Kids talisman notebooks are interactive notebooks that aim to inspire and engage children in various learning activities. These notebooks are designed with colorful, captivating illustrations and are equipped with features that stimulate creativity and critical thinking. The talisman notebooks come in a variety of themes and topics, such as English language learning, math skills, science explorations, and even emotional intelligence development. Each notebook is carefully crafted to ensure an enjoyable and educational experience for children. One notable feature of these talisman notebooks is that they incorporate hands-on activities and interactive elements. Children can participate in quizzes, puzzles, and games that make learning fun while also reinforcing the concepts being taught.
Most of Erben’s ballads are in the dark mood of the Brothers Grimm at their grimmest, and The Noonday Witch, the second of Dvorák’s set, is no exception. A harassed mother threatens her squalling young son with a visit from the Noonday Witch if he does not behave, and is appalled when the hobbling witch actually appears. The mother clasps her son tightly and collapses as the witch reaches out for him. When the father returns for his noon meal, he finds mother and son on the floor. He revives the mother, but his son has been smothered in her protective embrace.
This half-hearted lie, her mounting financial troubles, the absence of Anetka s father, and the blistering summer heat all put a strain on the mother-daughter relationship. The final part, with the return of the unsuspecting father, is pure guilty horror, with a chittering reference to the witch and a whiplash sneer to end.
Children can participate in quizzes, puzzles, and games that make learning fun while also reinforcing the concepts being taught. These activities not only enhance knowledge retention but also help develop problem-solving skills and logical thinking. Moreover, the notebooks are designed to encourage self-expression and imagination.
Review: The Noonday Witch (2016) ★★½
Witches, much like other monsters, tend to operate in the shadows. This is most evident in the cinematic world. In Robert Eggers The Witch (2015), the titular villain never really appears, but simply lurks in the dark woods. This is partly why Jiří Sádek’s The Noonday Witch (2016) caught my attention. Much like Ari Aster’s Midsommar (2019), the film draws the evil from out of the shadows and plants it in broad daylight. Unfortunately, The Noonday Witch (originally titled Polednice) does not shine enough light on the underlying folklore, resulting in a confusing and ultimately disappointing viewing experience.
Though the film tells a unique story set in modern-day Czechia, The Noonday Witch is based on a late 19th-century poem by Antonín Dvořák. The poem draws from earlier Slavic folklore of a demon that goes by various names, including Lady Midday, The Noon Witch, and — of course — The Noonday Witch.
Dvořák’s poem tells the story of a mother who scolds her misbehaving son and threatens to summon a witch to punish him. When a horribly disfigured witch appears at noon, the mother tries to flee with her son. The father returns home, only to find that the mother has accidentally smothered her son while trying to protect him.
It’s important to note that Jiří Sádek’s film draws heavily from this poem, but makes some important alterations to prevent viewers from predicting the outcome. In The Noonday Witch, Eliska (Anna Geislerová), moves to a remote home formerly owned by her late husband. Despite her husband’s passing, Eliska tells her daughter, Anetka (Karolína Lipowská), that her father has gone on a trip and will return soon.
This half-hearted lie, her mounting financial troubles, the absence of Anetka’s father, and the blistering summer heat all put a strain on the mother-daughter relationship. Meanwhile, the local townsfolk try to help Eliska move into the dilapidated old house, though their efforts grow increasingly invasive. Eliska tries to bring a sense of normalcy to their lives, but she senses an evil presence surrounding the house. As her paranoia reaches a feverpitch, Eliska struggles to maintain her sanity and protect her child from the “noonday witch” that haunts her.
Director Jiří Sádek utilizes a classic horror trope to great effect in the first half of the film. Despite living with her daughter, Eliska is essentially alone. She has no one to rely on for financial support, and the growing rift with her daughter only makes her life more difficult. This places her under great stress, causing her to view outsiders as potential threats.
The Noonday Witch (2016)As we (the audience) identify with Eliska, we are inclined to view everyone as a potential threat as well. The local mayor shows Eliska kindness by giving her time to make payments on the house, but Eliska wonders if he can be trusted. The mayor’s wife, having lost a child years prior, wanders around aimlessly, mumbling to herself. At one point, she even appears in Eliska’s house unannounced.
Meanwhile, some of the other townsfolk offer to help watch her child while she runs errands or work on rebuilding her home. Some of them appear sincere, while some of them don’t. In every case, their behavior seems “quirky” to say the least. It could be explained away by the fact that they are simple country folk in a remote village, but it could also be part of a conspiracy to hurt Eliska and her daughter.
This nobody-can-be-trusted trope works well up to a point. However, as the plot pushes forward, it becomes clear that either a) there is a witch that wants to take Eliska’s daughter or b) several perfectly rational factors are driving Eliska a little crazy (the summer heat, invasive neighbors, money problems, the death of her husband, her daughter’s rebelliousness, and on and on).
Naturally, The Noonday Witch ending is something you will have to see for yourself. I’m not here to spoil the show for anyone. However, I will say that it left me wanting more. The crescendo of paranoia and fear eventually peter out without much fanfare.
I usually prefer European horror — like The Noonday Witch — to American horror. With American horror, you almost always know what you’re going to get from the outset. The same cannot be said of many European horror films. Of course, these are pretty broad generalizations. However, I prefer European horror because there’s not always the need for tedious exposition. The filmmakers don’t overexplain everything and spoon-feed the audience at every turn. Instead, they leave you guessing.
The Noonday Witch (2016)However, this didn’t really work in the film’s favor. The Noonday Witch is based on folklore about a hideous witch that appears in the middle of the day. The poem on which the film was based tells a terrifying and tragic story. From a filmmaker’s perspective, they had fantastic source material.
Sadly, Jiří Sádek didn’t really go anywhere with it. He turned an inherently visual story into a psychological one. He turned the monster into something that creates an indistinct fear of the unknown. The film would have been better served by a monster that creates fear in a more concrete, visual way.
In short, I think that The Noonday Witch should have featured a lot more witch and little less noonday. Yes, hot days are unpleasant. Sure, being alone can make you paranoid. Of course, familial drama can be stressful. Unfortunately, none of these plot elements are all that scary. Jiří Sádek took his great source material and churned out an entertaining, but ultimately unsatisfying psychological horror film.
So, now that I’ve given you a dozen reasons to not watch The Noonday Witch, I’m going to tell you that it is still worth watching. The pacing keeps things interesting, with rising tension throughout. All of the actors play their parts well, especially Anna Geislerová as the film’s heroine. And, if nothing else, The Noonday Witch provides an interesting glimpse of Slavic folklore and the beautiful countryside of The Czech Republic.
Rating: ★★½ out of 5
If you’d like to watch The Noonday Witch (2016), it is currently available to stream on Shudder or Amazon Prime. For more film reviews like this one, check out the Philosophy in Film Homepage!
Share this:
- Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
However, this didn’t really work in the film’s favor. The Noonday Witch is based on folklore about a hideous witch that appears in the middle of the day. The poem on which the film was based tells a terrifying and tragic story. From a filmmaker’s perspective, they had fantastic source material.
There are spaces for children to draw, write, or express their thoughts and ideas. This promotes creativity and allows children to make personal connections with the content they are learning. Another advantage of kids talisman notebooks is that they can be customized according to the child's age and learning needs. Whether a child is just starting to explore a particular subject or is already advanced, there are notebooks suitable for every level. This flexibility ensures that children can continue to grow and learn at their own pace. Additionally, these notebooks aim to foster a love for learning in children. By providing a platform that is interactive and engaging, children are more likely to develop an enthusiasm for gaining knowledge and discovering new things. This can greatly contribute to a child's overall academic performance and personal development. In conclusion, kids talisman notebooks are the perfect educational tool for children as they provide a stimulating and interactive learning experience. From promoting critical thinking and creativity to fostering a love for learning, these notebooks have a myriad of benefits. They are a valuable resource for parents and teachers who are seeking to make the learning process enjoyable and effective for children..
Reviews for "The Connection Between Kids Talisman Notebooks and Emotional Well-being"
1. John - 2/5 stars - While the Kids talisman notebooks have a cute design and appeal to children, I found the paper quality to be extremely disappointing. The pages are too thin and feel cheap when writing on them. Additionally, the binding on the notebook started falling apart after just a few weeks of use. I do not recommend these notebooks for anyone who wants a durable and long-lasting option.
2. Sarah - 3/5 stars - I was excited to try the Kids talisman notebooks for my child, but I found the layout of the pages to be quite confusing. The lines are too close together, making it difficult for my child to write neatly. Furthermore, the cover of the notebook started peeling off within a few days. While the design is appealing, the functionality is lacking.
3. Mark - 2/5 stars - I bought the Kids talisman notebooks for my niece, but I was disappointed with the overall quality. The pages are not perforated, making it difficult to tear them out neatly. Additionally, the notebook is quite small and doesn't have enough space for my niece to fully express her ideas. For the price, I expected better quality and more practicality in these notebooks.
4. Emily - 1/5 stars - I purchased the Kids talisman notebooks for my son, but they ended up being a complete waste of money. The cover design started fading and peeling off after just a few weeks of use. The pages are also too thin and tear easily, making it difficult for my son to use them without damaging the notebook further. I regret buying these notebooks and would not recommend them to anyone.