Featured Columns Archives

Be the Artist 2023 Asks the Question, “But Is It Art?”

May 27, 2023May 26, 2023Lisa Tate

This summer’s Be the Artist series is coming soon with some well-known types of art and answers the question, “Yeah, but.. is it art?”

The Saga Continues: ‘Star Wars Jedi: Battle Scars’ by Sam Maggs

April 18, 2023April 17, 2023Sophie Brown

‘Star Wars Jedi: Battle Scars’ by Sam Maggs is set in the years between Fallen Order & Survivor & catches us up with the Stinger Mantis crew.

Between the Bookends, Image by Ylanite Koppens from Pixabay

Between the Bookends: 3 Books We Read in Dec 22 – Jan 23

February 1, 2023January 31, 2023Sophie Brown

The first Between the Bookends of 2023 is a month late but I hope you find something to enjoy in this eclectic mix for the new year.

Between the Bookends: 6 Books We Read in November 2022

December 1, 2022November 30, 2022Sophie Brown

Can you believe it’s time for the final Between the Bookends of 2022? We wish you a happy holiday season filled with reading time.

The Saga Continues: ‘Convergence’ by Zoraida Cordova

November 22, 2022November 22, 2022Sophie Brown

‘Convergence’ by Zoraida Cordova kicks off Phase Two of the Star Wars High Republic and is set generations before the events of Phase One.

Between the Bookends: 4 Books We Read in October 2022

November 1, 2022October 31, 2022Sophie Brown

In this month’s Between the Bookends, Sophie and Scott read a wide mix of books from fantasy to contemporary, romance to non-fiction.

Between the Bookends: 4 Books We Read in Aug/Sept 2022

October 1, 2022September 30, 2022Sophie Brown

This month’s Between the Bookends is a double column and also (unintentionally) entirely filled with middle-grade reads.

Be the Artist: The Amazing Creatures of Ray Harryhausen

September 3, 2022September 2, 2022Lisa Tate

Ray Harryhausen’s wonderful stop-motion fantasy creatures still influence animators today. Here’s an interactive project inspired by his work.

Awaken Your Inner Muse With an Easy ‘Xanadu’-Inspired DIY

August 23, 2022August 22, 2022Lisa Tate

Celebrate the colorful neon style of the early ’80s with this family-friendly and “A-Muse-ing” ‘Xanadu’-inspired project.

Be the Artist: The Groundbreaking World of Jackie Ormes

August 16, 2022August 15, 2022Lisa Tate

Jackie Ormes was the first female African American to be nationally syndicated, and she used her characters to bring her own voice to life.

The Saga Continues: ‘The Princess and the Scoundrel’ by Beth Revis

August 16, 2022August 15, 2022Sophie Brown

In ‘The Princess and the Scoundrel’ by Beth Revis, Han and Leia marry and take their honeymoon aboard the luxury Star Cruiser Halcyon.

Between the Bookends: 4 Books We Read in July 2022

August 1, 2022July 31, 2022Sophie Brown

In this month’s Between the Bookends, Sophie reviews 4 books including a YA dystopian thriller and a memoir from one of her favorite singers.

Be the Artist: Charles Schulz and His Charlie Brown

July 31, 2022July 30, 2022Lisa Tate

Charles Schulz used his alter ego, Charlie Brown, to turn the ups and downs of childhood into a comic strip loved around the world.

The Saga Continues: ‘Shadow of the Sith’ by Adam Christopher

July 29, 2022July 28, 2022Sophie Brown

In ‘Shadow of the Sith’ by Adam Christopher, we follow Luke Skywalker and his old friend Lando Calrissian as they take on a new mission.

Be the Artist: The Infinite Dots of Yayoi Kusama

July 17, 2022July 16, 2022Lisa Tate

Yayoi Kusama took on the art world one dot at a time. Try this family-friendly way of celebrating her famous Infinity Rooms.

Be the Artist: Who Was Ub Iwerks?

July 2, 2022July 2, 2022Lisa Tate

Ub Iwerks was not as famous as Walt Disney, but he helped create the most iconic character in animation. Let’s create a “mouse” of our own.

Between the Bookends: 5 Books We Read in June 2022

July 1, 2022June 30, 2022Sophie Brown

This month’s Between the Bookends includes contemporary middle grade, fantasy YA, and a look at the history of women in video games.

Be the Artist: The Macabre Magic of Tim Burton

June 19, 2022June 18, 2022Lisa Tate

Tim Burton has created darkly unique worlds for 40 years. This family project will build worlds and characters on simple paper napkins.

Be the Artist: The Giant “Small World” of Mary Blair

June 5, 2022June 4, 2022Lisa Tate

Mary Blair was a driving force behind the famous Disney attraction “It’s A Small World.” Here’s a project to add her look to your own world.

Between the Bookends: 4 Books We Read in May 2022

June 1, 2022May 31, 2022Sophie Brown

All four books featured in this month’s Between the Bookends include some level of queer representation to help kick off Pride Month.