Leap Frog - Math Circus Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Unlike the previous reviewers I thought this video was great. Though it could be longer, it gives kids (mine are 4.5 and 2.5) a good introduction to basic math concepts: association, addition and subtraction.
One of the problems small children have is that they memorize numbers and can "count" but they don't associate the numbers with an actual quantity. This video uses small white mobile cubes called "quidgets" to teach them that numbers `correspond' to a certain number of objects.
My kids are pretty engrossed by this video and I am overjoyed that I can now give my four-year-old simple hand problems and she can solve them.Video Outline:
--Numbers are produced: "0 to 10".
--Numbers are associated with corresponding numbers of quidgets, coins, fingers, etc.
For example, no quidgets, then one quidget. The white box gets a number 1 which jumps onto it and stays.
Two quidgets stack vertically... the number one jumps off and the 2 jumps on and so forth.
--A song with 1 quidget, then 1 coin, then 1 finger and a 1 "digit" color worm... and so on until there are 10 quidgets, 10 coins, 10 fingers and a 10 segmented worm. The quidgets are piled vertically, and the worm grows horizontally until it is 10 units long: all numbers are shown in their worm segment.
--Then to the circus.
--Review of counting with quidgets stacking vertically.
--Using a high wire act with two swings, the quidget's do addition and then subtraction.
Two quidgets, for example, swing across and are joined by another quidget from the other swing. The numbers 2 and 1 drop off and the number 3 sticks itself to the stack of three quidgets. The reverse is done for subtraction.
--At the end, stacks of ten quidgets are flung into the ring until their are ten stacks of them demonstrating how we can go from 10 to 100 by ten's.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Leap Frog - Math Circus

Click here for more information about Leap Frog - Math Circus

Read More...

Animal Atlas: Animal Passport (2010) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)My 5 year old animal-loving son seemed to like this DVD well enough when we watched it for the first time, but I was annoyed to see that all the animals were filmed in zoos or wild animal parks with fences and cement barriers clearly visible in the shots. In an apparent attempt to minimize this, most of the shots were framed very tightly - head and shoulders, mostly.
The narrative contains a solid stream of facts and isn't cloying as it can be in some videos marketed to younger kids, but telling us that the lion roams the grasslands in search of prey, while we see a lion lying down in a dusty enclosure with a fence behind him was less than impressive.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Animal Atlas: Animal Passport (2010)

Click here for more information about Animal Atlas: Animal Passport (2010)

Read More...

Earth: The Biography (2008) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Is it as good as Planet Earth? No. This documentary series doesn't a never-ending overabundance of brilliant imagery. But don't let that dissuade you. If it wasn't for "Planet Earth" everyone would be raving about this set. Because though its visuals aren't always as stunning as that excellent series -- sometimes the screen shows just a guy or two talking in front of a washed out sky -- overall "Earth: The Biography" is just as interesting and at times even more informative. The special effects are good, too.
Generally, I'd say this set is great for anyone with even a passing interest in geology, at least if they're over, say, 8.
These are the same shows that recently aired on the National Geographic Channel. There are no bonus features.
Disc 1 has three shows, "Volcanoes," "Atmosphere" and "Ice." Disc 2 adds "Oceans" and "Rare Earth." Each of the first four explains how that particular system works, as well as what happens when it's messed with.
The last show examines a theory that says simple life may actually be common on other planets, but complex life -- i.e., animal life -- requires such a complex sequence of events that we'll never find another human-like population. It goes on to examine how humans are damaging the planet. Did you know each year people cut down enough forest to cover the state of South Carolina?
Everything is presented with plenty of objective, scientific information.
My favorite show is the first one, since it includes the formation of Earth. Did you know scientists think our planet once had a twin? Or that the moon is drifting away from us?
Though the narrator, Dr. Iain Stewart, speaks in a Scottish brogue, I didn't have any trouble understanding him. He's calm and articulate.
By the way, you can't help but be reminded of "Planet Earth" as you watch this. A commercial for it is actually the first thing that comes up when you pop in Disc 1.
Besides "Planet Earth," I'd recommend pairing this up with An Inconvenient Truth. Or a trip to go see Wall-E.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Earth: The Biography (2008)

This landmark series uses specialist imaging and compelling narrative to tell the life story of our planet, how it works, and what makes it so special. Examining the great forces that shape the Earth - volcanoes, the ocean, the atmosphere and ice - the programme explores their central roles in our planet's story. How do these forces affect the Earth's landscape, its climate, and its history? CGI gives the audience a ringside seat at these great events, while the final episode brings together all the themes of the series and argues that Earth is an exceptionally rare kind of planet - giving us a special responsibility to look after our unique world. This is a series that shows the Earth in new and surprising ways. Extensive use of satellite imagery reveals new views of our planet, while timelapse filmed over many months brings the planet to life. Offering a balance between dramatic visuals and illuminating facts, this ground-breaking series makes global science truly compelling.

Get 42% OFF

Click here for more information about Earth: The Biography (2008)

Read More...

Peter and the Wolf (1996) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As a musician I mourn the loss of music as an auditory art. But the fact remains that music videos have changed the way we listen to and learn music, so we must work with it. This video is a wonderful way to introduce children to classical music and the orchestra without them thinking that it's boring, or not worthy of their time.
Kirstie Alley plays the mother of a 12-ish boy who travels back to the home where she grew up to visit her father (Lloyd Bridges). The boy has never met his grandfather. They spend some time visiting and the topic turns to "The Story". The story is, of course, "Peter and the Wolf". Kirstie Alley narrates the story, dramatized by animation done by Chuck Jones (Bugs Bunny). The animation is wonderful, the characters are endearing and funny (with Kirstie Alley doing excellent voice-overs for the hysterically dizzy duck and the cat). The part when the duck is eaten by the wolf is handled very subtley, and, unlike the original story, has a happy ending for the duck, making it appropriate for very young kids. I teach K-8 and have shown it to all grades, who have enjoyed it. I personally have seen it about 30 times, and it remains fresh and entertaining. A nice feature for music teachers is that the animated storyline is 30 minutes long, allowing you to show just that portion of the video within a class period. I highly recommend this video for parents and teachers alike who want to introduce children to classical music. They'll be learning without them even knowing it!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Peter and the Wolf (1996)

PETER AND THE WOLF - DVD Movie

Get 20% OFF

Click here for more information about Peter and the Wolf (1996)

Read More...

Discovery Essential Dinosaur Pack (2008) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Finally, after waiting years for several shows to come out on DVD from Discovery Channel. Yes, we get these shows all on two DVDs! Including the very popular Dinosaur Planet. Here is a list is a shows that are one the two DVDs.
- Valley of the T-Rex
- When Dinosaurs Roamed America
- Utah's Dino Graveyard
- Dinosaur Planet (includes all 4 episodes!!!)
- The Mystery Dinosaur
- Dinosaurs: Return To Life
- T-Rex: New Science, New Beast
Trust me, this is a must have for anyone who loves dinosaurs and loves to learn about them and be entertained. Buy this set! It's worth the cost, which is pretty good. It's eight hours of pure entertainment!


Click Here to see more reviews about: Discovery Essential Dinosaur Pack (2008)

Get 50% OFF

Click here for more information about Discovery Essential Dinosaur Pack (2008)

Read More...

Mighty Machines: Chomp Crunch Tear Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Great video, lots of construction machine action and some educational parts as well (related to construction machines, of course)! My 3.5 year old loves this one. We like it too.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Mighty Machines: Chomp Crunch Tear

Click here for more information about Mighty Machines: Chomp Crunch Tear

Read More...

Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days (2009) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This DVD set was nostalgic and at times almost brought tears to my eyes. For those parts (The ladybug picnic, The pinball counting to 12, the cartoon typewriter, the cast iron "I", etc) I would give it ten stars. Sesame Street literally shaped my life as a young child. I watched it religously until age seven (I'm thirty-five now). The reason for my three star rating is because of the lengthy songs and dull skits, which unfortunately took most of the time. Leena Horne singing didn't do it for me at five and she especially doesn't do it for me now at thrity-five. Sorry, but same to you Diana Ross. I wanted to see more of the aliens ("yep, yep, yep...nope, nope, nope"), Bert and Ernie, Super Grover, and the Tiddly-winks (who were suspiciously absent).
Watching this DVD made me realize how they should now call Sesame Street, just plain Elmo's World. That's who it's really all about now anyway. I loved the good old days when ALL the characters received equal billing. Now it seems like the first forty minutes of Sesame Street is just filler until Elmo, the big star, shows up. Don't get me wrong, I like Elmo, and so do my three little ones, but all the other characters have their own personalities and ability to teach as well. This DVD is a reminder of that.
So CTW if you're reading this, I would buy every single episode of Sesame Street from 1974-79 if you put it out on DVD. Stop teasing us with these short DVD releases showing only clips. To those of you who are thinking of purchasing this DVD set, I would get it, it is worth it. You're sure to see something that will bring back a memory.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days (2009)

Relive your favorite Sesame Street moments with this one of a kind Sesame Street Collection! Everyone remembers the familiar words to the Sesame Street theme song, and the even more familiar tune, but how much do you really know about the world's most famous street? When did Elmo first begin speaking in that world-famous falsetto? Can you name the musician that sang Slimey into space? Which Muppet was most distraught by Mr. Hooper's passing? Who is the voice behind Abby Cadabby? Can you guess which clip was voted the fan favorite in an online poll? Find the answers and much, much more packed into this special anniversary DVD set, which includes clips from all 40 seasons, interviews with cast and crew, including Jim Henson, as well as amazing behind-the-scenes peeks at how Muppet magic is created.

Get 33% OFF

Click here for more information about Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days (2009)

Read More...

Baby Einstein - Baby Galileo - Discovering the Sky (2003) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I don't quite understand what is so horrible about Baby Galileo. Reviewers are saying how aweful it was, but are giving no explanation as to why, so I'm going to explain why it worked for me and my child.
I was extremely pleased with the Baby Galileo video. My daughter is three and a half years old and soaks in anything she sees. Although she is on the older end of the suggested ages for these videos, she still is learning from them and enjoying them. This video was a great way for her to learn the general ideas about the sky. The video opens with puppets, which are a trademark in Julie Clark's videos. There are narrations by children, and 15 different pieces of classical music ranging from Claire De Lune to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. There are several chapters in the video introducing a new concept- those being the sky, the sun, the clouds, the stars, the moon, the planets, the galaxy and space. There are real pictures and video of the sun, moon and others while they are supplemented with toys, graphics and music that go along with the sky/space theme.
I am an early childhood educator, and I see these videos as being some of the most developmentally appropriate videos out there for children to watch. The video expresses many subjects, textures, colors and most of all, beautiful classical music to soothe your child and spark their interest and attention. I'm not quite sure why these videos haven't worked for other parents, but they've been successful in my family and many others that I know. I highly recommend the Baby Einstein collection- at least try them, especially Baby Galileo.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Baby Einstein - Baby Galileo - Discovering the Sky (2003)

Twinkling stars and colorful planets -- a musical odyssey!-- Takes little ones on a musical journey-- Introduces the sun, moon and planets in our solar systemAs little ones grow, their innate sense of wonder grows too, creating an occasion for celebration with each new discovery. Baby Galileo Discovering the Sky introduces them to that remarkable canopy above us: the sun and moon, fluffy clouds, shimmering stars, colorful planets and whirling galaxies. This entertaining and inspiring look at our universe presents your baby with spectacular images, colorful toys and lovable puppets accompanied by the beautiful classical music of Mozart, Chopin, Schubert, Strauss and Tchaikovsky. You and your little one will be delighted as you explore the wonders of the solar system together! DVD Features-- Repeat play-- Language tracks (Spanish, French and English)-- Discovery cards-- Puppet shows-- Toy chest

Click here for more information about Baby Einstein - Baby Galileo - Discovering the Sky (2003)

Read More...