New on DVD: ZakLand

ZakLand: The Shiny Surprise is the creation of the Grammy-nominated children's entertainer, Zak Morgan. He takes his audience on a magical journey in a musical world where we learn about the power of imagination and hard work. Zak Morgan's wordplay and child-friendly sophistication have drawn frequent comparisons to both Shel Silverstein and Dr. Seuss. This live-action / animated world DVD is about the adventures of Zak and his friends: Marty the Bullfrog, Uncle Hank, the Can-Can Twins, and lots of kids. It features a mix of funny songs with Zak Morgan singing and playing the guitar. In between songs, we learn various lessons about imagination. This DVD is coming out on May 20th, and is available at Amazon.com.

Clicktoy: The Meadow

If you're a fan of Giggles, be sure to check out Clicktoy: the Meadow. The Meadow is a colourful, movie-like 3d game experience that allows parents and little ones to interact with lovable animals and nature while exploring at their own pace. This is a lot different from the way other child software works, and it looks pretty amazing judging from the video above. And most importantly, Clicktoy creates an environment where its safe for your child to use your computer. He won't delete any important files while he hits your keyboard over and over again. Buy it now from Clicktoy Interactive for $20.

Kibbles Rockin' Clubhouse vol. 1 Expressing Yourself

April is National Autism month, and it's a subject that strikes close to home here at Super Cool Baby. So in honor of that I'd like to share with you two new DVDs: Kibbles Rockin' Clubhouse vol. 1 Expressing Yourself, and Skill-Building Buddies: Handling Transitions and Change.

Handling Transitions and Change teaches children effective strategies for handling transitions and change. The DVD is partially animated, with hosts Mikey, Mandy and Marvel who introduce age-appropriate situations that children face every day at home, school, and with their friends. These live-action vignettes show the appropriate strategies in clear and explicit ways, and are then reinforced through music videos. This DVD is for older kids ages 5 to 12, and is available through Mazzarella Media. Unfortunately their website seems to be down at the time of writing, but hopefully it'll be back up soon!

Kibbles Rockin' Clubhouse is another great DVD designed for kids with autism and their parents. This volume, Expressing Yourself, uses creative visuals, peer modelling, and fun songs to teach kids as young as 2 more effective strategies for expressing themselves. There's even segments by speech and music therapists, and it includes teaching tools for parents as well. The DVD comes with a companion CD of the sing-a-long songs that are included in the video as well.

We here at Super Cool Baby hope that you don't need these DVDs, but if you do, its nice to know that they're out there.

FARMkids: Chaos in the Country

In FARMkids: Chaos in the Country, the FARMkids are a bunch of fast-lane, pampered, city animals who live a glamorous life in a petting zoo. However, hilarity ensues in this DVD when they all get relocated to a dude ranch. There are 7 different computer animated episodes, each is about 10 minutes long. I'd never heard of FARMkids before, but they seem interesting enough. This might be a great alternative if you're sick of the usual Thomas, Dora, and Barney DVDs.

Coming Soon: Giggles Nursery Rhymes

Way back in 2006, we reviewed Giggles Computer Funtime for Baby; software that allows babies 6 to 24 months to safely use your computer. Well, the folks over at Leveractive, the makers of Giggles, are coming out with a new product designed for children 6 to 36 months: Giggles Nursery Rhymes. We'll be doing an in depth review of the software in the coming weeks, but we wanted to give you a heads up on this great product. There are 14 unique activities, and over 60 songs. Each activity is based on a well-known Nursery Rhyme. If its anything like My Animal Friends, and Shapes, then Anderson will surely love it and we'll be assured that he's not going to destroy the computer in the process of using it. So keep an eye out for our full review coming in the next few weeks!

New DVD Releases for the Spring!

HIT entertainment is releasing 3 new DVDs today, just in time to celebrate spring up here in the northern hemisphere. You can get an all new Thomas & Friends: Engines and Escapades, an all new Bob the Builder: Building Bobland Bay, and a Barney: Animal ABCs.

Thomas & Friends: Engines and Escapades, contains 6 episodes: Duncan Does it All, Sir Handel in Charge, Cool Truckings, Ding-A-Ling, Skarloey Storms Through, and Wash Behind Your Buffers. The DVD is approximately 50 minutes long. Each episode is new and has never before been shown on television.

Bob the Builder: Building Bobland Bay also contains 6 never-before seen episodes: The House that Lofty Built, Bob's Big Idea, Lofty the Lifeguard, Star Struck Spud, Tumbler and the Skate Park, and Fantastic Flex. This DVD also includes 3 special features: episodes of Fireman Sam, Fifi and the Flowerpots, and a chance to meet new members of the Can-Do Crew.

Finally, in Barney: Animal ABCs, Barney and his friends play a game and find an animal for each letter of the alphabet. A great way to learn about animals and the alphabet.

These DVDs are released today and are available for about $10 each at Amazon.

New DVD Releases for the Spring!

There's a couple of DVDs that are coming out today that we've had a chance to see here at Super Cool Baby.

First is Pingu - On Thin Ice. Before this DVD, I'd never really seen Pingu before, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Its animated using claymation, and it sort of reminds me of the clay cavemen on Sesame Street. When the penguins talk, it comes out as gibberish, so the focus is really on their activities. Its quite fun, and exciting! This 60 minute DVD contains 8 short episodes, and a DVD-Rom when you insert it into your computer.

Next is Barney: Celebrating Around the world. This Barney DVD contains all-new, never-before-seen-on-TV material which explores diferent types of celebrations from around the world.

Finally, we've got Springtime Fun!. This DVD is a collection of HIT Entertainment favorites including Thomas and Friends, Barney, Bob the Builder, Angelina Ballerina, Fireman Sam, and Kipper. There are an additional 2 bonus episodes including a new creation: Fifi and the Flowertots, and Fuzzbuzz.

These three DVDs are all available today, and make will definitely make for some fun late-winter and early spring watching for your little ones.

Review: The Wheels on the Bus: Mango's Big Dog Parade

We were able to get a preview of The Wheels on the Buss: Mango's Big Dog Parade, a new DVD that is coming out today. Roger Daltrey, of The Who voices the bus-driving dragon, Argon in this 33 minute adventure made for children ages two to four.

This DVD focuses on themes that teach children basic skills of cooperation, good behavior and manners that will (hopefully) last a lifetime. We see these themes in the four adventures on this DVD. There's a trip to an insect filled jungle, a peppy sing-filled tune-up at Joe's Garage. The gang gets lost in a fairy-filled enchanted forest before finally finding their way back to the Big Dog Parade. Along the way, Roger Daltrey as Argon sing many different variations of "the Wheels on the Bus," as well as 4 original songs by composer Laura Hall.

Also on the DVD, a short behind-the-scenes video and a lyrics sheet. This is the third title of "The Wheels on the Bus" series. You can also get Mango's Animal Adventure, and Mango Helps the Moon Mouse.

Review: Stories from Around the World

Stories from Around the World is a new DVD released this fall from BookBox. It features 5 different Christmas stories for around the world: The First Well, The Boo in the Shoe, The Whispering Palms, The Little Pianist, and Elephant goes to the City. I wasn't familiar with these particular stories, but they were all nice enough. The animation style is simplistic, almost like a moving story book. Meaning, some of the elements of the page move around, but things like faces aren't animated.

This DVD employs Same Language Subtitling; a scientifically tested method to improve reading skills. Think of it like reading karaoke (which is exactly how its marketed). Below the animation, the words flash by, karaoke style.

The DVD can be played in English or Spanish, and can feature subtitling of either or both languages as well. This is a nice feature in bilingual households, or if you or your child are practicing a second language.

Stories from Around the World runs about 30 minutes, so each story is about 6 minutes long.

Review: Enchanting Christmas Stories

Enchanting Christmas Stories is a new DVD released this fall from BookBox. It features 5 different stories: The First Christmas, The Elves and the Shoemaker, Tucket the Bucket, The Greatest Treasure, and Santa's Christmas. I wasn't familiar with these particular stories, but they were all nice Christmas stories. The animation style is simplistic, almost like a moving story book. Meaning, some of the elements of the page move around, but things like faces aren't animated.

This DVD employs Same Language Subtitling; a scientifically tested method to improve reading skills. Think of it like reading karaoke (which is exactly how its marketed). Below the animation, the words flash by, karaoke style.

The DVD can be played in english or spanish, and can feature subtitling of either or both languages as well. This is a nice feature in bilingual households, or if you or your child are practicing a second language.

Enchanting Christmas Stories runs about 30 minutes, so each story is about 6 minutes long.

Winter Wonderland

There's a new DVD coming out in a few days that'll interest a lot of kids. Winter Wonderland celebrates winter with all their favorite friends: Barney, Bob the Builder, Thomas the Tank Engine, Kipper , Pingu, and Fireman Sam. The DVD contains six brand new winter themed episodes of your favorite shows. Each is about 10 minutes long, and the whole DVD is ap proximately 60 minutes in length. So as the weather gets colder, pop Winter Won derland into the DVD player!

Review: Angelina Ballerina: A Star Collection

I'll be the first to admit that I hadn't heard of Angelina Ballerina before. But when we recently received the new Angelina Ballerina: A Star Collection boxed set, I was intrigued. This boxed set was released last month, and includes 3 DVDs: Lights, Camera, Action!, In the Wings, and Rose Fairy Princess. Each DVD runs about 50 minutes and includes special features like read-alongs and several games.

Angelina Ballerina is a complete stranger in our house, but if you've got a fan, this would make a great gift in the upcoming holiday season!

Barney: The Imagination Collection

Do you have a Barney fan in your house? Well, there's a new Barney boxed set that was just recently released: Barney: The Imagination Collection. This 3 DVD set includes Happy, Mad, Silly, Sad, Best Manners: Your Invitation to Fun, and Barney's Read with Me, Dance with Me. Best Manners and Read with Me have never been aired on TV and include special features like read-alongs, and several games.

Barney isn't watched too often in our house, but I think this would make a great gift in some houses this upcoming holiday season!

Thomas and Friends: Steam Engine Stories

I will admit that in our house, we watch an occasional Thomas and Friends. There's just something about the island of Sodor that tickles my fancy, and Andy doesn't seem to mind so much either. Well, last Tuesday a new DVD boxed set was released: Thomas and Friends: Steam Engine Stories. This set includes 3 DVDs: Come Ride the Rails, Tales from the Tracks, and Track Stars. Each DVD includes six story stops and additional features like read-alongs, songs, Spot the Difference, even a Sodor Activity Depot DVD-ROM for you computer.

This boxed set of DVDs would make a great gift to any children you know who are big Thomas and Friends fans!