KIDS First / Coalition for Quality Children's Media

KIDS First / Coalition for Quality Children's Media Don’t waste your hard earned money on entertainment before you listen to our KIDS FIRST! team.
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A voluntary collaboration comprised of more than 100,000 media professionals, lobbyists, policymakers, child advocates, educators, parents and families nationwide, the Coalition aims to teach children to become critical media users, help adults recognize the importance of teaching critical viewing skills to children, help children identify and be aware of outstanding media programming, and develop programs for children with special needs such as low-income, hospitalized or at-risk children.

05/28/2026

I really like The Breadwinner for its humorous moments, and funny characters. I like how each character is completely different, each in their own ways. Each one has amusing stories, different from others. I like how the family has different dreams and hopes for the future, and they support each other, even when it’s really hard at times.

The storyline follows Nate Wilcox (Nate Bargatze), a devoted father who has to quickly learn to manage the household on his own. Meanwhile, his wife Katie (Mandy Moore) goes on a business trip after landing a deal on Shark Tank. Nate, struggling at first, learns to handle his girls Sam (Charlotte Ann Tucker), Hadley (Birdie Borria), and Gracie (Stella Grace Fitzgerald). An unorganized person, he doesn’t follow calendars, or planners. He does it his own way, calling it the “Dad Era.”

I really like that there are a lot of kids in this film. This stood out to me as I watched the movie, and it made me pay more attention to the storyline and be more interested in it. All the actors are really great and believable. My favorite part is when the horse, Cinnamon (Ace), destroys the house and runs away, right before Katie’s big interview. After reaching out to a friend, Nate and the girls try their best to make his house look like theirs. It’s a tough situation they have been put in, and they almost pull it off. I like how, at the end of the movie, Nate realizes that spending time with family is important, even though they don’t have a house. That stood out to me the most. Seeing how this family is brought together, it reminded me how family can be brought together over tough challenges and decisions and how even the silliest things can make you smile. Nate Bargatze portrays Nate Wilcox so well; audiences will be wanting more.

The film’s message is about spending time with your family because it is the most important thing, and just a little family time is all you need.

I give The Breadwinner 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters on May 29, 2026.

05/27/2026

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is an exciting action packed adventure while combining humor and heart that feels like the perfect summer film. While the plot feels a bit disjointed, its stunning visuals and cinematography combined with the development of the characters was enough to win me over.

The storyline follows Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), otherwise known as the “Mandalorian” and his adoptive son Grogu. Under orders from Colonel Ward (Sigourney Weaver), Mandalorian must track down Rotta The Hutt (Jeremy Allen White) and rescue him. Things aren’t how they seem however, and Grogu must step in to save the day.

Of all the great things about the movie, the visuals and cinematography absolutely have to be mentioned. From the backgrounds and sets when the characters are outdoors to the visuals of the sky when Din and Grogu blast off in their ship, everything is truly breathtaking. I especially enjoyed the beginning scene where the characters are fighting their primary battle in a snowy landscape and the utilization of special effects when the Mandalorian is fighting with his weapons. One negative thing about the film is its broken plot – it doesn’t have one central story and the main plot is split into two parts. The first part of the film focuses on Rotta The Hutt; while the second part focuses on Grogu and his role in saving other characters. It almost feels like two separate stories that don't really intertwine, leading to a sense of isolation for the viewer. My favorite part is the character Grogu due to his adorable visuals, levity and humor.

It is available in cinemas now.

05/27/2026

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu presents a continuation of the hit Star Wars show, The Mandalorian and takes us on an immersive, action-packed journey across multiple biomes! The film’s breathtaking cinematography, naturalistic color grading and well-executed stunts, create a visual spectacle. Most of all, the father-son dynamic between the Mandalorian and Grogu is explored further. Although the movie is mostly characterized as a fun adventure, there are some areas to the story that lack cinematic scale.

In the film, the Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal), a bounty hunter who works with the New Republic, is tasked to locate Rotta the Hutt (Jeremy Allen-White) and bring him back to his family. He is accompanied by his apprentice, Grogu, as they encounter a crime syndicate leader, and a rival bounty hunter that attempts to derail their mission. Despite this, Mandalorian must navigate the consequences of his decisions he makes during the rescue mission.

The main cast are Mandalorian, Grogu, Rotta the Hutt, Colonel Ward (Sigourney Weaver), Janu Coin (Jonny Coyne) and Hugo (Martin Scorsese). Grogu shines in every scene through his expressive mannerisms. Although he is not played by an actor, the team of five puppeteers that controls his movements along with animatronic technology, create a very convincing performance. His presence not only adds moments of lighthearted humour, but complements Pedro Pascal’s performance as Mandalorian. The contrast between Grogu’s softness and Mandalorian’s stoic nature is effectively balanced. Martin Scorsese’s voice acting performance as Hugo, an Ardennian fry cook, also adds humour. Despite being in very few scenes, he delivers a memorable performance through his distinctive voice and natural interactions with Mandalorian. Moreso, the newer environments featured, such as the dark crime cities, swamp marshes and the tundra, display depth due to the natural color-grading and cinematography — which avoids heavy reliance on green screens.

The film is in cinemas now.

05/27/2026

What an exciting return to the Star Wars universe! Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu was such a fun watch because it balances suspense and humor really well. Right when a scene starts feeling especially intense, the movie throws in a quick joke or funny interaction that makes it feel lighter again, which I especially enjoyed.

The storyline follows Din Djarin, the Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal), and Grogu as they travel across the galaxy and face a series of new dangers along the way. Throughout the story, they meet both allies and enemies while navigating difficult situations that constantly test their judgement and survival skills. The fast-moving pace keeps the movie engaging, while still leaving enough quieter moments between the characters to make the audience feel connected to their journey.

One of the strongest parts is definitely the production quality. The visuals and color palette feels very true to the classic Star Wars style, and the movie also uses weather in clever ways to reflect emotional moments in the story. While the overall storyline is somewhat predictable at times, the characters are so lovable that it honestly did not bother me very much. I found myself getting extremely invested in their relationships and wanting things to work out for them. That emotional connection makes the movie much more immersive and enjoyable to watch. Even if someone is not super familiar with Star Wars, they could follow the storyline pretty easily. At the same time, fans of the franchise will certainly appreciate references to earlier films, including the appearance of R2-D2 near the beginning of the movie.

It is in cinemas now.

We have 11 different bundles of vintage Choose Your Own Adventure books up for grabs to support our youth media literacy...
05/27/2026

We have 11 different bundles of vintage Choose Your Own Adventure books up for grabs to support our youth media literacy programs—perfect for nostalgia-loving parents looking for summer reading!

You can view the specific listing and the rest of the KIDS FIRST! charity auction here: https://givebutter.com/c/kids-first-silent-auction-mhoskr/auction

05/22/2026

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is an extremely entertaining story with amazing acting, CGI, and music. Every part of the film works perfectly to create a fun and breathtaking movie. It is never boring and it easy to get immersed in the story.

The storyline follows a bounty hunter, The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal), and Grogu (David Acord) as, against their own morals; they are forced to help the Hut family find their kidnapped nephew, Rotta the Hut (Jeremy Allen White), in an attempt to find a new elusive target. However, they soon discover more secrets as they search for Rotta, encountering much more than they set out for.
The CGI in this movie is phenomenal; everything looks so realistic and adds a lot of suspense and sadness. It’s easy to forget that the CGI creatures aren’t actually there; making it easy to become immersed in the worlds the Mandalorian and Grogu visit. Rotta the Hut is extremely impressive and moves fluidly throughout the film. This is helped by the outstanding cast; everyone shows extreme talent but especially Pedro Pascal as The Mandalorian. He’s tasked with interacting with the CGI creatures, yet, thanks to his acting, it seems like he’s truly there with them. Another aspect of the film I really enjoyed is the sets -- they are all unbelievably beautiful and unique. Every location has its own style, leading to each being memorable in its own way. The sets are so stunning, especially when they’re shown flying through the Outer Rim -- it looks gorgeous. The film is also incredibly funny – there were multiple times when I laughed out loud. Every joke lands perfectly, both physical and verbal, thanks to the cast and the writers. I especially like Grogu -- his physical comedy always got me to laugh. Another aspect of the film that I especially love is the music; it is gorgeous and enhances the tone of the various scenes. On the other hand, when the film is hopeful or the characters are winning a fight it’s very upbeat and adds to the feeling of relief. I found myself entertained the entire way through the film and even got invested in characters such as Rotta, and I wanted the best for them thanks to every aspect of the film.

I give Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu 5 out of 5 stars and recommend for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters on May 22, 2026.

05/22/2026

I love the movie Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu! It captures the excitement and emotion that makes the Star Wars franchise so special and important to people. The film blends action, adventure, and heartfelt moments white continuing the story of Star Wars.

The storyline follows Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), also known as The Mandalorian, a bounty hunter who protects the galaxy with his friend, Grogu. They travel across the stars after being given a seemingly impossible task. Din must continue protecting Grogu while becoming involved in conflicts that could affect the future of the galaxy. The film introduces new allies and rivals while still focusing on the emotional bond between the two main characters.

I particularly enjoyed the acting in this film. Pedro Pascal provides an incredible performance as Din Djarin, or the Mandalorian, bringing emotion and depth to the character even behind his helmet. Even though he is often hidden behind a helmet, he is able to express intense emotions through his voice and body language. Pascal gives Djarin a strength that he carries with himself, feeling heroic and realistic. He captures the protectiveness that the Mandalorian has for Grogu while also having loneliness about himself. Another actor who caught my eye is Jeremy Allen White, who plays Rotta the Hutt, the nephew of the evil Hutt empire rulers. He brings a new idea to the Hutt family, showing how they are not all set out to conquer the world. He layers his performance with emotions and vulnerability. Rotta is unpredictable and commands the attention of the audience throughout scenes. White brings a new fresh perspective on a previously established family and kinetic energy to Rotta that makes his scenes intense and memorable.

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu releases in theatres and IMAX on May 22, 2026.

05/22/2026

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is the final planned installment in the Mandalorian series, and it definitely goes out with a bang! The story continues the arc of the Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal), but more interestingly, the arc of Grogu, whose storyline has been working toward him becoming self-sufficient.

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu finishes the storylines of the Mandalorian, Din-Djarin, and his Jedi turned apprentice turned adopted son, Din-Grogu. They are now working as independent contractors for the New Republic, when they are assigned a dangerous task for the siblings of Jabba the Hutt. This leads to a chaotic arena fight scene, a weaponless, underground fight in a lake with a giant snake, and so much more.

The story has amazing details throughout, most of which are involved with Grogu growing into his own man… or whatever species he is. There are many scenes in which we can see him almost becoming a smaller version of Yoda - from him meditating in the forest or walking with a cane to his next level capabilities with the force. We also see the smaller, but still valuable, detail of the title page starting with “The Mandalorian,” then after a short pause bringing in “and Grogu.” This goes to show that, up until now, Grogu has always been living in the Mandalorian’s shadow, getting his fights fought for him. This is his moment to break out and show that he’s not just “the child.” Mando makes this passing of the baton clear when he says, “The old protect the young, and then the young protect the old.” As Mando spent all of the Mandalorian TV series protecting Grogu, now it's time for Grogu to return the favor. The film has many hilarious moments, from Grogu repeatedly ramming a limp body into a hole that is not big enough, making an echoing clang sound each time, to the hilarious Anzellan dialogue scenes, with funny sounds of mixing English with Anzellan. Like most films in the Star Wars universe, the sets are truly spectacular.

It releases in theaters on May 22, 2026.

05/22/2026

Join Julie O. as she chats with Craig Ge**er, creator and executive producer of Sofia the First: Royal Magic which premieres on Disney Jr. on May 25, 2026 and Disney Plus the next day. Mr. Ge**er is best known as the creator and executive producer of Sofia the First, Elena of Avalor, and Firebuds.

This sequel follows Sofia as she attends The Charmswell School for Royal Magic, where princes and princesses from across the EverRealm will continue their royal studies and also learn all types of magic.

The original show, Sofia the First received praise for its music, animation, characters, and positive messages. It achieved some of the highest ratings for a preschool cable television series and, at its peak, became the most-watched program in its category. The series was nominated for 11 Daytime Emmy Awards, winning three, and received the 2014 Annie Award for Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production for Preschool Children. This sequel series, titled Sofia the First: Royal premieres on May 25, 2026.

**er

As part of our upcoming KIDS FIRST! online silent auction, we are incredibly proud to highlight two rare, collector’s vo...
05/20/2026

As part of our upcoming KIDS FIRST! online silent auction, we are incredibly proud to highlight two rare, collector’s volumes celebrating the vibrant cultures and traditions of the Southwest. Both books represent the beautiful legacy of Santa Fe's own Clear Light Publishing, founded in 1988 by Harmon Houghton and the late Marcia Keegan (recipient of the Heritage Preservation Award for Lifetime Achievement).
1. Pueblo People: Ancient Traditions, Modern Lives by Marcia Keegan. A rare Limited Edition photographic archive—the only published collection to span all 19 New Mexico Pueblos. (Starting bid: $75 / Value: $500)
2. Old Father Story Teller signed by Pablita Velarde. A spectacular limited-edition volume of Santa Clara Pueblo legends, hand-signed by the legendary artist herself and featuring an exclusive art plate. (Starting bid: $100 / Value: $500)
Whether you are a passionate scholar of Native American history, a fine art photography lover, or a serious book collector, these volumes offer a level of intimacy and historical importance rarely seen.
Best of all, every single bid helps fund our youth media programs!
Browse the catalog and place your bids here: https://givebutter.com/c/kids-first-silent-auction-mhoskr/auction

Spotlight on Clear Light Publishing & Native American HeritageAs part of our upcoming KIDS FIRST! online silent auction,...
05/19/2026

Spotlight on Clear Light Publishing & Native American Heritage

As part of our upcoming KIDS FIRST! online silent auction, we are incredibly proud to highlight two rare, collector’s volumes celebrating the vibrant cultures and traditions of the Southwest. Both books represent the beautiful legacy of Santa Fe's own Clear Light Publishing, founded in 1988 by Harmon Houghton and the late Marcia Keegan (recipient of the Heritage Preservation Award for Lifetime Achievement).

1. Pueblo People: Ancient Traditions, Modern Lives by Marcia Keegan. A rare Limited Edition photographic archive—the only published collection to span all 19 New Mexico Pueblos. (Starting bid: $75 / Value: $500)
2. Old Father Story Teller signed by Pablita Velarde. A spectacular limited-edition volume of Santa Clara Pueblo legends, hand-signed by the legendary artist herself and featuring an exclusive art plate. (Starting bid: $100 / Value: $500)

Whether you are a passionate scholar of Native American history, a fine art photography lover, or a serious book collector, these volumes offer a level of intimacy and historical importance rarely seen.

Best of all, every single bid helps fund our youth media programs!
Browse the catalog and place your bids here: https://givebutter.com/c/kids-first-silent-auction-mhoskr/auction

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