Can we do it? Yes we can! I thought this gift set would be adorable for my nephew, Lil B. He starts kindergarten in September, so a new Lunchbox is just the type of gift he needs. What’s even better is that this lunch box has Bob the Builder DVDs in it, so after he gets out of school he can watch the DVDs. The concept of having the DVDs contained within the lunch container is fairly ingenious. It’s a neat packaging method, especially if you have younger children.

There are three DVDs included inside the lunch container. This means that the container is large enough to be used as a school lunch container. Plus, for the price you’ll pay, getting a lunch box, and three DVDs for under $20 is a great deal. Besides, these are Bob the Builder DVDs. Lil B has been watching Bob since he was 2. At age 5, he still is a fan. These DVDs are going to be worth the purchase in the long haul if your child is a toddler or early elementary age.

The quality for the container is typical for a soft plastic style of lunchbox. It’s not like the old, hard plastic we used in my days of school, but I haven’t seen hard plastic lunchboxes in a while. These are the kind that are most often used these days. The DVDs are standard. There is no flimsy cover. The quality is as you’d expect for a lunch container and DVDs. They come in the hard cased DVD shells.

Each DVD has around 45 minutes worth of Bob the Builder goodness. I’ll talk about the specifics of each of the DVDs in the next section. Lil B loved Can We Fix It? best though he did enjoy all three DVDs. He was able to watch them all in one afternoon when he was visiting. His dad has told us that he’s watched them at home several, additional times since first viewing them.

The Bob the Builder Lunchbox Gift Set Description
The three DVDs included in the Bob the Builder Lunchbox Gift Set are Can We Fix It?, Celebrate with Bob, and The Big Game. Here is a description of each DVD and what is included on it.

Celebrate with Bob
This includes four episodes. The episodes are:

“Buffalo Bob” – Put on your dancing shoes! The Can Do Crew is building a dance floor stage for the evening line-dancing contest. Bob is even supposed to enter the contest, but when Mavis, his partner, gets hurt he might not be able to find someone to replace her.

“Bob’s Day Off” – Bob takes a day off work. He wants to get a picture of a Blue-Crested Warbler, which is very rare. When the work computer crashes, Bob might not get his day off, after all.

“Bob’s Big Surprise” – When Bob plans a surprise for Wendy, when she goes out of town to visit her sister, his plans are derailed when Mrs. Potts calls in sick. While attempting to makeover Wendy’s garden, Bob is stuck also having to handle the office work.

“Bob’s Birthday” – Bob thinks everyone has forgotten his birthday. Boy is he in for a surprise when Wendy and the Can Do Crew surprise him with cake, a party, and presents.

The Big Game
This includes four episodes. The episodes are:

“Wendy’s Busy Day” – Bob gets sick with a cold right when he has a serious job. He and the Can Do Crew must resurface the main road. Wendy decides to take over to help Bob out, but this isn’t the easiest thing for Wendy.

“Wallpaper Wendy” -Mrs. Broadbent is upset with a decorating job gone wrong, so Bob offers to decorate for her. Of course, Bob is a builder and has never decorated, so this leads to problems!

“Wendy’s Big Game” – Wendy uses the Can Do Crew to make a soccer field out of an empty field, while Bob is preparing for a building competition. Unfortunately, when Spud gets a little to excited about playing soccer, he messes up the field and must fix it.

“Wendy’s Tennis Match” – Bob, Wendy and the Can Do Crew work together to build a Tennis Court. When Spud tries to help out, he takes on too much and disaster ensues.

Can We Fix It?
This includes four episodes. The episodes are:

“Bob’s Barnraising” – WHen Farmer Pickles’ barn is about to collapse, Bob and the Can do crew must work quickly. With a storm brewing, it’s time to raise a barn before the old one blows over!

“Mucky Muck” – When Scoop and Muck are dirty, Bob decides to give them a bath. Muck doesn’t want a bath, because he loves being dirty and covered in muck. Of course, he’s always up for a mud fight!

“Wendy Play’s Golf” – Wendy, Bob and the Can Do Crew work on building a golf course. Bob decides to build the windmill without instructions.

“Magnetic Lofty” – Mr. Bentley gives the Can Do Crew a list of town improvements that need to be made. The old railway line is turned into a cycling pathway and the trash dump is turned into a park. Lofty uses magnetics to to help remove the rails, which Bob recycles for hte park.

Story: 5 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 5 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
The DVDs all contain episodes in full screen, 1.33:1 formatting. These look great. They look like the episodes you see when you watch them on television. I didn’t notice any compression errors, very little dirt or grain. The animated aspects of the show all looked exceptionally well done. On the whole, for a children’s show, it looked stunning. By the same token, the visual quality doesn’t pop off the screen the way you’d expect a big blockbuster. It’s great for it’s intended audience, who won’t care if it’s not stunning!

The audio quality is pretty good. These DVDs feature English Dolby Digital Stereo sound. This quality works just fine. There aren’t any big sound effects, so the sound doesn’t have to be completely dynamic. The important thing is that there is no need for volume toggling. The dialogue is clear and easy to hear. The Bob the Builder score (theme song and such) comes through nicely without over powering. A Spanish track is also available and Closed Captioning is available in English.

Visual: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Audio: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
There is nothing worth mentioning in the way of Bonus Features.

Bonus Features: 1 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
The Bob the Builder Lunchbox Gift Set is awesome. You get an insulated lunchbox and three excellent Bob the Builder DVDs. Lionsgate also offers some other Hit Entertainment Lunchbox sets, including Barney. Depending on which Lunchbox Set your child is going to want, you will love the value of these three-disc sets and the joy they will bring to your child.

Technorati Tags: Bob the Builder Lunchbox Gift Set, Can Do Crew, The Big Game, Three Disc Set, DVD Review, Family, Hit Entertainment, Lyons, Can We Fix It, Celebrate with Bob

For a dad I’m pretty amiable when it comes to watching kid’s shows. I’ll sit through pretty much anything if the kids seem to like it, for a few hours at a time. Anything longer then that and I’m bound to get a headache. One of the shows I don’t mind watching is Bob the Builder. As far as preschool age shows go this is one of the better shows parents have to endure.

I missed out on Bob with my own son (I didn’t get with his mother until he was 7), but I have had the chance to see how much my now five year old nephew loves Bob. Lil B is all boy. From the time he was very small he loved trucks and trains. He especially loved dump trucks. Today, he still loves to play with trucks, and is still at an age where Bob and his building adventures seem fun. Heck, I’m almost 30, and I enjoy learning about building with Bob.

You don’t have to have an architectural interest or degree to like Bob. He makes building fun. He brings out the DIY-er in me. After watching an episode of Bob I consider getting out the tools. I like how Bob even discusses going green, which is a major issue both in society and in the building world today. While I’m not sure I’d have all the steps down, I know the basic building process for making a house. It’s all thanks to Bob and the Can Do Crew, because trust me, I wouldn’t be learning this on my own.

I always love it when Hit sends out their Bob titles for review. It’s something I know I can watch with Lil B when he comes over. I often send the DVDs to his dad’s house once wee watched them at least once. That way he can watch them whenever he’s in the mood for some Bob the Builder building fun.

The Bob the Builder Built for Fun Description
Bob the Build has been inspiring children with his building and can do attitude for at least 9 seasons. The DVDs emphasize using teamwork to develop each project. Bob relies on his crew, the Can Do Crew, for every building project he works on. Together, they each have their own individual jobs and without each piece the project cannot get done. Before Obama, Bob was saying, “Yes We Can” to preschool audiences! That positive attitude is part of why he’s such a good role model.

There are five episodes of Bob the Builder on this DVD. The episodes are as follows:

“Radio Bob” – Bob and the Can Do Crew show how to build an operating radio station. This is Sunflower Valley’s first station and will even have it’s own broadcasting tower!

“Super Splasher” – When Splasher comes to work at the Bobland Bay Hotel, he must save people from the water. Pretty soon, he’s become known as Super Splasher!

“Roley Brings the House Down” – Roley and Muck have an accident while playing skidseys. Roley ends up crashing and destroying an old machine shelter. Bob must re-build a new one, and Roley must face his guilt.

“Silent Scoop” – The Can Do Crew and Bob build a swimming pool. However they must all be quiet because Mike Turntable is trying to sleep.

“Scrambler Gets Prepared” – Chip Chipper and Scrambler go on an overnight adventure with the kids to watch for badgers. Scrambler shows he’s prepared for any event that could happen during the trip.

Story: 5 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 5 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
The full screen, standard, 1.33:1 transfer for the episodes on Bob the Builder: Built for Fun is pretty good. It’s free of most errors. It looks like what episodes look like when they air on television. While this is a standard transfer, it doesn’t pop off the screen or stand out in any particular way. Overall, this transfer is good enough for the kids and isn’t that what truly matters with these types of releases?

The DVD audio is also standard. The English Dolby Digital 2.0 mix is great. Dialogue is clear, even, and easy to hear. Any music that plays is not over powering. Volume toggling wasn’t necessary. For a kids releases, the audio is great. There are two additional 2.0 Stereo mixes in Spanish and French and English Closed Captioning is available for the hearing impaired.

Visual: 3 out of 5 stars
Audio: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
There are actually a few different bonuses included with this DVD. The only one I really gave a hoot about was the collectible toy vehicle. Perhaps it is the kid in me, but the other features aren’t as cool as a collectible car.

The only two other bonuses are a DVD game called “Build with Bob,” which allows kids to build with Bob. I don’t like DVD games, because they usually aren’t well made, but this one seemed ok. The other feature is a read along feature called “Building Buddies.”

Bonus Features: 2 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
Bob and the Can Do Crew are awesome. Like all the other Bob DVDs I’ve reviewed Bob the Builder: Built for Fun is highly recommended. If your children love to build an can use a lesson in teamwork, sharing, helping and positive thinking (honestly, who couldn’t use a lesson?) then I highly recommend you pick up this DVD right away.

Technorati Tags: Bob the Builder Built for Fun, DVD, DVD Review, Children, Hit, Lionsgate, Lyons

All the Barney haters need to step off the purple guy. Barney was the only thing that would calm down my son who has an Autistic Spectrum Disorder. He never slept, but Barney would calm him. He’d cuddle his big, purple dinosaur. As Barney sang, he’d chime in knowing every word. A teenager now, I relish the memories of how cute he was clutching his Barney. Now, I mention his beloved purple friend of yesteryear and he scoffs. He shouldn’t though because Barney got him (and me) through a lot of critical learning years.

Today, Barney is still teaching children about love, sharing, caring, and learning shapes, colors and other critical thinking skills. Barney hasn’t aged and the concept is still working for a new generation of children. Lionsgate and Hit Entertainment have been putting out DVDs for a while. The latest title is Barney Book Fair. As you might have guessed this DVD teaches children about the importance of books and reading.

On top of thinking Barney is great, I also am a firm advocate of reading. I read, Dom reads, we make our son read, our nephew reads, and so does my brother. Reading helps to expand the mind, explore creativity and take the person reading on a whole knew adventure. As children, both Dom and I read excessively. Neither of us could get enough of the books we read. Our teenage son is like that, though he is a bit more selective in his reading material than we are.

That being said, I was glad to watch this DVD which is about Barney encouraging children to read. My nephew is almost too old for Barney…almost. I made sure he watched this and he loved it. Having watched Barney since he was 2, he knew the formula. There’s singing, happiness and a lesson to be learned. Since Lil B loves to read, he took the lesson to heart and asked me for a book (he’s just beginning to read on his own), so he could do what Barney recommended…read!

The Barney Book Fair Description
The Barney Book Fair DVD comes with a book. Barney shows his audience just how exciting books can be. Kids watching this DVD will get pumped about reading and all the adventures they can find and explore every time they open a book.

The book that is included in this DVD combo set is a Barney Count to Ten Book. Lil B wasn’t as fond of the book, merely because he already knows how to Count to Ten. He looked at it once, read through it and put it to the side. His main interest was in the DVD. In the DVD, Barney’s friends are putting on a book drive at the local park. Barney is very excited about the book drive.

When Barney and friends open up a book, they are surprised to learn that each book leads them on a new adventure. For example, one book is about traveling through space and in no time, the Barney crew is building their own rocket! Through their adventures, Barney and his friends learn to appreciate reading and the kids become very excited about the prospect of reading new books and all the unimagined adventures books hold.

Storyline/Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 4 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
This DVD looks pretty good. It’s presented in 1.33:1 standard format. This is the same format you’d expect if you were to watch Barney on television. I wouldn’t expect that the distributors wouldn’t have gone out of their way to make this above standard quality. It’s Barney. It’s geared towards a young audience. The kids will not notice if the quality is good or bad as long as it doesn’t affect their viewing pleasure.

The English Dolby track is clear and consistent. Dialogue is easy to hear. The music comes through sounding vibrant and I didn’t need to fiddle with the volume at all. This was pretty much your standard audio offering. As long as the sound works and the kids can hear Barney speak and sing, it would matter that this track isn’t overly dynamic. Closed Captioning is available.

Visual: 3 out of 5 stars
Audio: 3 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
The only bonus feature is the book.

Bonus Features: 2 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
You should know if your child is going to like Barney or not. If they do love Barney, then you should definitely check out Barney: Book Fair. It’s a great way to get your child interested in reading, especially if they are near the age where they are going to start reading on their own!

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: Barney: Book Fair, Barney and Friends, DVD, Counting to Ten, DVD Review, Children, Hit, Lionsgate, Lyons

Release Info:
DVD Release Date: April 21, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $9.99

Who didn’t grow up with Sesame Street? When we were little, in the early 80s, Elmo wasn’t a regular on this long running children’s show (though we’re told he made the occasional appearance – we don’t remember this personally). My (Dominick) favorite characters were always Bert and Ernie. The duo have a very special place in my heart, and I would sing “Rubber Duckie” endlessly when I was a toddler. My (Ashtyn) favorite characters were Snuffy and Oscar. I was enthralled by the fact that Snuffy was invisible (for a short time – younger Dominick had no idea of this until I (Ashtyn) told him he was Big Bird’s imaginary friend).

Today, kids have our old favorites and they also have the adorable Elmo and his friend Abby. Elmo’s World is one of the most popular Sesame Street inspired series. What’s not to love about Elmo? He’s absolutely hilarious, fun, and just so darn cute. Abby is slowly becoming a new favorite, too and that’s good because she’s an active part of Elmo’s world. With the release of some of these episodes, which aired on television first, your children can do something we were left out of, as kids. They can rewatch their favorite episodes over and over thanks to these DVDs.

I (Dominick) am also ecstatic that Sesame Street decided to include Bert and Ernie on this DVD. There is an episode of Bert and Ernie’s new show in claymation. Children get to enjoy old and new favorites in this set. Sesame Street educated us, they educated our kids (son and nephew), and the show will continue to educate future generations of children with their engaging and entertaining shows. It doesn’t seem like the show changes (in a bad way) like other child-oriented shows. The formula has worked for Sesame Street since before we were born, so obviously Sesame Street and PBS are doing something right.

We don’t usually watch Sesame Street these days. Our youngest is five, so he’s growing out of the age where Elmo is cool. When he was a toddler, he was a huge fan of the little red fella, and many of our friends who have young children have mentioned their little ones love Elmo, too. Elmo and the Bookaneers – Pirates Who Love To Read! has to be one of the cutest Elmo/Sesame Street DVD’s we’ve seen. It combines a love of reading with typical Sesame Street fun, and for mom and dad, it also happens to feature Tina Fey. What more could you want in a DVD for your toddler?

The Sesame Street: Elmo and the Bookaneers Plot
In the first episode on this DVD, Elmo has a bookshelf, but he doesn’t know about all the books on it or how much fun reading can be. A group of pirates, called the Bookaneers, leave the seas for dry land long enough to enter Elmo’s world. There, they find his bookshelf and get to it. The group, led by Tina Fey, love to read! They love to read so much, they want to take the bookshelf contents as their booty!

Elmo is excited to learn about the Bookaneers. They seem really passionate about reading. Their passion for books inspires Elmo, who wants to read, too. So, Elmo sets out to become a bookaneer, as well. To do so, he must help the pirates find their treasure. Your children are invited to come on the adventure and help out, along the way.

The second episode is for the new claymation series of Bert And Ernie’s Great Adventures. The dynamic duo are searching for treasure and they will do everything they can to find it. Adding on to everything are plenty of songs. Abby sings about Words, Elmo sings about reading. It wouldn’t be a Sesame Street DVD without plenty of singing and dancing to inspire your children to get into the lessons being taught.

Finally, there is an Elmo’s World episode, Books. In this episode, Elmo discusses books. He sings about all of the books that are important to him and mean something to him. Themes of this DVD include treasure, reading, and books.

Replayability: 5 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
As expected, the visual quality for this DVD is standard. The video is presented at a 1.33:1 aspect ratio. This is standard for a television series, especially one for children. The video for Sesame Street: Elmo and the Bookaneers – Pirates Who Love To Read! looks good. Colors are vibrant and not washed out. The images on screen are sharp, defined, and not blurred. I honestly didn’t notice too many errors visually. This is standard, decent, but not stunning. It’s great for its intended audience, which is truly all that matters.

The audio is in English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo. Again, this is standard, especially for a television show of this sort. The only thing that really matters about this track is the fact that it is clear. Dialogue can be heard easily. It’s crisp and clear. Volume toggling is unnecessary. The music doesn’t override the dialogue and vice versa. The main disappointment is no Closed Captioning or Subtitles, leaving hearing impaired children out while non-impaired kids can enjoy this DVD.

Visual: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Audio: 3 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
You might have already guessed this, but the Elmo and the Bookaneers – Pirates Who Love To Read! DVD is devoid of bonuses.

Bonus Features: 0 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
Elmo and the Bookaneers – Pirates Who Love To Read! is a must have if you have a small child or children. Sesame Street not only entertains children. The show also educates them. In Elmo and the Bookaneers – Pirates Who Love To Read!, your child will not only have fun, they will learn about the importance of reading. Elmo and the Bookaneers – Pirates Who Love To Read! comes highly recommended for the youngest of audiences out there.

Overall Rating: 2.88 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: Sesame Street, DVD Review, PBS, Elmo and the Bookaneers, – Pirates Who Love To Read, Children’s Television, Pirates, Family, Educational

Release Info:
DVD Release Date: September 9, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon

Parents tend to get more nervous when it comes to letting babies in front of the television. This was not as much an issue when I was a child or when my son was. I am a big believer in educational television and things in moderation. If you’re using your television as a babysitter well then your child may end up with some issues. If you only let them watch it occasionally though and you pay attention to what you’re letting them watch then it shouldn’t be so bad.

The Baby Einstein series is creative, fun, and educational. Parents that want to introduce their children to classic music and baby-friendly images will enjoy these DVDs immensely. When these came out my son was too old to enjoy them, but my nephew really loved them. It was nice to see this tenth anniversary DVD come out and I was impressed by not only the series, but the bonus section, as well.

There are plenty of good songs on the Baby Mozart DVD. These songs include one of the all time children’s favorites “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” Along with the music there are images of puppets, children playing a number of instruments (piano, violin, etc), and a selection of common and not so common toys that flash along the screen.

Normally I would not be as impressed by Baby Einstein, but it is the combination of elements that appeal to me as a parent and to the children watching the DVD. I appreciate the bright colors and images mixed with the perfect musical elements to create a fun and educational DVD for the youngest audience available.

Storyline/Plot: 5 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 5 out of 5 stars
Directing: 5 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
The 1.33:1 aspect ratio for Baby Einstein: Baby Mozart looks just as good as the previous Disney titles that we have reviewed in the past. The DVD offers a bright, colorful picture with little grain and no visible distortion. The clear picture will ensure that your children enjoy all of the various visual elements of the show.

The audio was passable, but I would have expected better from a DVD that rests partially on the auditory experience. Dolby Digital 2.0 offered a somewhat flat, non-dynamic experience. Dolby Digital 5.1 would have welcomed a better sound, but what is offered is not terrible. There were no issues with volume toggling.

Visual: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Audio: 3 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
If you have read the Baby Einstein: Baby Beethoven review on LI Kids then you should be pretty familiar with the bonus features as they are nearly identical. You receive a featurette on how Baby Einstein got started with Julie Clark and her daughters. Other features include “Discovery Cards” flash cards, and “Quiet Time Mode.” You also receive “Together Time Tips,” which gives parents plenty of ideas about how to use Baby Einstein to your full potential.

Bonus Features: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
Baby Einstein: Baby Mozart will work best for babies and young toddlers. This is a great thing to watch with your children to allow them to benefit from the DVD and the interaction with you. Of course, at about a half an hour, this would also give you a few moments to yourself if they were needed. This is about guilt free as baby television gets thanks to the educational value that is involved. If you have a baby and haven’t checked this series out, now is the perfect time to do so.

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: DVD Review, Disney Home Video, Music, Images, Babies, Educational, Creative, Digital Board Book, Baby Mozart, Ten Year Anniversary

Release Info:
DVD Release Date: September 9, 2008
Online Availability: Buy this at Amazon for $17.99

In an age where parents are against sitting a baby in front of the television, it’s nice to be able to offer the babies a chance to indulge, the parents a chance to relax, and the realization that the children are learning something in front of the television. Baby Einstein does just that. The DVDs are informative, entertaining, creative, and educational. They are perfect for parents to have a few moments to not be interrupted and perfect for babies for entertainment and education.

My nephew absolutely loved these when he was a baby. The puppets, images, and music appealed to him as they do most babies. He would sit still and soak in all of the information as it was presented on the screen.

Babies will be able to listen to some of Beethoven’s best music. On this DVD they will be exposed to “Ode to Joy” and the “Ninth Symphony.” Pictures of young children and toddlers are shown playing music instruments ranging from drums and saxophones to the violin and the piano. Along with the clips of babies and toddlers are sock puppets and different images of toys. The toys include trains and pull toys among other things.

The music and the ultimate construction of the DVDs in the Baby Einstein series are what make these so special. The music really brings all this together because the images alone would likely bore a child. However, the stimulation found in the images with the music is a great source of learning for a newer baby or a young child.

Storyline/Plot: 5 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 5 out of 5 stars
Directing: 5 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
I am not sure what I expected when it came to video but I was impressed by the 1.33:1 aspect ratio that was offered here. The colors and images are bright and look excellent. I did not notice any compression errors and everything was visually very child (and adult) friendly. I don’t have anything bad to say about this transfer.

The audio wasn’t as impressive as the video. This could be seen as a mild disappointment considering this is a video that shows off the music portion of the DVD. The Dolby Digital 2.0 sounds decent, but it was not anything to write home about. It was not as dynamic or spectacular as I would have preferred, but it does fine for what it is supposed to do.

Visual: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Audio: 3 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
The bonus feature list is an impressive one for only a 28 minute video. Parents will definitely want to pay close attention in this area. One awesome thing you get access to is information about the toys that are shown in Baby Einstein: Baby Beethoven. You are sent to the website, which provides access to plenty of toys and games that you might spot in the various videos. Most of the other bonuses are featurettes, which include the creator of Baby Einstein, Julie Clark and her daughters.

The first featurette is “10 Years of Discovery”, which includes Clark and her daughters reading and responding to fan mail. In this featurette we learn how the series got started. We also learn that Clark was a school teacher prior being a stay at home mom. Her decision to make this series was selfish because she wanted her children to learn fine arts at a young age and there was nothing on the market that suited her needs.

Next up is “Together Time Tips” where parents can learn how to use this and the other videos interactively. You can learn to talk to your babies, play with them, and even ask questions. “Making Music Together” shows parents can teach their children how to make music of their own. “Join the Band” allows parent the chance to learn how to make musical instruments for their babies.

Activity Time includes two special segments, “Dance Together” and “Making Music Together.” The puppets are looked at in “cymbal fun,” “puppet parade,” “doggy fun,” and “bang a drum.” Flashcards are available under the “Discovery Cards” title. These cards work on animals mainly and “Toy Chest” offers flashcards for toys.

Bonus Features: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
Baby Einstein: Baby Beethoven is an excellent educational DVD for babies. At only 28 minutes, the bright and exciting images will be sure to keep the attention of a baby, but it won’t be too long that you feel bad about letting your child sit in front of the television in the first place. If you’re looking for guilty free baby television you don’t need to look any further. Your baby will be sure to love it and you will be thrilled with all they learn from watching it.

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: DVD Review, Disney Home Video, Music, Images, Babies, Educational, Creative, Digital Board Book, Baby Beethoven, Ten Year Anniversary

Release Info:
DVD Box Set Release Date: August 26, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $14.99

Seriously, who has kids and doesn’t like Bob the Builder? Before Obama stole it, Bob the Builder had the slogan, “Yes, we can!” Bob and his team of trucks really show kids how to build things in an inventive way. I’m not big into construction since I don’t work in the industry. I still managed to learn quite a bit from Bob and his team. The cool thing about this show is that parents and kids can learn building concepts together. Thanks to Bob the Builder: On Site – Houses and Playgrounds, now I know the process if I ever happen to build my own house, and/or playground.

This DVD is even cooler because in Bob the Builder: On Site – Houses and Playgrounds, the action goes on site. Not only do children learn all about building through Bob, his machines, and watching them work. They get the chance to see actual, live machines and workers as they perform the various tasks that Bob outlines. In Bob the Builder: On Site – Houses and Playgrounds, the audience gets to see live machines working on building a house from the ground up. Playgrounds from their inception, are also shown being built. It’s pretty cool that Bob can relate the action of his show to the action that occurs in every day life.

While, yes, some parts of Bob the Builder are cheesy, and yes I am referring to the refresher rap/song that is sung “How do we do it”, after each project is completed, kids will really get into this catchy yet repetitious song. Its a little too Barney for my tastes, but then again I am 27. It’s a minor complaint that only an adult could have. What is Bob the Builder really about anyway? The kids, so my opinion on how “cool” this song is doesn’t really matter.

Bob the Builder: On Site – Houses and Playgrounds offers a learning lesson that any parent can appreciate. Bob speaks in simple terms that kids of any age can understand. There are things I just never knew about building a house. For example, did you know that after the wooden structure of the walls of a house are in place, the outside of the walls are cemented? I never knew that, but thanks to Bob and his array of trucks, I know that now.

The Bob the Builder: On Site – Houses and Playgrounds Plot
Bob the Builder: On Site – Houses and Playgrounds is all about learning how to build houses and playgrounds. Bob teaches with three different methods to reinforce all of the concepts learned in this episode. The On Site series of Bob the Builder DVDs all seem to follow this formula.

First, Bob explains the concept in a step by step process. For example, when he discusses building a house, he explains that first you must dig a hole. Then you must fill it with concrete. This forms a solid foundation to anchor the wooden foundation of the house. From here, wood is cut up and the wooden foundation is built. As walls are formed, concrete is put on and smoothed out to ensure the walls are strong and sturdy. The roof is added in a variety of ways including solar panel roofing options. Then, the house is prettied up. Doors and windows are added. Paint and/or bricks are added to make the outside of the house (and even the chimney) look nice. Then the initial structure of the house is built!

Bob also uses his step by step instructions to explain how playgrounds are built. Something I found interesting is that the actual playground equipment is added first. In most commercial playgrounds, this equipment is cemented down to ensure the equipment doesn’t move or fall apart. From there, the playground has a surface added. Some playgrounds have concrete surfaces, but many use a mulch type of wood that makes falling on it safer for kids. Finally, the playground area is fenced off.

The second way Bob teaches these concepts is by showing his trucks building. For example, we see Tumbler pouring concrete into the hole that was dug to make a foundation for the house that Bob is building. This shows the Can-Do Crew in action. It’s actually quite fascinating to see all the work that goes into building a house.

Finally, Bob the Builder: On Site – Houses and Playgrounds shows how the concepts that have been taught apply to real life. Going “On Site”, Bob takes his viewers on a trip to real construction sites. There are trucks that dig foundations, machines that mix concrete that anchors playground equipment and makes home foundations, and even trucks that carry supplies to and from construction sites! There is even construction workers who are putting together a playground and smoothing out the playground (mulch) surface. Finally, kids are actually seen enjoying the playground. For such a short DVD, this show really packs a punch.

One of the most informative Bob the Builder DVDs, Bob the Builder: On Site – Houses and Playgrounds is sure to be a fan and parent favorite.

Storyline/Plot: 5 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 5 out of 5 stars
Acting: 5 out of 5 stars
Directing: 5 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
You won’t be surprised to know that everything on the Bob the Builder: On Site – Houses and Playgrounds DVD is presented in 1.33:1 full frames. It’s the typical format for kid’s shows. The claymation looks good. Bob is a fun character. The animation is excellent and the DVD’s visual quality just emphasizes that. The crystal clear picture is pretty much free from visual errors. Hit Entertainment did a nice job with this DVD transfer.

The audio quality for Bob the Builder: On Site – Houses and Playgrounds is English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo. Again, this is standard. The sound isn’t overly dynamic, but then again, this is a dialogue driven show. Sure, there are songs mixed in with the dialogue, but kids aren’t going to realize that these songs aren’t really all that dynamic. This fits the audience and the DVD. Additional tracks are available in Spanish and French. Both are Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo. While subtitles aren’t available, Closed Captioning is in all three languages.

Visual: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Audio: 3 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
There is only one bonus feature. I thought this was great. I’ve never seen the show Fireman Sam, so having this on the Bob the Builder: On Site – Houses and Playgrounds DVD was a great way to introduce the show to an audience that might not know if they’ll like the show, Fireman Sam or not.

The bonus included on the Bob the Builder: On Site – Houses and Playgrounds DVD is an episode of Fireman Sam. The episode, “Birthday Surprise” has the whole town preparing for Sam’s birthday. They want to throw him a surprise party, but they have to keep the secret from him until it is time for the party. When an incident with the birthday cake goes awry and the candles that won’t blow out are automatically re-lit, it is up to Sam to fight a fire, and hopefully not discover why the fire was started in the first place!

Bonus Features: 3 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
I really like Bob the Builder. Its one of the few shows that I can say I, as a parent, learn as much as my child. Educational for everyone in the family, Bob the Builder: On Site – Houses and Playgrounds, the latest Bob the Builder DVD is a must have for any fan of this show. If your child (or husband) likes construction then this DVD is something you want to buy. Even if your child might not be a huge construction fan, learning about building things is always worthwhile. With the fun, repetitious way that Bob teaches construction lessons, your child will be wanting to play with trucks and make their own “construction sites” just like Bob!

Overall Rating: 4.36 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: Bob the Builder, On Site, Houses and Playgrounds, DVD Review, TV show, Kids, animation, PBS, children’s television

To enter you need to be 18 years of age and a resident of the US. If you have won a contest within the last 30 days you are not eligible. Winners will be announced here. If we do not hear from you within 3 weeks from the date the winners are announced you forfeit your prize and we will select another winner. Prizes will be shipped within 45 days from the day you win.

We will choose a winner for this the week of July 27, 2008. This means that you have until July 26, 2008 at 11:59 PM EST to enter the contest.

Description:
For the first time on DVD, you can enter the world of Elephants, Zebras, Giraffes and Hyenas, as baby animals find their way through their young lives with the help of some professional human caregivers.

GROWING UP ELEPHANT
His keepers describe Maximus as cocky and quick to learn. Witness the miraculous birth and a year of baby elephant’s firsts, as Maximus goes from a 300-pound baby to an 11,000-pound giant.

GROWING UP ZEBRA
SanWild Animal Sanctuary founder Louise Joubert raises three baby zebras. Cassidy, a badly injured foal, grows into a mischievous rascal. He and his two cohorts, Shadow and Sky, experience joys, adventures, and adversity in their journey back to the wild.

GROWING UP GIRAFFE
An orphaned giraffe is placed in the care of two keepers at a northern California wildlife sanctuary. Keepers Kim and Sheri fill Kulula the giraffe’s tragic life with hope and devotion as they prepare her to join the sanctuary’s herd.

GROWING UP HYENA
The hyena is often relegated to the role of skulking scavenger – always the villain and never the hero. But one man is committed to showing the world that hyenas are intelligent, strong and fearless predators – to be respected and not maligned.

Technorati Tags: TV on DVD, Animal Planet, Growing up Safari, Growing Up Hyena, Growing Up Giraffe, Growing Up Zebra, Growing Up Elephant, LI Kids, Contest, Giveaway

I thought there’d come a day where children of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered families would have their own children’s programming. I had thought mainstream television shows would do it first, but ever since PBS balked at a little criticism about featuring a GLBT family on its show Postcards from Buster, children’s programming and television networks have conveniently avoided an entire population of children. It’s all politics really and the fear of a public outcry at something still deemed vile by ignorant individuals who are still stuck in the dark ages.

I could go into my views of GLBT rights, religion and a host of other hot topics, but that would derail me from my intended purpose in posting a review for the new children’s television show, Buddy G: My Two Moms and Me. Buddy G is the first animated character that I know of who has two moms. The number of programs for GLBT families is growing as independent companies start developing their own shows in lieu of the commercial, non-conforming networks out there.

Yes, Buddy G: My Two Moms and Me is geared towards GLBT families, but kids with moms and dads and those in other living situations can relate to the adventures Buddy G goes on with his best friend, Owen, and his special computer, Socrates. While Buddy G: My Two Moms and Me might be called “My Two Moms and Me”, Buddy G is a universal kid who experiences life just like any other kid, except for the fact that he has two moms.

Still, that really isn’t the point of Buddy G’s first DVD, which consists of the first Buddy G episode “The Lost Rings” and a bonus music video. Put Buddy G in a traditional family and this same adventure could happen. So, will traditional families be welcome into the Buddy G fold? I think so…though GLBT families will certainly benefit the most.

Release Information:
The first Buddy G DVD was released in November of 2007. I recently heard about Buddy G: My Two Moms and Me through an organization my own son is a part of, COLAGE. The DVD isn’t long, but it is certainly engaging. Kids will like the colorfulness of the animation and the simple story. Parents will love how fun Buddy G is and how easily relatable he is to both boys and girls.

The Buddy G: My Two Moms and Me DVD can be purchased at the Buddy G website. The DVD costs $10. The website also tells of other locations where Buddy G: My Two Moms and Me can be purchased.

The Buddy G: My Two Moms and Me Plot
When young Grayson Colley asked his Mom and Mommy about children’s television shows with kids who had two moms his parents were at a loss. At the time, there was absolutely nothing children of GLBT families could watch. Then, slowly, as the Towne-Colley family worked on developing Buddy G: My Two Moms and Me, other companies, such as Pink Pea Productions (developer of Dottie’s Magic Pockets) were working on their own shows. The idea is pretty simple. There is only one minor difference between these shows and traditional programming. The parents in these shows are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. It seems like such a small difference, but leave it to society to make mountains out of molehills.

I’m sure that some consider this a part of the GLBT agenda (whatever that is or means!), but really, traditional shows were not touching the GLBT parenting issue. The American Pediatrics Association and the American Psychological Association and their endorsements of gay parenting have done nothing to make television embrace the concept of including GLBT kids, a large demographic who end up watching these traditional television shows. It’s kind of sad really, so it is nice to see someone do something about this. It’s about time kids in GLBT families are no longer being left out!

Grayson is the inspiration for Buddy G. Buddy G lives in Nebraska with his Mom and Mommy. He has a best friend name Owen and a small computer that attaches to his arm, named Socrates. In the first episode of Buddy G: My Two Moms and Me, “The Lost Rings”, Buddy G and Owen are using utensils and other kitchen items to play imaginary games. Owen has decided he is the King of Rock n’ Roll. Buddy G is his loyal knight who won’t let bad sounds get past his shield!

Owen finds the rings of one of Buddy G’s moms. He decides the King of Rock n’ Roll needs some jewels to complete his motif. After convincing Buddy G its okay to borrow them, since she always says sharing is important, the two head outside to play. After an exhausting yet fun time playing, the two sit and discuss the banishing of Mary and her little lamb from the kingdom of rock n’ roll. As Owen says, she’s a nice girl, but really not suited for his kingdom.

It is then that Owen realizes he has lost the rings and it’s up to Buddy G and Owen to find them. After all, one of them was given to his Mom from her grandmother. With the help of Socrates, Buddy G’s personal computer, Buddy G can hopefully find the solution before his moms get too mad at idea of the lost rings. Overall, the story is cute and heartfelt, with some funny moments. Our teenager laughed at the silliness of Owen and Buddy G. He liked the show a lot and recommended it to his three year old cousin!

Buddy G: My Two Moms and Me teaches educational skills as well as social skills. In this first episode, kids learn words from other languages, a science lesson (I don’t want to tell what it is about because I don’t want to ruin the story for anyone), why telling the truth is important, the importance of honesty, problem solving skills, and how hard work can pay off. For as short as it was, Buddy G: My Two Moms and Me is packed with adventure and learning.

Overall, Buddy G: My Two Moms and Me impressed me. It is something I could expect to see told as a story on any other children’s show. Plenty of kids lose things. That’s not just reserved for kids of GLBT parents. How that is handled will depend on the parents and children from all walks of life can learn from the basic lessons Buddy G is so willing to teach.

Storyline/Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 5 out of 5 stars
Acting: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Directing: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
Buddy G: My Two Moms and Me is filmed in a 3D animation and was done on a low budget. With this in mind, the animation looks great. There are some minor visual errors that are visible from time to time, but overall, I’m very impressed with how well Buddy G: My Two Moms and Me turned out. I’m not exactly certain on the specs for the aspect ratio, but it looks pretty standard and there really wasn’t any problem with objects or items appearing off screen. It looks like pretty much any other 3D cartoon out there!

The sound for Buddy G: My Two Moms and Me is excellent. Everything comes through loud and clear. I had no problem hearing or understanding anything. The sound is great, and much better than I expected. No volume toggling was necessary. At this time, subtitles or closed captioning are unavailable.

Visual: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Audio: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
Buddy G: My Two Moms and Me has one bonus feature that is included on its very first DVD. After watching “The Lost Rings” children can enjoy a video by the String Beans (who wrote the theme song for Buddy G: My Two Moms and Me). This video is actually quite hilarious. Since Buddy G is from Nebraska, it’s only fitting that kids learn all about what makes Nebraska special. I was happily surprised to see the first Reuben sandwich was served in Nebraska…and Nebraska invented spam! Animated in a crude, early Southpark looking kind of fashion, this is a rated G video that every kid is going to love watching.

Bonus Features: 4 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
Buddy G: My Two Moms and Me is more than just a show about a kid with two moms. It’s an innovative show that just happens to be a relatively new concept in the world of animation by being the first of its kind. While kids of GLBT parents might not have had anything to look forward to in traditional television, Buddy G: My Two Moms and Me is adorable enough to capture fans in nearly every age group. GLBT parents have to buy this! I insist! Parents in more traditional households need to think about seriously purchasing this DVD. It is a great, non-threatening introduction for young children, to show them how normal non-traditional families really are…and wouldn’t you rather be the one teaching your child this?

Overall Rating: 4.29 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: Buddy G, My Two Moms and Me, GLBT, Colage, Nebraska, String Beans, animation, kids, children programming

As a parent in a somewhat non-traditional family I like to encourage my son to watch a wide variety of cartoons and television shows. Unfortunately, until recently all of the shows that typically depict GLBT individuals were geared towards adults. With so many children in GLBT households, it seemed as though it was only a matter of time before children’s programming embraced the diversity of non-traditional families.

Children live in so many different living environments these days. Two moms, two dads, a mom and a dad, grandparents, one parent, aunts and uncles, and even older (adult) siblings can and do raise children. There is no set family structure and unfortunately, the television atmosphere hasn’t changed with the times, alienating a massive audience of children who don’t live in a mom-dad household. Still, while other living situations (one parent, grandparents) have been explored in part, the whole of children’s programming has avoided adding anything about GLBT families into their shows, with one exception, Postcards from Buster (though PBS, sadly, pulled the episode featuring a GLBT family – before it aired).

Well, now GLBT families have DVDs geared specifically towards them. Kids of GLBT parents can now relate to the stream of independent DVDs that are now being released with these children in mind, and it all started with Dottie’s Magic Pockets. This fun show, geared towards a 2-7 year old audience, though older kids and adults seem to love it as well, was developed by Pink Pea Productions. While my first impression of the show was a psychedelic trip through cartoons of the 1970s, set in a 21st century setting, I was pleasantly surprised to learn just how much I, as an adult, enjoyed watching this show. My teenage son also liked it though he’d never admit it to his friends!

Release Information:
COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere) announced that the Dottie’s Magic Pockets DVD was released by Pink Pea Productions on September 17, 2007. We just recently learned about this DVD, so we’ve decided to review it since LI Kids is an equal opportunity blog, which supports families and kids in any household. While this DVD might not be for everyone, this DVD can appeal to a wide audience, including children in traditional households.

Dottie’s Magic Pockets is available exclusively at the Dottie’s Magic Pockets Website. It is available for $19.99 + s/h. The DVD features two, full length episodes (25 minutes) with a short, bonus feature.

The Dottie’s Magic Pockets Plot
Dottie’s Magic Pockets is an innovative new television show that is primarily geared towards teaching children between 2 and 7 years old about basic concepts. What is unique about Dottie’s Magic Pockets is that it also teaches children about compassion, love, and diversity. Dottie is both exuberant and calming as she hangs out with her fun, puppet-ish friends, Matilda the Mouse, James the Flower, Uncanny the Can and Randal the Beaver. Together, with her magic friends, Dottie teaches children in the same manner that many other children’s shows do, through interaction, music and participation.

Dottie’s Magic Pockets was created by Tammy Stoner after her son, Oliver, age 4, asked her why there weren’t any shows that featured two moms. Oliver was feeling left out, as many young children with GLBT parents have before him. Together, with a small group, Stoner founded Pink Pea Productions and Dottie’s Magic Pockets was their first collaborative effort. Finding the perfect person to play Dottie was imperative because Dottie has to be both charismatic and relatable.

In Jen Plante, an actress and comedian, the producers of Dottie’s Magic Pockets found the perfect blend of charisma, charm and the ability to relate to a wide audience. Young kids love Dottie because she’s magic. Parents and older children (even teens) love Dottie because she’s fun to watch. While many children’s shows make parents feel somewhat silly for watching them, Dottie’s Magic Pockets isn’t one of them. This is all that Plante brings to the role, and she’s pretty darn adorable to boot, so watching her is a pleasant experience for nearly any adult.

With Plante at the helm, the production team was able to develop the first Dottie’s Magic Pockets DVD, which is what I’m reviewing. The DVD features two episodes both 25 minutes in length. The episodes are entitled “Doing the Flower” and “Beat Beet”. Along the same vein as other children’s shows, Dottie’s Magic Pockets features small snippets with kids dancing, additional stories told, and the occasional adult who explains their profession. Overall, I wouldn’t consider Dottie’s Magic Pockets a GLBT show. It’s a children’s learning show, first and foremost, that just happens to be uniquely geared, so GLBT families can relate to the story.

The story goes that Dottie and her wife, May, have a young son, Oliver. Oliver is heading to school (I’m assuming his first year) and Dottie is sad. With Oliver gone at school and May at work, Dottie is left all alone. Before Oliver leaves, he gives Dottie a zip-up hoodie with magic pockets. In the pockets are magic sparkles (think magic dust) that turn the house into an area of adventure. Everything comes to life including the wall, aptly named Wally. This is explained in the opening credits.

In Dottie’s Magic Pockets there are plenty of song and dance numbers. Children are taught about the weather as Dottie helps them point out what the weather looks like outside by her description each day. She also teaches children dance moves, why being your unique self is important, how to cheer people up when they are sad, word structure (words that sound the same, but have different meanings) and socialization skills.

In “Doing the Flower”, Dottie teaches her puppet friends about how special they are. Randal wants to be a flower like James. James wants to be a construction worker and Matilda wants to be Dottie. Through Dottie’s gentle prodding and with the help of Dottie’s friend Joe (a real construction worker) and her visitors Celia and Kajsa (who visit with their baby, Seth), everyone learns that being who you are has its benefits. Everyone is unique in their own way and that makes each person special. At the end, the “Doing the Flower” dance has Dottie dancing (and a group of kids) as she invites viewers to stand up and ‘Do the Flower, the Beaver, the Can and the Mouse’. There is a spot about a caterpillar named Princess that is especially entertaining, in this episode.

The second episode, “Beat Beet” has Dottie explaining words that sound the same, but have different meanings like son and sun, eat jam and in a jam, something smells fishy and something is fishy and even beat and beet. Along the way, Matilda gets the hiccups and everyone has a solution to stop her from hiccupping. My son especially loved the bops that flew out of her mouth with each hiccup. To quote him, “that was rich!”

Dottie is able to take away the hiccups with a magic hiccup hat, but another problem crops up when Joe the construction worker visits. His boyfriend is out of town and he’s sad because he misses him. Dottie knows they must cheer Joe up, so they cheer him up with an awesome song and dance number. Joe is actually a pretty good rapper, and this song was my favorite that Dottie did in all of the episodes I watched.

While, yes, Dottie is a lesbian, she has lesbian friends and Joe is gay, that seems to have little to do with the purpose of Dottie’s Magic Pockets. Pink Pea Productions has done what other children’s shows could only dream of doing, by making a universally appealing character that just happens to be a lesbian. Mainstream audiences will do well to check out Dottie’s Magic Pockets and parents need to consider letting their children watch this, if they wish to have compassionate, caring and understanding children who turn into thoughtful, respectful adults.

Storyline/Plot: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Acting: 5 out of 5 stars
Directing: 5 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
For an independent production Dottie’s Magic Pockets is excellent. I’m not sure of the exact specs for the visual quality. What I do know is that the picture quality is crisp, vibrant, and colors come through brightly. The visual contrast is nice and there are very few, if any, noticeable errors. The production crew is made up of professionals and this shows in the visual quality of the Dottie’s Magic Pockets DVD.

The audio for Dottie’s Magic Pockets is pretty good. At times, Dottie’s voice sounds tinny, but that’s the only real problem I’ve noticed. The DVD doesn’t seem to offer subtitles, but what sound is available is in English and it comes through well. No volume toggling is needed. A more dynamic soundtrack might become available as the DVDs continue to be made for the show.

Visual: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Audio: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
There is one bonus feature included on the Dottie’s Magic Pockets DVD. I would have given it a higher score because I didn’t expect any bonuses features, but it is so short that it lost a few points. What is there is somewhat fun, if your child likes animals. The extra shows Dottie’s partner, May, who is a veterinarian, with various animals. Hopefully, future DVDs will have extra goodies. I’d love to see some Dottie’s Magic Pockets outtakes and blooper reels!

Bonus Features: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
Dottie’s Magic Pockets is more than just a show about a lesbian mom. It’s a show about learning, compassion and tolerance. With so many hate-filled, violence tainted television shows Dottie’s Magic Pockets is a breath of fresh air. GLBT families can enjoy this completely and non-GLBT families can enjoy and learn from this DVD if only they give the show the chance it deserves!

Overall Rating: 4.21 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: Dottie’s Magic Pockets, DVD Review, Kids Show, GLBT, lesbian, moms, children programming, learning