The Newsstand - KIDS FIRST! News 2006 - What's Hot

Welcome to KIDS FIRST!® NEWS. All articles are by Coalition for Quality Children's Media unless otherwise noted.

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year! I love this fresh start. The mystery of what might come to be is so exhilarating. Last year KIDS FIRST!® grew in major leaps and bounds. Right before I headed to work today, my son was watching the debut of It's a Big, Big World! I watched a few minutes of it before I headed out, and was drawn in by the catchy music and beautiful artwork. I taped it so I can watch it all later.

As always, I welcome your input. If you have comments on titles we have endorsed; notices of awards, publications, and products; or suggestions for articles...drop me at line at Chris

Christine Pollock, Editor
Contact Me

Dear Readers,

Happy New Year!

Below, I've repeated information about our Web Store's Grab Bag offer from our Dec. 20 newsletter. Many of our readers didn't receive it because our spam rating was so high. As not-so-savvy Internet marketers, we didn't realize that using colorful type and capital letters would get us such a high spam rating that only a third of our readers received it. Our apologies to you. I invite you to visit http://www.kidsfirst.org/nl/news0512b.htm for our end-of-the-year news.

As Chris alluded, KIDS FIRST!®'s accomplishments this year were outstanding. We will post our annual report later this month and invite you to take a peek and share our moment of reminiscing. We'll give you the web site address in our late January newsletter.

Please read below about the fabulous new titles we're showcasing in our first quarter KIDS FIRST!® Film and Video Festivals. Be sure to check our venue list to find one close to you. Remember, many of our venue partners have on-going events - monthly, weekly, and even daily - in addition to their annual festivals. Be sure to read about our newly endorsed titles, many of which are now offered for sale in our web store. And, be sure to read Chris's article about PBS. In these days of questionable government support for PBS, all of us who are fans want to be sure to keep our congressional leaders apprised of our concern about its survival. Chris's article reminds us why we are such PBS fans.

From all of us to all of you, best wishes for 2006. May it be filled with love, prosperity, and good times with your loved ones.

Much love,

Ranny Levy
Founder and President, KIDS FIRST!

ONLINE JUROR TRAINING PROGRAM

To keep up with the fast-paced growth at KIDS FIRST!®, we offer juror training online. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a KIDS FIRST!® juror, now's a great time to get started. There is a minimal $40 fee for the training. Jurors keep the titles they review and approve. What a wonderful way for teachers, librarians, parents, daycare providers and others involved with children to help KIDS FIRST!® while building their own quality media library. To register or get more information, please click here.

KIDS FIRST!® WEB STORE FEATURES
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GRAB BAG OF VHS TAPES FOR AGES 2-5
Running Time:100 minutes KIDS FIRST!® Juror Recommended Age:Ages 2 - 5
Category: Educational/Instructional
Media: VIDEO Distributor: COALITION FOR QUALITY CHILDREN'S MEDIA
Description: This grab bag assortment of vhs tapes is worth at least twice the purchase price at MSRP. All titles are KIDS FIRST!® endorsed, recommended for ages 2-5, and are sure to be a hit with your kids. We are discontinuing all VHS tapes which is why we're offering you this grab bag assortment for this Holiday Season. Price: SPECIAL HOLIDAY SALE $19.95 (MSRP $26.60). Purchase

GRAB BAG OF VHS TAPES FOR AGES 5-12
Running Time:100 minutes KIDS FIRST!® Juror Recommended Age:Ages 5 - 12 Category: Educational/Instructional Media: VIDEO Distributor: COALITION FOR QUALITY CHILDREN'S MEDIA.
Description: This grab bag assortment of vhs tapes is worth at least twice the purchase price at MSRP. All titles are KIDS FIRST!® endorsed, recommended for ages 5-12, and are sure to be a hit with your kids. We are discontinuing all VHS tapes which is why we're offering you this grab bag assortment for this Holiday Season. Price: SPECIAL HOLIDAY SALE $19.95 (MSRP $26.60). Purchase

THE SNOW QUEEN - STORIES TO REMEMBER DVD
Running Time:30 minutes KIDS FIRST!® Juror Recommended Age:Ages 5 - 12
Category: Educational/Instructional STORIES TO REMEMBER series
Media: DVD Distributor: LIGHTYEAR ENTERTAINMENT
Description: Powerful tale follows a young girl's quest to rescue her playmate from the icy palace of the Snow Queen. Based on the Hans Christian Anderson folktale. Narrated by Sigourney Weaver. Music by Jason Miles. Price: SPECIAL HOLIDAY SALE $11.23 (MSRP $14.98). Purchase


THE WHEELS ON THE BUS VIDEO: MANGO HELPS THE MOON MOUSE
Running Time:38 minutes KIDS FIRST!® Juror Recommended Age:Ages 2 - 5
Category: Educational/Instructional WHEELS ON THE BUS VIDEO, THE series. Media: DVD Distributor: ARMSTRONG MOVING PICTURES
Description: Through the use of live action, animation, puppetry and animatronics, characters undertake a musical adventure to a reptile show, a bird show, a grocery store and even the moon. Along the way, they learn some early socialization skills. Price: SPECIAL HOLIDAY SALE $9.74 (MSRP $12.99). Purchase

NEW ENDORSEMENTS ********************************

More New Endorsements can be found at http://www.cqcm.org/kidsfirst/html/newendorsements.htm

*** = Titles receiving the highest scores are given a three star rating.
** = Ttles 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 a one-star rating.

Video/DVD-Ages 0-2

*** COLORS AND SHAPES: JACK THE CUDDLY DOG. New education video for babies. Jack is a puppy who lives in Central Park, New York City. He explores colors, shapes, animals, flowers, mountains, trees and more. Classical music pieces are performed by an award-winning concert pianist, Cheryl Tschanz Newkirk. Adult Juror Comments: Calming title to watch with children. Through narration and simple images, the child progressively learns names for animals, colors, shapes, numbers, emotions, and other pre-school concepts. This is developmentally very appropriate for pre-schoolers. The music compliments the images beautifully and enhances the impact of the title overall. Well produced, crisp and clear. Kid Juror Comments: Enjoyable. "I like the animals and the sheep." "Did you see the birds?" "My friends would like the puppies." "I already know about animals, but this makes me want to learn more." "It's so good. I loved the animals. Jack is very nice." DVD. 28 min.; $15.99; Age: 1-5. HELLO BABY PRODUCTIONS. Available for purchase at kidsfirstmedia.com.

Video/DVD-Ages 2-5

** GET FIT WITH SQEDUNK. Join Sqedunk, Athletic Anna, Miss Lori and their buddies in learning 14 basic exercises. Sqedunk's book and the exercise skit from Miss Lori Live included as a bonus. Adult Juror Comments: Very enjoyable. The computer graphics and fun music keep the exercise from being mundane. Regular users might become bored with the demonstrations of the exercises but they are perfect for the beginner. Good stretches are modeled and explained. Using animals and cute sayings make it user-friendly even for very young kids. Kid Juror Comments: Enjoyable. "I like to exercise." All the kids got into it. One who was lying on the couch, tired and refusing to interact, jumped in after about three minutes and was laughing by the end. DVD. 40 min.; $13; Age: 2-5. SQEDUNK CHILDREN PRODUCTIONS. Available for purchase at sqedunk.com.

Video/DVD-Ages 5-8

** ADVENTUREPATROL: SNOW DAZE. From extreme snowboarding and skiing to igloo and quinzie construction, this title takes kids into the Absorka Mountains of Wyoming on a big-powder adventure. Series' host, Zeke, teaches kids that learning is big fun. Adult Juror Comments: Well done. Good pace. Lots of action that kids will appreciate. Lots of safety issues addressed. Instead of being a "how to" guide, this gives examples. Excellent motivation for participating in winter sports. Encourages self-esteem and self-motivation. Very intriguing. Kid Juror Comments: Very enjoyable. "It teaches how to survive in the cold, has good action and made us laugh." Emphasizes safety and encourages kids to "do their best and feel good about it." Favorite part: building an igloo, cross-country skiing and the silly Olympics. "The mountain is cool." "My friends would love the snowboarding part." DVD. 35 min.; $14.98; Age: 5-12. BIG BRIGHT WORLD, INC. Available for purchase at kidsfirstmedia.com.

Video/DVD-Ages 8-12

*** NO MORE BATHS. Keagan McPhie puts beliefs into action to help aging neighbor Jake Bruin by galvanizing the whole community to be their brother's keeper. Adult Juror Comments: A powerful title with children taking a stand for what they believe in, based on their learning about Martin Luther King Jr.'s civil rights lessons. Solves differences based on one's sense of dignity to help someone who has been unfairly treated. Very well produced. References to the Montgomery boycott, Rosa Parks and Dr. King are timely even today. The message about passive protest is well presented. Kid Juror Comments: DVD. 93 min.; $12.95; Age: 8-14. FEATURE FILMS FOR FAMILIES. Available for purchase at familytv.com.

SELECTIONS FROM KIDS FIRST!® FILM AND VIDEO FESTIVAL 2005
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INDEPENDENT SHORT FOR 5-8 YEAR OLDS
Captain Jon's Shark Safari. L. 35 min.
What's it like to be in the water with dozens of sharks? Find out as you journey to the Bahamas for a Shark Safari with Captain Jon on his third adventure. Age: 5-8. Status Productions.

INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION.
Danger Rangers: Fires and Liars. A. 38 min.
When two mischievous boys play with fireworks, the DANGER RANGERS must come to their rescue and teach them how to be Danger Ranger Ready in case of a fire emergency. EDUCATIONAL ADVENTURES

DVD SNEAK PEEK
Dora the Explorer: Save the Day. A. 100 min.
A wind blows Boots away? Swiper saves the day? Get ready for some really special rescue missions with Dora and her cousin Diego! Ages 2-5. Paramount Home Entertainment.

DVD SNEAK PEEK
Miss Spider: Captain Sunny Patch
Put on your Hummingbird wings and fly with Captain Sunny Patch to save the Day. In these eight episodes, you'll join Miss Spider and her gang of Sunny Patch kids on bugged-out adventure that will have you wanting to express your inner insect. Bugging-out was never this much fun! Ages 4-8 Lions Gate Family Home Entertainment

INDEPENDENT SERIES FOR AGES 2-5
Mister Rogers: Going to School. L. 64 min. (2/32 min. episodes).
Let Mister Rogers help your kids get ready for the new school year. He encourages children to talk about what they might be thinking and feeling as they prepare for the new experiences that come with the beginning of the school year. Age: 2-5. Family Communications, Inc.

TV SNEAK PEEK
Ribert & Robert: Ribert Wants to Know About Dinosaurs. A/L 27 min.
Ribert and the Power Pals explore the world of dinosaurs while Robert learns a lesson in being true to himself. Joan wonders what it would be like if she had a pet dinosaur, Cousin Chris draws and paints a picture of a dinosaur and Vanessa teaches the Power Pals how to take big, huge dinosaur steps! Age: 2-5. Ribert and Robert, LLC.

INDEPENDENT SHORT FOR AGES 2-5
Sheira & Loli's Dittydoodle Works: Sheira's Pen Pal. A. 28 min.
Excited about contacting her new pen pal, Sheira takes Doodles advice and videotapes all the lovable and lively characters at Dittydoodle Works, but wait!.. something is missing! Sing along while Sheira learns all about the importance of being honest with friends and always being yourself. Age: 2-5. Rogar Studios, Inc.

DVD SNEAK PEEK
Strawberry Shortcake: A World of Friends. A. 45 min. E.
How exciting! It's "A Trip To Paris, France," where Strawberry makes fast friends with Crepes Suzette and her poodle, Eclaire. But when Pupcake and Eclaire get lost, Crepes and Strawberry must work together to find them. And "The Great Friendship Festival," is terrific fun, even though Angel Cake's baking disaster teaches her that she needs to ask for help sometimes, just as Strawberry and her new pal Tea Blossom realize that friends don't have to like all the same things to get along. Ages 3-7. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment/DIC Entertainment Corp.

Our complete list of titles is available by clicking here.

NEW AND RENEWING MEMBERS
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Please welcome these new or renewing members and visit their web sites.

Hello Baby Productions
http://www.jackthecuddlydog.com

Kiddie Village
http://www.kiddievillage.com

MEDIA NEWS
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ABC Calls for Preschool Script Ideas
The ABC station in Australia is seeking 'expressions of interest' from
potential co-producers for preschool television programming. Read More
**
Taking a Tip from Popeye
"Food Marketing to Children and Youth: Threat or Opportunity?" compiled by the National Academies of Science's Institute of Medicine, concentrated on determining the influence of TV advertising on children's preferences for high-calorie, low-nutrient foods and drinks. Should Congress get involved? Read More

FAMILY AND PARENTING NEWS
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Changes in Ads for Children
Marketers and Media have reached an agreement. Check out the changes here. Read More
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How Educational are Videos for Babies?
The Kaiser Family Foundation released a new report, A Teacher in the Living Room? Educational Media for Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers, that examines the educational claims about commercially available educational media products.

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Why Pick PBS? by Christine L. Pollock

"You can watch anything you want right now, as long as it's on channels three or eleven," I told my boys last Saturday morning. I knew I could trust that my children weren't being exposed to something I didn't want them to see. How did I know that? Easy, those are our local Public Broadcasting Station (PBS) channels, and their morning programming is geared for children.

With all the exciting new shows and channels to pick from, why should a viewer choose to watch PBS? Senior vice president for programming at PBS, John Wilson, believes the channel's track record speaks for itself. Throughout the 1970s, 80s, 90s and into the 21st century, PBS continues to set the bar in children's programming.

Decades of programming and viewer feedback contribute to the successful formula of PBS. Favorites such as Reading Rainbow and Mr. Rogers continue to entertain and educate viewers. In fact, we just reviewed a Mr. Rogers title for KIDS FIRST!® and I was about to donate it to the local library when my six-year-old stopped me. "Wait," he said "I want to watch it with Grandpa, Mr. Rogers is his favorite." It's fun to see programming enjoyed by several generations at once.

PBS doesn't just rely on strong programming from its past. It embraces modern cultures and keeps up with cutting-edge technology. Have you seen It's a Big, Big World? This new show embodies the spirit of PBS with its dedication to educating children (through earth science in this case), with strong characters and innovative shadowmation. A goal in programming is to see each child inspired and passionate, delighted and engaged.

"Kids should be treated like kids, not prospective consumers," Wilson stresses. One unique feature of PBS is that programming is never interrupted for commercials. PBS is all about encouraging families to learn together. They have inked a deal with Comcast Corporation for a 24-hour digital cable channel (PBS Kids Sprout), with video-on-demand, so kids and parents looking for high quality programming can watch these programs on their schedule.

Even when the TV is off, PBS is there for families via the Internet at www.pbskidsgo.org. This site has pages of kid-friendly content, which are natural extensions of the programming the children watch. The interactive pages have everything from online and printable coloring activities to ideas for science experiments. Parents who are looking for tools to help teach their children (and educate themselves) might want to click onto www.pbsparents.org. There is a fantastic page about children and media at http://www.pbs.org/parents/childrenandmedia/.

As a parent and teacher, I regularly take advantage of the resources PBS has to offer. I enjoy sitting down and watching shows with my children without cringing over inappropriate behavior and material; I download lessons from Zoom and Reading Rainbow for use in our homeschool classroom. My children regularly make comments about math facts that come to them easily because they already learned the concepts on shows such as Cyberchase. To thank PBS and show my appreciation for all they are doing, I am letting my congress representatives know that I oppose cutting PBS funding. My thanks go out to those who put their talents and efforts into creating a media haven for my family. Thank you, PBS.

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CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES

Dr. Toy's Tips on Use of Video by Stevanne Auerbach, PhD./Dr.Toy
www.drtoy.com Smart Play /Smart Toys (www.educationalinsights.com)

Appropriate Selections
Look for products that provide information about the video and read it before you purchase them. They should be appropriate for child's age and interests. Watch the video you select with your child and answer their questions. This expands the information they get in the video, and, your conversation and discussion will help your child more fully appreciate the experience.

Craft
Snowman Snack based on Stranger in the Woods

Materials: bread or crackers, knife, peanut butter, marshmallow fluff (found in grocery store near jelly and peanut butter), various pieces of fruit and vegetables (we used raisins, carrots, apples and a banana).

For instructions, go to craft page.

KIDS FIRST!® Film and Video Festival Schedule
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Join us as we travel around the country with film festivals. Find out when we will be in a town near you. For details read here

ARIZONA
Yuma, AZ

CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles, CA
Newport Beach, CA
San Jose, CA
Tiburon, CA

COLORADO
Denver, CO

ILLINOIS
Rockford, IL

INDIANA
Fort Wayne, IN

MASSACHUSETTS
Brookline MA
Williamstown, MA

MICHIGAN
Ironwood, MI

MINNESOTA
Minneapolis, MN

NEW MEXICO
Alamogordo, NM
Albuquerque, NM
Santa Fe, NM

NEVADA
Las Vegas, NV

NEW YORK
Garden City, NY
Queens, NY

OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma City, OK
Tulsa, OK

OREGON
Ashland, OR

TENESSEE
Nashville, TN

TEXAS
Austin, TX
Dallas, TX
Houston, TX
Spring, TX

UTAH
Salt Lake City, UT

VERMONT
Shelburne, VT

WASHINGTON
Seattle, WA

WISCONSIN
Milwaukee, WI

WASHINGTON DC
Washington, DC

Other Events:

Deadline: January 20, 2006: ITVS: International Programs for U.S. Audience
Independent Television Service (ITVS) invites international producers to create programs for television audiences in the United States that represent diverse global communities, advance underrepresented points of view, inspire public dialogue, tell powerful stories, and explore globally significant themes and issues. Visit http://www.itvs.org/ for complete program guidelines and application procedures.

March 20-21 Just Think: Professional Development Workshop, Images of Youth 2006-New Directions in Media Literacy and Teen Health, University of Washington.

To add your event to this list, please send a notice to chris

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Become a Coalition for Quality Children's Media Member
If you've found our e-zine and web site helpful, please consider becoming a member of KIDS FIRST!® Members help underwrite the various projects of this organization. The Coalition for Quality Children's Media's 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, go to: http://www.kidsfirst.org or contact our office at 505.989.8076.

VISIT OUR MEMBERS' SITES ******************
Please visit our website for an up-to-date list of Coalition members by clicking here: http://www.kidsfirst.org/kidsfirst/html/whomem.htm.

IF YOU FIND THIS NEWSLETTER USEFUL ...
FORWARD IT TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY ****************

ADVERTISE IN THE EMAIL EDITION OR ON THE KIDS FIRST! WEB SITE
Contact Ann ************************

Send comments, questions and feedback to: chris

To SUBSCRIBE to our free e-zine, KIDS FIRST!® NEWS: Send e-mail to join-[email protected] Or fill out the simple form at: http://www.kidsfirst.org To leave this list, send e-mail to [email protected] or use the link below: http://list.kidsfirst.org/cgi-bin/process.pl?id=18066423L

This newsletter may be reprinted with permission. Write to: [email protected]
Copyright 2002 by Coalition for Quality Children's Media, http://www.kidsfirst.org

ABOUT CQCM AND KIDS FIRST!®
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KIDS FIRST!® is the not-for-profit Coalition for Quality Children's Media's initiative that evaluates and rates children's media - videotapes, CD-ROMs and television - using a highly acclaimed method that has been praised by parents and educators alike. It utilizes professionally designed criteria and evaluation tools and engages a volunteer jury comprising child development professionals, teachers and parents nationwide and children of diverse geographic, socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. KIDS FIRST!® endorsed titles appeal to people around the world and include many programs on topics important to children's development. KIDS FIRST!®-endorsed titles are available on CQCM's award-winning Internet site, in the KIDS FIRST!® Film and Video Festival and in reviews we provide to more than 75 publications.

CQCM evaluates feature films, television programs, videos, CD-ROM, DVDs and audio recordings. For an application form and application deadlines, visit our website at http://www.kidsfirst.org, call our office (505.989.8076) or send an email to Jury Coordinator

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