Feb. 27, 2012 Upon hearing of Berenstain Bears’ co-founder Jan Berenstain’s passing at 88 this past Friday, I’d like to send deepest condolences to the family, especially sons Mike (illustrator) and … [Read more...]
New Years Media Messages: Packaging Boyhood Meets The Hangover
December 29, 2009 by 9 Comments
Dec. 29, 2009 Last night I watched ‘The Hangover’ rated R, which I’d heard described by several YOUNG teens (meaning unable to buy a ticket unless sneaking in via diff. multiplex theater) as … [Read more...]
Meaningful Manga: Graphic Novels and Growth
December 13, 2009 by 15 Comments
Update: May 21, 2014 Our friends at Reach and Teach have added another clever manga style illustrated book called "A is for Action" which merits an update! I love the seeding of social change in a fun … [Read more...]
Warren Buffett Cartoon: 3-5 Minute Financial Literacy Clips
July 27, 2009 by 16 Comments
Update Oct 23, 2011: The Hub Premieres Secret Millionaires Club Special Sept 9, 2011: New launch: Cha-Ching Asia/Cartoon Network and April 23, 2010: new site Cash Savvy Kids w/experts advising … [Read more...]
Dora The Explorer: Discover the World, Not the Mall
February 26, 2009 by 24 Comments
Feb. 26, 2009 Oh fer cripes sakes. Say it ain’t so. Is Dora the Explorer getting a makeover and turning tween TOO?! Leave her alone! This "age-compression" bit is putting a new dent in my TMJ-clenched … [Read more...]
Manga Makeovers and Other Body Image Cartoon Capers (Part 2)
June 18, 2008 by 13 Comments
It’s devil’s advocate day here, as I try to flush out my bias and take a centrist point of view on the cartoon character facelift conundrum, exploring ‘then and now’ from a sociological perspective, … [Read more...]
Facelifts for Kiddie Characters: Rebranding ’80s Icons?
June 17, 2008 by 15 Comments
Last week’s New York Times article on 21st century ‘facelifts’ for kiddie characters gave me the willies on a variety of fronts, despite the fact that I’ve personally ‘freshened’ many a brand in my … [Read more...]
“Where My Dogs At:” A Misogynistic Misfire Doing Damage in a Blink
September 1, 2006 by 9 Comments
Mar. 28, 2015 Almost a decade after I wrote this post, the media messages defiling young girls and particularly young black girls under the 'satire' banner continues, despite sheroes and massive … [Read more...]
Pop Culture on Parade: JibJab’s Hilarious Manic Media Montage
Jan.2, 2010 My head is still spinning (no, not from ‘The Hangover’ post)... My brain is simply trying to catch up with my eyeballs in this frenetic musical media montage which salutes the past year … [Read more...]