Because trouble comes in all sizes.
Vincent Daly 
We made our list and checked it twice, it’s the CuteMonster Holiday Gift Guide, and we think it’s nice. We trust you’ve been good instead of choosing to be bad, for tis’ the giving season and we hope you’ll be glad.
Today I viewed a video of a driver-less vehicle navigating through the streets of Phoenix. It prompted an introspective look at my own future. As a child of the late 20th century, I imagined life in the digital era. Inspired by science fiction, I dreamed about countless wonders such as flying cars, intergalactic travel, and pizza-on-demand. As an adult, the reality of fully self-driving cars instills cautious optimism at best. In truth, I can’t shake the gnawing feeling that human beings are not ready for 21st century technology.
The Magic Sketch by Boogie Board arrived at an opportune time here at CuteMonster headquarters. My family and I had been taking a lot of road trips as the Summer was winding down. As most parents know, keeping kids occupied and distracted is key to maintaining one’s sanity when hurtling forth in a metal box on wheels for hours on end. Sure, there’s always the tried and true road trip games. But after the little ones have grown weary of spying with their little eyes, plan B needs to be initiated. When I was a child, that meant using my imagination by way of doodling.
In this episode of the CuteMonster Show I spoke to Angela Santomero, the creative mind behind some of the best children’s media in the world. With critically acclaimed hits spanning two decades such as Blues Clues, Super Why!, and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, literally millions of kids have grown up inspired by her work. We spoke about her childhood influences, her creative process developing a show, and her thoughts about the future in children’s media. I enjoyed listening to Angela’s perspective. I think you will too.
As much as I’ve focused on controlling the whole space-time continuum each Summer, nothing shakes me to the core more than the realization it’s soon to be Back-to-School time. Despite my appearing to be composed on the outside, inside I’m letting out an ear-shattering primal scream. As a parent, you’re filled with a tidal wave of mixed emotions. My children are growing up! I am aging even quicker! They need new clothes! What’s the plan for school lunches? How will they get to school? Holy smokes, they’re in different schools this year! Do I get my newly minted middle school kid a phone? And where is Batman when I need him most? The time for straight talk has arrived.
The kitchen sponge may well be the biggest culprit for harboring bacteria in one’s home. Although it’s true the world is full of bacteria, the sheer concentration of bacteria found in a commonly used kitchen sponge can be shocking. Based on a new study from a team of German researchers, their estimates show that a sugar-cube sized piece of the most bacteria-dense part of the sponge would have 54 billion bacterial cells. Feel free to scream, Germophobes.
Any opportunity to see giant robots battling monsters on the big screen is a good day. That’s pretty much the heart of the idea behind the 2013 movie blockbuster Pacific Rim. The sequel, scheduled to hit theaters February 23, 2018, promises to elevate the technological wizardry of the mechs.
A ground-shaking story appeared recently about Mac and Cheese in the New York Times. According to the article “a new study of 30 cheese products has detected phthalates in all but one of the samples tested, with the highest concentrations found in the highly processed cheese powder in boxed mac and cheese mixes.” Translation? Whether you use organic or non-organic boxed mac and cheese, chances are your family has been exposed to the potential health hazard. Thankfully there are alternatives to boxed versions of Mac and Cheese which are nearly as convenient to prepare.
With the highly anticipated Summer movie release of Marvel Studio’s Spider-Man: Homecoming, CuteMonster partnered with Diamond Select Toys to offer a lucky CuteMonster reader the chance to win a set of Spider-Man: Homecoming Minimates. Tom Holland’s well-received introduction as the webhead in Captain America: Civil War prompted fans to count down the days to his solo Spidey film. The hype machine added to the frenzy by doling out numerous action packed movie trailers. I began to wonder out loud if there would be any surprises left when actually watching the story in its entirety. As I anxiously sat in the IMAX theater today donning my 3D glasses, a nostalgic Spider-Man tune played over the opening credits. I felt an involuntary smile form on my face.