June 2010 New Specialty Toys — Videos & DVDs

This book and postcard package is an informative visual feast of pop-culture iconography. Featuring spreads on movie icons and individual musical classics, Hollywood Musicals covers show-stopping classics such as "Singin' in the Rain," toe-tapping favorites like "Jailhouse Rock," and modern romps like "Mamma Mia!" "Not only is there an informative book, written by an expert on film and media, about the iconic and glamorous Hollywood Musicals, but there is also the added bonus of six, full-colored oversized postcards," Andrea Sper, Langenscheidt Publishing Group marketing assistant, told TDmonthly.

Created to entertain and educate preschool children through colorful and lovable live-action puppet characters and animation, the DVD teaches fundamentals such as colors, sizes and shapes with the help of its distinctive characters.
Awards: 2010 Dove Foundation; 2009 KIDS FIRST! Coalition For Quality Children's Media

This 74-minute DVD, featuring six artists with diverse talents and backgrounds, aims to inspire young viewers to make art. Activities use simple materials and techniques for projects including Found Object and 3D Sculptures, Self-Portrait Relief Prints, Abstract Art and Folk Art Paintings, Murals and Stained Glass.

Peggy Flores shows examples of wire sculpture and how creating them teaches students the elements of line, space, and shape. She explores using different types, gauges, and colors of wire and the tools necessary to cut and bend the wire to create a sculpture. She begins by drawing an outline of a subject and plans adding form by bending, sculpting, and cutting the wire. "This product is unique because an art teacher demonstrates the sculpting process and finished examples are shown," said Amy Woodworth of Crystal Productions. Launch date: March 12, 2010.

In this educational video, Peggy Flores explains the use of natural fibers in history and then introduces a variety of yarns that can be used to make weavings, as well as the fabrication of looms for the process. She also demonstrates the weaving process and coiling rope wrapped with yarn to shape and create baskets, after which students will be able to enjoy creating colorful yarn weavings at home on a cardboard or coat hanger loom. "An art teacher demonstrates the weaving process and finished examples are shown," Amy Woodworth, President of Crystal Productions, told TDmonthly. Launch date: Feb. 26, 2010.

Cartoon DVD vignettes on behavioral issues along with a coloring and puzzle book. This set mainly focuses in on valuable lessons for young children such as lending a helping hand, the importance of paying attention, sharing with friends, and being polite.

One of the most beloved family tales of all time comes to life in an enchanting combination of live-action drama and animated adventure. It's the story of a young boy named Toby who is sent by his busy father to spend the holiday season in the home of his stern grandmother. Toby's world instantly changes when he discovers the house's 'magic attic' where three forgotten toys, including a special stuffed rabbit, unlock a world of imagination that will change all their lives forever. The film is directed by Michael Landon, Jr., features the voices of Jane Seymour, Tom Skerritt and Ellen Burstyn, and was produced based on the best-selling book by Margery Williams. Awards: 2009 Dove Family-Approved Seal. "Total sell-through for Christmas 2009 was over 64 percent!" Jennifer Barger, Assistant Brand Manager, Anchor Bay Entertainment, told TDmonthly in spring 2010.

Lewis Cardinal’s First Winter/El primer invierno de Luis, el cardinal, is the first of its kind interactive bilingual (English/Spanish) vdoBug compatible DVD from Raven Tree Press’s interactive bilingual (English/Spanish) children’s book of the same name. With the vdoBug children can read along with the book or simply watch the DVD as the pages come to life in either English or Spanish, watch videos of the animals in the book in their natural habitat, listen to music, print out pictures and color along as well as working crossword puzzles with the English to Spanish vocabulary words in the book. This first of its kind DVD and the vdoBug make it fun and so easy for children to move at their own pace while learning to read in their own as well as a second language.

Mazerella Brother’s Digging for Dinosaurs is a Parents Choice Approved DVD that allows children to pick up a shovel with Professor Fossilworth and search for clues from millions of years ago that will teach them about the time when dinosaurs roamed the earth. This DVD is formatted into 10 chapters and includes a cutout with a picture from each chapter which fits under the vdoBug buttons so children can easily move between chapters or skip to their favorite.

Baby Prodigy, Dookie and Dotties Baby Pre-school is a DVD from the award winning Baby Prodigy series and is an entertaining educational adventure for pre-school age children formatted into 10 chapters to work with the vdoBug. A cutout with a picture from each chapter which fits under the vdoBug buttons is included so children can easily move between chapters or skip to their favorite.

VdoBug is a DVD remote for children which easily programs to the adult DVD player allowing children to move between interactive pages or chapters of our compatible DVDs. Each compatible DVD comes with a picture cutout with a scene from each chapter which fits under the 10 large buttons so children can easily recognize their favorite chapter.