The SockShop – our family road test

Do you have a daughter who at times struggles with loving her curls wholeheartedly?

I would definitely recommend this lovely little book called Curly Kids Rock 👌🏾

Written by Lemoy Majen, it’s full of simple affirmations even the youngest of children can relate to.

And the book, complete with joyfully bright illustrations by Ann Pomelova, is not just specifically about afro hair either 😊

It’s a big thing for me to make sure my daughter loves her hair and she told me that the words were ‘great to hear if I’m ever feeling down about myself’.

Head over to Amazon where you can pick up a copy.

To be honest, I didn’t really know what to expect as I walked into the screening for this latest Disney offering.

But I have to admit I was definitely touched by (I may have even teared up a little…!) this film about a little boy and his not so imaginary friend.

I absolutely loved Pete’s Dragon, there was something very real about the film’s subject matter (apart from the fact it was about a dragon of course!) but I really connected with the themes of loss, family and belonging.

With Oakes Fegley playing the charming Pete, an orphaned boy who has survived a life in the forest with the help of his big green furry friend.

Some secrets are too big to keep 🐲 Watch the brand new trailer for #PetesDragon! See the film in theatres August 12!https://t.co/GisQ4wdL9Z

— Pete's Dragon (@disneypetes) June 14, 2016

My six-year-old daughter adored the film and found the characters relatable and the storyline easy to follow, able to recount several scenes to me on the journey home.

Oakes leads a strong cast including Bryce Dallas Howard, Robert Redford, Wes Bentley, Karl Urban and Oona Laurence.

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My last preview screening was just me and my daughter, this time around I ventured into London’s West End with a new addition – my eight-month-old baby boy.

My first trip up West with the two of them and luckily it was well worth it AND we all survived fairly unscathed!

Coco is a heartfelt take on the Mexican Day of the Dead which sees a young boy – aspiring musician Miguel – reunited with his family on ‘the other side’.

Family, death, living life to the fullest and the importance of being remembered are all themes explored in the film.

So, it obviously helps if you’ve had the whole death and dying chat with your little ones…

As well as lots of laughs, there were some sad moments for my seven-year-old (and me, can’t lie!) which I guess is to be expected from the subject material, but overall she really enjoyed the film.

I would also say it caters for all ages – as the music had my baby boy bouncing up and down in my lap!

Just to add – there will be obvious comparisons to 2014’s animation The Book of Life but rest assured Coco, whilst also taking place of the Day of the Dead, is definitely a completely different story!

In cinemas January 19.

Barbie is well known for having a catalogue of careers, and this time around the blonde one hits cinema screens as the star of her very own movie, in the guise of a super spy.

The action begins when Barbie and her gymnast pals are recruited for their skills to apprehend a jewel thief, learning along the way the values of teamwork, friendship and that believing in yourself always brings you closer to success.

Attending a preview screening with an overexcited five year old – and life-long Barbie fan – I have to say my daughter’s attention was held from start to finish. And while I may have had to contend with the little one jumping across the sofa and rolling around the living room floor, I also caught her taking a deep breath and closing her eyes when she was having trouble with a task at home – just like Barbie does in the film to visualise herself completing a complicated jump.. These kids pick up so much more than we think!

And of course, as expected, there’s a range of undercover agent toys from Mattel to go with the film. One guess what she’ll be waiting for her birthday present this year…