Review

Netflix has just premiered the quirky documentary, The Speed Cubers, one of those hidden gems the popular streaming service offers from time to time. If you think The Speed Cubers is just a documentary about a bunch of brainiacs competing in a colourful, hands-on, pseudo Mathletics championship and filming it for YouTube, you’ll be surprised by what you actually get, which is more of story about friendship, rivalry and finding one’s place.

Aussie series ‘The InBESTigators’; what parents need to know, is it any good and what can our kiddos learn from watching it?

Have you watched Brainchild on Netflix with your kids? Brainchild makes science fun for kids, and answers the big questions in ways that are kid-appropriate and fun for the whole family!

The Netflix adaptation we have all been waiting for (or is that just me…?) is here. That’s right; The Babysitters Club, a book series made absolute cult classic by Ann M Martin, absolutely beloved by girls the world over, has had a reboot and is available to stream on Netflix, and let’s just say, we’re excited.

Netflix has a new show, The Floor is Lava, and it’s about to be your kids’ favourite!

Find out what Kiddo Book Club book reviewer Kate Younie thinks of Below Deck and The Safe Place.

Title: Just An Ordinary FamilyAuthor: Fiona LowePublisher: Harper Collins Book Review by Kate Younie @Big_little_words Alice is jobless and broken hearted in Melbourne. She decides to return to her seaside hometown of Kurnai Bay, where her family still reside. Her twin sister, Libby, is a successful GP who is happily married to Nick and has two adorable children. Libby also has a devoted and inseparable best friend, Jess. Libby has everything Alice always wanted; but she always found herself living in the shadow of her sister and in competition with Jess. Nevertheless, Alice slowly forges her place back into the community and her family. She begins dating and works hard to forge her independence. The twins’ mother, Karen, is supportive of her girls. She has always guided them the best she knew how. Her childhood was difficult and she tried her best to shield her girls from her past. But while Alice’s life is rebuilding … Libby’s is crumbling. As Libby’s life starts to unravel, Alice is there to pick up the pieces, but also finds herself in the middle of the destruction due to Karen’s past lies. This is a true family drama and tale of sacrifice, betrayal and ultimately forgiveness. One for the Liane Moriarty and Jodi Picoult fans.

Jake Dean is a writer, surfer and bibliophile who’s counting down the days to take his six-month-old boy, Koa, for his first wave. Follow him on Twitter @JakeJDean. A Word from… Dad By Jake Dean If you’d told me a year ago I’d be a parenting columnist, I would have laughed so hard, with coffee literally seeping from my nose. But a healthy little boy, countless nappies and darkening rings under my eyes later and here we are. I surf less than I used to and I’m writing this on the train as it’s a rare moment to myself. But those annoying dad-isms turn out to be true, don’t they? “I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” I’ve said time and time again. I’m even enjoying those moments with the boys when you take stock and realise you’ve been comparing pram wheels for the past half an hour. Life comes at you fast, eh. Nevertheless, I’ve no real sage father wisdom to impart. I’ve discovered that despite thousands of well-meaning tips on raising a kid from every man, woman and dog, you really do have to fumble through this dad caper. So instead, here are three mostly un-kid-related hot tips from one sleepy fella to another. READ: On the Java Ridge, by Jock Serong: A boat-load of Aussie surfers anchored at a remote and uninhabited Indonesian island cross paths with another boat, full of asylum seekers, in devastating circumstances. Good luck putting this political thriller down until you’ve reached its punch-in-the-guts crescendo, which also might change your views on asylum seeker policies. Looking for a banger new kids book? Try The Surfing Animals Alphabet Book by Swedish illustrator Jonas Classen. It’s packed with vibrant colour, classic A-Z rhymes and 26 animals cutting sick in the ocean. Available from Dymocks Burnside Village WATCH: Manchester by the Sea: I admit this film is from 2016, but give us a break. I’ve been busy procreating. We finally finished this slow-burn drama over 25 instalments rand can confirm it’s primo Friday-night-on-the-couch-when-the-kid’s-finally-asleep fodder. Life comes fast at Lee, a brooding Massachusetts janitor, who’s faced with the prospect of caring for his teen nephew, Patrick, when Lee’s brother dies suddenly. Heart-wrenching flashbacks explain the characters’ fractured relationships and you’ll have all the feels from the cast’s stellar performances, laden with grief and intimacy. What’s this salty discharge coming from my eyes? DO: Onkaparinga River National Park: Can you recommend somewhere you’ve never been? Is that a thing? Stuff it, I’m doin’ it. I’ve seen enough Insta pics of this place, barely 30 minutes south of Adelaide, that I’m pulling the finger out and taking the fambo for an overdue nature hang there pronto. How good is it strapping the kid in the carrier and doing fun stuff while they stare in wonder or catch some zzz’s by the way? I’ll see you in the Park. Twitter: @JakeJDean Instagram: @byjakedean Blog: jake-dean.com

I Spy with My Little Eye; is a game that has been used by parents for generations and while it can help wile away the hours on a long car trip or entertain a testy toddler in a doctor’s surgery, it is also a great reminder to us as parents to think about our children’s ability to see clearly. It’s a startling fact is that 1 in 5 children have undetected eye problems and these can be nearly impossible to spot without an eye test.  Children are remarkably resilient and without the knowledge that they should be able to see any other way,they will cope in many other ways. Maybe they hold their book a little closer (or farther away) from their face thannormal, maybe they tilt their head when looking at the television or squint.  Theycould cover one eye when watching a movie on an ipad, or complain of headaches ordry eyes.  The fact is that there are so many subtle signs, that they are easy to miss.But the way not to miss them, is to get their eyes tested by a professionaloptometrist who can asses not only their vision but their overall eye health. At National Pharmacies Optical, they believe that all children should have the brightest outlook on life so they have now introduced FREE glasses for children 12 years and over with a family membership.  That means you can book an appointment at any of their 21 optical stores and your child can have an extensive eye exam and if they do detect a problem that can be corrected with glasses – thoseglasses and the lenses are completely free. So next time you’re asked to play eye spy as you’re driving down the road, consider how your child may be spying; the world and consider putting your mind at rest with a simple, no cost eye exam at National Pharmacies Optical. A Family Membership with National Pharmacies is a great way for all the family to receive more benefits, more often. In addition to free glasses for children under 12, there are also great benefits on skincare, fragrance and health items. Outside of the store, the MemberPlus program gives you access to activities and offers from great South Australian companies. There are 21 Optical Stores Across SA, Book An Eye Test Today! NORTH  ModburyNorthpark SOUTH BlackwoodChristies BeachCumberland ParkGlenelgMarionVictor Harbor EAST AdelaideGlenungaMardenMt BarkerNewtonNorwood WEST FindonHenley BeachMile EndWest Lakes For more information or to become a member:2020by2020.com.au@nationalpharmacies Meaghan Coles Photography  KIDDO Feature in partnership with National Pharmacies