Liam Burke, Djoymi Baker, Jessica Balanzategui and Joanna McIntyre look at Bluey and why it is ‘An idealised Australian ethos’: Bluey, the Emmy award-winning animated series about a family of anthropomorphised cattle dogs, has become a ratings phenomenon since it was first broadcast on the ABC...
We love vintage collections that evoke nostalgic childhood memories. Natalie Ritchie explains why her little collection of teacups brings back time well spent with the women in her family. When I was a child, afternoon tea was a place where so many good things came together...
Samantha Allemann enjoyed playing with dolls for a much longer time than her peers. When I was 10 and about to go into hospital to get my tonsils removed, Mum bought me a present to soothe the pain: Gymnast Barbie. I was thrilled and made her...
My favourite detective: Trixie Belden was smart and sensitive in the ways that mattered, writes Tanya Dalziell Trixie Belden, girl detective, does not rank in the world’s pantheon of cool sleuths. She’s unlikely to appear in a Coen brothers’ film (à la Marge Gunderson in Fargo...
Confusion surrounds Elizabeth Reed's search for her children's particular requests as she reminisces about the simple Christmas gifts of her past “I can only find the Fairy Ballet Doll. Is that different to the Fairy Sparkles Ballet doll?” I hear myself ask my sister-in-law over the...
These nostalgic fail-safe toys and Christmas gift ideas have stood the test of time and are still available today. Here are some of my favourites....
Friday essay: need a sitter? Revisiting girlhood, feminism and diversity in The Baby-Sitters Club by Rosslyn Almond The Baby-Sitters Club, the popular series by Ann M. Martin, defined my childhood. I collected the books until I was 11. I played it in the schoolyard (I was...
This is a wonderful sensory-detective game that is fun for players of all ages. With older kids and adults, you can start introducing weirder ingredients: cinnamon, smoked oysters, wasabi peas, durian, anyone? It goes without saying that you will need to check first if any...
It is said that this game was developed by British prisoners of war during the First World War. This game also has its commercial spin-offs, as with many a game that originated from humble beginnings. It has continued to appeal to the imaginations of generations...
Your guide to the ultimate family movie night (or day) when in lockdown mode. Now we dont want to encourage more screen time - definitely not- but there might be a time you need to change down the adrenaline and try for some quiet time! Here are...
