As with the other books in this inventive series, fans will be thrilled to spend more time with the MBS four. Kids who've read the first two books already know each character's strengths and ...
Common Sense Editor
- Carrie R. Wheadon
- 1 kid: age 0
About Me
Hi! I’m the Senior Editor for the Book and DVD sections. I learned my love for children's media from my mother, the world's best preschool teacher. My favorite kids’ movie is Mary Poppins and my favorite picture book is Flotsam. I also know more Harry Potter trivia than I care to admit. I have been a writer and editor for 13 years and have now been with Common Sense for three wonderful years. I’m also a new mom! My son was born January 25.
What My Kids Love Now
For CSM I'm reading the first in the Septimus Heap series -- love it so far. The baby's favorite book right now is Brown Bear Brown Bear -- he even turns the pages at the right time!
House Rules
When the baby hit 6 months he started to notice TV, so we decided to turn it off when he is around. It's HARD!
When the Kids Are Asleep…
I catch up on The Daily Show and Colbert Report on my TIVO before I dig into whatever kids book I'm reading for CSM.
My Biggest Challenge Is:
We're in the middle of baby-proofing. Fun fun!
Titles You’ve Reviewed
Book: The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma
I rate this titleonand give itNot as inventive as first two books, but still great fun.
Book: Cirque Du Freak: The Saga of Darren Shan Series
I rate this titleiffyand give itVampire horror series may hook reluctant readers.
Book: The Magician's Elephant
I rate this titleonand give itMagical, inspirational story perfect for reading aloud.
It's the curious characters here as well as the wonderful lessons that carry this heart-felt fable to a new level. And guaranteed as the story is read aloud -- and really should be -- a different ...
Book: The Sorceress: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, Book 3
I rate this titleonand give itThird book in mythological mashup series still excites.
Consistent with the rest of the series, creatures and characters plucked from a number of mythologies and historical eras abound. For the most part, these creatures fascinate and send chills down ...
DVD: Secrets of the Furious Five
I rate this titleonand give itFun, lesson-rich short stars Kung Fu Panda gang.
Despite its brevity, SECRETS OF THE FURIOUS FIVE holds its own as an enjoyable series of vignettes. Each of the five stories, while not as pristinely animated as Kung Fu Panda, keeps the pace ...
DVD: Another Cinderella Story
I rate this titleonand give itSelena Gomez brings fresh pop fun to an old tale.
Cinderella stories usually end at the big reveal. This one keeps on trucking through a courtship (with some rather cheesy moments), jealous plans to split the pair apart, and a big dance competition ...
DVD: My Little Pony Live: The World's Biggest Tea Party
I rate this titleonand give itLess engaging for young Pony fans in DVD form.
The draw for any toddler and preschooler is seeing their favorite toys in giant form, dancing and singing on stage. Which means that kids who love the toys would probably enjoy seeing this live more ...
Book: Breaking Dawn: The Twilight Saga, Book 4
I rate this titleiffyand give itSupernatural soap saga drags on way too long.
Fans finally get what they want at the beginning of this fourth book in the bestselling Twilight Saga: a fairytale wedding, a honeymoon, and s-e-x. Once that's out of the way, teens who ...
Book: Diary of a Wimpy Kid
I rate this titleonand give itLaugh-out-loud funny school stories with lessons.
Begun in 2004 by a game developer as comics on the site www.funbrain.com, this "novel in cartoons" translates well to book form. DIARY OF A WIMPY ...
DVD: It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
I rate this titleonand give itHalloween isn't complete without this classic.
You can almost smell the donuts, cider, and piles of leaves on a crisp fall day when you start watching IT'S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN. Generations of trick-or-treaters have grown up on ...
