Life After People DVD Directed by David De Vries

Life After People directed by David De Vries and put out by the History Channel is an interesting look at how the world and the animals on it would likely adapt if people were all suddenly to disappear and leave everything behind as it is, just without us.

Some species would have a really hard time, like mice, and domestic dogs, others would be just fine. Although I personally don't want to disappear any time soon, it is an interesting documentary to watch about how the Earth would move on without us.

The Number One Ladies' Detective Agency TV Series based on the books by Alexander McCall Smith

The Number One Ladies' Detective Agency TV series, which I watched on DVD, which are based on the books by the same name by Alexander McCall Smith, are really fun shows to watch. Mma Ramotswe and her no nonsense secretary, Mma Makutsu solve crimes and mysteries in their little corner of Botswana.

In one episode, Mma Ramotswe follows the trail of a kidnapped child whom she fears was taken to sacrifice for wicked voodoo reasons. In another, she investigates the disappearance of a man who had gone into a river with other church goers to assist with baptisms. In yet another, Mma Ramotswe bravely confronts her abusive ex-husband and realizes how much she appreciates the sweet and honorable Mr. J.L.B. Matakoni. It is a series that I strongly recommend.

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma by Trenton Lee Stewart

In The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma, book 3 in the Mysterious Benedict Society series by Trenton Lee Stewart, the kids, Renny, Kate, Sticky, and Constance, are off on their third adventure.

This time, Mr. Curtain, the nemesis of their benefactor, the kindly Mr. Benedict, is after The Whisperer, his sinster contraption that he used to influence the minds of children and adults alike before Mr. Benedict took it to keep Mr. Curtain from using it again. But because of government interference and Mr. Curtain's sneakiness, he and his cronies capture it again. As well as the children! Will they be able to escape? Will their parents and Mr. Benedict come to their rescue in time? Read the book and find out!

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey by Trenton Lee Stewart

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey by Trenton Lee Stewart is a fun adventure for kids and adults who like middle grade. The young heroes are back with their adult supporters. Renny, Sticky, Kate, and Constance, and of course Mr. Benedict, Number Two, Ronda, Milligan, and the kids' parents and guardians.

This time, they don't expect any danger but a fun adventure. Instead, Mr. Benedict and Number 2 are kidnapped by the sinister Mr. Curtain and his evil henchmen, and of course the children dash off (without telling the other grown ups of course) to rescue Mr. Benedict and Number 2. The journey takes them over the ocean and over the terraine of an island. Will they be able to outsmart Mr. Curtain and his henchmen, or will the children be captured, too? Read the book and find out!

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart is a fun mystery for kids as well as adults who enjoy children's stories. Renald Muldoon is an average looking boy with average height and average brown hair. But his mind is far from average.

When he reads about a special test being offered in the city for gifted children and his tutor Miss Paramol (I'm not sure of the spellings as I listened to the audiobook) encourages him to take it, he finds himself being recruited along with a few other children, for a special, top secret assignment by the kindly Mr. Benedict. Something strange is happening in the world, strange messages are being transmitted in subliminal ways, and Mr. Benedict needs the kids' help to find out what is going on and put a stop to it before the sinister Mr. Curtain (the evil genius behind the messages) can take over everyone's mind. Rennie teams up with Kate Weatherall, Sticky Washington, and Constance Contrair to stop Mr. Curtain, but will he figure out their plans before they can? Read this exciting book and find out!

The Spiderwick Chronicles movie directed by Mark Waters

The Spiderwick Chronicles movie directed by Mark Waters and starring Freddie Highmore, Sarah Bolger, and others, was an exciting film suitable for families. It is PG so parents would want to preview it before smaller children watch it. It does have scary scenes, and green goblin blood visible. Siblings Jared, Simon, and Malory Grace move with their mother into their great aunt's house. The movie does not specify that she was actually their grandmother's cousin not sister.

Right away the siblings discover a dumb waiter and Jared finds a mystereous hand made Field Guide made by Arthur Spiderwick, their great aunt Lucinda's father. A mouse brownie makes himself known, named Timbletack who goes between being helpful to causing mischief as a boggart depending on his mood. The siblings struggle to stay one step ahead of Mulgorath and keep the book away from him as they seek for answers. With the help of Hogsqueal, a hobgoblin, they are able to do that. But when the goblins find a way to break down the protective barrier between them and Aunt Lucinda's house will their defences be enough to fight them back? Watch the movie to find out.

The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi

The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi is an exciting story about three siblings, Jared, Simon, and Mallory Gracee, and their mother. The story begins when family moves into their great aunt's house (actually, their grandmother's cousin, not sister, so their more distantly related, but since the cousins grew up like sisters, they call her their great aunt).

Their parents recently separated, and Jared is having the hardest time of it. They get enrolled in a new school, and Jared begins to have problems again. But school problems are not the only difficulties they have. Jared and his siblings begin to discover that their new house is very unusual. Strange noises in the wall, and odd things happening to them convince them that something is living in the house with them that isn't normal. When Jared discovers a hand made field guide to fairies, things start coming together. But the family's danger increases, too. Goblins, including the sinister Mulgorath would do anything to get their hands on the book, including killing those who have it so that they can take over the world. Will Jared and his siblings be able to fight the goblins off with the help of other magical creatures? Read the books and find out!