There are 20 new webisodes Flash animated Peanuts for Itunes. They are true to the original animated shows of old. The new technology is no different from traditional animation techniques. Gone are countless painted cells which encumber the cost of animated shows. Warner is behind these 4 minute episodes that can be downloaded for free for now. Future episodes will be cost 99 cents each, or the full season for $7.99. Peanuts has always been the leader in comic strip innovations and a leader in monopolizing character merchandising for the Schulz empire. The remaining family members are behind the project and control most the project and protecting the integrity of the final product. Now you can catch Peanuts on your phones or computers. The popularity of the strip will fill up coffers of all involved in this new venture.

Forever Young is Paul Roger’s latest kids’ book about the song Forever Young by Bob Dylan’s 1972 album Planet Waves. It seems as of late Bob Dylan has found new fame and this book will introduce many kids to Bob’s great body of work. Many will cringe at Bob’s voice, however, his lyrical landscape of words have evoked many generations of writers and musicians. This brave step by Paul Rogers into kids’ literature is a fresh approach on how Dylan’s songs easily transcend into graphical interaction with kids. The art is reminiscent of beatnik art and a true send off to Dyaln who fancied himself as a Beatnik. This is one book you cannot afford to not flip through. You will have to buy it after reading it.

 

Now award-winning artist Paul Rogers gives us a new interpretation of the lyrics. With images inspired by classic Dylan songs and pieces of his life, this is a bold and touching tribute to an anthem whose message will always stay forever young.

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Well it’s asta la vista for Windows Vista. Most of us have not weaned ourselves from Windows XP. Microsoft is making the rounds by introducing Windows 7. As you might have guessed this no fanfare edition is an upgrade to the very unpopular Vista. Guess the name never worked and the riddled software of bugs and virus inflected open door of trouble never had a fighting change. This will only be a dolled up version of Vista and another money grab for Bill and his minion. Read more>>

Ghosts in the House is Kazuno Kohara’s first stab at a book is right on the money. A trained print-maker, she use three colors to parley her tiny terror tale. Orange, black and white is down to basics for rendering her telling of Halloween. Her little heroine is a brave little girl who lives in a haunted house and manages the spookiness with clever rhymes. Ghosts in the House! illustrative charm is harmful crisp-full as an Autumn morning of crackling leaves. Young kids will love the subtle images of the Halloween flavored images that float through the pages in fearful symmetry.

As of November 2nd, Opus will finally end. This Sunday only strip has been an disappointment as many other incarnations of Bloom County. Calvin and Hobbes is a perfect example of knowing when to hang it up. Berkeley Breathed just didn’t know when to go gently into that night of cartooning retirement. It’s too bad, his legacy is tainted with his bastardizing of Opus. At one time Opus was in stratosphere of the likes of Snoopy with an edge to him. Now Opus is a parody of himself and a bad one at it. Please stay retired Berkeley. Read more >>

That Disney magic never fails. With the success of the trilogy Pirates of the Caribbean based on the famous ride. Why not take another ride and make a movie out of it. Tomorrowland is the next ride to get a movie treatment. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson  is getting the casting call for the new project. Outer space themes will reign for the new epic from the land of imagination. This is the third movie Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson  is making for the studio, The Game Plan and Witch Mountain which set to be released on March 13, 2009.

The Pet Dragon: A Story about Adventure, Friendship, and Chinese Characters

Christoph Niemann’s, The Pet Dragon: A Story about Adventure, Friendship, and Chinese Characters, in simple terms is an elaborate little big book that teaches western kids the beauty of Chinese characters. Christoph integrates the characters into nature to get a sense from where words and symbols originated. At one time there were 80 000 characters in the language, but most people can get by at least 3000. Modern Chinese has about 11 000 characters, some of the basic ones are covered in The Pet Dragon. The integration of story and knowledge of Chinese are simple and ease into young minds. Christoph’s uniformed simplicity in rich art is a compliment to the structure of a very ancient language. The archetypal formation of symmetric characters with objects and animals gives us a sense of a language deeply rooted in nature. Our own language is a hybrid of many cultures. The Chinese language is structured in phonics of image and sound. It’s reflects the society of disciplined thought and of government. The Pet Dragon: A Story about Adventure, Friendship, and Chinese Characters is a perfect stepping stone for kids to go the next level to discover the Chinese language that took shape since 1122 B.C. and still flourishes in the 21st century. Christoph Niemann is a veteran artist who now dabs in children’s literature and is making a splash for himself with well thought out illustrated books. This is a perfect edition for any parent who wants to teach kids a new language and read a standard modern folklore story to go along with the experience.

For Better or Worse, are the words echoed in every marriage and Lynn Johnston is an advocate of the the proverbial statement. Her strip is getting a  Bobby Ewing of sorts. It’s returning back to the roots of the strip. The natural aging of characters is well documented throughout the years. Published in over 2,000 newspapers and collected in 35 bestselling books. Legions of fans are getting a mixed reaction to Lynn’s personal revamp of the strip following her second divorce. Lynn was planning to retire and travel the world, but she hit a snag with her marriage and For Better or Worse benefits by having new life added to the strip. Therapeutic of sorts for the artist, the strip will be rejuvenated with new tales. Read interview>>