The Newsstand - KIDS FIRST! News 2007

Summer vacation is here (for some of you, at least). Are you ready for the beach? I am. Despite the fact that those of us in NY still have three -to-four weeks of school remaining, we are already finalizing our summer plans. Between camping and friends visiting and our own travels to relatives, we're going to be pretty busy. There's nothing quite like an eight hour road trip with a load of children. Our three boys are awesome and tend to be good travelers, but the rides get long, even for them. In this issue we are going to highlight some DVD titles that will keep your children entertained while on the road, and the very same titles can promote interactive family activities. Check them out in my article below.

This is an exciting couple of weeks. Not only does summer vacation start, but it's Father's Day as well. Happy Father's Day to all you fabulous daddys out there! Not only do I have a terrific mother and mother-in-law, I am super fortunate to have the world's best father and father-in-law, also. How lucky am I? As I think about these great men, I like to think about how fathers are portrayed in media. There are some great role models out there! What better relationship could you ask for than Opie and Andy Griffith? Or Caillou with his caring dad? Or even Larry in "Night at the Museum," who goes a lot of craziness to prove to his son that he is a good dad. Wherever you are, don't forget to celebrate the great men in your life, and enjoy the excitement of school letting out.

Christine Pollock, Editor

Don't forget to bookmark Ranny's blog for her take on current media events, and give us your own opinions!

KIDS FIRST! WEB STORE FEATURES
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Open your child's window to the world with quality media educates, inspires and entertains. The KIDS FIRST! Web Store offers you the opportunity to customize your family movie library with confidence through its blend of studio and independent titles. Search by age or interest and find out what child professionals and kids themselves have to say about the titles you choose.

Harry the Dirty Dog, and More Terrific Tales. Running from dreaded bath time, Harry the mutt gets caked in mud. But the question is, will his family recognize him in this Gene Zion's classic, which headlines this special collection of doggie tails. By Gene Zion; Illustrator - Margaret Bloy Graham. KIDS FIRST!™ Adult Juror Comments: Fine family viewing. Interesting mix of video with still photography and different kinds of artwork and illustrations. Unique way to teach safety rules. Especially good for animal lovers. "A great DVD to show kids about art and different mediums." KIDS FIRST!™ KID Juror Comments: Liked all the animals. "I like the dogs and ducks. Gloria the dog did funny tricks." "The dog was nice to the policeman and the ducks were angry." "I LOVED the policeman story." Tended to lose interest after first two stories. "I want to get a dog." DVD. 60 mins. Ages: two to five. New Video Group, Inc.

Wai Lana's Little Yogis, Vol. 1. Introduces the whole family to yoga. Kids stretch and strengthen their growing bodies, sharpen their minds and improve their balance and coordination. These are healthy habits with life long benefits. KIDS FIRST!™ Adult Juror Comments: Very imaginative, relaxing, and fun! Addresses breathing and physiology. Well organized, flows well. Short segments good for this age. Adults enjoyed participating as well. Narrator's voice annoyed some. Simple production. Beautiful Hawaiian setting. KIDS FIRST!™ KID Juror Comments: Fun. "I like to exercise. It's good for your body." "I liked the animal stretches; the beetle & butterfly were my favorites." "I like the songs, especially the snake one." "It's a little slow." DVD. 30 mins. Ages: five to eight. Wai Lana Productions.

ANN'S AVENUES
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KIDS FIRST! Film Festivals are held all over the country, so when the Desert Montessori School in Santa Fe asked us if we could provide programming for a fundraising event for the school, we were thrilled. Last Saturday and Sunday at The Film Center in Santa Fe, we joined the families for a day of great shorts collections and a feature film at the First Annual Santa Fe Family Film Festival. All proceeds from Saturday's screening went to the school and aided the scholarship fund and helped with the capital campaign.

Families of the school and local sponsors purchased tickets for a special screening of "Night at the Museum" on Sunday. The tickets were distributed free of charge through United Way's Agua Fria Children's Zone and the Esperanza Shelter.

From 10 a.m. to 11:30 A.M. on Saturday, the festival programmed for young children with a focus on literature and science. "Paz," "Pete's a Pizza," "Reading to Your Bunny" and other shorts entertained both young learners and their parents. From 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., the shorts collection for older kids (and parents) included "Going to School in India," "Roberto the Insect Architect," "A Stormy Night," "Moon Girl" and other great selections. Saturday night was family night, with a special screening of "Night at the Museum" followed by dinner and silent auction.

If you couldn't join us in Santa Fe this weekend, this could be an idea for a fundraiser for your school or community center.

If you know of another great location that should be screening KIDS FIRST! titles, drop me an email, and I will send you a free copy of my latest favorite KIDS FIRST! festival title.

Ann Church

SELECTIONS FROM KIDS FIRST! FILM FESTIVAL
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The KIDS FIRST! Film Festival is a showcase for new and classic children's films from studios, independent producers and youth producers worldwide that exemplify qualify media for children. The Festival travels year round and is hosted locally by more than 100 different venues including established film festivals, art and children's museums, nonprofit film centers, libraries, schools and local organizations. Venues include: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Newport Beach Film Festival, Avalon Theater in Washington D.C., Belcourt Theater, Brooklyn Children's Museum, Denver Film Society and Starz Denver International Film Festival, Film Center at the Cinema Cafe. To find out what is being played in a venue near you, visit this link . For a complete list of all Festival titles currently being shown, visit here.

"Prehistoric Park" 48 mins.
Nigel is sent to rescue dinosaurs for the Prehistoric Park. He must bring them back to the present day before the very meteor that brought about the extinction of the dinosaurs collides with Earth. Ages 8-12. BCI.

"Fabulously Fit Moms: Total Body Workout" 45 mins.
Tighten and tone from head to toe in as little as thirty minutes with this fat-burning and conditioning workout designed to provide perfect balance of muscle and curves. Combining Fusion based conditioning with cardio and strength training moves. Providing new ways for Mom and her kids to exercise together. Age: Adult. Koch Vision.

"Paz: Three New Episodes" 24 mins.
"Some of My Best Friends are Carrots," "Spring has Sprung," "The Big Egg." Offers a stimulating mix of live-action puppetry and whimsical animation. Each episode revolves around the everyday adventures of five-year-old penguin Paz, his mom, his grandfather, and his friends Rabbit, Dog and Pig. Includes three episodes: In "Spring Has Sprung," Paz attempts to give a spring present to his mom. In "The Big Egg," the gang discovers a mysterious object. In "Some of My Best Friends are Carrots," Paz helps Rabbit look after her little sister. Ages 2-5. Discovery Kids.

NEW AND RENEWING MEMBERS
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Busy Bee Dog Productions. The Busy Bee Dogs are a group of dogs who "live to entertain" through live trick dog performances and children's DVD's.

Papa fix-It Enterprises LLC is the creator of a children’s series uniquely produced around real life projects with a bit of animation for fun and topped off with a surprise ending. The series is full of adventure; it is interactive, family friendly, and multicultural.  It is value based in that it teaches such attitudes about accepting challenge, working together, respect for each other, that it pays to keep trying, and more. 

MEMBER NEWS
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KIDS FIRST! Award-Winner Helps Families With Autistic Children
Half the customers of the Baby Gourmet and Food Safari video series mention autism when they place their orders. The producers regularly get feedback from families reporting that all the videos are helping autistic kids get over the aversion to texture of food and eat many more new foods.

Kudos to the creators and producers! Dave & Augie Sneak Peek
Check out this sneak peak at the re-issue of their Statue of Liberty video! Click the link.

DIC Entertainment Becomes Exclusive Licensing Agent for "Eloise"
The initial Eloise merchandise is slated to rollout in spring 2008, which will coincide with the release of HandMade's new live-action feature film, "Eloise in Paris" in 2008.  Additionally, a Broadway show is in development. 

MEDIA NEWS AND CONTESTS
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Pirates of Music and Movie Illegal Downloading Get More Than Just Entertainment
The Department of Commerce's United States Patent and Trademark Office report reveals that at least four of the (P-2-P filesharing) programs analyzed have deployed partial-uninstall features: If users uninstall one of these programs from their computers, the process will leave behind a file that will cause any subsequent installation of any version of the same program to share all folders shared by the "uninstalled" copy of the program. Full Report.

Amazon.com Wants Kids
Their user-submitted video contest will promote the July 21 release of "Harry Potter and Deathly Hollows" where young Muggles can upload testimonials of their enthusiasm for the series that comes to an end with the release of the novel. A selection of the first 1,000 videos submitted by June 1 will be shown on Amazon.com.

FAMILY AND PARENTING NEWS
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Banned Sales on Violent Video Games to Minors Bill Passes
The NY state bill, will go on to the State Assembly and then to Governor Eliot Spitzer, who would make it law in the State of NY.  Similar to the tune we have heard in other states, if the bill becomes law, each game sold in NY would be required to have a sticker with the game's rating on it, and an advisory council would be established to review the Entertainment Software Ratings Board's video game rating system, additionally a parent/teacher anti-violence awareness program would be developed. Full Article.  

Free Movies for Kids and Adults
AMC Theaters Launches AMC Summer Movie Camp. Each Wednesday June 27-August 15, 2007 (except July 4) at 10a participating AMC movie theaters across 39 US markets will feature free G and PG-rated movies.  Individual ticket purchases available up to a week in advance and group reservations (25+) available a week out at 120 locations.  More information about the program and a list of participating theatres can be found on this site.

FEATURE ARTICLE
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DVDs for Summer Travel
by Christine Pollock

School’s out! The water is beckoning, the kids are excited, and you’re ready to hit the road for summer adventures. If you’re like many parents (myself included), you have discovered that it’s handy to have a DVD or two packed with you on your road trip. Does that mean you are wussing out in the parenting department and letting your kids turn into couch potatoes? No way! KIDS FIRST! offers some great titles for all ages, which will entertain your family in the car and hotel, and will also get you moving and exploring. What does your preschooler know about caring for the earth? In “It's a Big Big World: The Earth Needs You,” join in the adventures of Snook, the charismatic sloth who lives in the World Tree with his colorful animal friends. They investigate the world around them and discover how different things live, grow and change. As you travel, help clean up litter and talk about protecting sand dunes and keeping forests pure. Other activity suggestions for this film can be found on our craft page. Helping save the world can give the family a lot to talk about.

I’ve heard parents say that some of their best discussions happen in a car, when everyone is confined in a small area for a long time. Watching a film such as “Clifford: Big Fun in the Sun” can provide hours of entertainment with viewing and discussion for preschoolers and young school-age children. In this particular film, our favorite big red dog deals with common problems that children face -- from friendship to ethics such as lying. Parents can talk with their kids and guide them through the maze of life’s social interactions. When the car trip is over, get ready for your own fun in the sun! Then again, if you want to get out of the sun, or if it’s raining, perhaps you might want to hit some museums. Before you go, grab some popcorn and watch the funny flick, “Night At The Museum” (recommended for ages 8-12).

Ben Stiller leads an all-star cast, including Robin Williams, in this hilarious blockbuster hit. When Larry Daley (Stiller) is hired as museum night watchman, he soon discovers that all the exhibits come to life after the sun sets. Suddenly, Larry finds himself face to face with frisky T-Rex skeleton, tiny armies of Romans and cowboys, and a mischievous monkey who taunts him to the breaking point. But Larry may just figure out a way to control the chaos and become a hero in his son's eyes. When you pick a museum to go to with your own children, let your imaginations run wild and think about what you might encounter if the exhibits came to life.

If your children are older, they might be ready to reach out a bit socially. As you travel to different places, absorb the culture around. What do you appreciate? What needs can be addressed? Many youth from our local community go to other countries on their summer break to help underdeveloped nations by building houses and distributing food. Many are inspired by films such as “Emmanuel’s Gift.” Narrated by Oprah Winfrey, “Emmanuel's Gift” tells the story of a disabled orphan in Ghana, West Africa, whose father abandoned him, village dismissed him, and country thought him better off dead. This is the true story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, who had nothing, but gave everything--and changed a nation forever.

No matter what their age, film can enhance the summer vacation (and even give parents a well-deserved break). These films broaden children’s experiences and stimulate family interaction. We at KIDS FIRST! hope you enjoy your travels and these titles. Some more recommendations are as follows:

Age: Adult
“Fabulously Fit Moms: Total Body Workout”

Ages 2-5
Get Up and Groove with the Doodlebops
Thomas & Friends: Trusty Friends
Angelina Ballerina: Angelina Follows Her Dream

Ages 5-8
Barbie Fairytopia: The Magic of the Rainbow
Jollybean Kids Mystery
The Wright Brothers
Eloise Goes to School 
           
Ages 5-12
Jungle Book: Tikki Tikki Tavi to the Rescue
Happily N'Ever After
Charlotte's Web
Prehistoric Park: T Rex Returns (Episode 1)
The Sandlot: Heading Home

Ages 12-18
Animusic I
Nobelity
Aquamarine

CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES
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Mouse Pad for Dad. Idea from DIY Network Expert Cat Wei, host of “Material Girls.”

Is Dad constantly working? Make him a cool mousepad for his computer by blowing up your favorite family picture and laminating it.  Then make him laugh by using dry erase pens to give him or your little brother a moustache. Or make a larger version as a dry erase board for phone messages or notes.

For other craft/activity ideas, go to our craft index.

EVENTS
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June 18-22 - Mad River Valley, Vt."Media Literacy Education to Create 21st Century Media-Savvy Kids and Classrooms!" emphasizes combining advanced media education pedagogy with skills and exciting “new media. Information. June 20 - 21 - Centerville, OH."Putting New Literacies Into Action In K-12 Classrooms." This two-day workshop by Dr. William Kist & Frank W. Baker includes: Blogging Across the Curriculum, Non print Response Activities, Multi genre Research Projects, Assessing New Literacies and Standards and New Literacies. Information at this link.

June 23 - 27 - St. Louis, MO."iPods, Blogs and Beyond: Evolving Media Literacy for the 21st Century." The biannual National Media Education Conference (NMEC), hosted by the Alliance for a Media Literate America, is the largest, oldest and most comprehensive professional conference for teachers, academics, youth advocates, health professionals and media activists to learn about media literacy education. Details.

July 2 - August 30 - Hollywood, CA. The International Family Film Festival Presents the FreshiFilm Camp and FreshiFilm and Screenplay Festival this summer. Application information or call for information at 661-257-3131 Patte Dee McKee or 661-993-3152 Kim Turney.

July 9 - 13 - Ithaca, NY. Project Look Sharp is offering a 5-day intensive media literacy workshop includes both the theory of media literacy and hands-on practice with digital/computer technology (Mac-based). More.

SPECIAL OFFERS
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KIDS FIRST! Cares
Through the combined efforts of Corporations for Character, KIDS FIRST! , and your generous donation, we can fulfill our mission to provide positive, encouraging movies into each of more than one million children's hospital beds. This effort will provide entertainment for children while they are confined in a hospital. To support KIDS FIRST! Cares, go to www.kidsfirstcares.org. All credit card transactions are secure.

SUPPORT THE COALITION
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Become a Member - If you've found our e-zine and web site helpful, please consider becoming a member of KIDS FIRST! By doing so, your contribution helps help underwrite the various projects of this organization. The Coalition relies on the generous support of its members and donors to support its programs. An individual/family membership is only $25/year. An organizational membership is $100/year. An independent producer membership is $200. To join, visit our site or contact our office at 505.989.8076. KIDS FIRST! Travel Site - Support KIDS FIRST! by booking your travel on our travel website. Prices compare with those of Travelocity and KIDS FIRST! earns a commission on any travel booked here. What a great way to support a nonprofit without having to write a check. Become an Affiliate of the KIDS FIRST! Web Store - By linking with our online store which sells films from our independent producers, you can earn a commission off of each sale.

VISIT OUR MEMBERS' SITES
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Support our members. Visit their sites by visiting our members' page.

ABOUT CQCM AND KIDS FIRST!
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The Coalition for Quality Children's Media is a national, nonprofit organization founded in 1991 whose mission is to teach children critical viewing skills and to increase the visibility and availability of quality children's media. More.

Our Ratings:

*** = Titles receiving the highest scores are given a three-star rating. ** = Titles that meet or exceed the criteria receive a two-star rating. * = Titles that meet the baseline criteria but require some extra consideration on the part of the viewer receive a one-star rating.

Coalition for Quality Children's Media, 112 W. San Francisco St. , Suite 305A, Santa Fe, NM 87501.