Watch Kids' Reviews of
STORIES ABOUT THE EARTH

Big hit with the kids. "Thank you for the movie mommy, I liked it a lot." "I liked when Alice sat on her grandfather's lap." "My favorite part was when Alice grew up and was planting the lupines." Kids hummed along to the piano music. They discussed what faraway place they would like to travel to, what they would do to make the world more beautiful and what they would like to plant. They imagined what it would be like to travel, like Johnny Appleseed, alone and in the wilderness. Kids enjoyed following the activities on the on-disc learning guide. "We learned a lot from this."

This simple story about two remarkable characters will give children some worthwhile ideals to consider. Gently and clearly conveys stories with accompanying music and art that fit the period and theme of the individual stories. The poem about Johnny Appleseed includes many of the wonderful characteristics of his life that made him an American legend. The second short, "Miss Rumphius" is based on the true life actions of 'The Lupine Lady,' Miss Hilda Hamlin. Its sentiment that "you must do something to make the world more beautiful" is a wonderful and embraceable idea. Both stories tell about a person who has thoughtfully made a contribution of beauty to our country. Both follow a life cycle from childhood to adulthood. The poetry and music of Johnny Appleseed is somewhat folksy with the sounds of apples crunching, wagon wheels rolling, birds flying and the campfire crackling. Violins and piano music transport us to a later time and place, changing in tempo as Miss Rhumbhius lives out her life amid the sounds of a pat's purr, a car engine and children playing. "There is a sparkle on the ocean and the lupines blow in the wind."

Includes 2 shorts: "Johnny Appleseed" - John Chapman's (aka Johnny Appleseed) legacy of botanical achievements and the stories he shared with children are presented here at their very best in verse and art. Narrated by Mary McDonnell, with music by Randy Scruggs (11min.); and "Miss Rumphius" - Inspired by a true-life story, Miss Rumphius shows us how we can all make the word a more beautiful place with a simple handful of seeds. Narrated by Clair Danes, with music by John Jennings (17 min.)