New Reviews & Advice for You

Movies in Theaters & Coming Soon

princess_and_the_frog.jpg
The Princess and the Frog (2009, Rated G)
Parents Need to Know...

that The Princess and the Frog is Disney's first movie first to feature an African-American heroine, Princess Tiana. The New Orleans-set story is a spin on the classic fairy tale about the princess who finds true love when she kisses an ... read more

The Princess and the Frog
3
fantastic_mr_fox.jpg
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009, Rated PG)
Parents Need to Know...

that director Wes Anderson's dry, offbeat adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic children's story Fantastic Mr. Fox is fine for most grade-schoolers but also has some themes and humor that will go over kids' head. The story features a lot of ... read more

Fantastic Mr. Fox
4
twilight_saga_new_moon.jpg
The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that the second installment in the hugely popular Twilight saga is darker and a bit more violent than the first movie, but not enough to make it inappropriate for teens, especially those who've read the books. That said, the relationship ... read more

The Twilight Saga: New Moon
3

Hot New Games

JS_EscapeAICover2.jpg
JumpStart: Escape from Adventure Island (Nintendo Wii)
Parents Need to Know...

that this educational game makes its lessons not only fun, but enticing, by layering them into action-based, cartoon-inspired gameplay. Not all of the mini-games are purely curriculum-based -- some are more reminiscent of what you'd find ... read more

JumpStart: Escape from Adventure Island
5
270445b.jpg
Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 (PlayStation 2, PSP, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3)
Parents Need to Know...

that Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 is a soccer simulation game with detailed options for tournaments, team management and strategic adjustments. Soccer players and fans will find the the array of hundreds of national teams and leagues and ... read more

Pro Evolution Soccer 2010
4
TonyHawkRide_box.jpg
Tony Hawk: RIDE (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3)
Parents Need to Know...

this game, as with past Tony Hawk games, isn't too controversial in its "Teen"-rated content. Along with some animated violence and a little bit of blood seen during a bad spill, the game is quite tame -- except for some ... read more

Tony Hawk: RIDE
2

Website Reviews for Kids

40187-hi-023.jpg
Disney Digital Books
Parents Need to Know...

that the free subscription to this site is really just a preview of the features of full membership. Once subscribed, kids are able to navigate around a safe environment full of reading opportunities. But before you subscribe it pays to ... read more

Disney Digital Books
4
farmville.gif
FarmVille on Facebook
Parents Need to Know...

that FarmVille is available only to members of the popular -- but not always child-friendly -- Facebook social network, and that's why we rate it iffy for young teens. The game itself is clean, safe, and loads of fun, if not ... read more

FarmVille on Facebook
3
icon_fashionplaytes.png
FashionPlaytes
Parents Need to Know...

that this site lets girls play fashion designer and create their own clothing styles which they can then purchase. This site only focuses on girls clothing and offers a handful of base designs to start off with, like shirts, leggings, and ... read more

FashionPlaytes
4

New Holiday TV Specials

lanny_and_wayne_tv.jpg
Lanny and Wayne the Christmas Elves in Prep & Landing (ABC)
Parents Need to Know...

that this delightful holiday tale blends a unique story with clever humor and kid-friendly content, making it an excellent choice for the entire family. There's very little in the way of iffy stuff, the imaginative concept of elves ... read more

Lanny and Wayne the Christmas Elves in Prep & Landing
4
118180_KEYART_pre.jpg
Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation (Disney XD)
Parents Need to Know...

that this holiday special based on the popular Phineas and Ferb cartoon greatly exaggerates the main characters' abilities to act on their hair-brained ideas (toboggans made out of their beds, for instance) -- but that’s the essence of ... read more

Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation
3
merry_madagascar_dvd.jpg
Merry Madagascar (NBC)
Parents Need to Know...

that this holiday special sequel to the popular Madagascar films has strong positive messages about generosity and goodwill. Expect some very mild flirting between a penguin and a reindeer and a reference to a character’s “booty,” ... read more

Merry Madagascar
4

Great New Reads

Imogenes_last_stand_book.jpg
Imogene's Last Stand by Candace Fleming
Parents Need to Know...

that Imogene is a girl with a mission. While she does protest the loss of the local historical society, her actions are appropriate acts of civil disobedience. read more

Imogene's Last Stand
5
hundredacre.jpg
Return to the Hundred Acre Wood by David Benedictus
Parents Need to Know...

that there's little to be concerned with here: a mention of drinking whiskey, a bike brand, and an ear-boxing by an annoyed Owl. read more

Return to the Hundred Acre Wood
3
Waddle.jpg
Waddle: A Scanimation Picture Book by Rufus Butler Seder
Parents Need to Know...

that this third of Rufus Butler Seder's "scanimation" books is as mesmerizing as the others, with a text that is perfect for beginning readers.  read more

Waddle: A Scanimation Picture Book
4

Download This Music

51-BZQtRsvL._SS400_.jpg
For Your Entertainment by Adam Lambert
Parents Need to Know...

that for the most part this album is rather tame, but there are a few tracks on here that might raise some eyebrows when it comes to sexy lyrics. Although there's nothing really explicit, Lambert does sing about some mature subject ... read more

For Your Entertainment
4
shakira-she-wolf-album-cover.jpg
She Wolf by Shakira
Parents Need to Know...

that overall this album is mostly OK for young teens, but parents should still be ready to talk about certain issues. A discussion about healthy relationships might be in order since this album presents some iffy role models for kids ... read more

She Wolf
4
owl_city.JPG
"Fireflies" (CD single) by Owl City
Parents Need to Know...

that though the lyrics in this song are somewhat nonsensical, they contain no real show-stoppers in the way of profane language, sexual references, or other adult themes. read more

"Fireflies" (CD single)
3
Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name