January 2011 Notable Toys — Videos & DVDs

Discover the joy of Spring with these eight sunny episodes. Barney flies a kite with his friends, Fireman Sam has a three legged race, and Thomas races backwards around the Island of Sodor. With episodes from Timmy Time™, Angelina Ballerina™, Barney, Thomas & Friends™, Bob the Builder™, Kipper™, and Roary the Racing Car™. Approximately 65 minutes.

Thomas is bubbling with excitement as he delivers special cargo to the picnic extravaganza.  His friend Percy joins in on the fun for a game of Hide and Seek and Emily goes full steam ahead to cheer on the Sodor soccer team. Join Thomas and his engine friends as they explore the sights and delights of Sodor in these episodes. Episodes include: “Pop Goes Thomas,” “Jitters and Japers,” “Thomas’ Crazy Day,” and “Pingy-Pongy Pick Up.” Total running time is 50 minutes.

The Little Pim Spanish Intro Gift Set includes Spanish DVD eating and drinking (Disc 1), Spanish Bop music CD, Little Pim trilingual board book- Colors or Feelings, and an adorable 9” plush panda, packaged in a handy, reusable Little Pim tote. The DVD introduces 60 Spanish words and phrases for mealtime, and the music CD features songs by Milkshake and Dan Zanes & Friends, stars of the children's music circuit. "Little Pim is the first language immersion product that specializes in introducing foreign languages to babies, toddlers and preschoolers," Ashely Hernandez, Little Pim sales associate, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2012.
Awards: 2012 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval; Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys for 2012; Dr. Toy 10 Best Audio-Visual Toys for 2012; 2012 Tillywig Brain Child Award; 2010 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval; 2008 iParenting Media Award; 2010 Dr. Toy Best Audio Visual Award; 2007 Parent-to-Parent Adding Wisdom Award; 2010 Creative Child Media of the Year Award; 2009 AEP Award.

This new worldwide hit television series is about eager young engines Wilson, Brewster and Koko as they learn to become working trains in the land of Chuggington. In these six episodes, the trainees find fun and excitement as they get lost in a deserted town, handle an important responsibility in the safari park, and discover that the repair shed isn't such a scary place after all. There's plenty of action and laughs along the way with lessons about overcoming fear, responsibility and problem solving, all while discovering social-readiness values like friendship, teamwork, courtesy and more. As the trains practice their skills and complete daily tasks, they learn to ride the rails of life.
— Christine Osborne, co-owner of Wonder Works Toys in Charleston, S.C., said Chuggington was her best-selling licensed line of toys. "It's selling great without a display table set up," she told TDmonthly in late Spring 2011.
— As of 05/13/2011 this product had 4.6 out of 5 stars from 11 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Engaging characters; teaches positive peer interaction; bright and interesting graphics. Cons: Some reviewers wished it had been longer; the theme song is almost too catchy.

Wow! Wow! Love is in the air! Watch Wubbzy, Widget, Walden and Daizy in these Valentine-themed episodes full of friendship and appreciation! What happens when Wubbzy uses Cupid’s bubble-blower to bring together Wuzzleburg's oddest couples? Can Wubbzy and friends find the fastest way ever to make their own valentines?

Story Songs & Sing Alongs DVD contains ten animated music videos featuring cartoon versions of some Debbie and Friends' songs based on classic children's stories and songs, including her adaptations of "Little Red Riding Hood" and "Jack and the Beanstalk," plus original songs like "Willy Won’t" and "Home Run Ronnie."

Timed to release for the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, Black History month, and President’s Day, this collection of four animated stories features celebrity narration by James Earl Jones, Jeff Brooks, and Danny Glover and includes an interview with acclaimed author Nikki Giovanni. Includes: • "The Pilgrims Of Plimoth" (adapted from the story written and illustrated by Marcia Sewall). When the Pilgrims set out for America they brought with them a dream for the future. With hard work they made that dream come true. • "John, Paul, George, & Ben" (adapted from the story written and illustrated by Lane Smith, narrated by James Earl Jones). A humorous and factual history of five lads who grew up to become the Founding Fathers of our nation. • "The Journey of The One & Only Declaration of Independence" (adapted from the story by Judith St. George, illustrated by Will Hillenbrand, narrated by Jeff Brooks). This witty, gritty and factual story tells all about the document that has defined American freedom for more than two centuries. • "Lincoln and Douglass: An American Friendship" (adapted from the story by Nikki Giovanni, illustrated by Bryan Collier, narrated by Danny Glover) The story of an unusual, historic friendship between two great American leaders – Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

Celebrate African American history with this historic and musical collection of four stories on one DVD. Best-selling picture books are lovingly adapted for the small screen, featuring captivating narration by Forest Whitaker, Phylicia Rashad, Samuel L. Jackson and Billy Dee Williams. Stories include: "Duke Ellington" (based on the story by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Bran Pinkney, narrated by Forest Whitaker). A most fitting tribute to a great man who proudly celebrated the history of African-Americans, from slavery to civil rights struggles; "Ellington Was Not a Street" (based on the story by Ntozake Shange, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, narrated by Phylicia Rashad). A poetic tribute about growing up amidst many of the great figures in African American History; "Ella Fitzgerald": The Tale of Vocal Virtuosa (based on the story Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney, narrated by Billy Dee Williams). The dramatic story of how Ella got her sound, on the way to a most remarkable and inspiring career; "John Henry" (based on the story by Julius Lester, illustrated by Brian Pinkney, narrated by Samuel L. Jackson). Based on the famous African-American folk ballad, this story tells of the legendary contest between a spirited man with a hammer and a steam.

The Bannister family – including former K-9 police hero Zeus (voiced by Mario López) – is back, and this time they’re spending their holidays at a beautiful Rocky Mountain resort. But toss in an unexpected visit from cocky Uncle Randy (Casper Van Dien of “Watch Over Me” and The Curse of King Tut’s Tomb) and his foxy poodle Bella (voiced by Paris Hilton) and a familiar pair of bumbling jewel thieves (led by Dean Cain of “Lois & Clark: The New Adventure of Superman” and The Dog Who Saved Christmas) and this holiday may be headed downhill fast! Can Zeus solve the crime, save Bella and hit the slopes, all in time for Christmas Day? Gary Valentine (“King of Queens”) and Elisa Donovan (“Sabrina the Teenage Witch” and Clueless) co-star in the all-new four-legged family adventure!

Shabbat Shalom, Grover! - Grover can’t seem to figure out why everyone is so busy just before a day of rest. Join Grover as he learns all about Shabbat, and sing along to Avigail’s favorite Shabbat song, Bim Bam! Guest appearance by Cedric the Entertainer. R/T: 28 minutes, extras 27 minutes.

This DVD collection includes 17 discs.  Some of the stories included are Goodnight Moon, Corduroy, Good Night Gorilla, The Wheels on the Bus, There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly,  Is Your Mama a Llama?, Giggle Giggle Quack, The Hans Christian Andersen Collection, The James Marshall Fairytale Collection, He's Got the Whole World in His Hands and others.  Run time:  1152 mins.

18 not-so-scary stories in a 3 DVD collection. From the kid-friendly Halloween stories A Very Brave Witch and By the Light of the Halloween Moon, to family favorites The Teacher From the Black Lagoon and Where the Wild Things Are, kids and parents delight watching their favorite books spring to life on DVD.  DVD Features: Getting to Know Maurice Sendak Spanish Version of Where the Wild Things Are; French Version of Where the Wild Things Are Interview with Author Mike Thaler; Interview with Illustrator Jared Lee; Read-Along; Talk About the Stories.  Run time: 175 mins.

Children can laugh along as Pigeon, the befeathered star of the fast-selling book franchise, and other wry Willems’ characters come to life in colorfully and carefully animated video adaptations found on DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! …AND MORE STORIES BY MO WILLEMS. The first-ever DVD featuring three animated adaptations of Willems’ stories is headlined by the title tale, winner of a 2010 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children’s Video. The other two Mo Willems stories on the DVD include Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale (presented both in English and Spanish) and Leonardo, the Terrible Monster, plus the bonus live-action feature Mo and Pigeon Visit a School, in which the author reads his book before an audience of children.

THE RALPH MOUSE COLLECTION from Beverly Cleary, features adaptations of her best-selling stories about everyone’s favorite adventurous, loveable mouse. Packaged in one fun-filled, value-priced 3-disc set, it includes three award-winning literary adaptations: Ralph S. Mouse, which plainly and hilariously answers the question “what happens when you take a mouse to school”, The Mouse and the Motorcycle, based on her Peabody Award-winning book adds more thrills, chills and spills to Ralph’s hilarious canon and Runanway Ralph, the third installment of Cleary’s classic mouse adventures that sees Ralph getting his wish to live “a life of speed and danger and excitement”!

THE WHEELS ON THE BUS SING-ALONG TRAVEL KIT, awarded a prestigious 2010 NAPPA Gold Award, contains two musical DVDs featuring 15 animated literary classics including Paul O. Zelinsky’s lively Wheels on the Bus with an unforgettable score by The Bacon Brothers and Cyndi Lauper’s There Was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly, a CD with 13 sing-along songs, a 34-page activity booklet loaded with games and activities.  It's packaged in a colorful and portable travel case with a handle, and also turns into a fun-filled, go-anywhere mini-suitcase for kids!

“Dinosaur Train” continues to capture the fascination that preschoolers have with dinosaurs and trains in the new-to-DVD release, Dinosaurs in the Snow. Get on board the learning adventure as Buddy travels to the North Pole, explores nocturnal animals, becomes a detective, celebrates his birthday, and more. The set includes eight fun and educational adventures, an interactive game, coloring pages, a dinosaur reference guide, and parent information.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010

This is a 30-minute interactive DVD and activity book. Children will enjoy the animated characters, Otto, Blink, and Casey on their adventures as they visit all the real sights and sounds of New York City, while singing along to original music and
learning age appropriate concepts and themes. Each DVD comes packaged with a 36-page activity book that gives parents and children creative ideas on how to explore New York City together and enrich their experience.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010

Geared toward growing preschoolers, Juno Jr. expands on the Emmy Award-winning Juno Baby line with beautiful, original, orchestral music, rich story lines and a deep emphasis on music education and appreciation. Join Juno and her brother, Rai Rai, as they take an adventure to the imaginary, magical, musical world of Harmonia Springs. Bonus Interactive Feature: Language Flash Cards; Let's Interact. For every product sold, the Juno Company donates a music education DVD to a child in need.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010

ATP Electronics has partnered with Sesame Street to bring educational media into an exciting and dynamically new format – full-length Sesame Street home videos on character USB drives. The collection of Sesame Street characters offers an easily accessible and exciting new way to watch video and store photographs, music, and
documents — all on the same drive!  Characters include Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Ernie, Abby Cadabby, Grover and the Sesame Street sign.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010, 2010 Most Innovative Flash Memory Customer Implementation Award, 2010 Gold Mom's Choice Award - Electronic Learning, 2010 Dr. Toy's Ten Best High Tech Products.

The Little Pim Spanish Deluxe Gift Set includes DVDs 1, 2, and 3 in Spanish, Little Pim Spanish Bop music CD, Spanish Word and Phrase Cards, and an 8” plush panda packaged in a clear reusable tote. Themes include eating and drinking (Disc 1), wake up smiling (Disc 2), and playtime (Disc 3). Each DVD has a run time of 35 minutes, presented in seven short episodes to keep young minds engaged.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010

Join Wubbzy as he blasts off on the ultimate outer space adventure! What happens when Wubbzy thinks aliens are coming to Wuzzleburg? Why is Widget building a huge television with 30 different screens? How far will friends go to wake up The Man In The Moon? It’s an all-new collection of way-out Wubbzy favorites featuring spacemen, superheroes, rocket racers and even a visit from The Tooth Fairy!