by Fiona Ingram, a  South African writer who loves books, travel, animals, antiques, and adventures of all kinds! Read Fiona’s

Length: 240 pages

Rating: 4 stars

Suitable For: Ages 10+

When fifteen-year-old British teen Luke Sheldon wins a place at an American summer camp for smart kids, he thinks he’s in for the trip of a lifetime. He’s also glad to get away from his snarky older brother for the holidays. It sounds like a dream vacation, with courses in cool stuff like archery, fire building, horse riding, and survival techniques. Surrounded by forests and built above a labyrinth of underground tunnels, there is more to Camp Hope than meets the eye. Why do some of the kids suggest the place should be called Camp No Hope? Is it true that three campers disappeared a few years earlier? And why does camp leader Captain Budd as well as the course trainers refuse to talk about it? When Luke starts to find coded messages in his dorm, he thinks it is a silly game until disaster strikes. Too late, he discovers he has been lured into a terrifying trap that could cost him his life.

The adrenalin starts pumping on page one as we find Luke running down an underground tunnel, running for his life! Flashback to when it all begins at camp where Luke meets up with a bunch of teens just like him. There is the usual gaggle of types: the bully, the sidekick, the nerd, the good friend, the joker, and of course, the GIRLS! In an amazing coincidence, Luke bumps into Natalie, his best friend in junior school. At the time, they were inseparable, until Natalie’s parents died and she moved away. Luke is happy to renew his connection with Natalie and even imagines thingscould go further until…the beautiful Kathryn (aka Star) arrives. She’s totally gorgeous, confident, popular, and she chooses Luke as her campboyfriend. Although he’s no slouch, Luke hasn’t much confidence when it comes to girls. Star’s friendship with him is like a dream come true, except that it seems to alienate Natalie. His friendship with Natalie also causes tension between Luke and his best camp buddy, Matt. Added to this swirling mix of emotional pressure and excitement at decoding each new clue is Luke’s weird dorm leader (adult) Drew, who has all the characteristics of someone who could kill and not bat an eyelid. Drew also likes knives… Things are never quite what they seem, and it’s up to Luke to solve this mystery without ending up dead!

This is an action-packed teen adventure certain to keep young readers glued to the pages. The characters are well rounded, and Luke is a very likable teen. The events unfold through his eyes, and in the process, Luke makes discoveries about himself and his relationships with others around him. By the end of this riveting read he has matured, and come to an understanding about life. The message of the book is one of forgiveness and hope, and the meaning of friendship.

ISBN-10: 0571239218

ISBN-13: 978-0571239214

Publisher: Faber Childrens

by Joy Dembo

Directed by Peter Berg and released by Universal, the movie begins after NASA’s discovery of a  planet, with a similar blueprint to Earth, and curious to establish whether the planet is inhabited, they decide to transmit a signal from their powerful Hawaii satellite transmission station, aimed at this planet, with the aid of a satellite in orbit.

At the same time we are introduced to Alex Hopper (Played by Taylor Kitsch), a lazy,  good for nothing, who sponges off his brother, Stone, a talented and decorated naval officer (played by Alexander Skarsgard). In an attempt to impress the gorgeous Samantha Shane (Played by Brooklyn Decker), Alex breaks into a convenience store to get her a chicken burrito, and causes havoc, resulting in him being tasered and arrested by the police. Samantha is the daughter of the  United States Pacific Fleet commanding officer, Admiral Shane (played by  Liam Neeson),  who happens to be his brother’s commanding officer. Stone is furious and gives Alex an ultimatum: Join the Navy or you are on your own!

When the real action starts, Alex has progressed to the rank of  lieutenant, and is the Tactical Action Officer aboard the destroyer, the USS John Paul Jones, and  Stone has risen to the rank of commanding officer of the USS Sampson. Alex is in a relationship with Samantha, and wants to marry her.

The Rim of the Pacific, the world’s largest multinational naval exercise, gets under way, off the coast of Hawaii and during the opening ceremony Alex gets into a brawl with a Japanese Captain, however it is minutes to the start of the naval exercise and naturally the show must go on!

And then it happens! A fleet of alien ships arrives in response to the NASA signal, and lands in the waters near Hawaii, very close to the Sampson,John Paul Jones, and Myōkō, who are sent to investigate. The ships are trapped when one of the alien ships erects an impenetrable force field around the Hawaiian Islands.

A fierce battle ensues, which results in the Sampson and Myōkō being destroyed, and the entire crew of  the Sampson being wiped out, including Stone, Alex’s older brother.  Damaged and leaderless, what’s left of the crew of the John Paul Jones are left to fight the battle alone. As fate would have it, the talented but undisciplined Alex is the most senior surviving officer and is forced to take command. The John Paul Jones takes the Myoko’s surviving crew members aboard, including Alex’s nemesis, Captain Nagata. The two decide to put their differences aside and join forces to fight off the alien attack.

With the Aliens trying to take command of the Oahu satellite array, and the John Paul Jones destroyed in another devastating  battle with the aliens, Alex and Captain Nagata take over a retired naval battleship, the USS Missouri, a museum ship based in the Oahu harbour.  With the help of the Navy Vets that are responsible for her preservation, the Missouri is activated and what follows will keep you on the edge of your seat!

This Sci fi naval war adventure has it all…. drama, action, comedy, bad boy makes good, romance, and the inevitable triumph of earthlings over an alien invasion.

Although a variation on an old theme, the effects are breathtaking and the story is captivating, and although the movie runs for more than two hours, you don’t even notice the time going by!

Tweenies, teens,  young adults and Science Fiction addicts will love this movie!

The show is rated 10V and was released on nationwide on  05 May.

ANIMALS
The Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre – De Wildt Tours, Pta North, Apr 29-May 1.
Animals viewed on the tour include cheetah, african wild dog, brown hyena, caracal, african wild cat, vultures and various antelope species. Prior booking is essential and children under six are not permitted.

Predator World Zoo, North West, Apr 29-May 1, Near Sun City
Predator World sits at the foot of the beautiful Pilanesberg Mountain, only 5km from Sun City and Pilanesberg National park and 90 minutes from Hartbeespoort dam. Animal Feeding on Monday at 11am. Animals include mountain lions, cheetah, leopards, spotted hyena and more The kiddies may play on the jungle gym or feed the goats in the farm yard. Also a  restaurant for light meals.

Welties Kiddies Farm Weltevreden Park, Apr 29-May 1.
Child friendly Tea Garden and Sunday carvery available (Booking essential)in a farm atmosphere. Come and relax while your kids can play in a safe evironment with lots to do a farmyard. The play area has a trampoline, jungle gym, swings and sandpits, Swingball, soccer poles (for the little ones), pony rides, scooters and scooter track.

ACTION
Bush Paintball Hennopsrivier, Apr 29-May 1, from 9yrs
The bush paintball range consists of 7 fields designed to suit all types of players. These include heavily bunkered “close quarter” fields for intense, fast-paced play. As well as genuine bush ball fields which test a players’ stalking and bush craft skills. Mad Hatters Tea Garden is close by at Tatz Junction where you can relax and enjoy a cup of tea.

Zwartkops Quad Centre, Centurion, Apr 29-May 1, from 4yrs old
Come for the day for action packed quadbiking fun. Bring along your picnic baskets and enjoy a fun day-outing for the whole family. Tuck shop and playground available. Special on Monday and Tuesday – R2 off – only R10 per lap.

STEAM TRAIN
Reefsteamers to Magaliesburg, May 1.
Travel to the beautiful Magaliesburg countryside on a classic old steam train, enjoy a leisurely lunch, explore the village with its arts and crafts shops, and come back to the big city behind steam (Much to the surprise and the envy of the commuters we usually pass!). Adults R200, children (4-12) R140 U/4yrs free- all day.

PARENTING HELP
ReelMom New Mom Seminar and Eco EXPO – May 5, from 8am-3pm
A Seminar featuring expert speakers covering sleep, health and nutrition. Speakers include: Dr Alison Bentley – well know sleep expert and international speaker, Dr Johnny Lotter – Specialist Paediatrician at Pretoria East Hospital. Our health and nutrition expert will cover: why organic is best for you and baby and our clinical psychologist will cover dealing with PND. All guests will receive a Goody Bag valued at over R500, scrumptious finger snacks and refreshments and Prizes to be WON worth over R10,000!Tickets are R480 a couple or R250 per person. Includes a FREE copy of Momtails – lifestyle and recipe book featuring non-alcoholic drinks for moms and kids valued at R120!

This one is a definite no-no for the kids but for the older teens and adults, it’s a must see if you want to literally laugh your butt off!  You don’t HAVE to have seen the previous 7 American Pie movies, but if you have,  so much the better!

Written and directed by Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg, this movie will delight audiences.  It is risque and hilarious and it will leave you giggling for days!

The movie features the same five high school buddies -  Jim (played by Jason Biggs), Oz (played by Chris Klein), Kevin (played by Thomas Ian Nicholas)  Finch (played by Eddie Kaye Thomas), and Stifler (played by Seann William Scott).  Thirteen years after graduating high school, thefriends have gone their separate ways and are living the stereotypical American Dream.  Jim is married to Michelle (played by Alyson Hannigan) and they have a toddler of their own.  Oz is an NFL sportscaster living in Los Angeles with his supermodel girlfriend,  Mia,  (played by Katrina Bowden). Kevin is an architect,  married to Ellie (Played by Charlene Amoia) Finch has supposedly gone MIA and Stifler works as a temp at an investment firm, and is as crazy as ever. .

When they are invited to a high school reunion, Jim and Michelle decide to attend, and they meet up with Oz and Kevin at a bar. Finch and Stifler also arrive and the fun begins!

The following day they meet up with various other long lost high school buddies and a weekend of debauchery, misunderstandings and awakening of long lost love ensues, in typical American Pie Style.

18-year old beauty,  Kara, who Jim used to baby sit, and her friends,  end up in the middle of the shenanigans,  and all hell breaks loose, with hysterically funny consequences.  And, of course, Jim’s dad (played by Eugene Levy) and Stifffler’s mom, played by Jennifer Coolidge are still around and still as entertaining as hell!

The movie is classified 16 SNL, and opened at cinemas countrywide on 05 April.

Kerry Haggard is mom to the two most beautiful boys that ever there were. She juggles her roles of writer, mother, wife and daughter, and manages to keep the balls in the air most of the time. Follow her on Twitter @KerryHaggard.

I visited SciBono for the second time today – my four year old son Matthew asked that we come here on his birthday because he had such fun when we visited in December.

If you’ve not heard about it, SciBono is a playful science learning centre, located in Newtown opposite the Turbine Hall and the SAB World of Beer. I would not be exaggerating when I say that there are hundreds of interactive exhibits – there’s everything from a MIG replica and a replica of the Wright brothers’  plane to interactive science experiments that make understanding physics and electricity as easy as pie.

There are quite a few-related soccer games, so the kids can be active as well, and then there’s the Murray & Roberts construction  site, where larger than life foam ‘bricks’ and ‘mortar’ are used by the children to build with – with the help of pulleys, bucket lifts and conveyor belts that they power themselves.

And that’s just the beginning – there’s really too much to describe in one blog post.

The several floors of exhibits are staffed by friendly people all dressed in bright orange jackets who will explain each exhibit to you, should you wish. They are also really good at keeping the place spotless, by asking politely that you refrain from eating or drinking on the exhibition floor.

There’s a lovely coffee shop with possibly the cheapest prices in Johannesburg – where else could you enjoy a 250ml cappuccino for R10, each served with its own decoration by a smiling gentleman who is pretty inspirational in his own right..

SciBono has a separate room for hosting parties – the children can have the run of the warehouse for the duration of the event, but you can keep your drinks and snacks and the all-important cake time away from the rest of the visitors.

This is really one of the gems of Jozi – it feels secure enough that mom could take her laptop or book and sit in the coffee shop and let the littlies have the run of the place – and they’re learning all the time, even though they’re not aware of it. My boys are 4 and 6, and love it, but we had guests in the early teens in December who had a blast too.

If you’re in Jozi over the holidays or over the weekend, and are stuck for ideas for things to do, this spot should be top of your list. And with adult tickets costing just R20, and kids over 6 costing R10 (under 6 are free), it’s affordable enough to visit several times.

Click here to find out more about the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre

We hope you’ve been enjoying your Easter Weekend with your family – still one more day to go and we want to give you some tips of great activities you can do tomorrow.

Bush Babies Monkey Sanctuary –Hartbeespoort
Guided tours, walk through natural indigenous forests on elevated wooden walkways and experience a variety of exotic monkeys in theirnatural environment. Our mission is to take in rescued primates that have been kept as pets and then to relocate them to a natural environment

Compu-Kart Raceway Pretoria
Derdepoort Pretoria/Tshwane,Indoor Go-Karts , from 12 years, open from 10:00 – 20:30

Gotcha Paintball Pretoria
Paintball for adults, teens and kids from 9 yrs

Dirt Ryders Adventures
Lanseria Johannesburg West Rand, Go-karting, paintball, volleyball , archery, playground, ponies, restaurant and bar

Toyota MTN Cycle Park , Bryanston from toddlers, from 6am – 6.30pm. We offer cycle enthusiasts of all ages with a safe place to cycle. We have a BMX dirt racing track, several short course entry-level racing tracks for younger age groups. Kids track for new young riders, advanced single track routes for the more experienced off road cyclists, every Monday to Friday.

Lory Park Zoo President Park, open daily President Park NE Johannesburg, We have lions tigers, leopards, linxes and more. We have an array of exotic parrots at our tea garden who keep you company. During school holidays we organise Ranger Days where you can leave your child at the zoo to be trained as a mini-ranger. 7.30am-4m They learn to feed the animals and all about their habitat. Open Easter Weekend 10 am – 4pmm

KIDS SHOWS

Puppetales Rand Show, Nasrec, Apr 5-15, 10am, 1pm, 4pm
Puppet theatre, accompanied by music, marionettes and a dash of ventriloquism,

Giselle Joburg Theatre, Braamfontein, Apr 12-29, Tue, Thur, Fridays
The South African Ballet Theatre with the Joburg Philharmonic Orchestra is proud to present ‘Giselle’ – a ballet in two Acts. Giselle is the ultimate ballet love-story – of a prince who falls in love with a peasant girl and of her love for him which is stronger than betrayal and death,

The Lorax is quite possibly one of the sweetest movies I have seen in a long time!  In typical Dr Seuss fashion, it is total escapism.. a chance to just smile and laugh,  and get lost in the absurdity.

The kids will go nuts for this movie, but I am not ashamed to say that I enjoyed every minute of the movie,  and I am an old lady with grown up kids!

The movie is a computer animated  3D extravaganza, based on the children’s book of the same name, written by Dr Seuss. The movie was released by Universal Pictures on 02 March 2012, which would have been Dr Seuss’ 108th birthday, and also marks the debut of Universal’s centennial logo.

The film centres around Ted (Voiced by Zack Efron), a 12-year-old boy, who lives in “Thneed-Ville”.  Thneed-Ville is a totally enclosed manmade city, and for the most part, the citizens are perfectly happy in their little artificial world.

Ted is head over heels in love with Audrey (Voiced by Taylor Swift), and in his quest to win her favour, he discovers that the one thing Audrey yearns for is to see a REAL tree, so he sets out to find one!  Ted’s extremely funny grandma (voiced by Betty White of The Golden Girls fame) suggests he speak with the Once-ler.

The search for the Once-ler (Voiced by Ed Helms) leads Ted to venture out of Thneed-Ville for the first time,  and he soon discovers that the outside world is a vast, scary wasteland and the Once-ler is a grumpy and bitter old man.  Never-the-less the Once-ler agrees to tell Ted why there are no trees in Thneed-Ville and how to find one, if Ted agrees to return and listen to HIS story!

Ted agrees, even though the arrogant, mean, and  greedy mayor of Thneed-Ville, Aloysius O’Hare, puts pressure on him not to leave town, as he is afraid that if Ted discovers the truth, his bottled oxygen business might be in danger of going bankrupt.

The Once-ler  tells Ted how he met the Lorax, (Voiced by Danny de Vito) a cute, charming, but grumpy little creature, who is the guardian of the land.  He also recounts how he had invented the “thneed”, made from tree tufts!  His thriving business leads to way too many trees being chopped down and so the demise of the precious tree began! Eventually, the forests are completely depleted, and even the Lorax and all the wildlife leave, and the Once-ler is left alone and broken to deal with the disaster he has created.

The Once-Ler sees a chance to rectify the situation through Ted, and Ted sets out on a mission to restore the trees and the wonders of nature to Thneed-Ville, which makes for a comical, musical adventure that you can’t help but enjoy!

The film releases throughout South Africa on 23 March, and will put a smile on your kids’ faces this Easter.

There is also an important environmental message in this movie, in keeping with this age of environmental awareness, following years of destructive behaviour by mankind.

If you haven’t discovered it yet, www.Jozikids.co.za is the most up to date and detailed resource for parents in the Gauteng region to find what you need including events, activities, venues, parties and lessons. You’ll also find us on your cell phone.

KIDS THEATRE

Charlotte’s Web National Children’s Theatre, Parktown,  until Apr 14.

Charming tale about a little girl named Fern, who with the help of a friendly spider, saves her pig Wilbur from the usual fate of nice fat little pigs, Great music, superb sets, Striking costumes, exuberant cast and very interactive
Mon-Sat (school holidays): 10.30am; 14.30pm
Mon-Fri (school days): 9-11am
Cost : kids R80,adults R100

The Jungle Book Peoples Theatre, Braamfontein, until Apr 15.
Mon-Fri: 9am & 11am , Sat,School; Public Holidays: 10.30am & 2.30pm
Cost Kids club members R65, non members R99

PARENTING HELP

Parenting on the Run, Bright Ideas Outfit, Bryanston, Mar 19.
How time spent in the car; doing household chores and activities or waiting for appointments, can be so valuable to both you and your child – it is never a waste of time This insightful talk is peppered with personal anecdotes and you will leave armed with over 100 creative and practical ideas for converted wasted time with your children into quality time. Another workshop planned for June if you don’t make it.

123 Magic! Effective Discipline Workshop, Randburg, Mar 24
This workshop gives parents and professionals a “how-to” simple and effective discipline strategy that just WORKS. Spend less time disciplining and more time having fun!

The Equal Zeal Challenge Wkshp for Teens, Faerie Glen, Mar 21. Learn how to set meaningful goals to help tackle the areas in adolescents life that need improvement, will start seeing without a doubt that they are a capable of anything. This workshop provides the foundation for use of a Zeal Challenge journal which includes 21 days of daily activities, and 50 weeks of motivational activities intended to lay the basis for a healthy self esteem. Each week the learner will be supported by a motivational sms intended to reinforce journal content.

ANIMAL SHOW

Mobile Zoo, at JHB Exotic reptile & pet expo Mar 24 & 5
Come & see some of our exotic non venomous reptiles and pets which your child can experience & learn about. We will also be selling these creatures with their accessories, food etc if you’re planning to enlarge your family. We will have corn snakes, boa’s, pythons and over 50 species of tarantulas, cincilla’s, albino hedgehogs and much  more weekend. Next to big Virgin Gym  it’s the Randburg Sports Centre Cnr Hans Schoeman Str, Malibonge Dr, Randburg

FAMILY FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS

Papachinos Continental Cafes

Crowthorne Midrand; Silver Lakes Pretoria East; Pineslopes Fourways- Radiokop near Clearwater Mall branches Child friendly, family restaurants with kids pizza making, baking and play area.

Ludwig’s Rose Farm, Spiced Coffee Restaurant & Butterfly Garden
Pretoria North Gauteng

The roses are in their autumn splendour of colour and size. Feast on the eye candy of arrangements of roses, relax on the tractor train ride  or visit the Butterfly Garden. Join the Lizette Jonker and the Ludwig’s Team for a day of children’s fun

Irene Dairy Farm Centurion Pretoria. Dairy farm for day outings, dairy shop, family picnics. Your kids can watch the cows being milked at 2pm daily.  Enjoy a lovely picnic on the lawns while the kids play on the jungle gym – To  order a picnic basket, please order in advance.

Primi Piatti has branches across Joburg and Pretoria in Irene, Menlyn and Centurion. They offer kids pizza making, fun activities, kids menu, baby high chairs

INDOOR PLAYGROUND

Free entry for kids under 12mnths, Orango Tangos in Ferndale, Randburg, Open 7 days a week from 9- 5 or 6pm
New entrance fees – fixed rates (stay as long as you wish). Kids over 18 months – R60 weekdays and R70 weekends/ hols. Kids 12-18 months – R40. They have Jungle gyms for toddlers and older kids, bumper cars, indoor soccer field, soft toy areas for little ones, Playstation 3 consoles, pool table, table tennis…

PLAN FOR HOLIDAY SITTING

Free pet sitting day for advance holiday bookings by an organization that organizes  house, pet sitting, au pairs and tutors for private or group tuition depending on your needs at reasonable rates in Johannesburg and Pretoria

Next week we will be back with ideas for holiday activities and camps for the Easter Holidays.

Anyone interested to find out more about Jozikids as a company can tune into Big Small Business Show on DSTV channel 412 from Monday 5 March at 21:10, with repeats on Tuesday at 09:10, Wednesday at 16:30 and Friday at 18:10.

by Kerry Haggard, a writer married to a publisher, and is mother to the two most beautiful boys that ever there were. She thinks she needs a bumper sticker that says “ My kids are raised on a diet of love and Star Wars.” Follow her on Twitter @KerryHaggard

I’ve been to Feastt in Parktown North a few times now – and I’ll be going back many more times in the future.

This last Sunday I met a friend for lunch, and took along the two little Haggards, who had given me grey hairs in a stressful shopping mall experience that morning. The only way I could get them to behave was to threaten that we wouldn’t go to Feastt – that’s how much they love going there.

The restaurant is in a converted house just downhill from the Parktown North shopping centre – whose parking lot you use. There are tables inside, and on a covered patio, and then there are loads of tables out in the garden near the playground. This means that there’s a spot for everyone –whether you want to go and have quiet meal away from the children, or whether you want to keep a close on what they’re up to.

The playground has been wonderfully designed and built around two massive palm trees, which means it’s in a lot of shade. It’s a massive wooden structure that offers slides, tunnels, peekaboo windows and a combat net, all spiced up with rope swings and fireman’s poles. The ground is covered in beach sand, which is a whole fun experience in itself.

To break up the exciting play space, the restaurant offers baking lessons for the kids – my boys made biscuits on Sunday. Every time we’ve been they’ve made friends with other children there.

The menu is big enough to be interesting, but small enough to not be intimidating. I’ve had the steak sandwich, which was so good I had to buy a bottle of Feastt’s Onion Marmalade, and the salmon salad, which was generous and delicious. I’ve had the vegetable board, and my husband had the meat board – those were a little disappointing – but everything else has looked great, and the prices are very reasonable.

The children’s menu is particularly reasonably priced, and has been created with kids in mind. The options are nutritious, with the right blend of good sense with a bit of naughtiness in mind. My boys had their white chocolate fudge sundaes for dessert this week – and oh my goodness, they looked heavenly… and all for R15.

The owners are present and involved, and have been smart about addressing the bee problem that seems to be everywhere in Joburg at the moment. They’ve found out that a small dish of smouldering coffee grinds chases insects away – an ecofriendly solution to a problem that’s plaguing many restaurants with outdoor eating areas.

Many of their baked goods and preserves are on sale too – so you can stock up your grocery cupboard while you’re there.

I would really recommend Feastt if you’re looking for a family meal out, or if you’re looking to meet friends and want your little people to have lots of fun while you’re catching up. They’re not licensed yet, so take your own alcohol if you want to – but they really do have everything you need for a great family meal out.