From the same animation team who brought you Kung Fu Panda, the number-one animated movie of 2008, is this exciting direct-to-DVD release from DreamWorks Animation. In Secrets of the Furious Five, Po faces his toughest challenge since becoming the Dragon Warrior … he has to teach kung fu to a group of eager bunnies from the Valley of the Peace. Although Po is now able to face the fiercest of villains, he is out of his element in the classroom. He draws upon his kung fu fan-boy knowledge, teaching the bunnies by telling the stories of the Furious Five, and how each unlocked an important lesson to become the kung fu masters they are today. In the end, Po discovers that he has taught the bunnies much more important lessons through sharing these stories, than he ever could have through kung fu exercises.

If you make something for someone with a feeling of warm-heartedness, it will surely make you smile. In the form of ‘heart-made’ craft and unconditional giggles, Pass Me A Smile, Toyoko Sugiwaka’s bible of all things cute, fluffy and adorable, is a surprising mixture of toy recipes showing you how to craft toy dogs, sheep, bunny pillows, donkeys, masked-cat cushions and even reindeer toys. But that’s only a small portion of its purpose. The point is to start making all toys and pass them on so others can share in their joy, and maybe even crack a smile. The instructions are really easy to follow and, for people with no craft coordination, there are perfect little pictures to guide you so you won’t get left behind. Once you’ve mastered the craft of making Toyoko’s treasures, be warned – the smiles are coming! Soon people will be hearing about how you just made this Nirvana Poodle that made their niece smile so much they want you to make one for their boss’ sister’s best-friend. Or if you could make those Poodle Baby Boots you made for your neighbour’s dog in a size 8? These might be extreme cases, but be satisfied in knowing that the heart-crafted goods in Pass Me A Smile will make people that little bit happier.

Image from Pass Me a Smile by Toyoko Sugiwaka, published by Murdoch Books, RRP: $29.95.

If ever there was a performer who knows how to rock the mic with pop-infused gusto, it’s Pink. Her newest album Funhouse is full of the explosive-yet-fun tracks for which Pink has made her name, with lyrics that deal with the usual romantic angst that has the singer wearing her heart on her sleeve as has become her trademark. Featuring the anger-fuelled number-one hit ‘So What’, as well as more heart-felt ballads ‘Sober’ and ‘I Don’t Believe You’, Funhouse is the ultimate album for putting on full-volume in the car and singing at the top of your lungs. The fifth album from the two-time Grammy winner, Funhouse pushes the boundaries of the pop genre with energetic rock anthems and melancholy ballads that Pink executes with the precision of a seasoned entertainer. Fans of Pink won’t be disappointed with this latest release – a stellar addition to her collection of albums.