Kids Go! Picture Book and DVD by They Might Be Giants
Simon & Schuster; Har/DVD edition (November 3, 2009)
Ages: 4+
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
We LOVE They Might Be Giants. Love. Love. Love. Not only have they promoted our deep and spiritual admiration for conifers, the letter E and aspiring to be mathletes, they now want us to get up off of the couch. And, you know what? Their song rocked us so hard that we can’t stop dancing. TMBG have a great way with lyrics and beats, and they are also smart enough to have an ace illustrator and a genius video producer. They are the total kid music package all wrapped up in a monkey barrel of fun.

Buy this book on Amazon.com

LeapFrog: Learning DVD Set
Lions Gate
Release Date: November 3, 2009
Ages: 3-6
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
Kids flock to the LeapFrog DVDs which are appropriate for ages 3-6. These engaging DVDs keep the wee ones entertained and teach them a basic concept or two at the same time.

Buy this DVD on Amazon.com

Here Comes Science CD/DVD - They Might Be Giants
Disney Sound - September 22, 2009
Cautions: None
Ages: 5-12

Kiwi Magazine Review:
My daughter learned her alphabet and at least 20 country names thanks to They Might Be Giants, so, as a parent, I am completely comfortable with my elementary-school child learning a few things about science with this adorkable band. I adored them in the 80s before they launched into kid music, and now I embrace them as a parent. The music is not that patsy twangy stuff; it’s genuine rock with talented artists creating the rhythm. Seriously, if you pulled up to my car at a light and I was rocking out to TMBG, you would never realize it was kid music until you heard the word paleontologist. Warning: after my kid fell in love with the C is for Conifers song, we had to plant about a dozen trees. So, prepare for some excavations and experimentation.  If you buy one TMBG CDs, you are going to go back for all of the others.

Buy this CD on Amazon.com

Mad Monster Party (1968)
Starring: Boris Karloff, Allen Swift, Gale Garnett, Phyllis Diller, Ethel Ennis
Lions Gate: September 8, 2009
Cautions: Slightly scary

Kiwi Magazine Review:
Although animation and special effects today are out of this world, I believe some of the best story lines and characters were developed decades ago. Perhaps it’s just melancholy, but the Heat Mizer and Land of Misfit Toys have a special place in my heart. In this genre is this wonderful re-release of Mad Monster Party featuring Boris Karloff. It’s a must see just for the style of animation and characters.

Buy this DVD on Amazon.com

Leapfrog: LET’S GO TO SCHOOL DVD

LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. 2009
Ages: 3-6
Website: www.leapfrog.com
Cautions: None

Watch an exclusive Kiwi Magazine preview here:
clip-1-abcs-song-h264

Kiwi Magazine Review:
Let’s face it: parents and kids both have jitters about starting school. I know I do. The bus alone is giving me pause! But, Tad, Lilly and Edison put our minds at ease with a classroom tour and many amazing activities. The real test will be at the end of August when the big yellow bus pulls up. The DVD is fun and upbeat, and delivers some great basic lessons to kick off a great school year. Pencils up!

Buy this DVD on Amazon.com

SYNOPSIS
School starts tomorrow, and Tad and Lily are nervous! Join Tad, Lily and their magical firefly Edison as he gives them a tour of the classroom and shows them that the classroom is more nervous than they are! As the twins reassure the blocks, globe, clock and more talking “teachers,” they learn key lessons about phonics, counting, days of the week and animals.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES

5 Sing-along songs
Interactive alphabet book
A sneak peek at Math Adventure to the Moon

Congratulations to Annie for winning this DVD!

From BBC Video comes Planet Earth - The Complete Series (DVD)

With an unprecedented production budget of $25 million, and from the makers of Blue Planet: Seas of Life, comes the epic story of life on Earth. Five years in production, over 2,000 days in the field, using 40 cameramen filming across 200 locations, shot entirely in high definition, this is the ultimate portrait of our planet. A stunning television experience that captures rare action, impossible locations and intimate moments with our planet’s best-loved, wildest and most elusive creatures. From the highest mountains to the deepest rivers, this blockbuster series takes you on an unforgettable journey through the daily struggle for survival in Earth’s most extreme habitats. Planet Earth takes you to places you have never seen before, to experience sights and sounds you may never experience anywhere else.

Planet Earth DVD Game

You live here…but how much do you really know about the Planet Earth? Watch spectacular footage from the epic documentary, answer the questions, and complete the puzzles to save our Planet Earth. Travel to never before seen places, witness amazing sights, and meet the world’s most elusive creatures…all while trying to save Planet Earth. Challenge your family and friends with a unique cooperative game play aspect. Educational and fun for the entire family. The Planet Earth DVD Board game is made with 90% post-consumer recyclable material. Specialty Only version comes in embossed tin with a bonus card game included!

Buy this DVD on Amazon.com

Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! A Tale of Tails DVD
Anchor Bay - September 23, 2008
Ages 3-6
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
We love Wubbzy, particularly that multifunctional tail and his rocking theme song. But there is one more great reason to love Wubbzy - Wubbzy supports preschool gardening! Wubbzy and the NGA developed and administered a grant award program called the “Wuzzleburg Preschool Garden Award” for preschool organizations. Each award package included $1,000.00 worth of gardening products for kids. Way to go, Wubbzy!

Product Description:
Meet Wubbzy! He’s a fun, lovable, curious little guy who is always looking to have a good time with his best friends Widget and Walden in the wacky town of Wuzzleburg. Together they discover the importance of open-mindedness, honesty and friendship all while having fun. Join Wubbzy and his friends as they work together to resolve everyday problems in these fun-filled episodes. Watch as Wubbzy helps rescue Polly-Parrot, Widget builds a turbo-rocket to win a race and they all learn that being different is what makes them so special.

Buy this DVD on Amazon.com

Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!: A Little Help from My Friends DVD
Anchor Bay Entertainment - February 3, 2009
Ages 3-6
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
Who is this little yellow creature with the crazy tail? It’s Wubbzy, who has the greatest theme song of any character in recent history (seriously - you’ll be singing it in the shower!) Wubbzy and friends teach basic values like team work, friendship and sports-wubb-ship. 

Product Description
Join Wubbzy, Widget and Walden in Wuzzleburg in this fun, fun, fun collection of 8 episodes! Friendship takes center stage as Wubbzy and his pals search for a lost Wiggle Wrench, escape a runaway Doodleberry Cake, build a Super Robot, teach Walden to boogie and work hard for Wuzzleburg trophies. Together they discover the importance of positive values like confidence, cooperation, team work and above all , the meaning of friendship. There’s hours of singing, dancing, laughing and learning in this Emmy award winning series that will have preschool kids and parents alike saying WOW!

Buy this book on Amazon.com

Yo Gabba Gabba!: New Friends DVD
Nickelodeon: April 7, 2009
Ages 4-8
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
Ok. Jack Black dressed as DJ Lance Rock. I am nearly speechless, although I let out a giant squeal when Jack appeared in orange from head to toe. Fans of Yo Gabba Gabba are going to be delighted with this new DVD. And, if you haven’t seen the show yet, this DVD is a great introduction.

Buy this DVD on Amazon.com

Sesame Street - Follow That Bird - 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (DVD)
Releases 3/24/2009
Cautions: None
Ages: Preschoolers and up

Kiwi Magazine Description:
We were just discussing exactly what kind of bird Big Bird might be. He’s got the shape of a duck, feet like a chicken, color of a Goldfinch…what is he? Well, he’s lovable, adorable and great with kids, so we love him regardless! As usual, Sesame Street delivers another great story about home, love and friendship.

Producer’s Description:
Big Bird leaves Sesame Street to live with an “adopted feathered family,” but gets homesick and decides to return to his old pals.

Buy this DVD on Amazon.com