If you don’t already have Lady and the Tramp in your movie collection or perhaps it’s in the original VHS format, Walt Disney Studios is releasing a special Diamond Edition DVD and Blu-ray combo pack on Tuesday, February 7, 2012.

Synopsis from Walt Disney Studios:

A classic love story unfolds in the best Disney tradition as a lovely young pedigreed cocker spaniel named Lady, who lives a pampered life, finds herself falling romantically for Tramp, an amorous street-smart pooch without prospects. Although they have fun together on several dates, including a sentimental spaghetti dinner by moonlight at Tony’s restaurant, their relationship is strained not only by Lady’s loyalty to her human family and their newborn baby, but by Tramp’s devil-may-care attitude that eventually gets Lady in trouble and tossed into the dog pound. However, good-hearted Tramp redeems himself by saving the baby from potential harm and thus wins Lady’s love and the affection of her human family. You can see the trailer here.

The first time being released on Blu-ray, Lady and the Tramp features high definition sound and immersive bonus features you can enjoy with the family using Walt Disney Studio’s Second Screen technology. This is like a more immersive Director’s Commentary feature, enabling you to see extra clips and notes on your iPad while watching the movie on your main TV screen.

To celebrate the Diamond Edition release, Walt Disney Studios Canada invited a few families to a screening of Lady and the Tramp on the big screen followed by a spaghetti lunch. What a perfect idea you can do at home. Host your own Lady and the Tramp dinner and a movie night right in your living room.

When we were growing-up, on special dinner and a movie nights, my dad would move the whole dining room table into the living room to watch a movie while eating. Or you could move your television into your dining room. Cue up Lady and the Tramp and serve up a huge dish of spaghetti and meatballs for everyone to enjoy. Spaghetti and sauce are easy enough to make but if you’re looking for a homemade spaghetti sauce, checkout Lillian’s Spaghetti Sauce with Chicken and Sausage under Thursday in this meal plan. We also have a recipe for Italian Meatballs to add to your spaghetti. If you’re looking for something a little different, what about Roasted Tomato & Chickpea Spaghetti with Garlic under the Wednesday recipe found in this meal plan.

What might start as a fun way to enjoy Lady and the Tramp could easily turn into a family night tradition of dinner and a movie.

Since it’s opening, Piola Toronto has invited patrons to experience authentic Italian food in an open, modern and trendy atmosphere. This Family Day, families can enjoy not only the taste of authentic Italian thin-crust pizza, but also the pizza creation experience.

Kids under 14 are invited to learn from Piola's resident expert pizza makers, from how to stretch out the dough to customizing their pizzas with a selection of their favourite toppings, including house-made tomato sauce and as much cheese as the pie can hold! After a few minutes in the rotating stone oven, the personalized pizzas will be ready to be devoured. Each personalized pizza costs $10 and comes with a choice of pop or juice, but nothing compares to the experience. What a great way to celebrate Family Day.

This Family Day special is available at Piola Toronto (1165 Queen St. W.) from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Monday, February 20. Limit one pizza per child, for kids 14 years and under.

Synopsis from Raincoast Books:

Your choices. Your story. Your survival. Join the youngest crew of astronauts ever to make the trip to Mars! Faced with fearsome dangers and difficult decisions, your choices will determine your fate on the Red Planet.

Will you achieve the mission and return home to Earth safely, successfully earning the title of the youngest astronaut ever to make it to Mars? Or will you be forced to turn back early? This thrilling adventure offers twenty-two possible endings, but only ONE leads to the ultimate success! With eye-catching comic book-style illustrations and information based on scientific facts related to Mars and space exploration, young readers will be over the moon with this entertaining addition to the Worst-Case Scenario series!

We've enjoyed a few of the Worst-Case-Scenario books, including Survive-O-Pedia. The Worst Case Scenario: Ultimate Adventure Mars offers a new twist, enabling you to control the decisions made throughout the story. Nothing like putting your worst-case-scenario skills to the test. My 7 and 9 year old enjoyed the premise of the story -- kids helping colonize the planet Mars -- and making the decisions as they were one of the junior astronauts. Some of the decisions were life threatening, like putting out a fire on the space station; other decisions were more everyday, like fixing robots or creating your own designs. It was great to see how my kids came to their decisions: my son being impetuous and going with the fun and dangeious moves versus my daughter who debated each decision carefully. The Worst Case Scenario: The Ultimate Adventure Mars kept my kids focused on the story though I had to keep pages hidden so they wouldn't know too soon if their decision lead to the end of their adventure.

At the back of the book you'll find your mission profile with diagrams, spec, and details you can use to help you make your mission decisions. My daughter (the decision debater) loved this aspect as it added to the feel that you were really on a mission. My son on the other hand just glanced at these pages. According to the book there are twenty-four possible endings but only one correct one. Many times we followed our decisions down one path, only to have to retrace our steps and change our decisions.

You can add The Worst Case Scenario: Ultimate Adventure Mars to your personal library by visiting your local book store or visiting Raincoast Books. Visit our Kid's Books section for other great book recommendations. What are you reading with your kids?

I have to thank Crystal at Raincost Books for my review copy.

Synopsis from Tundra Books:

"Zero kisses for me" is a declaration of independence from a youngster who has a family of fond, affectionate relatives. Sometimes kisses are sticky or perfume-y or just plain yucky, and, besides, they're for babies. They're not dignified for someone who's growing up. Our small hero decides that the kissing ban goes for goodnight kisses too. That is, of course, until it's bedtime and the monsters appear. And everyone knows that the best defense against the monsters is a goodnight kiss from Mom. The ban's over, and he and his understanding mother come to the conclusion that nobody gets too old for kisses after all. As reassuring as a goodnight kiss, this tender book is sure to become a favorite at bedtime or anytime.

As my kids get older I know there will be some resistance to mom kisses; I'm already seeing this from my 8-year old daughter. I think as kids get older they feel, just like the boy in Zero Kisses for Me, that big kids don't need to get kisses all the time; kisses are for babies. I think that's why I loved this book so much. My kids are always trying to be 'bigger' and going to bed without a goodnight kiss is one of those things big kids do, so many kids think. Both the words and illustrations do a great job depicting how a young child is caught between wanting to be grown-up and not be coddled and kissed all the time while at the same time wanting to remain little and protected by their parents. All 3 of my kids could relate to both sides of the boys reaction.

When the boy has difficulty sleeping, after not getting his usual bedtime kiss, he is comforted again by lots of kisses from his mom. Reading Zero Kisses for Me segued nicely into talking about growing up and kisses and respecting personal space (such as maybe not giving too many kisses goodbye in the school yard but lots for good nights and good mornings).

You can add Zero Kisses for me to your personal library by visiting your local book store or visiting Tundra Books. Visit our Kid's Books section for other great book recommendations. What are you reading with your kids?

I have to thank Sylvia at Tundra Books for my review copy.

Synopsis from Barefoot Books:

Join Bear as he tries out different forms of transport and has an adventure with each one. Rhyme and repetition support the learning layers of travel and transportation, as Bear travels in a raft, a rocket ship, a boat, a bike, a steam train, and a carriage.

Bear on a Bike intruduces kids to various types of transportation beyond just cards and trucks. It also illustrates the joy of travel and adventure that awaits you even if the destinations are ficticious in the story.

The repetitive language makes Bear on a Bike a great story for early readers. I love the set-up of asking a question: Where are you going, Bear?. Readers have to turn the page to find the answer, giving opportunity to imagine and guess where Bear might be going now. The modes of transportation Bear uses are sometimes a clue to where he's going too. Bear on a Bike would make a wonderful bedtime story, recapping Bears adventures (and your child's own adventures) and ending with Bear saying good night.

You can add Bear on a Bike to your personal library by visiting your local book store or visiting Barefoot Books. Visit our Kid's Books section for other great book recommendations. What are you reading with your kids?

I have to thank Barbara at Barefoot Books for my review copy.