Jordan and I are HUGE fans of the Kingdom Keepers books by Ridley Pearson. So far we have read the first 3 books in the series and number 6, Dark Passage is available today! Last year we had the opportunity to meet Ridley Pearson at Disney Social Media Moms.

About the book…and the next one

Ridley Pearson’s New York Times bestselling Kingdom Keepers series continues with the thrilling sixth book: Kingdom Keepers VI: Dark Passage!

The Kingdom Keepers (young teens who were tapped as models for holographic Disney theme park “guides”) and their friends have uncovered a startling truth: Maleficent and the Overtakers (Disney villains) are plotting a catastrophic event that could have repercussions far beyond the world of Disney. Aboard the Disney Cruise Line’s inaugural passage through the new Panama Canal, the Keepers and their holograms uncover a puzzle hidden within the pages of a stolen journal. The point of that puzzle will reveal itself in the caves of Aruba, the zip lines of Costa Rica, and the jungles of Mexico. A destructive force, dormant for decades, is about to be unleashed—and the Kingdom Keepers are to be its first victims.

Now, for the first time, readers get the chance to help write the seventh and final book in the series via the Kingdom Keepers Insider app, launching April 2nd! Available on all mobile devices, e-readers and online, the app will provide a groundbreaking interactive fan experience for readers of the Kingdom Keepers series, allowing them to follow along as Ridley Pearson writes, voting on plot points, character involvement, and locations—even contributing ideas for dialogue! Plus, there will be writing contests based on the previous book in the series and judged by Ridley Pearson, promoting writing and literacy in a safe environment with characters readers already know and love! Learn more at www.kingdomkeepersinsider.com.

Ridley Pearson is the award-winning author of multiple adventure series for (young-ish) readers, including The Kingdom Keepers, Steel Trapp and with Dave Barry, Peter and the Starcatchers. Ridley is also a best-selling crime novelist of more than 25 titles, which have been translated into 22 languages and distributed in 70 countries. Pearson was the first U.S. citizen to be awarded the Raymond Chandler/Fulbright Fellowship in Detective Fiction at Oxford University. In 2008 Ridley served as a visiting professor at Fudan University, Shanghai, China. In 2013, Ridley was awarded Missouri’s Quill Award and inducted into that state’s Writers Hall of Fame. As a “full time dad and husband,” Ridley, along with his wife, Marcelle, live with their two teenage daughters in St. Louis, MO. Find him online at ridleypearson.com and on Twitter: @RidleyPearson

Kingdom Keepers VI: Dark Passage
By Ridley Pearson
Disney-Hyperion
Publication Date: April 2, 2013
ISBN: 9781423164890; Price: $17.99; Ages 10-14

Tour Cities:

April 2: 7:00 PM event at Anderson’s Bookshop, Naperville, IL
April 3: 7:00 PM event at Barnes & Noble, Paramus, NJ
April 4: 7:00 PM event at Book Revue Huntington, NY
April 6: 2:00 PM event at St. Louis County Library, St. Louis, MO
April 7: 2:00 PM event at Books & Books, Coral Gables, FL
April 9: 7:00 PM event at Books-A-Million, Brandon, FL
April 10: 4:00-6:00 PM signing at Once Upon a Toy in Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL
April 11: 9:30-11:30 AM signing at Writer’s Stop at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Orlando, FL
April 19: 6:30 PM event at Poisoned Pen, Phoenix, AZ
April 20: 2:00 PM “Sagas and Series” panel at Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, Los Angeles, CA

Have you read the Kingdom Keepers books? Do you think you’ll start now? I can’t wait to start book 4!

The post Kingdom Keepers VI Available Today appeared first on The Mom Maven.

Everest at Night

After a busy conference day I met the family in our room to freshen up, then we headed over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Our evening party was at this park but we wanted to make sure Summer had a chance to experience the Kilimanjaro Safari since this was her first trip to Animal Kingdom. After the safari we wandered the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail checking out all of the cool animals. Next the kids wanted to head to Expedition Everest and I was getting tired to they went to ride the ride and Ron and I found a bench and relaxed. When the kids had ridden Everest twice they joined us and we headed out to the front of the park to meet our group as they arrived on the buses.

Rildey Pearson and Jordan

When the buses arrived, we were escorted back to Dinoland USA which is where our party was being held! For the next few hours we would dine, ride and dance throughout Dinoland! There were buffet stations and dining tables set up along the winding pathways of Dinoland, we chose a table on the path between TriceraTop Spin and Dinosaur. Just as we were sitting down Jordan grabbed my arm all excited because he had spotted Ridley Pearson, author of his favorite series of books, The Kingdom Keepers, walking straight towards us. We spoke with Mr Pearson for a brief moment and Jordan had his picture taken with him. We ate a delicious dinner of carved roast beef with all the trimmings and the kids chose meatball subs. After dinner it was time for some rides! During the party we had free run of Dinoland USA including Expedition Everest, Primeval Whirl, TriceraTop Spin and Dinosaur. Making it even more exciting was the fact that guests are seldom in Animal Kingdom after dark and the fun carnival lights of Dinoland USA just added to the magic of the evening.

First we headed over to Primeval Whirl (though we weren’t sure if this was the best decision right after eating!). After two rides on that roller coaster the kids headed over to ride Expedition Everest in the dark a few times. I headed back to the buffet for some make-your-own strawberry shortcake dessert. When the kids returned they grabbed Ron and headed to Dinosaur, which scared Summer out of her skin Then the kids took a dessert break with cotton candy as their food of choice before we headed over by the DJ to join in on the Cha-Cha Slide and some Hand Jive. Then we took a spin on TriceraTop Spin before snagging a few more rides on Primeval Whirl before the magical evening ended.

TriceraTop Spinning

My boys have been raised at Walt Disney World and this night in Dinoland USA is one of their favorite Disney experiences EVER! To see my 19 year old son as giddy as a 5 year old running around Dinoland snapping photos (most of the photos in this post are his), eating great food and riding rides with no wait-made me a happy mom. I don’t know if the Disney Social Media Moms team is going to be able to top this one…but I can’t wait to see them try!

Primeval Whirl

Disclosure: I paid to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. In exchange for my registration fee, I received deeply discounted rates on hotel, park tickets, free events, meals, and swag. I am not required nor was I asked to write about the events by Disney or any other brands, celebrities, or speakers affiliated with the event. All opinions are my own.

The post Disney Social Media Moms Day 2 Part 2 appeared first on The Mom Maven.

As you can see in the picture today’s release includes the DVD, music CD and a pirate eye patch!! I’m a huge fan of Jake and the Neverland Pirates and I have enjoyed watching the episodes on the DVD and listening to the pirate music of Sharky and Bones of The Never Land Pirate Band.

Here are some clips from the series:

Head on out to your favorite retailer and pick this up for your little pirate…or I’ll make you walk the plank!

Disclosure: I received a copy of the DVD/CD combo pack for the purpose of this post. I will be giving the product to my 5 year old friend. All opinions are 100% mine,

The post Jake and the Neverland Pirates on DVD and CD Today appeared first on The Mom Maven.

On FRIDAY, AUGUST 19 in the Disney Channel booth, fans of all ages are invited to join Pulitzer Prize-winning humor columnist Dave Barry and noted New York Times best-selling author Ridley Pearson, Disney Publishing Worldwide co-authors of prequels to the classic Peter Pan, the “Peter and the Starcatchers” book series, along with beloved “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” characters Jake, Captain Hook and Mr. Smee, for a celebration of the power of imagination and the magic of Disney storytelling. This event also includes an appearance by actor David Arquette (the voice of Skully in the hit Disney Junior series “Jake and the Never Land Pirates”) and a special announcement from The Walt Disney Company Corporate Citizenship team. There will also be a performance and meet & greet with The Never Land Pirate Band.

On SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, there will be appearances by the Handy Manny character along with the voice of Manny, Wilmer Valderrama (10:00 – 11:15 a.m.) and the Special Agent Oso character along with the voice of Oso, Sean Astin (11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.) in the Disney Channel booth.

For more information and tickets to the D23 Expo, go to http://www.D23Expo.com. For schedules, live updates, interactive features and tools, polls and much more, check out the D23 Expo mobile app at www.D23mobile.com!

SATURDAY, AUGUST 27 is “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” Day at Dodger Stadium! During the game against the Colorado Rockies, there will be special appearances by Jake and The Never Land Pirate Band. The first 10,000 kids 14 & under will receive a free pirate bandana. Game starts at 1:10 p.m. For more info and tickets, please visit http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com.

The post Upcoming Disney Junior Events…in California appeared first on The Mom Maven.