It is summer vacation now and parents are busy finding the best way to engage kids in a constructive manner.  It is the time when summer camps and many vacation based programs gain prominence. But then, they are just few days’ programs and not all kids feel comfortable to be a part of this new exclusive gang.  In a normal scenario, the kids will be out on the roads playing cricket and cycling with neighborhood children but with scorching sun and summer taking on vehemently with sharper rise in day temperatures, it pays to keep the children indoors.  Think of indoors and any parent can have nightmare thinking of the damages and also the constant complaint and nagging of boredom and worse still their addiction to mobiles, computer games and Xbox / PlayStation.  So how about getting them hooked onto ‘Kiddies Express’ with &Pictures.

Starting from Monday May 9^th 2016, &Pictures, India’s premium mass Hindi movie channel will be bringing to our home few of the finest pictures kids would love.  It will go on air at 12 noon and we can be rest assured that they will not be roaming in the hot sun in the noon and will stay engaged with their favorite characters movies.  We can provide them with a theatrical experience by getting few of our kids’ friends in to do a group watching and cook up some tasty popcorn and healthy vegetable nuggets to nibble as they watch the movies.  The movies to be shown are Kungfu Panda, Madagascar, Stuart Little 2, Jumanji, and Mr.Go.

When I read the movies list, it gave me immense satisfaction to make the kids watch it because these movies instill subtle values in our children.  What teaching and advice cannot do, a movie can achieve with ease. That is the power of this medium.  Here we provide a brief insight on the movies so we are sure what our kids are going to watch. To be honest, we are equally excited to watch these movies because it goes beyond age to convey something special – a reassurance and positive thoughts which we knowingly or unknowingly yearn for these days.

Kung Fu Panda on 9^th May

In the Valley of Peace, Po the Panda, finds himself chosen as the Dragon Warrior despite the fact that he is obese and a complete novice at martial arts. The movie is directed by John Stevenson and Mark Osborne and stars the voices of veteran Hollywood talent like Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Ian McShane, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, Randall Duk Kim, James Hong, and Jackie Chan.

Madagascar on 10^th May

This film showcases the story of four animals that have spent their lives in blissful captivity in Manhattan’s Central Park Zoo. Chris Rock voices Marty, a jaded zebra is ready for a change after ten years of comfortable captivity at the Zoo.  He flees for the green fields of Connecticut, prompting a rescue mission by his best friends: the Zoo’s star attraction Alex the lion (Ben Stiller), a bossy hippo named Gloria (Jada Pinkett Smith), and the clumsy, hypochondriac giraffe Melman (David Schwimmer). They are unexpectedly shipped back to Africa and end up getting shipwrecked on the island of Madagascar.

Stuart Little 2 on 11^th May

With subtle humor, loveable characters, a great script by Bruce Joel Rubin (Academy Award-winner, “Ghost”), Stuart Little 2 is one of the best family films of the summer.  It has finer elements of relationship between siblings, friendship and above all to discover oneself and the things that work for us. Stuart Little 2 is a must-watch film for its characters, dialogue, music, and animation and fun moments.

Jumanji on 12^th May

Based on a gorgeous picture book story of the same name by Chris Van Allsberg, Jumanji takes us through a beautiful magical adventure and makes it into a thrilling ride that defies everything.  The excellent combination of adventure and comedy are the big attractions and with the great Robin Williams in the lead, it is nothing surprising.

Mr. Go on 13^th May

A crisp narrative and some truly amazing technical expertise combine to make Mr Go one of the best family films with big laughs, big emotion and even bigger thrills. Its engaging plot offers a thoroughly enjoyable experience for all ages. It is based on the classic 1980s comic ‘7th Baseball Club’.

Mark your calendars and set your schedule for May 9 to May 13 12 noon to be present in &Pictures channel to give our kids a fine and relaxing experience of connecting to childhood with fun, laughter and learning in a subtle way. Do not forget to subscribe to the channel if you have not yet done it.