Mona Lisa on the Moon, Thirty-two Thousand years in the making - Vol 1 Review

I had the perfect book to get me through the first 21 days of lock-down. We are now in the extended final two weeks. Thank you, Booktasters, and George B, for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.


Volume 1, Mona Lisa on the Moon, Thirty-Two Thousand Years in the Making by George B
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you, Booktasters, and George B, for a free copy of this book. It was especially great to read during this time of lock-down during the Covid-19 pandemic. This is my review in exchange: I love a good science fiction novel. I love this one, especially! It has all the allure of what I enjoy about a futuristic novel. Volume 1, Mona Lisa on the Moon, Thirty-Two Thousand Years in the Making, is the first in a series. I hope the next one is coming soon, because it ended in a cliff-hanger.

I totally agree with the premise that the earth has had many high civilisations (and many life cycles), which were wiped out, and started again. Higher evolved beings, with much longer earth lives, living and working with artificial intelligence in harmony. Exploring space, and terra-forming and populating other celestial bodies. With all the challenges (and other life forms) that comes with it! This novel is set in a time frame thirty two thousand years ago. Mind-boggling, but totally believable. (Looking forward to the movie/series edition).

The heroine and main characters are mostly too good to be true, but it did not bother me at all. It was great reading a story where, although the suspense is high, we can expect the outcome to be in their favour. (Mostly...). The plot do not get bogged down with elaborate descriptions, but enough to sustain a good story. Saving earth, saving humans on other planets, as well as saving other life forms in the universe... It's all part of their daily existence.

Maybe it's because we are living in strange times, locked in our homes, that I enjoyed this escapist science fiction even more. I recommend this to all who dream of better futures, where we are in charge of our own destiny! One day we will be where Mona Lisa is! Thank you, George B, for making us dream.


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Fun roadster facts about Mickey and the Roadster Racers

Mickey and the Roadster Racers logo

Mickey and the Roadster Racers is coming to Disney Junior, with the premiere on Saturday, 22 April at 9:30 am, DStv Channel 309.
It is a a madcap car-racing adventure series for pre-schoolers led by Disney's No. 1 star, Mickey Mouse, and his pals Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Daisy and Donald.

The series takes Mickey and the gang, along with their unique transforming vehicles, on humorous high-spirited races around the globe, as well as hometown capers in Hot Dog Hills. Off the racetrack, Minnie and Daisy also run their own successful business as Happy Helpers, solving problems for anyone in need of a helping hand. Geared towards kids 2-7, the stories are designed to impart social and emotional lessons about friendship, teamwork, optimism and good sportsmanship.

We were invited to a special screening on Saturday of Mickey and the Roadster Racers. Little Miss is already 8 years, but she enjoyed the four episodes just as much as the rest. She was quite bummed when the last episode got stuck, and we were told to catch the last bit on Disney Junior. (It's too long to wait! ;-) )

Some fun facts about the vehicles in Mickey and the Roadster Racers

All of the transforming vehicles in Mickey and the Roadster Racers are inspired by the characters' personalities.

• Mickey, being a classic character, drives a classic American hot rod – the Hot Dog Hot Rod.
• Minnie's car, Pink Thunder, is a 1930s French inspired car – it looks like a bow and was inspired by Delahaye.
• Goofy - being Goofy - drives a car made out of a bathtub called the Turbo Tubster.
• As Donald Duck is a sailor, his vehicle is a cabin cruiser – the only vehicle that can go on both land and water.
• Since Daisy loves flowers, her car is a Snap Dragon dragster.

All of the numbers on the Mickey and the Roadster Racers cars have a significance to each driver.

• Mickey has the number 28 on his car for the year of his debut in Steamboat Willie.
•  Goofy's car has the number 8 which refers to the that Goofy is always behind the 8 ball.
• Daisy picked the number 4 in honor of her four friends – Minnie, Mickey, Donald and Goofy.
• Donald's car sports the number 3 - referring to the Three Caballeros, which Donald is proudly one of.
• The number 89 was picked for Minnie's car to represent that it has been 89 years since she was created.
• Pete's car is number 9 which is a reference to the nine lives of a cat.

For more info:

Facebook: @disneyjuniorafrica

Twitter: @DisneyJunior

Stunning spread at Mickey and the Roadster Racers screening

Minnie gets the photo op

Making her own Roadster Racer - this was a hit!

Sofia the First is coming to our screens

A beautiful  little girl Sofia who suddenly find herself  being called a princess, with all the magic of Disney animation...

We saw the first episode Sofia the First: Once upon a Princess a while back.
It is an extremely enchanting story!
The 4-year old wanted to watch it over and over again!

The series premières this coming Saturday, 11 May, at 9:00 am on Disney Junior (DStv Channel 309).

The Press Release: 

"The animated television series  Sofia the First is set in the storybook world of Enchancia and tells the story of Princess Sofia, an adventurous little girl who is learning how to adjust to royal life after her mom marries the king and she becomes a princess overnight. Upon moving into the castle to live with her new family, including her step-father, King Roland II, and step-siblings Amber and James, Sofia quickly discovers that looking like a princess isn't all that difficult, but possessing the characteristics of a true princess – honesty, loyalty, courage, independence, compassion and grace – is what makes one truly royal. Helping her in her journey are the three headmistresses of Royal Pre Academy, Fauna, Flora and Merryweather (the beloved fairies seen in Disney's classic Sleeping Beauty); the royal steward, Baileywick; and a group of cute woodland creatures led by a wise-talking rabbit named Clover. Classic Disney Princesses Ariel, Aurora, Belle and Jasmine will make special appearances in event episodes to offer Sofia words of wisdom – princess to princess.

Created for kids age 2-7 and their families, the stories are designed to communicate positive messages and life lessons for young children. While she lives in an enchanting fairytale world of castles, wizards and flying horses, Sofia remains a relatable peer-to-peer princess who is experiencing many of the same social situations as young viewers at home, including fitting in at school, building sibling relationships, making new friends, discovering how and when to be brave, learning the importance of telling the truth, and mastering new skills and good sportsmanship."

Ariel Winter is the voice of Sofia

I know of one Princess who will be watching. ;-)