'Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood'
If this new PBS series sounds familiar, it’s because it’s inspired by the old classic Mister Rogers Neighborhood. Yup, the one you grew up watching. Daniel is the perfect pal for TV-ready tots, what with his sing-along songs that teach basic lessons about everything from potty training to sharing. Daniel and his merry gang of pals—including O the Owl and Katerina Kittycat—talk directly to the viewer and impart important lessons in a non-preaching way. And that stuck-in-your-head potty song sure does come in handy when it’s time to start training.
Ages 2 and up.
'Matilda and Hans'
A quirky, gorgeously illustrated picture book by Japanese artist Yokococo, Matilda and Hans tells the story of two very different kitties—prim and proper Matilda, who prefers to sit and read at home, and naughty Hans, who’s always causing chaos. Unfolding the mystery of the relationship between the two will be enticing fun for your tot—and this fun read is reflective of the dual nature of every toddler.
Ages 2 and up.
'The Monstore'
In this picture book adventure by Tara Lazar, zany Zack isn’t quite sure what to do when the kooky creatures he picked up from the Monstore—to keep his pesky kid sister Gracie out of his room, of course—don’t work out exactly as planned. His problem? No refunds, and no exchanges, which means big trouble! Bright and bold and full of fun, this one will have your little one reading through it over and over, absorbing new details every time.
Ages 2 and up.
'Easy Studio: Animate With Shapes'
This iPad and iPhone-friendly app (not a bad investment at $4) lets your kid learn easy animation with shapes, using stop motion and basic flip-book formatting to let them create fun, short little stories. Once they’ve played with it for a while, they can upgrade from Easy to Expert mode to start creating more complex tales with their animations.
Ages 5 and up.
'Planes'
Hitting theaters August 9, Disney’s latest, Planes, centers on a dinky little crop duster with high-flying ambitions—and an ironic fear of heights. Luckily, he’ll get there with just a little help from his friends. A bit light for the older set, but sure to be a hit among kids who love a good underdog tale, Planes is a fun riff on the Cars franchise with plenty of heart and lots of action.
Age 5 and up.
'Math Evolve'
At $2, this New York Times-lauded app is a sure-fire way to keep your kid up on her numbers in a painless—even fun—way. In story mode, players go an exciting arcade-style adventure that has them engaging their math skills to get to the next level. Player history and difficulty controls let you customize the app for each kid individually, allowing it to continually present new challenges as the player can handle them.
Ages 5 and up.
'Monsters University'
This funny prequel to Monsters, Inc. hit theaters June 21.
Ages 8 and up.
'Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin'
A fun Rumpelstiltskin retelling by Liesl Shurtliff, this middle grade read turns the old fable on its head. Here, poor little Rump is the butt of everyone’s jokes, until he discovers that he can spin straw into gold. Of course, the magic comes at a cost, and he soon realizes he’s spun himself right into a perilous witch’s spell. With the help of his best pal, Red Riding Hood, he goes on an adventure that has him fighting off trolls, pixies and the requisite wicked queen.
Ages 8 and up.
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'The Wolverine'
The latest installment in the X-Men franchise, this one follows Hugh Jackman’s long-suffering Wolverine as he might finally attain the one thing he’s always wanted: mortality. This one, of course, is blessed with the high end action we’ve come to expect from the series. But there’s also a meatier character arc here, and that will keep teens hanging on once the magic of the special effects starts to fade.
Age 8 and up.
'Breaking Pointe'
Bring on the drama! Season two of this hit CW summer series—premiering July 21—picks up right where we left off, encapsulating the antics of the lovely yet cutthroat dancers at Ballet West. The competition is killer, of course, but the most riveting dance is the one between on-again, off-again flames Allison and Rex—whose chemistry (onstage and off) is too close for comfort.
Ages 12 and up.
'Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock'
One of the most controversial and impossible to put down books for teens this summer (due on shelves August 13), this novel by Matthew Quick (you remember his name from Silver Linings Playbook, which earned Jennifer Lawrence her first Oscar) centers on the devastating inner workings of Leonard Peacock, a troubled teen who packs a gun in his backpack with the intent to kill his ex best friend, then himself. Timely and touching, this one definitely tops the summer reading list for teens looking for challenging and thoughtful entertainment.
Ages 12 and up.
'Under the Dome'
Premiering June 24 on CBS, this action-packed series—an adaptation of the Stephen King story by the same name—explores what happens when a small town gets mysteriously locked down under an unexplained forcefield, and its residents all start to go just a little bit batty. Hottie Mike Vogel stars as Dale “Barbie” Barbara—an Army vet on a mysterious mission—while Twilight alum Rachelle Lefevre is an investigative reporter hot on his tracks. Teen TV staple Britt Robertson shows up here, too.
Ages 12 and up.
