The power of our thoughts is often underestimated. We tend to limit ourselves with small thinking and narrow perspectives, focusing on what is realistic and achievable within our current circumstances. However, there is a magic in big thinking that can transform our lives in extraordinary ways. When we think big, we open ourselves up to unlimited possibilities and opportunities. We liberate our minds from the constraints of self-doubt and fear, allowing ourselves to dream big and aim high. Big thinking pushes us outside of our comfort zones and challenges us to explore new territories, both personally and professionally.

Emily and the Magical Journey

Emily’s mother is sad. To maker her mom happy again, Emily is trying her hardest to be the perfect child. When Emily finds a mysterious chest, she’s transported to a magical world, where she meets the most fantastic creatures. But after scratching the surface, she finds out the horrible truth—the land is dying and the only one who can save it is Emily. But to do that she has to face her worst fear.

Dove Review

Ten-year-old Emily Adams (Tipper Seifert-Cleveland) has tried everything she can imagine to bring her mother, Chelsea (Jenny Lampa), happiness, but the debilitating pain from the death of her husband has left her scarred and aloof. Emily walks home alone from her basketball games, eats dinners with her nanny, and talks to her father’s photo next to the bed, wishing her mom, a famous children’s books author, didn’t have to work so late. Then one night, guided by brilliant “Phelecan” butterflies, Emily is transported to the forests of a secret, magical place called Faunutland, where she is astonished to meet Nightinglar (Jenny Lampa), a perky, quirky, wingless fairy. Nightinglar spritely leads Emily to her cozy, root-ridden, underground home where she introduces her baffled new friend to Belorac (Robert Tygner, Niklas Hermannson), a wise and loving monster.

They are thrilled to have Emily as a new friend since she is a child, a small human, not yet corrupted by fears that plague grown humans. And since Emily still has the courage to dream, to overcome fear, she may even be able to save Faunutland from an ominous witch (Chelsea Edge) who thrives on fear, and who darkened the happy castle of Faunutland, turning children into humans. Interestingly, we meet these humans in their fearful form as oddly behaving gray-haired men who are unable to breach the walls of Faunutland because of their fear. Weirdly humorous, they seem to bumble in circles, seeking to fight the monster darkness by pollenating flowers of the field.

In a clever “paper doll” scene, Nightinglar sadly reveals Faunutland’s history, explaining that the cause of its darkening was the loss of a magical, governing crystal which emanated a guiding light onto the land that she called home. Emily realizes only she can restore Faunutland by retrieving the priceless crystal. However, she must courageously traverse a path through a dark field of monsters to get to it. With the help of Belorac, who reminds her the magic and power is inside her, she marches on.

In a parallel world, Chelsea reads an essay Emily wrote about her, saddened that she hasn’t shown Emily love. Simultaneously, Emily has made it to the dreaded Well of Echos, where the crystal lies, and suffers an experience that illuminates her understanding of her mother’s inability to scale the painful wall of grief.

Emily and the Magical Journey is filled with color and imagination- a Narnia meets The Hobbit meets Raggedy Ann – in a good way! The sets and locations serve to create two unique places, although there’s a bit of disconnect that the characters are American, living in a European town. (It’s actually filmed in Sweden with dialect-proficient Swedish actors, among others.) Cinematography and directing are wonderfully convincing, creating and using detail that brings life to the story’s milieus. Most impressive is the fantastic work of Jenny Lampa, portraying two diverse characters, mastering both comedy and serious drama. Her created character, Nightinglar, is delightfully unpredictable and fun. Tipper Seifert-Cleveland is a pleasure to watch, as she delivers a developed, thoughtful performance, ahead of her age.

From a Christian perspective, there are a couple of concerns that discerning Dove families should bear in mind. Christians hold to the message that God is our strength. This film, like many secular stories about inner fortitude, communicates the belief that the power is within self. The Christian belief is what God tells us in Isaiah: 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you.” The popular culture belief is “Do not fear, for you are with you.” (How’s that working?) And there is reliance on magic to accomplish goals, as well as pointing out the bad news that humans teach children to be like … humans. This could go either way, of course. However, one particular moral of the story encourages having love in one’s heart. All of these are potential teaching points and could lend themselves to helping kids of all ages learn to discern. With this in mind, Dove awards Emily and the Magical Journey the All-Ages Seal of Approval.

The Dove Take:

Although Emily and the Magical Journey professes secular philosophy, this clever family fantasy film travels between two worlds, ultimately offering hope for restoring relationships.

Emily and the Magical Journey

Common Sense Media reviewers include writers, editors, and child development experts. They're trained in creating high-quality parenting advice based on best practices in child development.

Fantasy-adventure has scary moments, little magic.

Big thinking pushes us outside of our comfort zones and challenges us to explore new territories, both personally and professionally. Big thinking is the fuel that drives innovation and progress. Throughout history, the greatest achievements and advancements have come from individuals who dared to think big and dream beyond what seemed possible.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Encourages curiosity, compassion, and perseverance

Imagination has the power to overcome fear. With i

Emily is brave and courageous and conquers a serie

No fighting, no blood. The witch causes some trees

Parents need to know that Emily and the Magical Journey is a fantasy adventure for family and kids. Through the magic of imagination, Emily (Tipper Seifert-Cleveland) enters Faunutland, a fantasy world of her father's creation. The movie begins seriously as it notes that Emily recently lost her father. Some…

Educational Value

Positive Messages

Imagination has the power to overcome fear. With imagination, anything is possible. Emphasizes love in your heart and love of family.

Positive Role Models

Emily is brave and courageous and conquers a series of intimidating and scary situations. She shows kindness to unknown creatures and unconditional love for her mother. The mother, though, is neglectful, cold, and distant until the last scene.

Violence & Scariness

No fighting, no blood. The witch causes some trees to burst aflame. A few of the monster companions fall over as if dead, but revive later. Some scary scenes and moments of peril could be too much for sensitive young viewers. Terrifying music and score greatly contribute to the scariness. A few monsters could scare a younger child, namely the large Belorac and hooded witch. Creepy, disturbing whispers in a cave: "You'll never make it," "It's all your fault," "Your mother doesn't love you," "She will never love you as much as she loved your father," "It's your fault your father is dead," and even, "Your mother wishes you were dead instead of your father."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide. Get started Close

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Emily and the Magical Journey is a fantasy adventure for family and kids. Through the magic of imagination, Emily (Tipper Seifert-Cleveland) enters Faunutland, a fantasy world of her father's creation. The movie begins seriously as it notes that Emily recently lost her father. Some scary scenes and moments of peril could be too much for sensitive young viewers. Surprisingly terrifying music and score greatly contribute to the scariness. A few monsters could scare a younger child, namely the large Belorac and hooded witch. There are scenes of intimidating gestures from little monsters, haunting whispers in a scary cave ("You'll never make it," "It's all your fault," "Your mother doesn't love you," "She will never love you as much as she loved your father," "It's your fault your father is dead," "Your mother wishes you were dead instead of your father."), the frightening powers of the witch of fear, and a cold, chilly mother. Still, kids can find a brave role model in Emily, who perseveres in the face of more than a few harrowing situations. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.

From inventors to entrepreneurs, artists to scientists, big thinkers have shaped the world we live in today. Big thinking also has a ripple effect on those around us. When we embrace a mindset of possibility, we inspire and motivate others to do the same. Our big thinking becomes contagious, spreading a sense of optimism and empowerment to those who come into contact with our ideas and actions. However, big thinking is not just about setting audacious goals or imagining grandiose scenarios. It requires a commitment to taking action and a willingness to persist despite challenges and setbacks. Big thinking is about believing in ourselves and our potential, and being willing to put in the work to turn our dreams into reality. In conclusion, the magic of big thinking lies in its ability to expand our horizons, ignite our creativity, and unleash our full potential. When we dare to think big, we break free from the limitations of small thinking and open ourselves up to a world of infinite possibilities. So, let us embrace the power of big thinking and dare to dream the impossible..

Reviews for "The Power of Positive Affirmations: Using Big Thinking to Rewire Your Mind"

- John - 1 star - This book was a complete waste of time. The author just fills the pages with generic advice and clichés that offer no real value. I was hoping for practical strategies and techniques, but all I got was a bunch of fluff. Save yourself the disappointment and find a different book to read.

- Sarah - 2 stars - I had high expectations for this book, considering all the positive reviews I read. However, I found the content to be repetitive and unoriginal. The author simply rehashes ideas that have been discussed in countless other self-help books. There were no groundbreaking insights or fresh perspectives. I would not recommend wasting your time on this book.

- Mike - 2 stars - I found "Magic of big thinking" to be a bit overhyped. The author claims to offer life-changing ideas, but I was left feeling underwhelmed. The book is filled with empty promises and shallow anecdotes. It lacked depth and practicality. I was hoping for more substance and tangible strategies, but unfortunately, that was not the case. I cannot say that I gained much from reading this book.

- Emily - 1 star - I picked up this book hoping to gain some inspiration and motivation, but instead, I was met with disappointment. The author's writing style is dry and uninspiring, making it difficult to stay engaged with the content. The book lacks a cohesive structure and jumps from one topic to another without clear direction. Overall, I found it to be a dull and unhelpful read. I would not recommend it to anyone seeking genuine personal growth.

The Science of Big Thinking: Why Positive Thoughts Lead to Positive Outcomes