November 2007 New Toys — Videos & DVDs

Braincandy, Touch My World by BRAINCANDY

Part of “The 5 Senses Series” designed for children 6 months to 4 years, this reggae-tuned DVD features tactile adventures for little ones, allowing them to learn about touch with the Sense Gang. 10/17/2007 (Price: $14.99)

Braincandy, See My World by BRAINCANDY

Part of “The 5 Senses Series” designed for children 6 months to 4 years, “Braincandy, See My World” features Bruce Brain, Ivy Eyes and other members of the Sense Gang as they explore vision, color, movement through a peek-a-boo game, bubbles, butterflies, a scavenger hunt and more, all set against classical music. “Braincandy offers an organic approach to learning that mirrors the way children learn naturally,” Jennifer Porter of Marketing Alchemist shared with TDmonthly. 10/17/2007 (Price: $14.99)

The All-New Care Bears in Oopsy Does It! by 20th CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT

In this CGI-animated adventure, Oopsy Bear accidentally ruins the amusement park Cheer Bear and Grumpy Bear constructed for their friends. When evil bear Grizzle takes advantage of the situation by trying to steal the Care Bears’ belly badges, Oopsy must come to the rescue. This DVD is packaged with an Oopsy Bear toy. Launch date: October 23, 2007. 10/17/2007 (Price: $19.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Treasury of 100 Storybook Classics by SCHOLASTIC

The videos feature almost 15 hours of full-color animation and celebrity narration. Titles in the collection include Where the Wild Things are, Harold and the Purple Crayon, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and much more. Launch date: September 25, 2007. 10/11/2007 (Price: $99.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ralph S. Mouse…and More Exciting Animal Adventure Stories by SCHOLASTIC

The 85-minute DVD is full of live action and dimensional animation. Also included are two other stories: Uncle Elephant and Stanley and the Dinosaurs. This product is a winner of the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children’s Video. Launch date: September 25, 2007. 10/11/2007 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Thomas & Friends: Ultimate Christmas by HIT ENTERTAINMENT

In this collection of seasonal favorites, viewers will experience firsthand the joy and magic the holiday season brings to the Island of Sodor. They can see if Percy’s snow-covered face tricks James and the other engines into thinking they’ve seen Jack Frost, and cheer on Thomas, Harold, Percy and Terence as they shovel out stranded villagers just in time for Christmas. Launch date: October 23, 2007. 10/11/2007 (Price: $14.98)

BookBox Stories from Around the World by MASTER COMMUNICATIONS

Developed by child expert Dr. Brij Kothari, this DVD in English and Spanish features five animated stories and employs scientifically tested SLS (same language subtitling) to assist children with listening comprehension, reading skills and foreign language skills. Run time is approximately 30 minutes. It is available in English, English/Spanish, English/French, English/German, English/Italian, English/Mandarin Chinese, English/Hindi, English/Gujarti, English/Russian and English/Portuguese. Launch date: October 23, 2007. 10/11/2007 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

BookBox Enchanting Christmas Stories by MASTER COMMUNICATIONS

Developed by child expert Dr. Brij Kothari, this DVD features five animated stories, including “The First Christmas” and “The Elves and the Shoemaker.” It is designed with scientifically tested SLS (same language subtitling) to assist children with listening comprehension, reading skills and foreign language skills. Run time is approximately 30 minutes. It is available in English, English/Spanish, English/French, English/German, English/Italian and English/Mandarin Chinese. “This new BookBox DVD series can be used by those interested in educating children to read and get ahead,” Andrea Blain of Andrea Blain Public Relations told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 23, 2007. 10/11/2007 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Play With Me Sesame – Good Night Sesame by GENIUS PRODUCTS INC.

This two-disc handle case features a DVD in which Sesame Street friends teach little ones about naps, encouraging them to use their imaginations and sing along to “Boogie Woogie Sheep.” It also comes with a bonus 60-minute CD-ROM. Launch date: October 23, 2007. 10/11/2007 (Price: $16.95)

Play With Me Sesame – Playtime With Grover by GENIUS PRODUCTS INC.

This two-disc handle case features a DVD in which Grover, along with friends Bert, Ernie, Prairie Dawn and others, encourages preschoolers to take part in interactive play while being educated about concepts such as size relationships and opposites. It also comes with a bonus 60-minute CD-ROM. Launch date: October 23, 2007. 10/11/2007 (Price: $16.95)

I Can Sign by BabyFirstTV

From BabyFirstTV, a network tailored to babies, toddlers and their parents, this DVD helps parents learn how to use sign language to communicate with their baby before he or she can speak actual words. The program offers a fun, easy and engaging way to learn key words and their correlating signs. 10/11/2007 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Rainbow Dreams by BabyFirstTV

From BabyFirstTV, a network tailored to babies, toddlers and their parents, this DVD features lullaby music and soothing images to offer quiet time for both baby and caregiver. The programs feature soft classical music, calming ever-changing shapes and peaceful colors. 10/11/2007 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Knuffle Bunny… and More Great Childhood Adventure Stories! by SCHOLASTIC

Part of the Scholastic Storybook Treasures collection, this DVD is based on the book Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale, by Mo Willems. This animated DVD is over an hour long and features digitally-enhanced content, a read-along feature, kid-friendly authoring and more. Launch date: October 30, 2007.
— Bob Breneman, owner of G. Willikers in Portsmouth, N.H., told TDmonthly in April 2008 that “Knuffle Bunny” books with a rabbit rag doll are his best-selling licensed product.
— The book, on which the DVD is based, won a Carnegie Medal in Literature Award in 2007.
— The book, “Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale,” is written and illustrated by Mo Willems. 10/2/2007 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

BabyFirstTV 6-DVD Collection, Volume 1 by BabyFirstTV

Suitable for ages 6 months to 3 years, BabyFirstTV, the nation's only 24/7 channel dedicated to babies and their parents, now offers its award-winning programming on DVD. The line of developmental DVDs features content specifically tailored to meet the needs of infants and toddlers. It is created by leading child development experts, features on-screen parenting tips and a unique 3-step introduction method to topics, and is available in English and Spanish. The six-DVD collection includes Vocabulary Seeds, Numerical Concepts, Cognitive Beginnings, Night Symphony, Visual Inspirations and Social Explorations. “The BabyFirstTV DVD line is ideal for the specialty toy market since the products are not currently offered in mass retail outlets,” Marketing Director Kristin Feltz of BabyFirstTV told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 1, 2007. ( Watch Video) 9/25/2007 (Price: $69.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Suzi Shelton Live at Southpaw by SUZIMUSIC LLC

This DVD features kindie-rock artist Suzi Shelton live in concert at Brooklyn’s Southpaw nightclub. It showcases ten original Shelton songs, including “Goin’ on a Road Trip” and “So Long Chocolate Cake,” plus special interviews with Suzi and The Gumdrops. “This DVD gives kids and parents the next best thing to a live concert with Suzi Shelton, an up-and-coming family recording artist,” Beth Blenz-Clucas of Sugar Mountain PR told TDmonthly. This product is a National Parenting Publications of America Gold Award winner. Launch date: September 2007. 9/25/2007 (Price: $20.00)

Angelina Ballerina: The Silver Locket Special Edition by HIT ENTERTAINMENT

Hit Entertainment and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment join to bring kids this special edition DVD set. Based on the storybooks by Katharine Holabird and Helen Craig, this set comes with a DVD, a book and a silver locket. The DVD has a running time of 49 minutes. Launch date: October 16, 2007. 9/18/2007 (Price: $14.98)

The Reef by GENIUS PRODUCTS INC.

This G-rated children’s DVD tells the story of an orphaned fish named Pi who moves to live with his aunt in an exotic coral reef, where he meets the love of his life. But before he can live happily ever after with Cordelia, Pi must battle the bully tiger shark who also desires her heart. The story features voiceovers by Freddie Prinze Jr., Evan Rachel Wood, Rob Shneider and Fran Drescher. Launch date: October 9, 2007. 9/17/2007 (Price: $19.95)

Aprendamos Inglés: Let's Learn English by ROCK 'N LEARN INC.

This 54-minute DVD uses energetic performers and catchy songs that feature useful vocabulary words and conversational phrases to help native Spanish speakers learn English. It covers greetings, survival phrases, school conversations, subject pronouns and more. “It is ideal for the specialty market because it helps build confidence by using catchy songs and colorful action, and allows independent practice,” Communications Manager Jessica Cates of Rock ‘N Learn told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2007. 8/29/2007 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Math Test-Taking Strategies by ROCK 'N LEARN INC.

Marko the Pencil helps kids prepare for tests by teaching students how to read problems carefully, identify relevant words and numbers, eliminate extra information, use pictures and diagrams, and look for patterns. This 58-minute program is suitable for grades 3 and 4. “Math Test-Taking Strategies was developed by Rock 'N Learn with a group of teachers known for getting high scores from their students on state-mandated math tests. Rock ‘N Learn also examined standardized tests in several states and discovered the winning strategies for boosting scores and reducing stress,” Communications Manager Jessica Cates of Rock ‘N Learn told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2007. 8/29/2007 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Thomas & Friends: Thomas' Halloween Adventures by HIT ENTERTAINMENT

Are there really ghosts in the fog and mist on the Island of Sodor? Thomas, Toby and Henry believe there are, but things are not always as they appear. Gordon and Percy encounter other mysteries on the Island. Can Thomas help explain them? Viewers can join all of their Island of Sodor friends as they solve Halloween mysteries that are exciting all year round. Launch date: September 4, 2007. 8/22/2007 (Price: $14.98)

Scary Godmother Halloween Spooktakular by ANCHOR BAY ENTERTAINMENT

In this Halloween special, little Hannah Marie is excited to be going trick-or-treating with the older kids. But when her mean cousin Jimmy tries to ditch her in the dark basement of a spooky house, Hannah is rescued by her Scary Godmother and whisked away to the best Halloween party ever. It’s a ‘who’s-boo’ of monsters with Skully Pettibone, Harry The Werewolf, Orson, Bug-A-Boo and more, all in one unforgettable night of big screams, strange pizza and the ultimate plan for revenge on Jimmy and his friends. Launch date: September 14, 2004. 8/22/2007 (Price: $14.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Saddle Club Volume 2 – Storm at Pine Hollow by ALLUMINATION FILMWORKS

In this film, Lisa takes a beautiful, but violent, foster horse for rehabilitation. Storm has been abused and is scheduled to be put down, and Stevie and Carole are concerned for Lisa’s emotional state if efforts to re-train Storm are unsuccessful. Drew, meanwhile, is facing financial difficulties and bank loans are due. When Red decides to sell Pine Hollow’s surrounding land and riding trails, The Saddle Club girls must help save Pine Hollow and Storm. The series airs in 14 countries, pointed out Mariakay Chakos of Sue Procko Public Relations, and is shown on Discovery Kids in the United States. Also, there are cross-promotional opportunities with the books by Random House and toys by Breyer. Launch date: August 7, 2007. 8/22/2007 (Price: $14.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Saddle Club Volume 1 – Horse of a Different Color by ALLUMINATION FILMWORKS

Carole fears her friends have forgotten her birthday amidst the excitement of a valuable show horse arriving at Pine Hollow. When the horse, Hugo, escapes, Carole, Stevie and Lisa find him, and then unveil Carole’s surprise party. Hugo’s owner, French dressage champion Dorothée Doutey, who fell months ago and shattered both her pelvis and self-confidence, becomes the girls’ riding instructor and learns lessons that heal her emotional wounds. ”The girls of The Saddle Club … have all become breakout stars,” Mariakay Chakos of Sue Procko Public Relations told TDmonthly. “The series has also been hailed by animal rights groups for its treatment and handling of the horses that play such an important part of the show’s success.” Launch date: August 7, 2007. 8/22/2007 (Price: $14.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

So Smart! Spanish by SO SMART! PRODUCTIONS

Created by artist and infancy researcher Alexandra Tornek and media-producer husband Scott Tornek, this educational program is a collection of colorful, animated adventures with illustrated animals moving to the tunes of classic Spanish children’s songs, including “Pajarito (Little Birdie)” and “El Tren (The Train).” The 16-song DVD comes with a Lyrics and Translation guide that can be printed from any personal computer. Songs can also be played separately with a Jukebox feature. It is suitable for children 6 months to 3 years. “So Smart! is an independent creator and producer of top-rated young children’s media, and has won over 30 national parenting awards since its inception in 1997,” CEO Scott Tornek told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 1, 2007. 8/22/2007 (Price: $16.98)

Discovering Shapes DVD by BABY EINSTEIN

Little ones will discover shapes everywhere they look with our playful introduction to five basic shapes. As babies develop, their understanding of the world and how its pieces ''fit'' together continues to progress. You'll enjoy sharing in the fresh sense of wonder that takes shape as your child greets each new discovery in ''Discovering Shapes.'' 8/20/2007 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]