TV Show Info:
Writers: Simon Nicholson, Keith Chapman
Cast: Neil Morrissey, Mac Silk, Lorelei King, Emma Tate
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: 20th Century Fox/Hit Entertainment
Studio: Hits Entertainment & Lyons

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.

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TV Show Info:
Created by: Stan and Jan Berenstain
Cast: Camilla Scott, Benedict Campbell, Michael Cera, Tajja Isen
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Sony

Release Info:
Original Air Dates: September 14, 1985-2005 (two series linked together)
Season Air Dates:2003
DVD Box Set Release Date: August 12, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $10.99
Episodes: Season 3 episodes of the show plus one episode from Season 4

Growing up as a child of the 80s, the Berenstain Bears were a big part of my life. I read the books. I watched the original television series, which aired from 1985-1986. The Berenstain Bears played an active role in teaching me many of life’s important lessons. While I already knew how to do many things, the books and show helped to reinforce many of these positive lessons like learning to share and appreciating others in your daily life.

While some may think that the Berenstain Bears are too unrealistic, perhaps too perfect a family, with everything always working out as it should, children at an impressionable age who are the primary audiences for the Berenstain Bears shows and books, gain knowledge and respect through reading and watching about the Bears. I’d much rather have my child watching these (yes, they are wholesome) good-natured cartoons then letting him/her watch reality television, cartoons where the kids tell off their parents and treat everyone around them poorly or some other mindless drivel that currently airs on television.

Sure, some may say that the Berenstain Bears are dated, but they don’t have to be. Jealousy, sibling rivalry, spousal expectations and competitiveness are universal to all generations. Sure, the kids might not be as hip or as technologically friendly as today’s kids, but the shows are still fun to watch and the lessons learned are well worth taking the time to unwind and allow for much simpler life lessons to be taught in a refreshing and entertaining way.

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LI Kids is proud to be giving away three copies of Elmo’s World: Summer Vacation on DVD. To enter all you need to do is leave us a comment. Please be sure to only leave one. Comments are moderated to avoid spam, so it will not show up right away. People who leave multiple comments will be deleted from the contest altogether. If you do not see your comment within a day then by all means leave another one. Otherwise, do not worry as we accept comments several times a day.

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 June 25, 2008. This means that you have until June 24, 2008 at 11:59 PM EST to enter the contest.

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Writer: Simon Nicholson, Keith Chapman
Cast: Neil Morrissey, Mac Silk, Lorelei King, Emma Tate
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: 20th Century Fox/Hit Entertainment
Release Date: February 5, 2008

Hit Entertainment has a hit on their hands with their Bob the Builder television series and DVD releases. I’ve always loved cars and trucks, especially when I was little. Having a three year old nephew who is obsessed with trucks and construction made reviewing Bob the Builder On Site: Roads and Bridges a breeze.

I’d never seen the show before, even though my son, who is now 13, claims he used to watch it on Nickelodeon. I wasn’t really surprised by how good a show Bob the Builder is. I was surprised by how much I, as an adult, liked this DVD.

Bob the Builder On Site: Roads and Bridges, and I’m assuming all of the other various Bob DVDs and episodes, really do teach kids about building. I’m pretty sure I learned a thing or two, myself. I don’t know much about actual construction. Bob the Builder is a child friendly version of Bob Villa, though I think Bob the Builder might actually be more interesting!

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Writers: Various
Directors: Various
Cast: Mel Brooks, Charles Adler, Pamela Adlon, Melissa Disney, Maile Flanagan, Nika Futterman, Peadar Lamb, Tara Strong, Russi Taylor
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: February 19, 2008

I love cartoons and kids shows. Some might even say I’m a big kid. I’m partial to the shows I grew up with in the 1980s, so it’s rare when I find a modern day show that really tickles my fancy.

Sure, I like some of the preschool aged shows like Max & Ruby, The Backyardigans, and Wonder Pets, because I feel they all have great educational value and preschool aged kids love them. Still, I can’t spend all day watching the Nick Jr. line up, unless a little one is around. I have found that many cartoons, these days, lack that universal appeal shows like Garfield, The Smurfs, and Heathcliff seem to retain.

What I mean by this is that pretty much anyone, of any age group, can get into watching these cartoons. I’m not ashamed to admit I watch all of those cartoons as well as the Transformers, just to name a few. So, when I find a modern day show that appeals to people of all age groups, even if it might be geared towards a pint size audience, those shows are gold. I’m please to announce that I’ve found that in the PBS Kids, animated television series, Jakers! -The Adventures of Piggley Winks.

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Brand New Adventures from the Hit PBS KIDS® Show IT’S A BIG, BIG WORLD “BE HEALTHY AND HAPPY” and “EVERYBODY’S DIFFERENT” Two New Volumes Available on DVD on March 25, 2008

Culver City, CA (January 28, 2008) –Sony Pictures Home Entertainment announces two new DVD releases of from the Emmy®-nominated PBS KIDS® series It’s a Big, Big World on March 25. The first volume, Be Healthy and Happy, teaches valuable lessons about how animals of all kinds take care of themselves. The second volume, Everybody’s Different, encourages exploring diversity in nature. Each volume will feature five entertaining adventures and will include a subscription card which offers 25% off a year’s subscription to the new preschool magazine, Highlights High Five®. The new It’s a Big Big World DVDs will retail for a family-friendly SLP of $12.99 each.

Created by Daytime Emmy® winner Mitchell Kriegman, (2003, Outstanding Directing in a Children’s Series, Bear in the Big Blue House; 2002, Outstanding Directing in a Children’s Series, The Book of Pooh; 2001, Outstanding Directing in a Children’s Series, Bear in the Big Blue House), It’s a Big, Big World is a ground-breaking series that encourages parents and children to develop environmentally friendly habits and choices. Set in an exotic rainforest, It’s a Big, Big World follows Snook, an energetic tree sloth, and his friends as they learn about the world around them in stories packed with music, humor and adventure.

Synopses

It’s a Big, Big World: Be Healthy and Happy
Balance
Wartz is upset that he can’t balance on the seesaw with the monkeys. But after practicing tai chi and learning more about amphibians, Wartz realizes he has his own type of balance!

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Full Steam Ahead For Fun & Excitement As HIT Entertainment & Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment Release: THOMAS & FRIENDS™: ENGINES AND ESCAPADES

Los Angeles/New York (Jan. 24, 2008) – Join beloved Thomas the Tank Engine™ and all his Narrow Gauge friends, as they head off on exciting adventures in the all-new DVD Thomas & Friends: Engines and Escapades, arriving in stores nationwide March 4, 2008. Thomas and his Narrow Gauge friends Duncan, Rusty, Freddy, Skarloey, Rheneas, Sir Handle, controller Percival and Thomas’ newest friend Madge, the kindly snub-nosed truck, come down the tracks in these six never-before-seen adventures with storyteller Michael Brandon. In addition, children can sing-along with the puffing steam cloud to two music videos.

“Duncan Does It All” – Duncan, the engine who enjoys staying busy, has become bored with his usual job of transporting straw around Sodor. His desire for exciting new work leads to a day of job-hopping, taking over the duties of his engine friends with the promise to do a good job. But after realizing he never completed any of the tasks he agreed to do, he quickly corrects his mistake, learning that it’s always important to keep your word and finish what you start.

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