October 2009 New Specialty Toys — Videos & DVDs

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.

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.

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.

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.

An enthralling tale of genius and unbounded creativity.  Discover the world of Mozart's time … what life was like for this brilliant musician, both personally and professionally.  His astonishingly prolific and creative works defined the Classical era of European music.  Hear Mozart's music as performed by master pianist Dennis Kobray, and watch as this historically accurate, motivational and inspirational tale unfolds.

An inspiring tale of courage and perseverance. In the wake of the French Revolution, Beethoven redefined the role of the musician from servant to artist.  His stormy and passionate music clearly mirrors both the joys and struggles of this deaf genius. Dennis Kobray portrays the essence of the man and his music with both dynamic piano performance and insight.
— Educators have praised Kobray’s live performances at schools for his musicality and ability to entertain a wide range of ages, as well as the historical context of his programs. “Holding the attention of our kindergarteners through eighth graders can be challenging,” wrote an elementary school music teacher in Bloomsbury, N.Y., “but it was obvious that everyone was captivated by your fascinating storytelling and enthusiasm for the music and messages.” Aaron Green, who reviewed the “Bach” and “Gershwin” DVDs for About.com, found them worthy of 5 of out 5 stars. He praised the high-quality production and “highly entertaining and informative” nature of the episodes. The series provides a good intro to music and history, he said; however, viewers may need to know some basic theory to grasp certain concepts.

An extraordinary story of a genius whose music helped to break down racial barriers. In 1974, audiences for the film The Sting left theaters humming the effervescent music of Scott Joplin.  A love of ragtime, revived in the mid-70s, continues to this day.  Discover what life was like for an African-American musician at the turn of the twentieth century.  Dennis Kobray portrays a friend and fan of Scott Joplin, whose Maple Leaf Rag and The Entertainer earned him the title of the "King of Ragtime."

A story of success achieved through the "fascinating rhythms" and melodies of this brilliant composer. George Gershwin was the epitome of the American success story.  The son of immigrants, this self-taught icon of music was raised on the streets of New York.  He grew up to write music that captured the American spirit.  Who among us does not recognize Rhapsody in Blue, I Got Rhythm, or Swanee?  These beloved songs are performed by Dennis Kobray in this dynamic portrayal of one of America's most treasured musicians.

A monumental miracle in music, bridging the past & future. The viewer meets Johann Sebastian Bach who was the personification of the Baroque style - a music that was complex and highly embellished.  Bach drew from many sources and produced a vast body of work, steeped in the flavor of the period, yet belonging to all time.  Dennis Kobray brings this magnificent eighteenth century composer to life with exuberant performances of Bach's masterpieces on the clavichord, harpsichord and grand piano.

This germ education product for toddlers and preschoolers is designed so that kids quickly go from not knowing they are spreading germs to being equipped with the knowledge of what they can do to stop the spread of germs and illness. "Many in the medical community advocate teaching children the three keys to illness prevention: keeping germs from your face, wash your hands, and cough and sneeze into your elbow. Germy Wormy Germ Smart for Kids does the teaching for you!" Margaret Back, president of Back Enterprises LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2009.

This kit includes the Little Yogis DVD, the Little Yogis Eco Mat, which is colorful, durable and free from phthalates, phenols, dioxins, and furans; a cartoon yoga poster with 21 poses; a handy tote bag made from recycled materials; and silly cartoon stickers. The DVD has received the following awards: Film Advisory Board Award of Excellence, Parent's Choice, Dr Toy, and Dove. Launch date: April 2009.