ALSC's 2004 Notable Videos, Recordings, Software & Online Subscription Services for Children

By Staff -- School Library Journal, 4/1/2004

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The Notable children's videos, recordings, software, and online subscription services lists are compiled annually by three committees of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). These lists were released during the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia, PA. The items on these lists were selected by committees of librarians and educators from across the country on the basis of their originality, creativity, and suitability for young children.

Video

Bark, George.
6 min. Weston Woods. 2003. ISBN 1-55592-535-9. $60. PreS-Gr 3.
Bread Comes to Life: A Garden of Wheat and a Loaf to Eat.
22 min. Informed Democracy. 2003. ISBN 1-879368-03-X. $99 (+7.95 s/h). PreS-Gr 6.
Chiefs.
1:29 hrs. Prod. by Dewey-Obenchain Films. Dist. by Active Parenting. 2002, 2003 release. ISBN 1-880283-61-1. $129.95. Gr 7 Up.
Come On, Rain.
9 min. Weston Woods. 2003. ISBN 1-55592-523-5. $60. K-Gr 3
Coral Seas
(Blue Planet: Seas of Life). 52 min. Discovery Channel School. $29.95. Gr 5-9.
Dem Bones.
10 min. Weston Woods. 2003. ISBN 1-55592-537-5. $60. K-Gr 4.
Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa.
18 min. Weston Woods. 2003. ISBN 1-55592-520-0. $60. K-Gr 6
Everyday Signs
(Signing Time!, Vol. 3). 30 min. Two Little Hands Prods. 2003. video: $16.99; DVD: $16.99. PreS-Gr 1.
Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists: Leonardo Da Vinci.
24 min. Prod. by Kiki & Assocs. Dist. by gettingtoknow.com. 2003. $24.95. K-Gr 6.
Giggle, Giggle, Quack.
9 min. Weston Woods. 2003. ISBN 1-55592-536-7. $60. K-Gr 3.
I Want a Dog.
10:09 min. with hardcover book. National Film Board of Canada. 2003. #C9102 133. $89. K-Gr 4.
'Let's Get a Pup!' Said Kate.
7:45 min. Spoken Arts. 2003. #SAV9683. $49.95. K-Gr 3.
Showa Shinzan.
13 min. National Film Board of Canada. $89. Gr 5-9.
Snowflake Bentley.
20 min. Weston Woods. 2003. ISBN 1-55592-513-8. $60. K-Gr 6.
The Teacher from the Black Lagoon.
9 min. Weston Woods. 2003. ISBN 1-55592-518-9. $60. K-Gr 3.
The Velveteen Rabbit.
24 min. Adelante. 2003. $14.95 (+ $5 s/h). PreS-Gr 5.

2004 Notable Children's Videos Committee: Stephen A. Zampino (Chair), Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT.; Elizabeth Jane Abramson, Los Angeles Public Library; Patricia S. Arnold, East Baton Rouge (LA) Parish Library; Elizabeth K. Bush, St. Damian School Library, Oak Forest, IL.; Edith Ching, St. Albans School, Washington, DC; Martha Edmundson, Denton (TX) Public Library System; Helen Foster James, San Diego, CA; Molly Krukewitt, Fort Bend County (TX) Libraries; Margaret Tice, New York Public Library; Kathryn Lee Whitacre, Free Library of Philadelphia; Susan Wray, Kansas City (MO) Public Library.

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Recordings

African Playground.
1 CD. 43:33 min. Putumayo Kids. 2002. ISBN 1-58750-065-4. $15.98. Gr all levels.
Amber Was Brave, Essie Was Smart: The Story of Amber and Essie, Told Here in Poems and Pictures.
By Vera B. Williams; read by Barbara Rosenblat, Carine Montbertrand, Daisy Eagan. 1 cassette or 1 CD. 28:03 min. with hardcover book. Live Oak Media. 2003. cassette, ISBN 1-59112-186-8: $25.95; CD, ISBN 1-59112-339-9: $28.95. K-Gr 3.
The Carnivorous Carnival
(A Series of Unfortunate Events #9). By Lemony Snicket; ready by Tim Curry. 4 cassettes or 4 CDs. 5 hrs. Harper Children's Audio. 2003. cassette, ISBN 0-06-008781-1: $20; CD, ISBN 0-06-056624-4: $20. Gr 3-6.
Charlie Bone and the Time Twister.
By Jenny Nimmo; read by Simon Beale. 4 cassettes. 6:41 hrs. Listening Library. 2003. ISBN 0-8072-1899-5. $32. Gr 3-7.
A Corner of the Universe.
By Ann M. Martin; read by Judith Ivey. 3 cassettes or 4 CDs. 4:30 hrs. Listening Library. 2003. cassette, ISBN 0-8072-1671-2: $30; CD, ISBN 0-8072-1776-X: $30. Gr 4-7.
Dreamland: World Lullabies & Soothing Songs.
1 CD. 37 min. Putumayo World Music. 2003. ISBN 1-58759-071-9. $15.98. Gr all levels.
Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa.
By Andrea Pinkney; read by Billy Dee Williams. 1 cassette or 1 CD. 20 min. Weston Woods. 2003. cassette w/hardcover book, ISBN 1-55592-175-2: $24.95; CD w/hardcover book, ISBN 1-55592-438-0: $29.95. K-Gr 4.
Get Ready for Second Grade, Amber Brown.
By Paula Danziger; read by Dana Lubotsky. 1 cassette. 14:36 min. with hardcover book. Live Oak Media. 2003. ISBN 1-59112-234-1. $25.95; 1 cassette w/paperback book, ISBN 1-59112-233-3: $16.95; 1 cassette w/4 paperbacks, ISBN 1-59112-235-X: $29.95. PreS-Gr 2.
Giggle Giggle Quack.
By Doreen Cronin; read by Randy Travis. 1 cassette or 1 CD. 5 min. Weston Woods. 2003. cassette w/hardcover book, ISBN 55592-691-6: $24.95; CD w/hardcover book, ISBN 1-55592-701-7: $29.95. K-Gr 3.
Indian Elephant Tea.
Performed by Skip Ewing and the Big Kidz Band. 1 CD. 38 min. Prod. by Big Kidz Band. Dist. by Rounder Kids. 2003. ISBN 1-57940-086-8. $14.98. Gr all levels.
Inkheart.
By Cornelia Funke; read by Lynn Redgrave. 10 cassettes or 14 CDs. 15:35 hrs. Listening Library. 2003. cassette, ISBN 0-8072-1951-7: $55; CD, ISBN 0-8072-2010-8: $85. Gr 5-9.
Midnight for Charlie Bone.
By Jenny Nimmo; read by Simon Russell. 5 cassettes. 7 hrs. Listening Library. 2003. ISBN 0-8072-1663-1. $36. Gr 3-7.
Most Perfect Harmony.
1 CD. 1:08 hrs. Big Canoe Records. 2003. $15. Gr 2-6.
Nicky's Jazz for Kids.
Performed by Nicky the Jazz Cat. 1 CD. 34 min. Dominick Media. $16.99. Gr all levels.
Noah's Ark.
By Jerry Pinkney; read by Dennis Haysbert. 1 cassette or 1 CD. 10 min. Weston Woods. 2003. cassette w/hardcover book, ISBN 1-55592-530-8: $24.95; CD w/hardcover book, ISBN 1-55592-533-2: $29.95. Gr all levels.
Rodzina.
By Karen Cushman; read by Becky Ann Baker. 3 cassettes or 4 CDs. 4:47 hrs. Listening Library. 2003. cassette, ISBN 0-8072-1577-5: $30; CD, ISBN 0-9072-1616-X: $35. Gr 5-8.
Sahara Special.
By Esme Raji Codell; read by Phylicia Rashad. 2 cassettes. 3:20 hrs. Listening Library. 2003. ISBN 0-8072-1721-1. $23. Gr 4-7.
Songs from the Street: 35 Years of Music.
3 CDs. 30 min. ea. Sony Wonder. ISBN 0-73892-277-3. $44.98. Gr all levels.
Star Wars—Jedi Quest 2: Trail of the Jedi.
By Jude Watson; read by Jonathan Davis. 2 cassettes. 2:30 hrs. Listening Library. 2003. ISBN 0-8072-0833-7. $18. Gr 3-7.
Sweet Dreams. Performed by Nina Gerber. 1 CD. 52 min. Goatscape Music/Nina Gerber. 2003. $15. Gr all levels.
The Tale of Despereaux.
By Kate Dicamillo; performed by Graeme Malcolm. 3 cassettes or 4 CDs. 3:30 hrs. Listening Library. 2003. cassette, ISBN 0-8072-1948-7: $30; CD, ISBN 0-8072-2006-X: $35. K-Gr 6.
Voyage of the Dawn Treader
(Chronicles of Narnia Series). By C.S. Lewis; read by Sir Derek Jaobi. 4 cassettes or 4 CDs. 6 hrs. Harper Children's Audio. 2003. cassette, 0-06-056444-X. $24; CD, ISBN 0-06-056446-6: $27.50. Gr 3-7.
The Wee Free Men.
By Terry Pratchett; read by Stephen Briggs. 7 cassettes. 9 hrs. Harper Children's Audio. 2003. ISBN 0-06-056625-6. $29.95. Gr 5-8.
Where I'd Like to Be.
By Frances Dowell O'Roard; read by Denise Wilbanks. 3 cassettes. 4 hrs. Listening Library. 2003. ISBN 0-8072-1574-0. $30. Gr 3-6.
Winnie-the-Pooh.
By A.A. Milne; read by Jim Broadbent. 2 cassettes. 3 hrs. Harper Children's Audio. 2003. ISBN 0-06-054043-5. $18. Gr all levels.

2004 Notable Children's Recordings Committee: Thomas J. Barthelmess (Chair), Spokane County (WA) Library District; Mary Burkey, Grandview Heights City Schools, Columbus, OH; Adrienne Furness, Webster (NY) Public Library; Virginia M. Gustin, Sonoma County Library, Santa Rosa, CA.; Kathleen Apuzzo Krasniewicz, Perrot Memorial Library, Old Greenwich, CT; Linda W. Lewis, Free Library of Philadelphia; Amy Lilien-Harper, Ferguson Library, Harry Bennett Branch, Stamford, CT.; Glenna M. Sloan, Queens College School of Education, Flushing, NY

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Software

Exploring the World of Thomas Day. Win/Mac. Thomas Day Educational Project. 2003. $59.95. Gr 4 Up.
Form Wild: Birds, Insects, African Animals (Series). Win/Mac. Kaulfuss Designers. 2002. $9.98 ea. Gr 4 Up.
Garfield's Typing Pal. Win. DeMarque. $19.95. Gr 2 Up.
I Spy Fantasy. Win/Mac. Scholastic. $19.95. Gr 3 Up.
Learn to Play Chess with Fritz & Chesster. Win. Viva Media. 2003. ISBN 1-932174-13-3. $29.99. Gr 3 Up.
Math Missions: The Amazing Arcade. Win/Mac. Scholastic. $19.95. Gr 3-5.
Math Missions: The Race to Spectacle City. Win/Mac. Scholastic. $19.99. K-Gr 2.

Online Subscription Services

Authors4Teens. Greenwood Publishing. www.authors4teens.com.
Cobblestone Online. Carus Publishing. www.cobblestoneoline.net.
Facts On File Online. Facts on File. www.fofweb.com
unitedstreaming. United Learning. www.unitedstreaming.com.
World Book Online. World Book, Inc. www.worldbookonline.com.

2004 Notable Computer Software for Children Committee: Barbara Scotto (Chair), Brookline (MA) Public Schools; Dianne Baasch, IMediaSource, New York; Julie Cohen, Berkshire Country Day School, Lenox, MA.; Kirsten G. Cutler, Sonoma County Library, Rohnert Park, CA; Caren S. Koh, Queens Library, Jamaica, NY; Bina Williams, Bridgeport (CT) Public Library.

Andrew Carnegie Medal Giggle, Giggle, Quack 9 min. Weston Woods. 2003. ISBN 1-55592-536-7. $60. Paul R. Gagne and Melissa Reilly, producers of Giggle, Giggle, Quack, based on the picture book written by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Betsy Lewin, are the recipients of the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children's Video. Country star Randy Travis narrates this tale about a mischievous duck.   Distributors Active Parenting, 1955 Vaughn Rd. NW, Suite 108, Kennesaw, GA 30144; 800/825-0060; www.ActiveParenting.com Adelante, 235 E. 57th St., New York, NY 10022; 800/772-0380 Big Canoe Records, 513 High St., Boonville, MO 65233; 660/882-3353; www.bigcanoerecords.com DeMarque, 400 Boulevard Jean-Lesage, Suite 540, Quebec, Canada G1K 8W1; 888/458-9143; www.demarque.com/demarque/english/shopping/one.asp Discovery Channel School, Box 6027, Florence, KY 41022; 888/892-3484; www.discoveryschool.com Dominick Media, 305 W. Broadway, Suite 214, New York, NY 10013; 212/925-0611; www.nickythejazzcat.com gettingtoknow.com, 30 E. Huron #4709, Chicago, IL 60611; www.gettingtoknow.com Goatscape Music/Nina Gerber, Box 2431, El Cerito, CA 94530; ninagerber.com Harper Children's Audio, 10 East 53rd St., New York, NY 10022; 800/242-7737; www.harperchildrens.com Informed Democracy, Box 67, Santa Cruz, CA 95063; 800/827-0949; www.informeddemocracy.com Kaulfuss Designers, 24 South River Rd., Des Plaines, IL 60016; 800/752-9385 Listening Library/Books on Tape, Box 25122, Santa Ana, CA 92799; 800/243-4504; library.booksontape.com Live Oak Media, Box 652, 2775 Church St., Pine Plains, NY 12567; 800/788-1121; www.liveoakmedia.com National Film Board of Canada, Box 1084, Harriman, NY 10926; 800/542-2164; www.nfb.ca Putumayo World Music, 411 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10003; 800/995-9588; www.putumayo.com Rounder Kids, One Camp St., Cambridge, MA 02140; 310/305-3050; www.rounder.com Scholastic, Box 7503, Jefferson City, MO 65102; 800/724-6527; www.scholastic.com Sony Wonder, 51 52 Columbia Dr., Carrollton, GA 30117; 800/338-7834; www.sonywonder.com Spoken Arts, 195 S. White Rock Rd., Holmes, NY 12531; 800/326-4090; www.spokenartsmedia.com Thomas Day Educational Project, Box 12888, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709; 919/544-2796 Two little Hands Productions, Box 581037, Salt Lake City, UT 84158; 801/533-0444; signingtime.com Viva Media, 580 Broadway, New York, NY 10012; 212/431-4420; www.viva-media.com Weston Woods, 143 Main St., Norwalk, CT 06851; 800/243-5020; www.scholastic.com/westonwoods

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