F8F Bearcat

What is it about World War II aircraft that fascinates me?

Is it their design, look, flight and weapons capabilities or the nostalgia of seeing such aircraft in flight? Yes, to all of those.

Schiffer Books’ Legends Of Warfare Aviation F8F Bearcat Grumman’s Late War Dogfighter by writer David Doyle fulfills all of my nostalgic needs.

Practically bulging with black and white and color archival photos the book also offers full-color, up-close modern photos of the aircraft along with illustrations, charts, photo descriptions and enlightening text.

The Bearcat was introduced late in the war as a carrier-borne dogfighter designed to be used in the Pacific Theater.

While the aircraft was designed, tested and produced in small numbers there is no indication that it ever took part in actual warfare.

Eventually it did see combat in some smaller conflicts after WWII. But, with the Jet Age just around the corner the feisty, maneuverable and deadly Bearcat was soon phased out.

Still, it was an impressive aircraft and as shown in this small hardbound book it could have proved highly successful if introduced earlier in the war.

Look for plenty production, flight deck and interior and exterior photos of this dogfighter that never got to show its teeth.

Matthew 5:9 - Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Diamond Previews, June 2024

Psalms 34:4 - I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Deep Thoughts From A Shallow Grave

Who ever thought that death could be so funny?

In author Anthony Martignetti’s new book: Deep Thoughts From A Shallow Grave: Epitaphs To Die For, published by Rizzoli/Universe, dying is nothing to feel so ‘grave’ about.

“Bury’ your pre-conceived ideas of the afterlife with a hilarious ‘cemetery’ romp as you read the ‘tombstone’ epitaphs that poke fun at beyond the grave.

The little hardbound book contains black pages with gravestones and their clever epitaphs printed in white.

Honestly it is to ‘die’ for. So rush out and ‘dig’ up your own copy.

It is one hilarious ‘tomb’ tome-a veritable 'epitaph' encyclopedia.

Once you've read this 'cemetery' soliloquy, you'll finally be able to 'rest in peace'.

“How do the dead write a book? They de-compose it of course!”

1 Corinthians 16:13 - Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

Storm

Storm from the Uncanny X-Men has gone through a number of costume changes.  The 1:12 Scale, hand-painted, metal statue from Corgi Storm wears primarily blue and gold.

Very few Corgi busts exist.  It seems the company was in the character diecast arena for only a short time.  The company is mainly known for its metal diecast vehicles.

The statue stands about eight inches tall, including the base, comes in a form-fitted Styrofoam container held together with two cardboard straps.

The entire assembly fits into a three tab, lidded box decorated with Storm photos on all sides.  Mine is 230 out of 2,500 pieces.

Storm wears a single-piece, dark blue body suit with no straps.

A single large red jewels rests between her breasts.

From the jewel two golden straps lay over her shoulder and attach to a blue cape with lightning jagged gold edge trim.

A gold sash hangs from her waist.

The body suit ends in high heel shows.

Both ends of the cape attach to Storm's wrists.

Her white hair lays down her back to her waist.

In her hair she wears a black decoration with two ‘horns’ surrounding a circle with a cutout middle.

Two additional ‘horns’ lay on each side of her face.  Her eyes are white and pupiless, her eyebrows arched, her smiling mouth shows her teeth and accents her red lips.

Both arms are raised with hands extended and fingers flexed as if summoning the weather.

The figure stands with one leg slightly in front of the other on a base painted to look like a snow covered section of rock.

Paint application is smooth and clean with careful attention given to the face, hands and upper torso.

The glossy paint gives the figure a slight sheen.

Sculpt work is first-rate with nicely modeled clothing folds and figure anatomy.

The statue is solid and heavier than it looks.

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Being Bond

What is it like playing the iconic, super-secret agent James Bond in five films?

That’s the question (along with a few others) Daniel Craig would ponder as he took on the roll of James Bond.

Playing James Bond is not something any actor should take lightly. Bond is a film icon. The role can make an actor’s career. It can also type cast him if he is not careful.

I really liked Daniel Craig as James Bond. He portrayed the character much like he is described in the Bond novels. Behind Sean Connery he is/was my favorite James Bond.

Craig was able to install some humanity-faults and all, into Bond, who is basically a skilled assassin-albeit a sanctioned one by the British Secret Service.

In Titan Books’ massive hardbound book: Being Bond A Daniel Craig Retrospective, with a beautifully designed dust jacket featuring Craig as Bond on its cover in black and white and full-color spot varnished photos from his Bond films on its back, written by Mark Salisbury.

Inside color and black and white photos pop on the dull-coated, paper-stock interior pages. Sketches and art accompany the intriguing and thorough examination of the films’ productions and releases.

The book follows Craig tenure as Bond beginning with Casino Royale and Bond’s ‘death’ in No Time To Die.

Craig’s performance as Bond was intense, deep and multi-layered. His portrayal of Bond was as a flawed human being, with his own ghosts, fears, failings and strengths.

The films delve into Bond’s past, his choices, character development and what makes him tick.

A gallery of photos provide scenes both in front of and behind the cameras.

Commentaries, production notes and insider information all combine to make a captivating treatise on how the films were made.

Sets, costumes, locations, cars, cast choices, practical and visual effects, pre and post production and more are all covered in great detail.

Discover how Craig prepared for each film, how the cast members were chosen and the decisions made such as the killing off of M and more.

Especially interesting to me is how the stunts were pulled off, what locations were chosen and cast choices and script moments.

Seeing how the Craig Bond films were made made me appreciate the films even more. The book does an excellent job of laying out the films and explaining the filming processes and decisions.

Matthew 11:28 - Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

The Master

Buffy The Vampire Slayer’s major nemesis The Master has his own Sideshow Collectibles 12-inch, fully-articulated figure.

The Master figure comes in a Sideshow flip-lid box with information about the series on the inside of the flap.

The 12-inch figure is snug (along with its accessories) inside a form-fitted, clear-plastic cocoon with plastic straps seen through a clear plastic viewing panel.

The ancient vampire is more than a match for Buffy and her gang.

The Master comes dressed in black leather with a mid-thigh jacket complete with four pockets with flaps and silver buttons, heavy stitching and a wide black belt with a large silver buckle.

He wears cloth black pants and leather knee boots.

Also included is a circular black Buffy base and wire support stand for posing the figure.

A wine glass full of blood and two candles (one white, one red) come on two ornate golden candlesticks.  The candles look real with their wax dripping down their sides and onto the candlesticks. 

The Master’s pre-positioned hands clutch the candlesticks and wine glass firmly with no slippage or off-kilter tip.

The Master’s face is a horror with small sunken eyes, pulled back nose, large mouth with jagged teeth and high cheekbones.  

His heavy brow accents his bald head and small tucked-back ears.

Coloration consists of various light and dark flesh tones.

Articulation is tight, smooth when moved and the cloth hangs on the figure without bunching or folding.

It’s a spooky and frightening looking figure sure to please Buffy fans.

Revelation 21:4 - And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Star Trek: The Motion Picture

After Star Trek The Original Series gained new worldwide popularity as reruns in the 1970s, Paramount Studios (who owned the rights to Star Trek) decided to launch a new Star Trek TV series with the original cast sans Leonard Nimoy as Spock.

Production started on the series and then came the huge success of the first Star Wars movie.

The decision was made to make a big budget Star Trek film. Only this time ALL of the original cast signed on-including Leonard Nimoy.

Everything, including the Enterprise and sets had to be re-designed to meet cinema standards for filming. Television at the time did not require high-resolution images while films did.

That movie: Star Trek: The Motion Picture would be the launching point for numerous Star Trek films, TV series and more. Star Trek lives!

Both my wife and I went to the premiere of the movie and were excited to see the original cast back in action.

We were a little shocked when the new soundtrack played, when we saw radically different crew uniforms and the re-designed starship Enterprise.

The movie looked fantastic but it lacked the up-close-and personal feel of the original series. Updates were inevitable-but the film radically changed some things too much-such as the uniforms and some of the technology.

We liked the film, but went away a little disappointed.

In authors Jeff Bond and Gene Kozicki’s book: Star Trek The Motion Picture Inside The Art & Visual Effects, published by Titan Books, readers get an inside look at how the blockbuster film was created.

As I mentioned before everything had to be upgraded for the Silver Screen.

Sets, costumes, weapons, equipment, technology, models, lighting and visual and practical effects took a veritable army to prepare and create-given the film’s tight release date deadline.

The massive hardbound book features a wraparound dust cover with the movie poster art on the front and spot varnished production photos on the back.

Interior pages are dull-gloss paper that gives the gloss photos a nice punch.

Informative and highly-detailed and technical text explain the various stages of the film’s progress as well as offering some personal insights from the production crew.

Concept drawings, costume development, set dressings and design, character designs (including a new look for the Klingons) and starship miniatures and practical and digital effects are all covered in great detail.

Behind the camera set photos, cast photos and the design of V-ger are also included.

It’s an impressive collection of photos, art and text that delves deeply into making a landmark film.

I especially enjoyed seeing the set photos, technology designs and the process by which the model starships and space craft were filmed and photo composed.

Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

USS Saratoga (CV-3)

Author David Doyle writes about the USS Saratoga (CV-3) aircraft carrier in Schiffer Books’ Legends Of Warfare Naval USS Saratoga (CV-3) From The 1920s-1930s And WWII Combat To Operation Crossroads.

As a kid one of my favorite types of model kits to assemble were aircraft carriers. The Saratoga was one of my favorites.

While an old aircraft carrier The Saratoga was considered a technological wonder when it was first constructed. 

Fast, well-armed and heavily-armored she survived several massive bombings but eventually was mothballed and used as a test ship in one of America’s first atomic bomb explosions.

She did not survive, but her legacy lives on.

For a full tour of the ship be sure to look over all the photographs, charts and behind the scenes coverage of her construction, deployment, crew accommodations, weaponry and combat capabilities.

There’s plenty of descriptive text, secrets revealed and fascinating history to read all about.

1 Peter 5:7 - Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

 

 

Scarface’s 1963 Cadillac Series 62

What comes in a large box with clear side and front panels, a photo of a gangster on its front and a small figure of the gangster in a white suit with a black shirt?

Why Jada Toys 1:18 Scale diecast Scarface 1963 Cadillac Series 62 car of course!

What better car to drive when you’re the notorious gangster Scarface than the 1963 Cadillac Series 62?

The long, pastel-yellow Cadillac convertible has a tiger skin interior, including sun visors, plenty of leg room, a black steering with a chrome instrument panel and huge seats with tiger strip floor mats.

The white convertible roof collapses and lays on the car’s chassis just behind the rear passenger seats.

With its chrome body trim, headlights, grills, bumpers, door handles window trim and mirrors a custom hubcaps and white wall tires this monster of a car is pimped out for one classy ride.

Both the hood and trunk open.

Inside the hood is a powerful engine in chrome, black and red with full details. The trunk is cavernous with a spare tire.  The front passenger doors open.

Details on the car are picture perfect compared to its larger namesake.

A small three-inch figure of Scarface comes with the car.

It’s dressed in a white suit with vest, black shirt and shoes and holds a cigar in its left hand.  It looks just like Al Pacino.

All in all it’s an impressive package, movie accurate and extremely well crafted, painted and customized.

Mark 11:24 - Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 

Word Of The Day

I've never considered myself a writer until I realized that for the past 33 years I have written thousands of product reviews, commentaries, newspaper articles, three children's' books, comic books and advertising copy.

It hasn't been easy. But, over the years it’s not been so much letting the creative writing flow as it was being organized, consistent and drawing images and incidents from my own life.

I tell stories-albeit subtly intertwined with my reviews. But, like any writer, I want to improve.

Writer Marilyn Horowitz (with Elizabeth Wiseman) has written Word Of The Day that promises to Transform Your Writing In 15 Minutes A Day, published by 0-books/John Hunt Publishing.

Many of the tips they suggested I already practice but there are a few little tricks that helped me improve my writing.

Keep a journal, write in the early hours, intermingle your dreams and imagination, fuse verbal with visuals and let your right and left brain communicate with each other-logic + emotions.

There’s the words of the day, writing beliefs, story ideas, conflict clusters and a whole cornucopia filled with creative jump starts.

Try them, they work!

Deuteronomy 20:4 - For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

Super Pig

“Faster than a speeding snail! Able to leap tall anthills in a single bound! More powerful than a plate of food! Look, down on the ground! It’s Super Pig!"

The artist and writer team of Copons & Fortuny and publisher Schiffer Kids present the ultimate superhero: Super Pig!

The only problem is-he has no super powers-but tell him that.

Bitmax & Co Super Pig is a delightful new small, hardbound book that proves that it doesn’t take super powers to be a superhero, only a big heart and determination.

Things are usually pretty quiet in the Blue Forest but Super Pig somehow not only manages to cause trouble he usually makes things even worse when he tries to solve the problems he caused.

Still, his friends try to help him live his dream of being a superhero. Nothing works.

That is until a certain baddie gives him a super suit-it also gives him a super bad attitude-an attitude that almost costs him his friends and his own health and well-being.

What a fun story!

The art is amazing and the text is easy to understand and funny.

What a great bunch of delightful Blue Forest characters. It’s no wonder the Bitmax & Co books are so popular.

Romans 12:18 - If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Superman Red, Superman Blue, Red Tornado and The Penguin

From Mattel Toys' Wave 1 DC Universe line of action figures comes The Penguin and Red Tornado.

From Wave 2 Superman Red and Superman Blue.

Back in the 1990s when comic book sales were through the roof the various publishers (including DC comics) were constantly looking for gimmicks to sell their comic books.

With Superman, since the character had been around since the 1930s, it was getting more and more difficult to come up with original stories.

In an attempt to bring in more readers and satisfy its fanbase DC Comics decided to split Superman in two: one blue and one red.

Mattel Toys recreated both versions for its second wave of DC Comics Universe Superman Classic Collect & Connect series of 6-inch fully articulated action figures.

Both figures are identical save for their colors.  Both feature Superman in a one-piece outfit with a fitted headpiece, a white ‘S’ chest symbol, white lightning bolt arm and leg decorations and translucent energy crackles emanating from his wrists and shoulders.

The red figure has its mouth open, the blue does not.

Both are nicely sculpted with clever points of articulation in the waist, limbs, torso, head, feet and hands. A piece of a Collect & Connect Gorilla Grodd figure is included with both figures.

The portly Penguin figure features the avian villain decked out in his finest.

He wears a black tuxedo coat with tails, a white shirt with a black bowtie, an orange vest with black buttons, purple pants with black stripes, white gloves, black shoes with white spats, a monocle in his right eye and a black top hat with a blue hat ban.

The rotund figure is posed with his right hand raised and his left hand holding his trademark black and silver umbrella with its five jet boosters and sharp spins.

The Penguin’s face has a turned down grimace, a long pointed nose and double chins.

The android Red Tornado figure is primarily red with vertical yellow strips along his arms and legs and mid torso along with a horizontal yellow belt, a yellow chest symbol, yellow gloves, yellow and red boots and a yellow collar trim on his red and blue cape. 

A yellow stripe runs from his brow to the back of his head with a pointed arrow facing down from his forehead.

A translucent orange tornado swirl is attached to his right hand.

Both The Penguin and Red Tornado come from the Wave 1 set and contain pieces of the Metamorpho Collect & Connect figure.

All of the reviewed figures feature excellent articulation with cleverly hidden pivot, swivel, hinge and bend points.

Paint application is clean, distinct for each area and has no bleed over or sloppy edges.

The packaging displays each figure to its fullest advantage and the figures are held in place by transparent plastic cocoons.

Photos of the additional figures from both sets are on the back of the packages.

Proverbs 30:5 - Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Captain America The First Avenger The Art Of The Marvel Studios Infinity Saga

Of all of Marvel Studios Marvel Comics Phase 1’s movies I have to say that Captain America The First Avenger is my favorite.

The movie stayed true to the comic book Captain America origin story right down to almost every detail.

Chris Evans made the perfect Steve Rogers/Captain America and the entire cast that portrayed Bucky, The Red Skull, The Howling Commandos and others looked and acted like their comic book counterparts.

 In Titan Books’ Captain America The First Avenger The Art Of The Marvel Studios Infinity Saga book, written by Matthew K. Manning and designed by Mike Zagari, readers get to see just what it took to make such a great iconic film.

The oversize, hardbound book, with dust cover, features a heavy-binding cover, high-gloss paper stock for interior pages that really makes the art and photos pop.

Chapters are broke down by The American Dream, The Sentinel Of Justice, The Red Menace, Allied Forces, The Battle Lines, Heavy Artillery, Seeing Action, The Art Of War and includes a foreword by Rick Heinrichs.

The Joe Johnson directed film harkens back to the days of World War II and successfully captures the look, feel and ambiance of that era.

Costumes, weapons, transportation vehicles, war machines and military complexes look like they were constructed with the available technology and manufacturing techniques of that time period.

The introduction presents Captain America to readers complete with his back story, comic book art and much of U.S.A.’s propaganda art of the time.

Artwork, concept sketches, paintings, black and white and color photos illustrate the incredible amount of work that it took to pull off such a period movie.

Costumes and wardrobes look authentic, settings and vehicles reflect the WWII era and weapon designs along with sets capture the feel of war years.

Marvel at the concept art, miniatures, set pieces, weapons and accessories, wardrobes, set dressings and even the color palette and lighting used in the film capture the look of the mid-1900s.

It’s an incredibly well-designed book brimming with photos, filled with fascinating text, commentaries and movie technical jargon.

I absolutely love the photos of the costumes, weapons, aircraft, heavy artillery, mechanized transports and amazing sets.

A storyboard sequence is also included.

This is a jam-packed book contains highly-detailed images and text.

I felt as if I were reading a Captain America comic book only with real images-it’s that good.

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

South Pacific Air War

World War II. America was fighting on two fronts against the Axis powers.

The Nazi were advancing across Europe destroying towns and villages and killing thousands of soldiers and civilians and attempting to wipe out the Jewish population in its lethal concentration camps.

In the Pacific the Imperial armed forces of The Rising Sun (Japan) was entrenched on island after island putting up ferocious resistance to the Allied troops.

The Pacific Theater was bloody, brutal and fought tooth and nail.

In author Richard L. Dunn’s South Pacific Air War readers are given a blow-by-blow description of the fierce fighting and “The Role Of Air Power In The New Guinea And Solomon Island Campaigns, January 1943 To February 1944”.

Schiffer Military History has published the massive new book that goes into minute detail as chronicled in both U.S. and Japanese reports.

Discover how pivotal the Pacific Campaign was as the U.S. military sought to squelch the Japanese supply lines, fight bloody battles in the jungles and on the beaches and deployed the now legendary PT boats.

It’s some pretty serious and heavy reading that is both exhaustive and captivating.

Over 80 years ago the fate of the entire civilized world was at stake when the forces of evil battled for world dominion.

Only the combined land, sea and air military forces of the Allied troops managed to extinguish the threat.

World War II historians and history buffs in general will absolutely devour this book. Even if you are not a history buff this book is well worth reading.

As the saying goes, “Those who ignore the pitfalls and mistakes of history are doomed to repeat them.

I plan on passing this book on to many of my friends who are military, ex-military and military history buffs.

Isaiah 40:28 - Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.

Legacy Of Destruction

When you get to my age you start to think and plan about your legacy. What will you leave behind? What will you be remembered for? What will your family and friends think?

In Konami’s Shonen Jump Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Legacy Of Destruction nothing but devastation, death and a dreadful final solution is all that Yugi Muto, Atem with new versions of Silent Magician and Silent Swordsman have left.

Duelists can expect to find adventure, danger and a little bit of chaos in nine Cards per Foil Pack and 24 Packs per Box with one Foil Card in each Pack.

The Silents Strike and this is what you get:

• A new monster with artwork that features all three of the original Gadget trio.
• New Cards like Card of Sanctity and Ties of the Brethren.
• A brand-new version of Gandora the Dragon of Destruction.
• A Special Summon a monster from your Deck: Trident Dragion.
• A new FIRE Dragon theme inspired by this titanic Synchro Monster
• Perform Synchro Summons during the Battle Phase.
• Summon gigantic Dragon Synchro Monsters from the Graveyard.
• Brand-new Melodious cards!
• New Pendulum Monsters.
• A brand-new Fusion Spell.
• 2 new Fusion Monsters.
• A new awe-inspiring version of the Ritual Monster Saffira: Queen of Dragons.
• A brand-new Continuous Spell Card.

The Legacy of Destruction Booster Set contains 100 new Cards:

• 10 Secret Rares
• 14 Ultra Rares
• 26 Super Rares
• 50 Commons

24 of these Cards are available as Quarter Century Secret Rares.

1 special Card is ONLY available as a Quarter Century Secret Rare!

John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Furby Galaxy Edition

This is not your parent’s Furby. The new multi-color lime green, violet, purple and blue) Furby Galaxy Edition is an electronic, interactive toy that's out of this world courtesy of Hasbro Toys. Such a chatterbox!

Let’s start with the package. The colorful heavy cardboard box is sealed shut. A large graphic of a close-up of Furby’s face is on the front with highlights what Furby can do on one side and on the back.

On the other side is a long key graphic.

Tug at the top of the key and presto!, the perforated cardboard box easily opens revealing the interior of the box.

Tucked inside is Furby snug as a bug it its cardboard stand firmly held in place by the two screws that open the battery compartment (four batteries are needed-not included).

Unscrew the plate and Furby is free to chat away! The sleeve that surrounds Furby in the box also unfolds to reveal a four-panel background with colorful bedroom scene including a bed, furniture and all sorts of fun stuff.

Sit Furby on the stand in front of the bedroom scene and you have the perfect display piece!

Furby is adorable. Watch it talk, move its cute little green feet, open and close its big eyes (with yellow stars and real purple eyelashes) and wiggle its ears that light up in multiple colors.

Push the purple heart on its forehead and you can command it to do all sorts of things. Furby also responds to your conversations.

Five commands include:

• Dance Party: with songs and dance moves.
• Light Show: Changing color light and Furby reacts to your touch.
• Copycat: Furby repeats whatever you say in all sorts of crazy voices.
• Tell My Fortune: Ask questions and hear hilarious fortunes.
• Let’s Chill: Join Furby with breathing exercises and positive expressions.

It’s a snap to set Furby up. Press the heart button to change modes, unlock even more surprises-Furby will let you know. Speak clearly and only one command at a time.

• Furby loves to be petted and brushed-he responds.
• Furby’s ears react to music and speech with lights.
• You can feed Furby with your finger or pizza charm.
• Watch what happens when you rub or tickle Furby’s stomach.
• Furby’s feet are always ready to dance.
• Furby has its own language chart, goes to sleep when laying down and turns off with three quick pushes on its forehead heart.
• Furbys can even talk to each other Just follow the instructions.

An accessory pack is included. Inside are a necklace, snap together jewels, stars and other assorted shapes, a pizza slice and a comb.

Best of all, Furby lights up when its dark! Check out the glowing iridescent colors!

Furby is for ages 6 years old and up and can by found on Amazon.

It's an extremely well-crafted toy with realistic fur which is securely fastened to the body.

Lights and sounds are bright and clear and the overall assembly of the Furby is nicely detailed and durable for young children.

It's a sturdy toy that will last a long time.

What a great toy! I may be over 71 years old but Furby is going right on my shelf to brighten up my studio. My grand-kids are sure to love the lovable fur ball.

Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

The Calvin and Hobbes Portable Compendium Volume 1

Little boys (and girls) and their imaginary friends. They’re inseparable. 

I should know. I used to be a little boy and I had lots of imaginary friends. My son did. My grandson and granddaughter do too.

That’s the magic behind Bill Watterson’s Calvin and Hobbes daily and Sunday comic strip.

Sold as a set, Andrew McMeels’ The Calvin and Hobbes Portable Compendium Voume 1 slipcase contains two softbound books with images printed horizontal inside.

Bill Watterson only produced Calvin and Hobbes for 10 years. Once that time was up, so was the strip.

Interestingly enough Watterson never allowed his creation to be commercialized with toys and other collectibles. Any images featuring the characters people may see round and about (including a rather rude image of Calvin) are not sanctioned by Watterson.

If you love Calvin and Hobbes as much as I do having portable collections of black and white daily strips and Sunday color strips make enjoying the unique and hilarious cast of characters even more fun.

You can take them anywhere!

The Compendium also makes for a great gift.

Who wouldn’t love a little Calvin and Hobbes as a birthday present or as a surprise under their Christmas tree!?

Every time I read the strips (trust me, I’ve reread them a lot of times) I still manage to find something funny, poignant and relevant.

So what are you waiting for? Get your Calvin and Hobbes fix! After all, isn’t there a little bit of both in all of us!

The slip cased Compendium is shrink-wrapped and printed on high-quality paper stock that really makes the images clear and perfectly presented.

Psalms 55:22 - Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Diamond Previews, May 2024

Romans 15:13 - Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Peppa’s Muddy Puddles Party Singing and Dancing Doll

One does not usually associate cute, cheeky, adorable and lovable characteristics to a pig. That is, unless that pig is Peppa Pig.

Kids love Peppa and her family: little brother George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig.

Hasbro Toys' new Peppa’s Muddy Puddles Party Singing and Dancing Doll makes 55+ sounds and reactions.

She sings, talks, dances, holds a conversation when spoken to and is adorable in her bright red, real fabric dress with white stars.

Press the yellow and white daisy on her chest and watch her go!

Peppa loves playing games, dressing up, days out and jumping in mud puddles.

Measuring 12 inches tall Peppa comes in a special, colorful, heavy paper-stock box revealing Peppa in all her piggy glory. Put on her yellow galoshes (willies) and she does even more things.

Her arms and legs move as she dances, prances and has a glorious time splashing in mud puddles. Watch her head move back and forth!

Made of heavy-ply plastic Peppa is tough, durable and is made to last for a long time.

Battery-powered, electronic Peppa never seems to runs out of energy! Batteries are included!

Boots off and she is in party mode with party-themed sounds and phrases: the Peppa Pig theme and a Follow-Along game.

Boots on (they slip on easily) and she’s in Muddy Puddles Mode with themed sound effects and phrases, the Muddy Puddles song, and the Muddy Musical Statues game.

Peppa reacts to sounds like clapping or talking. Kids 3-years and older are sure to love her antics.

This is an adorable doll with its bright colors, wonderful sounds, music and voice capabilities and durable enough to withstand some rough and tumble play.

The torso hold the sound and movement mechanism that are barely noticeable and child proof.

Arms, legs and head move smoothly and the figure keeps its balance even when in motion such as dancing, etc.

Color application is smooth, clearly defined and duplicates the animated character's color scheme.

The voice (just like in the cartoon), sounds and music are crystal clear.

It's an extremely well-crafted toy secured in its box with straps and brace.

I have several young nieces and nephews that will want to play with Peppa and watch her dance, sing, talk, play games and interact.

Hasbro has done a bang-up job of taking a favorite animated character and translating it to a toy.

Just look at that face--big eyes and smile, rosy cheeks, adorable ears and movable legs and arms.

Available at Amazon and Walmart.com. Batteries are included.

Isaiah 41:10 - Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

If I Were The Moon

What if you were the moon? What would you do?

Writer Jesse Terry and illustrator Jacqueline East present If I Were The Moon, published by Schiffer Kids.

A little girl imagines what it would be like to be the moon.

She sees herself as a kind and gentle heavenly body who lights the way at night, guides boaters on gentle waves, gentle pulls people to her with caressing gravity and so much more.

The small hardbound book contains short, easy-to-understand text accompanied by fanciful, magical illustrations in soft pastels and shimmering silhouetted characters and landscapes as if lit by the moon’s light.

Imaginative, enthralling and whimsical If I Were The Moon is a modern fairy tale kids are sure to love.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4