Granny Ranny's Coming Attractions

Five Little Monkeys Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed… and More Favorite Children’s Stories. Weston Woods has a history of making DVDs out of books that truly tap into a child’s life. They do it again in Five Little Monkeys. This DVD would be perfect after a long day of work. A parent could cuddle in with their child for this sweet collection of stories. From humoristic twists on a favorite chant to facing new challenges with a little parental encouragement and learning how to tackle nightmares, this DVD inspires discussion.  The images are beautifully drawn. One of the greatest strengths of this DVD is that it is very inclusive. Not only does the narrator speak in a pleasing voice, but in man and a woman sign the stories using American Sign Language. Emergent readers will appreciate the words of the story coming across the screen as the narrator reads. Child Juror Comments: I liked this a lot. They were very good stories. The duck had to find the courage to swim. I don’t like to swim sometimes. The mom helped the duck just like mine helps me. The parents don’t believe the girl with the lasso, and sometimes my parents don’t believe me either. The sign language was really cool. It was kind of annoying that the people stood in the middle of the pictures, but it was cool that they did sign language. One child had a friend that was deaf, and the girl loved how these stories would have been good for him. The stories looked great when they moved and how they changed scenes like the pages flipping like a book. The girl’s face looked like drawings, but they looked real. My favorite part was when the duck jumped in the water and realized he could swim. I loved when the girl with the lasso tried to bring her nightmare down to show her parents, but the monster was gone. DVD. 30 min.; $12.95; Ages 2-5. New Video Group. http://www.amazon.com/Favorite-Childrens-Scholastic-Storybook-Treasures/dp/B003JYOFP0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1286485985&sr=1-1

Adventures at School. School becomes an exciting adventure through this Scholastic DVD collection. The children can enjoy some of their favorite stories as they come to life on the screen through delightful images accompanied by great sound effects. Parents will find themselves reliving their own school days and enjoying the imaginative twists from creative authors. Not only are these DVDs great for entertainment, but they can also promote discussion after viewing titles such as Crazy Hair Day in which a child’s most embarrassing day turns out fine thanks to his school friends. Child Juror Comments: This was a really funny DVD. The one about the librarian had lots of funny stuff like a real mouse at her computer. They made the library fun. The pictures were great. Sometimes I don’t want to go into the library in school because some teachers are mean. I am kind of like the boy who used his imagination for things like the library signs that said no talking and no breathing. In Miss Nelson, it was cool how her twin sister when in and pretended she was the teacher. The principal was funny when he taught the boring stuff. The slides with the dogs were funny, too. The pictures were creative like when the kids pretended to be Miss Nelson. I think my friends would like it, especially how it looked. The drawings were good, and the stories were great. They are about school, and we go to school. My favorite part was when the three kids pretended to be Miss Nelson and wobbled around town. They even went right by her house. It was very funny. DVD. 179 min.; $24.95; Ages 2-5. New Video Group. http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-School-Scholastic-Storybook-Treasures/dp/B003LUCW70/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1286486019&sr=1-1

Goosebumps: Go Eat Worms. Don’t watch this one too close to bedtime unless you’re really good with horrifying images and gross situations. Come to think of it, that’s perfect for the average tween boy. In the first episode of this DVD, a boy who is obsessed with worms gets a role reversal when the worms start to manipulate him and take over his world. It offers a good lesson on respecting nature. Bad Hare Day starts off with a hair-rising bang inside a magic shop. Revenge of the Lawn Gnomes is a delightfully haunting tale of lawn ornaments that come to life. The DVD is entertaining for older children with great imaginations. They are based on R.L. Stine’s popular novels for tweens. In the Goosebump DVDs there is equal representation of males and females. Parents have good relationships with each other and with the children, but the children are always the heroes. Child Juror Comments: I liked this DVD because it’s like a mystery. It’s a kid horror movie. I think my friends would like it because we all love the Goosebump books. It’s just like the books.  It looked and sounded pretty good. Actually, it sounded great, but you can tell the gnomes are fake. They’re just wearing masks. My favorite part was in the gnome one when the gnomes were trying to decide what to do to the kids. They couldn’t decided, and they were coming up with different funny answers then they started fighting. DVD. 66 min.; $14.98; Ages 8-12. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. http://www.amazon.com/Goosebumps-Worms-Artist-Not-Provided/dp/B003U6SJX6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1286485627&sr=1-1

Goosebumps: The Blob That Ate Everyone. If you like a little scare, then Goosebumps is perfect for you.  You’ll find your heart beating faster and turning your face away from gross scenarios as the stories based on R. L. Stines writing come to life. Each of the three anecdotes on this DVD end well and inspire imagination. In The Blob That Ate Everyone, a young writer realizes that he has the power to create his own stories. In Piano Lessons Can Be Murder a young boys encounters a ghost. It’s a story that might put kids off piano lessons forever. My Hariest Adventure is about a boy who suddenly begins to grow excessive amounts of hair on his arms and legs. The cinematography on the DVD is very clear, as is the sound. These are television episodes put onto DVD, and it’s obvious with brief pauses and backtracks for commercial breaks. The acting in My Hariest Adventure seems stilted. Child Juror Comments: This DVD is about people who have ghost encounters and strange stuff happens to them. I like how it’s made-up stories of ghosts and stuff. I didn’t really like how unreal the blob looked. It looked really fake. I think my friends would like this because they like the books. The pictures looked fake, but that’s okay. Some parts were better than others. My favorite part was figuring out whether the conclusion I figured out would happen was really how it ended. 66 min.; $14.98; Ages 8-12. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. http://www.amazon.com/Goosebumps-Blob-That-Everyone-Full/dp/B003U6SJWW

Strawberry Shortcake: Berrywood Here We Come. In this sweet adventure, Strawberry and her friends go to Berrywood to visit a friend Strawberry knew when she was young after reading that Limelight’s movie was in trouble. Their first meeting when they were little wasn’t so nice, but Strawberry gave her friend a a second chance, and they became great friends. Years later, Limelight still remembers her and is excited about the fact that the friends came to visit. Unfortunately, it’s not the Limelight that Strawberry remembers. She is now a selfish diva. Her friends help her realize what she’s become, and she turns her behavior around. This DVD has a good, if predictable, message. Other episodes teach about the importance of communication and entertaining, catchy music adds greatly to the stories. Viewers watching this DVD can learn about the equipment used in movie-making. The title is very heavy on moral lessons, but still remains “berry” sweet. Child Juror Comments: I really liked this DVD becasue I love Strawberry Shortcake, and it has lots of lessons in it that can be learned in fun ways. Some of the lessons were to talk to your friends if you have a misunderstanding with them, and not everything is all about you. I think it looks great for a cartoon. It doesn’t look real, but it’s not supposed to. The music was really good. I liked it because the songs were fun to listen to. My friends would like the stories and lessons. My favorite part was when Strawberry and all her friends were put in the movie. DVD. 64 min.; $14.98; Ages 5-8. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. http://www.amazon.com/Strawberry-Shortcake-Berrywood-Here-Come/dp/B003U6SJZE/ref=sr_1_6?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1286485714&sr=1-6

Strawberry Shortcake: The Glimmerberry Ball. It’s time to celebrate the first frost in Berryland.  As the girls prepare for the festivities, they secretly share gifts. Viewers see how fun it can be to give gifts to others and how important it is to give people gifts that they appreciate, not gifts the giver appreciates. during their preparations for the ball, viewers learn about seasons and the importance of working together. Some viewers might not appreciate the excessive sweetness of the characters, but others will embrace the examples of kindness and sharing, even if it’s not very realistic. Child Juror Comments: I liked this movie because it’s a fun movie to watch, and I also like Strawberry Shortcake. I think the pictures were really good because Strawberry Shortcake and her friends look different than other ones. The music had some catchy tunes. The characters treated each other really nicely like when a friend had a problem, the other friend helped them. One time Raspberry wanted to make a really good glimmerberry thing, and she made a design that was on the cover of the book. Everyone else did the same thing, and she thought that everyone was copying. Strawberry showed how it was on the cover of the book, and said maybe they all saw it, but didn’t notice. My favorite part was when they helped the chipmunks by throwing them a hibernation party. The chipmunks were really cute when they were asleep. DVD. 64 min.; $14.98; Ages 5-8. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. http://www.amazon.com/Strawberry-Shortcake-Glimmerberry-Ball-Movie/dp/B003U6SJZO/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1286485714&sr=1-1

As a natural, on–going part of our work as parents, teachers, early childhood specialists, and others involved with children at home or elsewhere, Dr. Toy observes children at play. With her own eyes she sees what works…and what doesn’t hold up under tough testing – the normal barrage of active, inquisitive, and resourceful babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and older children. This guide is offered to complement your observations and to help you in selecting the right products to enhance play and learning.

We make buying decisions based on lasting play value and product applicability to children’s active, creative, and educational experiences. We can depend on the durability and versatility of such items as blocks, construction toys, games, puppets, and transportation toys. They stimulate the imagination, engage the player, have value, and hold up over time. We want to apply these standards to all the choices we make. We often hear consumers describe their experience of making a purchase, but shortly after giving little Sally or Sammy the product it falls apart – a frustrating and expensive process. Products that do not meet safety standards can be dangerous and can cause harm to children. We want to avoid these problems and always strive for excellence. Dr. Toy spends a great deal of time reviewing a large quantity of products created by myriad manufacturers and designers. She makes sure her selections match the criteria for excellence.

Certainly age grading, name recognition, company dependability, versatility of design, and place of purchase are factors to obtain the right product. Another aspect is a warranty. Rising costs for products require us to be wise consumers and to get extra lasting value. Certainly durable products, properly designed, and developmentally correct are worth the money. Children’s positive reactions are worth the extra effort. Dr. Toy utilizes a complicated set of objective and subjective criteria to evaluate toys and other products. Some questions she asks are:

·         Is this product worth the price?
·         Does it have lasting play value?
·         Is it appropriate?
·         Is it fun?
·         Does it meet safety standards?

Dr. Toy is pleased to have the opportunity to share her years of play and toy experiences with consumers to assist them in the selection process. This timely report features information about l00 wonderful new toys and products from large and small companies. The toys and products selected meet her high standards for design, durability, price, quality, safety, and value.

Dr. Toy reminds parents and teachers, “Let’s not forget that “play is children’s work” and should be respected and understood by all adults. We should be thinking: “What products or “tools for play” can we obtain to provide wholesome experiences for children and provide plenty of positive play interactions.”

Following are examples of award-winning toys and products and the companies that make them grouped in selected categories of “smart” play. You can find more products by assigned codes that designate types of products.

Active Play – Carrera (Police Chase), GeoPalz (Kids Pedometer), Hallmark Cards (Interactive Story Book/Buddy), Hap-Pal Music (Learning in Two Languages), Int’l Playthings (Shop’n Cart), Maranda Enterprises (Rollors), Monkey Business (E-Z Bat) ,MGA (Cozy Shopping Cart), Music Together (Family Favorites® 2), North American Bear, (Pet Doctor), One World Futbol Project (e World Futbol), Patch Products (3D Sneaky Singin’ Sea Creatures), Rubbabu (2Skoolbus), Tangle Creations (Hairy Tangle Jr), Tot Talk (Let’s Play Soccer Placemat).

Construction Play – Big Voorah Productions (Staccabees), Bloco Toys (Velociraptor & Pterosaur), Innovation First Labs (HEXBUG Nano Habitat Set), K’NEX (Light-Up Ferris Wheel), LEGO Systems (Minotaurus), WABA Fun (Superstructs Custom Kit), Yoshiritsu Co (LaQ Imaginal Hamacron). 

Creativity & Art — Center Enterprises (Paint & Clay Texture Rollers), Cra-Z-Art (Electra Doodle), Creativity for Kids (Create Your Own 3 Bitty Books), Eye Think (Strobotop LightPhase Animator), Fundamentally Kids® (My Wrap®), Giddy Up! (Fuzzoodles Fluffy Friends), Goldberger Co. (Zip-ity Princess), Hallmark Cards (Interactive Story Book/Buddy), Jade’s ToyBox (Moody Foodie Mini Box), Spin Master (Moon Dough Barnyard),VELCRO KIDS® (Royal Princess Castle Playset), Wikki Stix (Wikki Stix for Rainy Day), Wooky Entertainment (Block Crayon). 

Creativity & Music – Abligio Books (Best Multiplication Songs EVER!), ATP Electronics (Sesame Street Video USB), Exploramania® (Exploracise® Gymathtics), Hap-Pal Music (Learning in Two Languages), Juno Company (Day the Music Stopped), Little Pim (Spanish Deluxe Gift Set), Look Out World (New York Adventure Kit), Maestro Classics (Tortoise and the Hare CD), Music Together (Family Favorites® 2), PBS Home Video (Dinosaurs in the Snow), Rock ‘N Learn (Phonics Vol. 1 & 2), Smithsonian Folkways (Sunny Day), TMT Global (Teach Me Tiger Value Pac), Whistlefritz (Cha, Cha, Cha). 

Technology –ATP Electronics (Sesame Street Video USB), Cepia (ZhuZhu Pet Wild Bunch), Chicco (Magic Window Talking Farm), Eye Think (Strobotop Light Phase Animator), Ganz (Webkinz Jr.), GoLearn Toys (TimeBuddy), Hallmark Cards (Interactive Story Book/Buddy), Inspiration Software (Kidspiration 3), Learning Journey (ABC Melody Maker), Publications Int’l (Record a Story), WowWee (Paper Jamz). 

Language/Learning/Math & Reading Readiness — Brainy Baby (Natura Nativa Learning), MediaBright Spots Games (Feelings in the Wild-Bingo), Bright Starts (Activi-Tree), Creativity for Kids (Create Own 3 Bitty Books), Discovery Toys (Story Stacker), Fun & Function (Guess What I Feel?), GoLearn Toys (TimeBuddy), Grasshopper Kits (Grasshopper Preschool Prep Kit), HABA (Domino Zippy Scooters), Hap-Pal Music (Learning in Two Languages), Playmates Toys, Inc. (Hearts for Hearts Girls), Jade’s ToyBox (Moody Foodie Mini Box), Learning Journey (ABC Melody Maker), Learning Resources (Gingerbread Shape Sorter), Little Pim (Spanish Deluxe Gift Set), North American Bear (Pet Doctor), Paradigm Devices (Word Wheels), PBS Home Video (Dinosaurs in the Snow), Pearson (Stay-on-Track Packs), Plushy Feely (Kimochis-Toys w/Feelings Inside®), Publications Intl (Record a Story), Rock ‘N Learn (Phonics Vol. 1 & 2), Rubbabu (2Skoolbus), Sandvik Innovations (Jump into Numbers), Schoenhut Piano (Dog Piano), Smart Play (Easy Translator), Teach My Toddler(Teach My Preschooler) Tier Toys (Animal Stackers Barn Yard) Tot Talk(Let’s Play Soccer Placemat)Twisterz Toys (Alphabet Matcher),  Whistlefritz (Cha, Cha, Cha) Wild Republic (Audubon Birds – Babies). 

Puzzles & Logical Thinking Games – b. dazzle (Dragonflies Scramble Squares®), Idea Storm Products (Yamodo! Good to Go! Themes), Wonder Chess (WonderElla), Griddly Games (Chronicles of the Mind), Purrfect Games & Puzzles (Architectural Collection), Patch Products (3D Sneaky Singin’ Sea Creatures), Gorgeous Products (Boikido Geometric Stacking Puzzle). 

Social & Dramatic Play –ALEX (Talk of the Farm), Cepia (ZhuZhu Pet Wild Bunch), Corolle Dolls (Lou), Dandelion (Organic Toddler Doll), Discovery Toys (Story Stacker), Dream Big Toy Co (Go! Go! Sports Girls), Gamewright (Sounds Like a Plan), Goldberger Co. (Zip-ity Princess), Hallmark Cards (Interactive Story Book/Buddy), Playmates Toys, Inc. (Hearts for Hearts Girls), Int’l Playthings (Shop’n Cart), Jade’s ToyBox (Moody Foodie Mini Box), LEGO Systems (Minotaurus), Little Pim (Spanish Deluxe Gift Set), North American Bear (Pet Doctor), Plushy Feely (Kimochis-Toys w/Feelings Inside®), Rubbabu (2Skoolbus), Safari (Fairy Fantasy Tea Set), Tier Toys (Animal Stackers Barn Yard), Velcro Kids® (Royal Princess Castle Playset), Wild Republic (Audubon Birds – Babies), WowToyz (Deluxe Classic Train Set). 

Socially Responsible Products – Gestalt Institute of New Orleans (T’was the Night Before the Storm), Brainy Baby (Natura Nativa Learning Media), Bright Spots Games (Feelings in the Wild-Bingo), Corolle Dolls (Lou), Dandelion (Organic Toddler Doll), Dream Big Toy (Go! Go! Sports Girls), Free Spirit Pub. (Going Blue), Gorgeous Products (Boikido Geometric Stacking Puzzle), HABA (Domino Zippy Scooters), Playmates Toys, Inc. (Hearts for Hearts Girls), Jade’s ToyBox (Moody Foodie Mini Box), Kabongo (GoGo Kabongo), North American Bear (Pet Doctor), One World Futbol Project (One World Futbol), Plushy Feely (Kimochis-Toys w/Feelings Inside®), Publications Intl (Record a Story), Rubbabu (2Skoolbus), Stickey Cup (Stickey Cup), Tier Toys (Animal Stackers Barn Yard).

Ten Best Toys – ALEX (Talk of the Farm), Bloco Toys (Velociraptor & Pterosaur), Bright Starts (Activi-Tree), Discovery Toys (Story Stacker), Goldberger Co. (Zip-ity Princess), MGA (Cozy Shopping Cart), Monkey Business (E-Z Bat), Rubbabu (2Skoolbus), Schoenhut Piano (Dog Piano), WowToyz (Deluxe Classic Train Set). 

For a complete list of Dr. Toy’s 2010 Best 100 Children’s Products, go to http://www.drtoy.com/awards/2010-100-Best-Childrens-Products-Awards.php

Girl Scouts of the USA, along with the National Association of Broadcasters, the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, and The Creative Coalition, believe every child deserves to live in an environment that fosters confidence and character. We recognize that as children’s media use continues to increase, all youth would benefit from experiencing healthy and positive messages about girls and women.

“Watch What You Watch” hopes to build awareness about the need to pay attention not to just what kids watch, but how they watch it. Now more than ever, tools such as media literacy, public education and career exploration can be invaluable to young people. “Watch What You Watch” offers a clearinghouse of resources and tools that girls, parents, communities, and the media industry can use to help young people encounter and use media content that inspires, empowers, and engages.

Girl Scouts Promoting Healthy Media Images

Girl Scouts is the premier leadership organization for girls and a leading authority on their healthy growth and development. As the leading voice for girls, we are committed to addressing the issues important to girls, such as self-esteem and body image. Positive media messages could foster higher self-esteem and a positive body image for girls, while highlighting healthy relationships and strong role models. To improve girls’ lives, Girl Scouts is raising awareness about the importance of promoting positive messages about girls and women.

“Watch What You Watch” also connects you to research, programs, and policies Girl Scouts is developing to elevate the importance of healthy media images. Our innovative research sheds light on the impact media can have on girls’ body images, relationships, and overall health. The soon to be released program, It’s Your Story- Tell It!, will create opportunities for girls to improve their self confidence and media literacy skills. The Girl Scout Advocacy Network offers a forum to take action on this topic.

Disney Online, part of the Disney Interactive Media Group, today debuts a second season of “The Possibility Shop” (www.Family.com/PossibilityShop), an original web series produced by The Jim Henson Company.  The site, which can be accessed through Disney Family.com, will be updated every two to three weeks with content designed to inspire the imagination of the entire family through creative projects, activities and games.  The Clorox Company returns as the exclusive sponsor for all 20 webisodes in season two of “The Possibility Shop.” 

Building on the success of its first season, season two of “The Possibility Shop” features creator and host Courtney Watkins engaging directly with moms as they discover their own “how to, can do” attitude on projects that will surprise, intrigue and delight their families and themselves. The second season will run through August 2011 with webisodes focusing on finding whimsy in the every day, as well as fun, out-of-the-box ideas for celebrating holidays, the change of seasons, and more.  New to season two, each webisode will also feature one of Courtney Watkins’ ‘Bright Ideas,’ a quick and easy family activity related to that webisode’s content that will also feature products from The Clorox Company. 

“We are excited to debut a second season of ‘The Possibility Shop’ with the goal of reaching  and engaging an even broader audience of moms, building on the success of the first season,” said Emily Smith, vice president, Disney Online Mom and Family Portfolio.  “Moms specifically, will benefit from the useful and creative advice the show offers for finding fun in their everyday lives.”

“We’re known for fostering imagination at The Jim Henson Company and Courtney Watkins’ irreverence, whimsy and ability to inspire creativity make her a perfect partner in bringing ‘The Possibility Shop’ to DisneyFamily.com,” said Lisa Henson, CEO of The Jim Henson Company, the licensor for all merchandising and licensing for the property.

“Whether it’s designing and building a haunted house, offering instructions for a make-your-own board game, jump starting a conversation or finding ways to carry the spirit of the holidays throughout the entire year, season two of ‘The Possibility Shop’ is going to energize parents and kids alike to pursue the infinite possibilities for every day creative adventures,” stated Courtney Watkins.

Season two kicks off with Courtney stepping outside the shop and into the real world as she visits a real family experiencing a creative conundrum.  Courtney assists the family with fantastic ideas on how to refuel the imagination and spark creative adventures.  Future episodes from both inside The Possibility Shop and out in the world will highlight creative ideas for themes and holidays such as Halloween, Winter Wonderland, Father’s Day and Summer Fun!

About Courtney Watkins – Teacher, author, artist, mom, TV personality and creative guru, Courtney Watkins is at the center of “The Possibility Shop.” Courtney faces creative challenges, introduces new ideas, demonstrates how-to-techniques, seeks answers to befuddling questions and all the while unearths the “Aha!” moments hidden in a child’s every day.  Revealing creative ideas for art, games, conversations, experiments, inventions, decorations and explorations, Courtney energizes viewers to pursue limitless fun, on-your-own, at-home activities.