The Elephant in the Living Room: Make Television Work for Your Kids

The Elephant in the Living Room: Make Television Work for Your Kids Review

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The Elephant in the Living Room: Make Television Work for Your Kids Feature

The nation's top child development experts examine the effects of television on children and their groundbreaking research will startle many

Television is the "elephant in the living room" of our culture. American children watch television an average of 3 hours per day, and many parents sheepishly concede that they rely on television as an electronic babysitter. But TV is not necessarily harmful to kids. The authors present groundbreaking scientific evidence that television can be a powerful and effective tool--for entertainment, for education, and for socialization.

The secret is for parents to learn how to use television as a tool, not a crutch. With a detailed explanation of the effects of television viewing on kids' emotional, mental, and physical development, plus tips to enable parents to act on this new knowledge, they'll soon be able to turn TV into a positive force in their child's life. The authors share:

• which popular shows increase your child's reading ability--and which may delay speech development

• which televised sports boost girls' self-image--and which ones could cause eating disorders

• the best and worst programming for every age, from toddler to teen

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The Classic Children's Television Quiz Book

The Classic Children's Television Quiz Book Review

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The Classic Children's Television Quiz Book Feature

Compiled by acclaimed television scriptwriter and novelist Dean Wilkinson, The Classic Children’s Television Quiz Book is packed with fascinating facts about the shows you loved as a child as well as those programmes currently capturing the imagination of today’s young audiences. From timeless classics like Thunderbirds, Blue Peter and Dr Who to the thoroughly up-to-date Sponge Bob, the 1,000 questions in this book will not only test your memory of the characters you grew up with but your family’s knowledge of their current favourites. With a fitting foreword by popular family TV presenters Ant and Dec this book is sure to prove a hit with television lovers of all ages and, in particular, those members of the older generation who have remained young at heart.

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Who's Who in Animated Cartoons: An International Guide to Film and Television's Award-Winning and Legendary Animators

Who's Who in Animated Cartoons: An International Guide to Film and Television's Award-Winning and Legendary Animators Review

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Who's Who in Animated Cartoons: An International Guide to Film and Television's Award-Winning and Legendary Animators Feature

Here is the long overdue first biographical reference and first book of its kind to chronicle the amazing careers of nearly 300 of animation's most honored and recognized animator-directors and animator-producers from around the world. Publication coincides with the 100th anniversary celebration of the very first American animated cartoon, Humorous Phases of Funny Faces, released on April 16, 1906. From Max Fleischer (Betty Boop, Popeye) to Brad Bird (The Simpsons, The Incredibles), Ralph Bakshi (Fritz the Cat) to Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away), they are all here. With more than 70 never-before published photos and illustrations, including a full-color section of animation art, culled from private collections and many animators' personal collections, this book is an invaluable guide to the people who have shaped cinematic and television animation for decades to come.

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Prime Time Animation: Television Animation and American Culture

Prime Time Animation: Television Animation and American Culture Review

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Prime Time Animation: Television Animation and American Culture Feature

In September 1960 a television show emerged from the mists of prehistoric time to take its place as the mother of all animated sitcoms. The Flintstones spawned dozens of imitations, just as, two decades later, The Simpsons sparked a renaissance of primetime animation. This fascinating book explores the landscape of television animation, from Bedrock to Springfield, and beyond.
The contributors critically examine the key issues and questions, including: How do we explain the animation explosion of the 1960s? Why did it take nearly twenty years following the cancellation of The Flintstones for animation to find its feet again as primetime fare? In addressing these questions, as well as many others, essays examine the relation between earlier, made-for-cinema animated production (such as the Warner Looney Toons shorts) and television-based animation; the role of animation in the economies of broadcast and cable television; and the links between animation production and brand image. Contributors also examine specific programmes like The Powerpuff Girls, Daria, Ren and Stimpy and South Park from the perspective of fans, exploring fan cybercommunities, investigating how ideas of 'class' and 'taste' apply to recent TV animation, and addressing themes such as irony, alienation, and representations of the family.

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