How to get through The Smurf Movie without wanting to kill yourself

August 17, 2011 Joanne Mallon 8

Katy-perry-smurf-dress

Ever since we made our Build a Bear Smurfs, The Offspring have been slavering at the prospect of The Smurf Movie.

I have not. The smell of this one had started wafting our way, and it wasn't good. I tried to dump it on to JH, but he pointed that he had already visited his own seventh circle of cinema hell in the shape of Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.

So yesterday we did the deed and went to see The Smurf Movie. And yes, the children did enjoy the film. Personally, I felt it was a horrible waste of everyone involved's time.

Parents, if like me you get sucked into the vortex of hype that is The Smurfs, here are a few tips to help you endure the experience:

Our cult TV tour of Wales

August 16, 2011 Joanne Mallon 7

A walking holiday in Wales is a marvellous thing – the mountains, the lush, green landscape and the sheep are the perfect antidote to home life enslaved by the goggle box.

Unless, of course, you combine the two, as we did last week, and base your Welsh holiday around TV shows you like. 

First stop was Portmeirion, location for the Sixties classic The Prisoner. Be seeing you!

Portmeirion-the prisoner-wales-august 2011 

It's just like Disneyland squeaked The Offspring. That's right kids – a Disneyland you can never leave. Though the hotel is pretty dandy, so you might not want to.

Children’s book review: Lego Ninjago Brickmaster

August 11, 2011 Joanne Mallon 2

Lego Ninjago brickmaster I used to wonder if Lego were trying to do slightly too much with the Ninjago range – it's a construction toy, a trading cards game, a toy spinner, a collectible – and now with the release of Ninjago Brickmaster, it's a book as well.

But what do I know – the range has become enormously popular. Last term it was the toy of choice to smuggle in to school for every small boy I know.

The Brickmaster range from DK is a sort of hybrid – half story book, half Lego building project. The left hand side of the book is a cardboard sleeve containing around 130 Lego bricks, designed to make at least five different models. The right hand side is a combination of the sort of Lego instructions you'll know, but with extra text giving facts about the models and a story involving the escapades of Frakjaw, Skeleton of Fire.