October 2009 Notable Toys — Videos & DVDs

This three-disc, Blu-ray/DVD combo features stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson in this long-awaited Harry Potter film, rated PG.  Launch date: December 2009.

Fundamentals: Think is the second level of our educational video series. It builds upon many concepts introduced in Fundamentals and adds additional subjects for higher order thinking. Video teaches reading by building from letter recognition and phonetics sounds to 3-letter words and simple sentences, and demonstrates geometry, addition and subtraction, and numbers up to 20.

Fundamentals is the first of a series of educational videos produced by The First Wave, LLC, a mother-daughter team. The video provides basic tools for children to learn about their new world and to inspire speech. It introduces letters, colors, the body, opposites, verbs, prepositions, numbers, shapes, and more.

Wubbzy and his friends are back in an all-new DVD collection just in time for the fall season! Watch as Wubbzy, Widget and Walden clean up a crazy mess with Moo Moo's magic wand, pick the perfect pumpkin and create the spookiest Halloween costume of all. There's singing, dancing, trick or treating and kickity-kick ball too, plus plenty of positive values like creativity, patience and responsibility. It's all here in the Emmy winning Nick Jr./Noggin hit that's so much fun it's scary! Launch Date: 9/8/2009.

Welcome to Pahappahooey Island, an adventurous land that combines furry friends, fun songs and colorful adventures with the best of Joyce Meyer's classic messages for the whole family. Ali, Millard, Captain Hobbs and Hacksaw set off on a special treasure hunt, but evil Ichabone Slink has made them think only of themselves. Can Miss Ruby help the friends learn the best ways to work together? Launch Date: 8/18/2009

Join Kristen as she vacations on a small island off the New England coast with her aunt Tracy, an artist. Tracy is creating a picture book about “fairy houses” built in the woods by visiting children. What happens when you build a house for the fairies? Will they come to visit? Find out, and share an island adventure as a special relationship develops and Kristen becomes the heroine of her own story. The DVD features gorgeous, rustic New England scenery and unique subject matter. Awards include Parents’ Choice Gold Award, American Library Association Notable Children’s Video, Parenting magazine Video Magic Award, National Parenting Publications Honors Award Winner, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award, and Parent’s Guide Award.

Following the books of Richard Scarry, “The Best Outside Fun Ever!” is part of a series of new DVDs. Huckle and his friends work together to solve mysteries and have fun. There will be holiday-themed movies and titles announced for release in 2010. Launch date: Summer 2009.

Strawberry Shortcake and friends have to work together to move Berry Bitty City after a storm in this animated tale. The movie's release is supported by a wave of Strawberry Shortcake toys with a mix of classic touches that made the line popular and a new style for today's girls. Launch date: Fall 2009.

In this computer-animated tale, Barbie and her friends become the first girl Musketeers while rescuing the prince from danger. According to press materials, it's a combination of a classic story and modern girl power. The feature joins 16 Barbie Entertainment DVD releases, which have collectively sold more than 60 million units worldwide. Launch date: September 15, 2009.

Kids can explore the systems of the human body — skeletal, nervous, muscular, circulatory, urinary, respiratory and digestive systems — in this 52-minute DVD that meets National Science Education Standards. Created for grades 4 through 8, it also covers the five senses and offers a bonus segment on healthy nutrition, exercise and MyPyramid. Launch date: October 2009.

Led by D.J. Doc Roc, positive lyrics, cool rap music and high-energy action characterize this educational DVD. Sums up to 18 and differences from 18 are covered in these "add and subtract songs." This product was named one of Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products 2009. Launch date: August 25, 2009.

Kids can join the Banana Slug String Band in their rollicking concert and as they travel with a group of children to their favorite habitats. Mr. Dirt talks nutrition and fun food facts on the farm, Nature Man leads the way to the ancient redwoods, and Marine Mark holds class in the tide pools. "The catchy songs fit perfectly into teachers' lesson plans for topics including nutrition, ecology, and the water cycle," Monica Woelfel, administrator for Banana Slug String Band, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2006.

In this episode, Billy Blue Hair loses his dog Doogie while playing fetch. As Billy searches for Doogie within the live-action video, Billy discovers Fire Station 25, where he learns fun and quirky facts about fire stations, fire engines, ladders, turnout suits, hydrants and how to safely battle a fire. "Why do fire stations have a pole?", "Why are fire hydrants different colors?" and "Why are fire trucks red?" are just a few of the many questions answered during this adventure with Billy Blue Hair. "Billy Blue Hair is a child's personal guide and educator, speaking directly to the child during the episode," Kris Olson, president of Kayo Media, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2009. It received a 2009 Kids First Approved approved.

For ages 3-8, The Word Wits features the funny and friendly live action characters Joni, Obediah, Tuba, Mark & Puey (a zany pig puppet), who demonstrate the definitions of word through songs and skits.

It's never too early to start bringing up the smartest baby in the whole world. So thinks the expectant Mrs. Brains, who reads to the baby inside her tummy every night and plays music and language tapes to her baby during the day. Soon enough, Mr. and Mrs. Brains have their very own Baby Brains. He reads the paper, fixes the family car, and works as a doctor in the local hospital. Now even the space program is calling on him. Is there anything Baby Brains can't do? Candlewick Storybook Animation packages include a full-color hardcover picture book, a dual-disk DVD/CD with full animated story and two audio read-along versions of the text — one with page-turn prompts, and a full-color poster, plus a sheet of reusable stickers. Launch date: September 2008.

TDmonthly Review:

Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product.

This fun-filled bilingual DVD is designed to help toddlers and preschoolers grasp the Spanish Language. Spanish and English words, both written and spoken for each video clip and an accompanying Spanish phrase, allow a preschooler to pick words with ease. The clips and music are designed to keep a child's interest while teaching common Spanish words and phrases. The DVD covers the fundamentals, including colors, numbers and words, using beautiful images and classical music. Launch date: October 2008.

Marko the Pencil and his friend Bailey take learners on a journey to Marko's Super Science Station where it's easy and fun to grasp science concepts and boost test scores. This DVD covers photosynthesis, plant parts, the butterfly lifecycle, plant and animal cells, food chains, food webs and more. It meets the National Science Education Standards. Launch date: June 2009.

Featuring D.J. Doc Roc, this DVD includes positive lyrics, rap music and high-energy action to generate excitement as students learn to solve division facts quickly and accurately. Kids can discover what division is all about, solve story problems, use remainders, and even work long-division problems. Launch date: June 2009.

"Global Wonders: Mexico" is an interactive DVD that's part of a series introducing children to vibrant and varied cultures around the world. Animation meets live-action footage as children learn about the Mexican culture while sharing and comparing their own cultures. It includes Language Jams, which are participation-based musical segments introducing a culturally rich vocabulary, and WonderVision, interactive adventure with secret content and surprises. Launch date: October 21, 2008.

Barney is featured in this special collection of wintertime favorites on three DVDs. Launch date: October 13, 2009.

Kids can discover why the "fun is getting it done" in these holiday-themed, action-packed DVDs from favorite contractor Bob the Builder and his Can-Do Crew. Launch date: October 13, 2009.

Thomas and his Island Sodor engine friends are featured in this special holiday collection of three seasaonal DVDs. Launch date: October 13, 2009.

Crayola Color Stories are interactive coloring activities that tell the stories of Jerome, Pedro, Sadie and others from the Undersea Adventures world. Kids progress through the story by coloring on their pages along with the characters on the screen, learning as they go. Activities are randomized so that kids can play Crayola Color Stories again and again. "Interactive DVD story and coloring activities keep children engaged and entertained while they learn," Anita Lavine, director of public relations for Screenlife, told TDmonthly. This product received a 2009 iParenting Media Award and a 2009 Creative Child Award. Launch date: June 2009.

Adina's Deck is a group of 8th-grade friends who use technology to solve a different mystery in every episode. In episode 1, the team is on the case to figure out who has been Cyber Bullying Skye, the most popular girl in the 8th grade. In episode 2, Adina's Deck tries to find out if Ally's online boyfriend is really a dream come true. In Episode 3, someone plagiarized his/her paper in Mr. B's class and the club investigates to find the cheater. "Adina's Deck is the first DVD series of it's kind addressing the social challenges that arise with increased technology use amongst teens," Debbie Heimowitz, co-founder of Adina's Deck, told TDmonthly. "The show is action-packed, filled with comedy and fun for students and parents alike." Adina's Deck has received these awards: International Family Film Festival, Best Educational Film, 2009; Eugene, Oregon, Best Film For Youth, 2009; Kid's First Film Festival, 2nd place, 2008; Honolulu Film Festival, Silver Lei Award, 2009; Approved by the Coalition for Quality Children's Media; and Dr. Toy's Best Summer Vacation Products, 2009. Launch date: August 2009.