Category: Blog posts

Posted in Blog posts

SPIN MASTER ENTERTAINMENT, PARAMOUNT PICTURES AND NICKELODEON ANNOUNCE SINGER-SONGWRITER ALESSIA CARA TO PERFORM NEW ORIGINAL SONG FOR THE UPCOMING PAW PATROL: THE MOVIE™

Posted on by Judy

Spin Master Entertainment, Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies, announced today that Grammy Award®-winning singer-songwriter Alessia Cara will perform a new original song for the upcoming animated feature film, PAW Patrol: The Movie™ that will be unleashed in theatres and on streaming on Paramount + on August 20, 2021.

The new original song, titled “The Use in Trying”, was written by Alessia Cara and Jon Levine, and produced by Jon Levine. Alessia’s one-of-a-kind voice weaves a beautiful song that captures the sadness and uncertainty during a pinnacle moment in the film. Ultimately, “The Use in Trying” ends with a message that inspires hope.

 

“I wrote The Use in Trying for a specific scene in the movie, with the understanding that it was a big turning point in the story, emphasizing the importance of courage,” says Cara.  “I wanted to write something that could not only teach kids that they’re not always going to win, but that there’s real value in trying anyways because of the lessons you find on the other side. That’s a sentiment we can all understand, the further into life we go. Navigating life is never easy, but it is always worth the shot.”

 

The single: “The Use in Trying”, will be released on August 10, 2021 and will be available across all platforms. Alessia appears courtesy of Def Jam Recording, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.

 

Directed by animation veteran Cal Brunker (Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature; Escape From Planet Earth), PAW Patrol: The Movie, is based on the award-winning preschool series produced by Spin Master Entertainment and broadcast by Nickelodeon. Jennifer Dodge, Spin Master Entertainment’s President, is producing the film and Ronnen Harary, Spin Master’s Chair and Co-Founder, Adam Beder, Spin Master’s Executive Vice President Strategic Partnership & Franchise Development and Peter Schlessel are executive producers.

 

MOVIE SYNOPSIS

The PAW Patrol is on a roll!  When their biggest rival, Humdinger, becomes Mayor of nearby Adventure City and starts wreaking havoc, Ryder and everyone’s favourite heroic pups kick into high gear to face the challenge head on.  While one pup must face his past in Adventure City, the team finds help from a new ally, the savvy dachshund Liberty.  Together, armed with exciting new gadgets and gear, the PAW Patrol fights to save the citizens of Adventure City! Joining the PAW Patrol in their thrilling first big screen adventure are members from the original series’ cast along with Iain Armitage, Marsai Martin, Yara Shahidi, Kim Kardashian West, Randall Park, Dax Shepard, with Tyler Perry and Jimmy Kimmel and introducing Will Brisbin.

 

About Spin Master

Spin Master Corp. (TSX: TOY) is a leading global children’s entertainment company creating exceptional play experiences through a diverse portfolio of innovative toys, entertainment franchises and digital games. Spin Master is best known for award-winning brands PAW Patrol®, Bakugan®, Kinetic Sand®, Air Hogs®, Hatchimals®, Rubik’s Cube® and GUND®, and is the toy licensee for other popular properties.  Spin Master Entertainment creates and produces compelling multiplatform content, stories and endearing characters through its in-house studio and partnerships with outside creators, including the preschool success PAW Patrol and nine other original shows along with multiple short-form series, which are distributed in more than 190 countries. The Company has an established digital presence anchored by the Toca Boca® and Sago Mini® brands, which combined have more than 50 million monthly active users. With close to 2,000 employees in 28 offices globally, Spin Master distributes products in more than 100 countries. For more information visit spinmaster.com or follow on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @spinmaster.

 

About Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon, now in its 42nd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location based experiences, publishing and feature films. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of ViacomCBS Inc. (Nasdaq: VIACA, VIAC).

 

About Paramount Pictures Corporation

Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of ViacomCBS (NASDAQ: VIAC; VIACA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Television Studios, and Paramount Players. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

 

Posted in Blog posts

Cadbury Dairy Milk’s In Our Own Words Initiative Sparks a Heart-Warming Tale of Generosity

Posted on by Judy

In May 2021, Cadbury Dairy Milk announced its intention to help inspire a love for reading amongst children across South Africa by making stories in their home languages more accessible. Now, through the inherent generosity of the South African public, more than 20 000 words have been translated into local African languages and used to co-author more than 450 new enchanting stories for children to enjoy in their mother tongue.

 

Drawing on the words of Nelson Mandela; ‘’when we read, we are able to travel to many places, meet many people and understand the world…’’. Many literacy experts agree and state that when children learn to read in their mother tongues it’s much easier to build on that foundation and broaden their learning experience.

 

“The importance of giving children the opportunity to read in their home language resonated with us. So, when we saw that the Publishers Association SA survey showed that only 2% of children books published commercially in South Africa are in local African languages*, we set out to change this with the launch of the ‘In Our Own Words initiative’. Cadbury Dairy Milk committed to an ambitious goal of creating 1 500 new stories for children in all African languages by 2023. Just three months after launching, we are already almost a third of the way there thanks to our partners, Nal’iBali, their committed authors as well as the public who once again answered the call and generously contributed their words to bring the In Our Own Words initiative to life.”

  • Lara Sidersky, Mondelez SA Category Lead for Chocolate.

 

The initiative called on South Africans to translate just one word and help Cadbury Dairy Milk co-author a library of enchanting children’s stories. “Partnerships with organisations and the public are key to achieving our goal,” adds Sidersky. Nal’iBali, and their team of enthusiastic authors, who believe that a well-established culture of reading can be a real game-changer for education in South Africa, were integral to writing and illustrating the stories available through the In Our Own Words initiative.

 

“Nal’iBali share our vision of significantly impacting the next generation by inspiring a genuine lifelong love for reading and creating worlds children can relate to,’’ continues Sidersky. This shared vision resulted in localised stories set in cities children recognise and characters they can relate to. And it is this sense of familiarity that stimulates the imagination, increases the enjoyment and ultimately ignites a child’s lifelong love for reading.

 

These stories have already started to filter into the virtual In Our Own Words library, where they are easily accessible for download for children across the country to enjoy in an African language of their choice.

 

Equally exciting is the production of the first 45 000 printed Cadbury Dairy Milk Glass & A Half SA Story Collection storybooks containing a selection of the newly crafted stories. These are currently being distributed nationally through beneficiaries including early childhood development (ECD) centres and children’s homes.

 

https://www.facebook.com/CadburyDairyMilkSA/videos/1715276725325059

 

Sidersky concludes, ‘’In the coming months there will be more opportunities for South Africans to help us reach, and no doubt exceed, the goal of 500 stories for this year. The extension of this initiative will link to Cadbury Dairy Milk’s festive campaign, with generosity as the core expression when we ask the public to share the gift of words.’’

 

The In Our Own Words initiative is only the start of Cadbury Dairy Milk’s journey to co-author, print, distribute and inspire with stories in all 11 South African languages. A journey which is intended to enrich lives, spark a love for reading and hopefully contribute towards raising the level of literacy in South Africa.

 

Visit the In Our Own Words library at https://cadbury.one/library.html

Join the conversation @CadburyDairyMilkSA (Facebook) or @Cadbury_SA (Twitter and Instagram) #InOurOwnWords.

 

*Sources: https://www.publishsa.co.za/file/1519203677awr-2016publishingindustrysurvey.pdf

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Posted in Cape Town - Things to see & do

The Tinie Versveld Wildflower reserve

Posted on by Judy
Tinie Versveld Wildlife Reserve
Hamish at the Tienie Versveld wildlife reserve

The Tinie Versveld Wildflower reserve in Darling

Yesterday we set out to view the spectacular fields of flowers that grow wild along the Cape West coast this time of the year.

We decided to stop at The Tinie Versveld Wildflower reserve in Darling. If you haven’t yet been this spectacular area boasts the most amazing colours over late Winter and early Spring time.

This beautiful reserve was donated to the National Botanical Society of South Africa by Oom Tinie, Martin’s Versveld.

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Wide open spaces and beautiful wild flowers

The reserve spans 20 hectares of land that has never been plowed and due to this has given rise to a plethora of sandvlei wildflowers, which comes alive during the annual flower show.

arum lily
Arum Lily

You can visit the reserve any time of the year, although the flowers are most prominent from Spring to Summer.

Whilst on the reserve keep a look out for the Graves of Martin’s and his wife Beatrice ( also known as Baby) .

It is interesting to note that Marthinus’s sister, Muriel, was a founding member of the Darling Wildflower Association.

yellow wildflower
wildflower

This region boasts 1200 different plant species of which 80 are endemic to the West coast.

For me it was an absolutely spectacular view of open fields and Spring time colour. Hamish enjoyed running around discovering the new flowers and insect and bird life was abundant.

Definitely great place to view those springtime flowers.

hamish and flowers
hamish enjoying the flowers

 

You can see more of our trip here and enjoy a fun Instagram reel of our trip here

Posted in Blog posts

MICHAEL MCINTYRE’S THE WHEEL

Posted on by Judy
Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel launches on BBC Brit, Wednesday 18th August at 20:00, joining the new and exclusive channel line-up.

Entertainment that the whole family can enjoy!
Hosted by the Bafta award-winning Michael McIntyre, each episode sees a mixture of great contestants, celebrity guests and laugh out loud moments as Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel brings a brand new spin to Wednesday nights on BBC Brit
Underneath the colossal 42-foot-wide Wheel structure are three contestants, who are desperately hoping for their chance to play the game and walk away with a life-changing sum of money.
One of them is selected at random to start the game and they dramatically rise up into the centre of The Wheel to join Michael and the seven celebrities.
In the first episode, the celebrity experts are Countdown’s Susie Dent; singer Jason Donovan; TV presenter Dermot  O’Leary; Spice Girl Mel B; fashion expert Gok Wan; showbiz journalist Richard Arnold and TV personality Joel Essex.
Each celebrity sat on the Wheel brings a different quiz category to the show.
The chosen contestant will select which of the seven categories they want to take on and with the help of a celebrity, they will answer a question on it. However, the contestants don’t get to choose who their helper is, The Wheel does, in a dizzying,high-energy spin!
At the end of the spin, whichever celebrity The Wheel chooses will help the contestant to answer the question. Whilst the contestant naturally hopes that it’s the celebrity with the expert knowledge on the category,
The Wheel is completely random and could select anyone!
With each spin there are huge risks and rewards. Contestants must keep answering questions correctly to progress through the game, build the prize pot, and keep their spot at the centre of The Wheel.
If the contestant gets a single question wrong, or if they land on the dangerous, red‘ shutdown’ celebrity, then they are sent straight back down beneath the Wheel. One of the three contestants is then randomly selected to rise up and continue the game where the last one left off. Once all seven categories have been completed, whichever contestant is in control of the wheel must answer one final question to try and take home a huge sum of money, leaving the other two with nothing…Although jam-packed with drama, above all else,’ The Wheel’brings laughter, camaraderie and excitement to the nation when we all need it most.
Posted in Blog posts, Press releases

The Masked Dancer UK kicks off the new and exclusive line-up on BBC Brit

Posted on by Judy

What does a Zip, Rubber Chicken, Beetroot and Viper all have in common? Well, if you tune into BBC Brit (DStv channel 120) to watch The Masked Dancer UK from Sunday 8 August at 7PM, the answer will quickly become apparent – they all have some spectacular dance moves!
Hosted by English actor Joel Dommett, The Masked Dancer UK forms part of BBC Brit’s new and exciting line-up of shows, which promises to have ‘A Brit of something for everyone’.

The popular show format, built off the international success of The Masked Singer, sees 12 UK
celebrity contestants – dressed, from head to toe, in elaborate costumes, which reflect their alter egos – perform impressive dance routines in front of a star panel.The panel includes South African born professional dancer and Strictly Come Dancing title holder (2019 and 2020), Oti Mabuse as well as British presenter, Jonathan Ross, British comedian Mo Gilligan and tv presenter, Davina McCall.While attempting to impress the judges with their dancing skills, the masked celebrities share clues to their hidden identities. At the end of each episode, the panel must vote on the best performances to decide who goes through to the next round, while trying to guess their true identities, which are only revealed upon elimination.When asked why South African audiences would enjoy the show, Oti Mabuse said “It’s a brilliant
entertainment show and it’s for the whole family. I know South Africans love dancing and this is a dance show that will shock their mind… and there is a South African on the panel!Every moment was a positive one filled with love and light. I laughed so much and had the time of my life and I’m
sure South African audiences who tune in, will experience this too.”Get a sneak peek into the fun new dance show format that is The Masked Dancer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=carUYqF7y0wThere’s a Brit of great entertainment coming to BBC Brit over the next couple of months.With lots of exciting, shared viewing experiences providing the perfect opportunity to snuggle up on the couch together and enjoy.From Wed, 18 August at 20:00, Michael McIntyre will be spinning on to BBC Brit in The
Wheel – a truly revolutionary, feel-good new game show which features huge stars and big
laughs!Each episode follows three contestants as they hope to answer their way to a
fortune, guided by seven celebrity experts. The first episode includes celebrity experts;Countdown’s Susie Dent; singer Jason Donovan; TV presenter Dermot O’Leary; Spice Girl Mel B; fashion expert Gok Wan; showbiz journalist Richard Arnold and TV personality Joey Essex.Coming later this year:The Graham Norton Show returns, and Graham will use his trademark Norton comedic style
to lull his guests and audience into a false sense of security. Each episode is filled to the brimwith chat, comedy, celebrity gossip and so much more, with just enough risqué́ material to
make some viewers cringe with delight.Graham wraps up each episode with some of the best contemporary music acts on the scene the ideal way to end with a bang!Strictly Come Dancing, the multi award-winning dance competition, will be back with its
uplifting mix of joy, warmth and sparkle! With a new bunch of celebrity partners for the
professional dancers to teach – including South Africa’s Oti Mabuse, Johannes Radebe and
Cameron Lombard – who will have enough rhythm, passion and fancy footwork to win this
year’s most desired prize?Petrol heads can once again look forward to BBC Brit’s fast-paced and stunt-filled popular
motor show, Top Gear. In the automotive TV series, Freddie Flintoff, Chris Harris and Paddy
McGuinness hit the road again in a series of challenges designed to push them and their cars
to the limit.Keep updated on all the exciting shows on BBC Brit by visiting
https://www.bbcsouthafrica.com/channels/brit/ or follow @BBCBritAfrica on Facebook.

Posted in Blog posts

Jars of hope

Posted on by Judy

With South Africa gripped in devastating looting and destruction of our country right now, the obvious threat to everyone is a major food shortage.

On top of the covid outbreak and the hundreds of jobs lost that won’t be able to be retrieved we face the possibility of a lot of hungry people.

Those who are privileged to be able to could make up jars of hope to keep and distribute among the people who may need them.

These jars of hope first circulated at the beginning of the covid outbreak last year and many of you may be familiar with them.

For those of you who aren’t I’m sharing this from Health, Heart and Home.

You will need for each jar to feed 4 people:

  • Coffee jar
  • 1/2 cup of rice
  • 1/2 cup of soup mix
  • 1/2 cup of lentils
  • Stock cube
  • 1 pkt soup powder

On to the jar place a sticker or give instructions to mix with 2 and half litres of boiling water.

This makes a healthy, nutritional and warm meal for a family of 4.

Posted in Blog posts

Snuggle tail shark product review

Posted on by Judy

As it is shark week I thought I’d share the cutest little blanket I bought Hamish with you.

Although we have many blankets, I was looking for the best way to keep Hamish warm while he is watching tv without him dragging bulky blankets and duvets around the house.

This little shark blanket is made from fleece and his feet fit into the fins, which he thinks is the funniest.

It also covers his head, and as he is over 1m tall, it’s quite tall and will last a good while.

It’s light weight so easy to pack into a bag, pop into the car, store away for sleep overs or have the kids drag around to keep snuggly while watching TV.

He simlply slides into it like a little snug sleeping bag with the added benefits of having his hands free.

Age

The shark is designed for kids age 5- 12 years, no taller than 1.25m

Posted in Blog posts

Make a fun shark game for shark week

Posted on by Judy

Feed the shark

An easy game to keep the kids busy today and to encourage a shark week theme.

You will need : –

  • Cardboard boxes
  • Scissors
  • Paint

Method

Paint a shark onto a box.
Cut the mouth out ( don’t forget the sharp teeth)

Cut several fish from card and paint them.

Let your child post or feed the shark.

Alternative ideas

Ask your child to divide the fish into colours and feed only one colour at a time.

Cut various sizes and have your child feed the shark a big one, small one, middle sized one. Use other maths language like bigger than,smaller than, biggest,smallest, same, etc

Number the fish and feed them in numerical rider or only in 2’s, 5’s or 10’s

Write the initials to your child’s name on the fish and have them spell their name first and then feed it to the shark. Will work for other spelling words as well.

Write letters of the alphabet in both upper and lower case on the fish. Let your child match them first then feed the shark.

Use bean bags instead of fish and see who can. Throw theirs through.

Posted in Blog posts

Huggle Pets Product Review

Posted on by Judy

Huggle pet review

Winter in Cape Town is usually filled with some strong winds and so I’m always looking for new winter jackets and hoodies that Hamish will keep on to stay warm.

Krazi Awsum Gifts and Goodies have these fabulous Huggle Pet hoodies made from fleece that I just could not resist.

About the Huggle Pets

These super cute huggle pets are the perfect way to keep kids warm in Winter. Avaliable in a variety of designs and colours, they roll up into a pet ball character for fun storage or play.

Once open they become a luxurious, over sized fluffy fleece hooded tracksuit top.

Features

  • Huggle pets are cute and cozy
  • They will keep the kids warm even on an icy Winters day
  • Easy to store
  • Portable
  • small enough to pop into a bag
  • Machine washable
  • One size fits all ( approx 4 – 10 years)

My impression

On an adorable factor these have to be the most adorable hoodies I’ve seen. They are avaliable in dinosaur, unicorn, dog and cat and I love that they can grow with your child, ensuring they can use it for quite a few years.

Hamish loves it and was really excited to see it unfolded.

Small enough to pop into a bag and it makes a cute toy or soft ball to take along and keep the kids busy. It looks super adorable as a cushion on the bed as well.

Machine washable and the best way to keep kids warm.

Posted in Blog posts

The BabyYumYum Virtual Parenting Experience: A first in online events for SA parents

Posted on by Judy

The Virtual Parenting Experience by Baby Yum Yum

The BabyYumYum Virtual Parenting Experience: A first in online events for SA parents


“Parenting is challenging at the best of times, but the last 15 months have seen moms and dads
juggling more than ever,” says Amanda Rogaly, founder and Chief Mommy at online parenting and
lifestyle portal BabyYumYum.

At a time when parents need trusted advice and support the most, BabyYumYum , is disrupting the expo environment with an innovative digital offering: the BabyYumYum Virtual Parenting Experience.

“While the work-life balance has always been a tightrope journey for parents, the pandemic has
intensified this with parents looking online for support during this time.”

A new approach to eventing (and supporting parents)

A first of its kind in South Africa, the virtual event will take place over two days and many well respected industry experts will take to the (virtual) stage to share empowering advice to help parents cope with the increased pressures of our ‘new normal’.

Parents will be able to log into the event from the comfort of their home – or anywhere else – to attend the informative talks, interact in workshops or schedule reminders for the discussions that interest
them.

On the agenda are practical how-to seminars like, ‘What NOT to do when treating your child’s fever at home’ and ‘Would you know how to save the life of your child in an emergency?’, as well as more in-depth discussions including, ‘Tantrums, biting & other tricky behaviour: surviving the toddler years’ and ‘Struggling to fall pregnant: what are your options?” to name just a few.

But in true BabyYumYum style the “discreet and taboo” topics are also being faced head on, like
‘Cosmetic gynaecology: what is it the Orgasm Shot and should every woman get it?’ ‘Not tonight,honey: sex after giving birth & how to get your mojo back.’

And what would a virtual event be without appearances by well-known celebrities such as Krijay Govender as the MC, or insights into the lighter side of parenting with Tumi Morake and even advice from well-loved influencer Dr Nokukhanya Khanyile.

“This has been a hard time and we want to uplift South African parents and provide a fresh look at parenting over the two-day event.”

Helping parents connect
The virtual space opens up an opportunity to have a more intimate engagement between brand and parents.

Partner brands have an opportunity to interact with parents in a meaningful way while also offering the attendees the exclusive product specials and discounts that they’ve come to expect from live expos.

And because parents deserve to be spoilt with a real goodie back – even when attending a virtual
experience – BabyYumYum will be treating the first 4000 people who buy tickets online to a goodie bag filled with amazing gifts, vouchers and samples, which parents will be able to collect from their
nearest participating Supa Quick outlet.

The event’s ever-growing brand partners include Panado, Lily Rose Collection, Nuk, Novalac Junior,Sudocrem, Medela, Next BioBank, Supa Quick, Safety 1st, JEFF, Montagu Snacks, sascootershop.co.za,
LuvLand, Tea4Kidz, Opti-Baby & Kids, Supreme Fertility, Play Sense, Extraordinary Safari Plains and more.

Parents get time out
With the added pressure of the third wave upon us, parents need a chance to be nurtured.

“Our parents need time out – where they can be nourished intellectually, emotionally – while being entertained and empowered on their parenting journey.”

The BabyYumYum Virtual Parenting Experience will be held on 31 July and 1 August 2021.

Tickets and
more information are available at https://babyyumyum.co.za/virtual-parenting-experience/ .

When it comes to the first ever Virtual Parenting Experience, BabyYumYum really has thought of it all,but isn’t that what you’d expect from the #1 Parenting Portal BabyYumYum?