Cartoon Network Premieres New Animation Series MONSTER BEACH on 25 April 2020

To the agony of fellow Red Dot Islanders, Circuit Breaker just got extended. It is going to be tough to keep the younger ones interested and energised till 1 June, while keeping them safe at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To add on to the list of fun things that the children can do, Red Dot Diva recommends Cartoon Network's brand new animation series called MONSTER BEACH. Surf-siblings Jan and Dean have been sent to live with their distant Uncle Woody on a tropical island called Iki-Iki. Hanging out on the island's very happening Monster Beach, is a kooky and colourful gang of monster surfers.

Together, the siblings and their monster friends cruise around the island attempting to solve a series of freaky mysteries and legends, while fending off the resident bad guy Dr. Knutt, who happens to be the leader of a tribe of tiki monsters. It is simply the kind of cool, endless summer vacation that any kid would dream of!

Take a peek at this karaoke sing-a-ling video to get acquainted with the various misfits of MONSTER BEACH:

Wizards and Muggles Descend on Kinokuniya For Harry Potter Gathering

Everyone should know this by now: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is not just for kids.

For one thing, many of the young 'uns are now already grown up and still retain their love for the best-selling book series by J.K. Rowling. And for another, many many adults are seriously into the Harry Potter universe right from the beginning!

Red Dot Diva readily admits she is one of these "older kids".

Yesterday afternoon, Kinokuniya held a Harry Potter Party where there was story-telling and fun activities related to the books. Red Dot Diva's friend and "older kid" Jas swooped in on her broom to the bash, and she conjured up this report of all the wizardy that transpired that day!

SDCC 2013 Recap: When The Legendary Stan Lee Launched Two Children's Books!

There are so many stories to tell from Red Dot Diva's Comic-Con 2013 adventures, and she is trying to find time to blog some of them for you.

Out of the many, there was one very short yet memorable moment Diva had with a very legendary man. He is none other than the beloved Generalissmo himself *salute!* - Mr Stan Lee.

This is the second time (yes! you've read it right.. t'is the second time!) Red Dot Diva has met the incredibly dynamic icon. At over 90 years old, the Generalissmo is still such a ball of energy that one cannot help but feel zapped with ((( POWER ))) just by being in his presence.

If you have missed the first Red Dot Diva vs Stan Lee encounter, you have also missed him in a special video message to his Singapore fans. So, click here to check it out!

Young Readers Gather at the "Sherlock Sam" Book Series Launch At Kinokuniya

Even as a grown adult, Red Dot Diva found local "Sherlock Sam" children's book series (published by Epigram) a smart, funny and invigorating read.

All thanks to its creative team - the husband (Adan Jimenez) and wife (Felicia Low-Jimenez) writing duo who call themselves A.J. Low and local-based illustrator, drewscape (Andrew Tan). The three of them seem to have a quirky blend of synergy which resulted in the light-hearted and entertaining book series.

(Click here to check out out Red Dot Diva's review on the first book "Sherlock Sam and the Missing Heirloom in Katong".)

The "Sherlock Sam" official launch held at the Kinokuniya flagship store's Crossroads area last month on March 16th was no less fun!

A.J. Low - the Writers of "Sherlock Sam" - on Food, Books and Mysteries

A locally published children's illustrated detective fiction book series has captured the hearts and imagination of many young readers recently.

The adventures of precocious 10-year-old "Sherlock Sam" and his trusty sidekick robot, Watson, were penned by "A.J. Low". 

Instead of just one person, the moniker "A.J. Low" belongs to two personalities - an adorable husband and wife team whose real names are Adan Jimenez and Felicia Low. Both USA-born Adan and homegirl Felicia have quite a few years of experience working in bookstores, and "Sherlock Sam" is one of the creative results of their shared love for books and geek-pop-culture. 

Together with illustrator drewscape and homegrown publisher Epigram Books, the team has made "Sherlock Sam" a jaunty, often tongue-in-cheek tale of mystery-solving - Singapore-style.

Book Review: Get Your Kids Reading with "Sherlock Sam and the Missing Heirloom in Katong"

While reading "Sherlock Sam and the Missing Heirloon in Katong", the first book of Epigram Book's new children's series by A.J. Low, Red Dot Diva found herself hurled back in time to when she was a long-haired little girl, devouring book after book that were investigative in nature.

Her love for investigative novels started early with Enid Blyton's "The Secret Seven", followed by "Famous Five", and progressed to a little of Hardy Boys/ Nancy Drew. Later on as a pre-teen, she especially enjoyed reading "The Three Investigators" series, relishing the more intricate plots and their witty dialogue.

These detective-mystery novels brought her farther along her book journey towards Dame Agatha Christie's works and inevitably, to one of her favorite writer of all time - Arthur Conan Doyle and his creation - the wonderfully eccentric master detective, Sherlock Holmes.

So it was of little coincidence that the Chinese name of "Sherlock Sam"'s main character is Cher Lock ("It's SHER-Lock!!!"). An intelligent, precocious young boy who's also growing up to be the typical Singaporean foodie, Samuel considers Sherlock Holmes (and Batman) to be his detective heroes.

Interview with Gilamon Studio's Lefty - Different Recipes of Horror in "Jimi Germ" and "Zero Hero"

3/4 of Gilamon Studio with Sonny Liew (far left)

One of the nicest things that could happen in the geek world is getting acquainted with the guys from Gilamon Studio.

If you are not familiar with Gilamon Studio already, it is an inspiring Malaysian creative outfit consisting of four talented and very affable creators - Julian "Lefty" Kam, Tan Eng Huat, Michael Chuah and Chin Sau Lim.

Marvel comic readers would be most familiar with artist Tan Eng Huat, whose works have graced titles like "X-Men: Legacy", "The Punisher" and "Thor: First Thunder". But, let it be known, that the other three creators are just as talented in their own right.

While Red Dot Diva has not personally met Michael Chuah yet, she has bumped into the rest of the team on several different occasions. In fact, she spent some time with Lefty and Eng Huat at their little space at the "Heavy Metal" booth during Comic-Con earlier this year. The guys were promoting their latest releases - a charming little gem called "Jimi Germ" that also has its own iTunes app, and a preview edition of "Zero Hero". It was definitely a comforting slice of home exchanging the familiar Singaporean-Malaysian accents and lingo with the two while in a far away land.