano. At the same time, the writers pay tribute to Jules Verne in this episode as a hidden prehistoric world is discovered along the way. Through the whole story, none of the noted elements overpowers the other. The end result is a story that easily keeps viewers fully engaged, wondering what will happen next. The writers’ tackling of myths in “In Search of the Griffin’s Nest” and the classic theme of AI becoming sentient (and dangerously so at that) in “Movers and Shakers” is as enjoyable as any sci-fi story. Whether for the solid work on the DVD’s included two-part episode, the series’ premiere, or even that in “In Search of the Griffin’s Nest,” the writing behind the episodes included on Transformers Rescue Bots: Jurassic Adventure shows time and again why it is so pivotal to the overall enjoyment of the DVD. Together with the episodes selected for the compilation, both elements strengthen even more the argument in favor of this latest addition to the series’ already-released compilations.

The episodes tapped for inclusion on Transformers Rescue Bots: Jurassic Adventure and the writing behind each episode make a strong argument in favor of this new DVD. The work of the series’ voice cast is just as worth mentioning in the overall enjoyment of these episodes. From the series premiere to the episodes that followed, the chemistry and professionalism between the cast is obvious. Considering the cast’s collective years of experience, that should come as no surprise. That’s especially the case with lead stars Jason Marsden and Mauriche LeMarche. Marsden, who voices lead character Kade Burns, and LeMarche, who voices Kade’s father Chief Charlie Burns, breeze through their roles. The same can be said of fellow veteran LeVar Burton as he voices supporting character Doc Greene. Even young Elan Garfias (Cody Burns) impresses in his own right. While Garfias might not have the years of experience as Burton, LaMarche, and Marsden, he still shines as the voice of Cody. He handles his role in every episode with the ease and professionalism of a seasoned veteran. And together with his older, more experienced co-stars–including those not noted here–the group as a whole proves to be the perfect choice for each role. The choices paid off in spades, too with each cast member alone and together keeping viewers just as fully engaged with its work as the stories behind each episode. It is the last part of the DVD’s whole that makes it so enjoyable for Transformers fans of all ages. Together with the work of the show’s writers and those tapped to select the DVD’s episodes, all three elements together show in full why Transformers Rescue Bots: Jurassic Adventure is yet another great collection of episodes from what is one of the greatest incarnations of the Transformers.

Transformers Rescue Bots: Jurassic Adventure will be available tomorrow, February 10th in stores and online. It can be ordered online direct from Shout! Factory Kids’ online store at https://www.shoutfactory.com/kids/kids-animation/transformers-rescue-bots-jurassic-adventure. More information on this and other releases from Shout! Factory and Shout! Factory Kids is available online at:

Website: http://www.shoutfactory.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/shoutfactoryofficial

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eOne’s New Peppa Pig Compilation Another Welcome DVD For The Whole Family

Courtesy: eOne/Nick Jr.

eOne and Nick Jr. released the latest compilation of episodes from Nick Jr.’s family favorite series Peppa Pig this week. Peppa Pig: The Balloon Ride was released Tuesday. As with the series’ previous releases, it’s another collection of episodes that the series’ young viewers will thoroughly enjoy. Parents will appreciate it just as much. The main reason that both parents and children alike will appreciate this latest compilation is the episodes’ short run time and collective run time. Another reason that audiences will value this compilation is the same reason as before. That reason is its writing. And last but most definitely not least of all is its ability to connect with its viewers. All these factors together make Peppa Pig: The Balloon Ride one more welcome addition to any family’s home library.

The primary reason that audiences will appreciate Peppa Pig: The Balloon Ride is the collective run time of the episodes culled for the collection. The total run time listed on the DVD’s case is one hour. There are twelve shorts total included on this disc. That equals to roughly five minutes per short. That is perfect for the show’s younger viewers as it is just long enough to keep the attention of the said audiences. Any longer and young audiences might become disinterested and in turn bored. This would lead parents to have to find other ways to entertain children. Coming full circle, that means that once more the short run time of each short will keep young viewers thoroughly entertained even if only for an hour. Any parent will agree that an hour of having a child entertained is an eternity of peace and quiet. So, kudos are in order for eOne and Nick Jr. for that. By direct connection, the writing in each of the short is another big part of why they will keep young viewers entertained.

The run time of the shorts both by themselves and collectively is just the tip of the iceberg that makes Peppa Pig: The Balloon Ride another welcome addition to the home library of any family with young children. The writing continues in these shorts to be another reason for the compilation’s enjoyment. Rather than write shorts that teach moral lessons, the series’ writers continue to write short stories that teach basic concepts for younger audiences. Those concepts include learning how to whistle, learning how to ice skate, and valuing what one has rather than always having to have new and shiny things among many other concepts. The latter of those noted lessons comes in the short “The New Car” while the lesson about ice skating lies in the aptly titled short “Ice Skating.” And “Whistle” teaches young viewers how to whistle. These are simple concepts to adults, obviously. But to a toddler and even pre-school age viewers, these are largely alien concepts. The writers have presented them in ways that make them easy for said viewers to grasp. That applies to the shorts not noted, too. That ease of understanding coupled with the lessons taught in each short add even more value to this DVD. And partnered with the ability of the shorts to connect with viewers, this compilation gains even more value for families with young children.

eOne and Nick Jr. offer parents and children plenty of reason to enjoy Peppa Pig: The Balloon Ride thanks to the writing that went into each short and the shorts’ collective run time. The ability of the series’ writers to connect with the show’s young viewers through each short is the cherry on the top of this treat for the whole family. Each episode is written not necessarily from the perspective of Peppa. She is however, the central figure in each short. The resultant effect is that younger viewers will be able to relate more to both her and her brother. As with the writing and run times of each episode, this final factor will help that much more to keep young viewers engaged. And together with those factors, it rounds out the entire presentation, making it again, one more DVD that the whole family will appreciate.

Peppa Pig: The Balloon Ride is available now on DVD in stores and online. More information on this release and others, as well as the Peppa Pig series is available online at http://www.facebook.com/OfficialPeppaPigUS and http://www.peppapig.com/us. To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Peppa Pig’s Latest Compilation Fun For Audiences New And Old

Courtesy: Entertainment One

Peppa Pig’s latest collection of episodes will hit stores next Tuesday, March 18^th courtesy of Entertainment One.  Peppa Pig: My Birthday Party offers young viewers fourteen more fun-filled shorts from Nick, Jr.’s hit series.  Whether or not audiences are familiar with Peppa Pig, everyone will agree that there is much about this show that makes it perfect for pre-school age viewers.  One of the many aspects of the show that makes it so enjoyable for young viewers is that its shorts are no more than roughly five minutes. Viewers that are less familiar with the series will see this firsthand when they purchase or order this new DVD.  Another positive aspect of the series displayed in the shorts on this DVD is the ability of the writers to balance entertainment and important life lessons within such a small span of time.  That in itself is a feat worth noting.  And one would be remiss to omit any mention of the series’ animation style.  Because it is made to look like it was drawn by a child, it becomes all the more accessible for young viewers.  These are just a few examples of what makes the episodes in this latest DVD from Peppa Pig enjoyable for young viewers.  Every family will find their own positives when they purchase or order the DVD for themselves.  Regardless of which aspects each family finds that makes the episodes on this disc so enjoyable, every family will agree that everything noted here makes it a DVD worth having for their pre-schooler.

Peppa Pig: My Birthday Party is not the first home release of shorts from the aforementioned series.  Despite this, there may still be some families that have yet to experience what makes this Nick Jr. series so popular with both its viewers and their parents.  The first notable positive of the episodes collected for this compilation is the run time of each short.  Each short included on this disc barely tops the five minute mark.  This far outperforms the shorts of most other children’s programs.  The shorts of said shows can run anywhere from fifteen minutes to a full half hour.  That makes keeping young eyes engaged without breaking their attention difficult.  So by comparison, the heads behind Peppa Pig have done quite a bit right with the timing on these shorts.

The short run time of the episodes in this compilation is the foundation of what makes them a perfect collective group of episodes for pre-school age viewers.  Just as important to note in these episodes is the work of the series’ writers.  The series’ writers only had five minutes with which to work and entertain and engage audiences.  The writers utilized every second of that short time span, making the shorts both entertaining and in some cases educational so to speak. They did so without letting the shorts feel like they’ve been jammed with content, either.  For this reason, the series’ writers deserve a standing ovation.  It shows just how well they have been trained in their craft.  Audiences will find themselves applauding the writers for this reason, too in watching this DVD.

A couple examples of episodes containing important lessons in this set are “Dens” and “Grandpa Pig’s Boat.”   In “Dens,” Peppa and her friends learn a very important lesson about not excluding others.  In, “Grandpa Pig’s Boat,” Peppa’s grandfather learns his own important lesson about bragging to others and the potential consequences.  There are more lessons and fun included throughout each of the DVD’s fourteen total shorts than there is time and space to mention everything.  As with the short run-time, that balance of entertainment and education makes this DVD all the more worth purchasing and/or ordering for any family with young children.

The writing and run time of the shorts included in Peppa Pig: My Birthday Party are both integral to the overall enjoyment of the episodes collected for this DVD.  There is one more aspect worth noting that makes these episodes especially enjoyable for those that perhaps are less familiar with Peppa Pig.  That aspect is the series’ animation.  Audiences will note in the episodes on the latest DVD that the shorts look like they were drawn by a child.  This was no accident.  That they look like they were drawn by a child makes them more relatable to young audiences.  That ability to relate to the show’s target audience serves even more to keep viewers fully engaged.  Given, it isn’t the only series to use such animation style.  PBS Kids’ Peg + Cat uses a similar animation style.  But it is the only other example of a series that uses such animation style that comes to mind.  CG graphics dominate most of today’s children’s programming.  So even if the animation of these episodes was created via computer, it doesn’t show.  That is a true testament to the series and these episodes on s smaller scale.  It makes the episodes all the more examples of what makes these episodes (and the series as a whole) so original and so enjoyable for young eyes and minds.  Peppa Pig; My Birthday Party can be ordered now online via Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FWVXRLG/ref=s9_simh_gw_p74_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=15X655GDEJKNC4G1306Z&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200382&pf_rd_i=507846.

More information on this and other Peppa Pig DVDs and all things Peppa Pig is available online at http://www.peppapig.com, http://www.facebook.com/OfficialPeppaPig, and http://twitter.com/PeppaPigCartoon.  To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Shine And The Moonbeams Debut LP A Solid Start For Kemp And Company

Courtesy: Waldmania PR

The brand new self-titled album from Shine and the Moonbeams is an easy candidate for one of the year’s best albums for kids.  With its mix of upbeat music an equally uplifting lyrics, this album is one that even parents will appreciate.  It all opens with a fun Latin-tinged piece titled, ‘The Melody in Me’ that is sure to have kids and parents alike on their feet and dancing to the music.  It starts off with a group of horns set against the band clapping in time to the music while drummer Russell Carter kicks in a light New Jack swing beat.  That alone is enough to get kids and their parents up and moving.  Singer Shawanna “Shine” Kemp’s vocals make the song even more fun when she comes in.  What she sings isn’t just some kid friendly happy happy joy joy type of song.  It’s a song that celebrates the joy of music, period.  She sings, “There’s a melody/Music in my feet/Can you hear this beat/Right here in my feet/There’s a melody/Music in my hands/Can you hear this band/Right here in my hands/And I can clap my hands/And I can stomp my feet/And I can dance and I can sing/Sing it with me.”  It’s a fun song, plain and simple.  It’s one to which the whole family will find itself singing and dancing.  Suffice it to say that it is one heck of a first impression for this band.  Things only get more fun for families as the band launches into the album’s second song, ‘Imagination,’

‘Imagination’ is just as fun as the album’s opener for a couple of reasons.  The first and most obvious of those reasons is the song’s lyrical side.  It’s a song that encourages young listeners to—in simple terms—use their imaginations.  As the years have passed by and technology has advanced with each year, young audiences have increasingly demanded instant gratification.  It’s even gotten to the point that rather than learning to use their imaginations, children can just turn on Nick, Jr. or Disney, Jr., and voila, there’s the imagination right in front of them.  It takes away their reason to think for themselves.  Here in this song though, Kemp tells her young audiences just how fun it is to not get that instant gratification; to think for themselves and reap the rewards of doing so.  She sings, “I can be a lion or a jellyfish/I can be anything that I wish/Soccer player, rocket scientist/A peanut butter sandwich/When I use my/Use my imagination/yeah/I’m in a forest with two hundred-foot trees/I’m on the ocean sailing the seven seas/I’m a river/I’m a mountain/I’m even a breeze/I’m a bee/I’m a beehive/I’m even a sting when I use my/Use my imagination/Yeah/It comes in handy/In any situation/Yeah, yeah.” This is just one of a handful of inspiring and uplifting songs that parents will have no problem playing with and for their kids.  There’s at least one more prime example of what this album offers to its listeners.  It’s one of so many for which parents will be thankful.  That song is ‘Bully Bully.’

‘Bully Bully’ is a fitting song in the current era as the country continues to tackle the ongoing bullying epidemic of childhood bullying.  Kemp and her band mates sing straight forward about the problem of bullying, “It won’t stop until we all say stop/So STOP/Stop bullying me/Stop bullying me.”  This is a simple statement.  But it’s such a powerful statement at the same time.  It’s a true statement.  Rather than letting children be victims and in many cases become martyrs of sorts, all it takes is simply standing up to bullies and telling them to stop.  It’s incredible what someone standing up to a bully can do for a person.  The force that Kemp and company use when they say “STOP” really drives home the importance of not being mousy about standing up to bullies, either.  One doesn’t have to be as mean as the bullies.  One needs just stand up to a bully and be firm.  Tell that bully in a voice that lets them know a person means business plain and simple, “STOP!”  They’ll typically back down pretty quickly.  This is just one more of so many outstanding songs on this debut effort from Shine and the Moonbeams.  It’s one of so many songs that again, makes it one of the best albums of 2013 for both children and parents alike.  The album is available now.  It can be ordered online via Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Shine-Your/dp/B00DDBEBE4/ref=sr_1_cc_2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1371757895&sr=1-2-catcorr&keywords=Shine+and+the+Moonbeams.

The band is currently touring in support of its album.  Its next performance is at the River Celibration Day festival at West Harlem Piers Park on June 29^th.  Fans can get a complete listing of the band’s tour dates and all of the latest news from the band on its official website at http://shineandthemoonbeams.com and on its official Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shine-and-the-Moonbeams/234481786657193.

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.