Video/DVD

K-Gr 7–Animator/art instructor Michael Dowell, aka Michael Moodoo, dressed in a top hat and tails, teaches viewers how to draw basic shapes. Next, he demonstrates how to draw dinosaur body parts, giving these shapes names such as macaroni, bent pipes, and gum drops. All the shapes become part of a dinosaur. In part 2, Moodoo demonstrates how to combine the basic shapes to draw 12 dinosaurs including a stegosaurus, a fighting T-rex, a triceratops, and a guitar-equipped dilophosaurus. Viewers following along may need to hustle to keep up, but the artist is always encouraging and stresses that practice is important. Humorous animated segments of the fully drawn dinosaur close most lessons and are a good place to pause the video for practice before going on to the next section. Terms like herbivore and carnivore are explained along with some information about dinosaur anatomy and behavior. There’s all-out silliness in the final Disco Dinos section, where brachiosaurus holds a disco ball. Viewers will learn how to draw many different types of dinosaurs and will appreciate the emphasis on having fun while drawing.–Joan Karasick, Greenwich High School, CT

Gr 2-7–In this one hour class, dance instructor Gregg Russell, an Emmy-nominated choreographer, breaks hip-hop dancing down so that kids can easily pick up the moves. He and six young dancers begin with a warm-up that consists of easy dance moves, stretching, and push-ups. They progress to across the floor movements (ways to get across the floor besides just walking), two dance routines, and conclude with a freestyle circle. The routines are shown in their entirety and then broken down into specific moves. While there isn’t much ethnic diversity in the participants and Russell uses the term booty (as in “bounce that booty around”) a bit, this is a great introduction to hip-hop dancing that will fly off the shelves.–Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

PreS–An anthropomorphic star, Inky, hosts this program that presents the lower case letters of the alphabet. For each letter, a narrator and then children state the name of the letter accompanied by live-action video of an object that starts with that letter. The name of the object is also printed on the screen. Lively background music, such as Scott Joplin’s “The Entertainer,” accompanies each letter. The objects representing each letter are familiar to children such as apple, cup, and kite. Be aware that marbles for the letter “m” and popcorn for the letter “p” can be choking hazards for young children. The layout is clean, bright, and simple. An additional purchase for public libraries.–Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

PreS–BabyPro’s goal is to encourage active play. In the third volume in the series, children ages 9 months to 4 years are encouraged to try cheerleading, dance, and gymnastics. Each activity is first introduced by young children, and then older children, teens and, finally, professionals are shown performing the movements. Classical music by Mozart, Vivaldi, Strauss, and others is the backdrop for the featured activities while a soothing voice describes the action. While the premise is a good one, the execution is a bit rough. These activities are designed to be observed but are not interactive. When the activities are performed, viewers are neither encouraged nor guided to imitate any of the movements. Boys are well represented in the gymnastics section, but two men are only shown briefly during the dance segment. Viewers can choose to watch a specific activity or age group perform. For large collections.–Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

PreS-Gr 2–In this outing, the trains on the Island of Sodor are back for seven new adventures with the spotlight on Thomas, Edward, Trevor, Diesel, Gordon, Percy and Duck. With George Carlin as storyteller, viewers are treated to stories such as “Thomas Gets Bumped,” Diesel Does It Again,” and “Gordon and the Famous Visitor.” Bonus features include a section where viewers can learn about each of the characters; a game; a read-along story, “Thomas Tells a Lie,” where the words are highlighted on the screen; and a sing-along song, “Accidents Will Happen.” A must have for all collections serving Thomas fans.–Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

PreS-Gr 1–The Money Mammals are Joe the Monkey, Piggs the Bank, Clara J. Camel, and Marmoset the Monkey. In this song-filled romp, Joe and his friends are learning to “Share & Save & Spend Smart Too.” Joe and Piggs want to spend their money on the new Coconut Hero Card until they learn that Clara would like a new red hat for her birthday. Joe and Piggs don’t have enough money to buy both items, but through a series of songs and fun antics, they learn that saving money to buy something for a friend can be better than buying something for themselves. Live puppetry combined with computer generated scenery produce bright, engaging scenarios that will captivate youngsters. Humor and upbeat songs, such as “One Coin for the Coconut Card,” Saving Money Rules,” and “Make the Right Choice,” get the message across about the importance of saving money. Special features include “Just for Parents,” a section offering parents tips on how to teach their children about the value of money, and “Sing with Us,” a compilation of the featured songs. An entertaining, educational production that young children will want to watch again and again.–Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

Gr 10 Up–This informative ABC News program, hosted by George Stephanopoulos, showcases a successful high school culinary arts curriculum, Careers in the Culinary Arts Program. The documentary visits a Queens, NY, high school where this curriculum was instituted and films a current student cooking at home and in his well-equipped classroom. His interest in the program has helped boost his reading and other academic skills. A graduate of the high school who became a successful sous chef in a Manhattan restaurant is interviewed, and he explains the many facets of his job. The program encourages disaffected students to finish their education. This well-produced program may inspire curriculum coordinators to expand their culinary arts program and encourage students to consider a career in the field.–Anitra Gordon, formerly Lincoln High School, Ypsilanti, MI

K-Gr 5–One of EnlivenArt’s objectives is to provide youngsters with entertainment that promotes a positive self image, and these four stories accomplish that goal. Featuring Saturday morning-style animation, the main characters in each story must solve a problem. In “Moon Lake,” Jonjo, a young elephant, works with his rabbit friend to find his family while evading the hungry lions. In “Under Sea Adventure,” a team of scientists save a fish habitat from the awakening undersea volcano. Prince Jordan and Princess Melissa stop a monster they find at the center of the earth in “High Tech Kingdom.” In “Magic Book,” two boys brave a variety of dangers on their magical quest to find a wand. With subtle lessons on the environment, nature, critical thinking, and imagination, this will be a welcome addition to collections.–Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

PreS-Gr 3–Each DVD in the series contains four stories, ranging in length from 8 to 14 minutes. The brightly illustrated tales are presented in an iconographic format with elements from each picture simply (and somewhat stiffly) animated. Some of the stories are traditional tellings of fairy tales, such as “Thumbelina,” “The Boy Who Drew Cats,” “The Elves and the Shoemaker,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Hansel and Gretel,” “The Golden Goose,” and others. Others, such as “The City Mouse and the Country Mouse,” “The Wolf and the Seven Kids,” and “Little Red Riding Hood,” are folktales. Some others are not a perfect fit for either category. “Alice in Wonderland” and “The Wizard of Oz” (which seems to be based more on the movie than the book) have been severely edited. “The Five Chinese Brothers” are not exactly alike (as in Clare Bishop’s book), but the one with the southern accent is a trifle disconcerting. Both male and female narrators are used, and different voices provide the dialogue for each character. Paperback books are available for each story. The DVD includes vocabulary lessons at three levels (beginning, intermediate, and advanced) and vocabulary and reading comprehension questions. A subtitle option is available. While not exceptional, these competently done programs might be useful for compare and contrast lessons on traditional folk and fairy tales.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

PreS-Gr 2–All of the inhabitants of Toy Castle, including Ballerina, Ruby the Mouse, Goblin, Soldier, Clown, and China Doll, are preparing for various birthday parties and celebrations. Among these 12 live-action ballet stories, beautifully performed by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet using dance, mime, music, and storytelling, are: “Birthday Bash,” “Happy Birthday to Me,” “Rag Doll’s Gift,” “Surprise Party,” and “Meow Meow’s Birthday.” The castle, the scenery, and the characters’ costumes are colorful. In a bonus feature, the characters teach viewers a number of ballet steps. DVD-ROM special features include games, puzzles, and stories that feature the characters from the ballet. A beautiful addition to collections for young children.–Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

PreS-Gr 2–Set in the large courtyard of Toy Castle, these 12 entertaining ballet stories are performed beautifully by members of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet on a brightly colored stage with a large castle as the backdrop. The performers wear costumes in bright primary colors, and combine dance, mime, and music to illustrate each story. Featuring characters such as Ballerina, Rag Doll, China Doll, and Strongman, the tales address issues familiar to young children such as “Tooth Fairy,” “Man in the Moon,” and “Night Lights” in a non-threatening manner. In a fun extra feature, the characters teach viewers selected dance steps. DVD-ROM extras feature the characters from the ballet and include games, stories, and puzzles that may be played on the computer. A wonderful introduction to ballet.–Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

PreS–Designed for babies and toddlers up to age 3, this production introduces musical instruments and terms, focusing on the violin, oboe, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trombone, piano, and guitar. Among the classical music pieces featured are Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons,” Clementi’s “Sonatina Op. 36 No. 3,” Chopin’s “Etude Op. 10 No. 1” and “Minuet Waltz,” and Pachelbel’s “Canon in D.” A few shorter pieces are interspersed throughout as interludes. When each musical composition is played, footage of children, puppets, beads, bubbles, or musical instruments are featured to maintain childrens’ interest. These images often seem random and don’t necessarily match the music, visually or musically. Chopin’s “Etude” is a piece for harp, but the visuals feature an acoustic guitar, an amplifier, and an electric bass. Some musical concepts seem to appear without explanation. Quick segments of instruments being played are interspersed in the production, but not necessarily timed during the music when they are the featured instrument. Diversity is limited to a couple of short segments that show an African-American child in music class with a Caucasian child and in the selections of photos of children flashed during the “Canon.” Although pleasant, this is not quite Music Appreciation 101 for babies and toddlers.–Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH

Gr 2-5–In this animated tale, the history of Christianity is introduced by presenting the life and ministry of the Apostle Paul. The video expands on the passages from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 7-9, 16, 27-28) that present Paul’s life from the time before he became a Christian (when he was known as Saul) to his conversion to Christianity and his travels to Philippi and Malta to spread Christianity. There are three 9-minute segments: “Struck Blind!,” “Imprisoned at Philippi,” and “Shipwrecked at Malta.” The rich colors of the animation and the dramatic narration build interest in Paul’s mission. However, the movements of the claymation characters are stiff and often not in sync with their voices, which detracts from the quality of this otherwise engaging production.–Cynthia Grabke, Thayer Public Library, Braintree, MA

Gr 4-8–These three episodes in the series encompass the Old Testament story of Samuel. Six teenage actors stumble on an old lighthouse and meet the lighthouse keeper, who serves as the storyteller while the teenagers play supporting roles in the Shakespearean-style drama. In the first episode, Samuel’s mother, Hannah, explains his much-anticipated birth and her promise to give her son to God. Samuel makes the choice to accept this plan, exploring the concept of free will and how it relates to God’s providence. The next two episodes follow Samuel through his life including his interaction as a teenager with the priest, Eli, in the temple where his mother took him to be raised, and as a prophet in adulthood. Produced and filmed in South Wales (U.K.), the action and adventure will engage its intended audience. Appropriate for both group and individual viewing, this title will be useful for Biblical studies classes as well as for leisure viewing.–Kirsten Martindale, formerly Menomonie Public Library, WI

Gr 5-10–A female narrator, speaking at a brisk pace, introduces some of the members of the order Hymenoptera, insects characterized by their wasp-waisted shape and two pairs of membrane-type wings. Besides social insects such as bees, honeybees, wasps, and ants, several solitary creatures like carpenter bees and ichneumon flies are included. Over quiet background music, excellent close-up photography takes viewers into a bee hive, where the roles of workers, males, and the queen bee are explained. Various stages of the lifecycle are described. Communication among bees gets a brief mention, but bee “dancing” is omitted. The paper wasp is described and shown with interesting photography of their unusual homes. A close-up of a wasp with the stinger imbedded in human skin may cause some viewers to wince, but it is something most of us have never seen. Terms like brood, larva, pupa, and ovipositor appear on the screen. The teacher’s guide includes excellent questions and activities. While some topics receive only cursory treatment and some important information is omitted, this brief introduction could be used in biology classes to present the basics about bees, wasps, and their relatives.–Joan Karasick, Greenwich High School, CT

Gr 5 Up–If you can tolerate the intervals of loud, pounding electronic music under text screens that pop up and end abruptly, there are some exceptional shots of different types of clouds and weather phenomena. It is sometimes difficult to understand Louis Maienza, producer and host. Three basic types of clouds and the four cloud families are covered. Visuals are of high quality and animations are helpful. Some of the labels on the charts are difficult to read. A halo is described but not shown, several minutes of water vapor make for a dull screen of camera lens distortion, and “recipe” is spelled incorrectly in an opening “Check This Out” text screen. “Weather Pioneers” is a recurring text screen offering a brief mention of the scientist associated with the discovery or first use of the topic under discussion, accompanied by repetitive, annoying music. There’s a segment on hail, thunderstorm, and tornado weather patterns. It’s unfortunate that this portion is so brief because the images are the most exciting ones in the program. Technical difficulties like a large color square of pixels that appears over the “anvil” cloud description is typical of the poor quality of the production. Science teachers would find it more worthwhile to take students outdoors over several weeks and take digital pictures to create their own production about clouds.–Joan Karasick, Greenwich High School, CT

Gr 6 Up–In the summer of 2001, Nate Murphy, curator of the Judith River Dinosaur Institute in Malta, Montana and a team of volunteers, who according to the JRDI Web site (montanadinosaurdigs.com) pay for the privilege, excavated a 77-million-year-old brachylophosaurus. Newsweek published a cover article about the discovery. The big surprise was that “Leonardo” had fossilized skin and muscle tissue over more than 90 percent of its body. Instead of digging out all the bones individually, most of the six-ton fossil was collected to be CAT scanned to discover new information, such as how closely its anatomical features resemble modern warm-blooded birds. Stomach and intestinal tract fossilized remains examined through cracks revealed what and how the dinosaur ate. The program opens with a quick background and summary of the find. The next section condenses the eight-month dig and has a home-movie feel that would have benefited from some additional editing. However, the excitement of the find is well conveyed and many site volunteers, including paleoartists and scientists, are on hand to comment. The last segment features Murphy’s introduction of the Leonardo model at the grand unveiling at the Institute. He explains that this discovery has changed what we know about dinosaurs and may offer even more exciting information in the future. Paleontologist Dr. Robert Bakker provides sometimes humorous but always erudite and thought-provoking commentary at the end of the program.–Joan Karasick, Greenwich High School, CT

Gr 2-5–Computer-animated intergalactic travelers Adi and Woops teach viewers about outer space. In each program, dog-like Woops asks youthful, t-shirted Adi five questions related to the title topic. Adi answers each query, then both question and response are quickly reviewed. The questions include: “What is a black hole?” “Why do the planets orbit the sun?” “Why is the sky blue?,” and much more. Answers involve live-action footage, computer-generated graphics, and still pictures. Students learn about our solar system, the stars, space exploration and travel, and theories about the universe’s formation. Adi is always level-headed, while Woops adds comic interest with his silly mispronunciations and cookie fixation. The animation is slick, and graphics and sound are both excellent. Each DVD includes chapter selection, discussion questions/activities that link directly to the program, and the choice of watching in either Spanish or English. Adi has an English accent and the vocabulary occasionally includes British words such as “lorry.” The questions are interesting, and the information is well-organized and nicely explained. The format makes the series useful for augmenting the curriculum, and it will be a fine resource to help teachers bring a little zing to their astronomy units.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Gr 3-7–These two live-action programs focus on the Aztecs and were filmed on location in Mexico. Ancient Aztec Empire offers an overview of the Aztecs, providing information about their origins and growth into an important civilization. Daily life, agriculture, food, male and female roles, myths, and religion (including human sacrifices) are briefly covered. The Fall of the Empire discusses the arrival of Cortez, the death of Moctezuma II, and the fall of Tenochtitlan. The programs originated with the BBC and are of exceptionally high quality. Historical re-enactments take viewers into the ancient world while beautifully rendered 3-D graphics show maps of the region and views of how the area might have looked during the time of the Aztecs. The female host has a light British accent and provides fascinating information, taking viewers back and forth in time to allow compare and contrast opportunities between Aztec times and modern-day Mexico City. Students examine archaeological evidence of the Aztecs, and learn about some of the theories about their culture. Modern-day celebrations of Aztec heritage are also presented. English or Spanish narration is available. Discussion questions and activities, with links back to the video, are included. These exceptional programs enthrall as they teach, bringing ancient history to life and providing fascinating insight into historical events. A valuable addition to ancient civilization studies.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Gr 7 Up–As the initial component of a six-part series that covers the development of democratic societies from early man to the current day, this program establishes a strong foundation for those studying the topic from both societal as well as political perspectives. This segment covers the evolution of political structures throughout the world from tribal societies through the period just before the Renaissance. A nicely balanced combination of still photography, live-action video, clear graphics, and a crisp narration offers an excellent summary of the development of democracy. Too often this philosophical basis of governmental structure is overlooked in favor of more routine examination of its organization. Particularly noteworthy as well is the inclusion of contributions and conflicts from non-Western cultures and the dramatic role that religion has played in the development of democracy. The DVD version includes an interactive component of guided questions (aligned with National Standards) for either a class or individual students to undertake after viewing the program; incorrect responses result in references to particular portions of the presentation where the correct answer may be found. A mastery quiz is included on the DVD as well as in printed format.–Dwain Thomas, Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

Gr 7 Up–The third title in this six-part series covers the time period from America’s struggle for independence through the start of the 20th century, emphasizing economic transformations throughout the world. It utilizes photos, live-action video, and crisp graphics. The first portion of this well-paced and richly narrated program focuses on the uniqueness of the philosophical, political, social, and economic bases of the United States in that time period. In another testament to “it’s all about timing,” the simultaneous emergence of free-market capitalism and the Industrial Revolution in Britain and Northern England supported the struggle of our budding nation. Our Civil War is seen from an economic perspective and is shown to be emblematic of other struggles around the world as capitalism and industrialism clashed with the historic forces of authoritarianism and an agriculture-based economy of unshared wealth. These conflicts were, as we know now, just the first of many more to follow as the 20th century unfolded. The DVD version includes an interactive component of guided post-viewing questions (incorrect responses result in references to particular portions of the program where the correct answer may be found). A mastery quiz is included on the DVD as well as in printed format in the supplemental materials accompanying this potentially valuable title.–Dwain Thomas, Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

Gr 8 Up–Just in time for the 2006 mid-term elections, this energetic program encourages middle and high school students to become part of the electoral process. Two highly-charged 20-somethings utilize clips from vintage movies and television programs to explain in simple terms how the voting system operates as well as to offer practical information to make them not just voters, but informed members of the electorate. The fast-paced presentation describes the basic structure of our election system, the evaluation of candidates, sources of additional information, and the importance of each person’s vote—illustrated by the 2000 presidential contest. The program’s format is geared for the X-box generation as each segment is no longer than a minute, includes commonly understood slang and bright graphics, and has a sterile music background. Recommending the assistance of the Internet for multiple purposes (e.g., registering, finding additional information on candidates and issues) is a key strength of the program. This can be a useful tool in the effort to increase participation in our electoral process, especially for 18 to 24 year olds who have the lowest turnout at the polls.–Dwain Thomas, Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

K-Gr 3–Through the lens of their own camera, two children introduce and explain the jobs of several community workers. At the beginning of the presentation, they discuss what a community is and offer examples of different types of communities in Canada. Although this is a Canadian production, the material is appropriate for U.S. schools. Community workers include a farmer, postal worker, doctor, dental hygienist, librarian, policeman, fireman, and trash collector. The girl explains each job and interviews a person working in that capacity. The boy provides additional commentary and humor. Explanations of each career are generalizations and include the role of the worker in relation to the people of the community. Still pictures and a video of the interview present the information. Viewers are asked to consider what they can do for their own community and are given suggestions for volunteering and cleaning up the neighborhood. Teachers will find this useful for initiating community worker lessons and enticing their own students to attempt a similar project.–Ann Elders, Mark Twain Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Gr 9 Up–The day is exactly two years after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on New York City and, by extension, our American culture. The focal point of this well-crafted and thought-provoking documentary is a formal dinner hosted by the president of New York University and attended by a cross-section of the city’s elite at which the possible origins and the effects of the attack are explored from their unique perspectives. However, the heart of the film’s message can be found in the interviews with almost 40 eminent and as well as ordinary New Yorkers as they go about their day, but are still affected by those events. The program is composed of three segments: “Just an Ordinary Day” provides an overview into the extent to which a day in the city can be “typical”; “Rude Awakening” goes beyond the surface appearance of the city; and the dinner party is the basic setting in “The Future of the West” which attempts to forecast what long-term consequences 9-11 might have on both the city’s and our culture’s future. The producer makes a special effort to withhold his personal feelings while providing a wealth of divergent viewpoints. The complexity of the issues covered and the lack of any type of usage segmentation in the DVD format might limit the program’s usefulness in a classroom setting, but it would definitely serve as a rich resource for those seeking a balanced presentation on that dark day in our history and its aftermath.–Dwain Thomas, Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

Gr 4-8–Like the state itself, the scenery here is often breathtaking as a male narrator takes viewers on a tour of Texas. The distance from Texarkana on the eastern border to El Paso on the western boundary is greater than from New York to Chicago. Big Bend National Park is larger than the entire state of Rhode Island. Texas has more inland water than any state except Alaska. These are just some of the interesting facts related. The first segment surveys Texas’s diverse geographic regions, while the second part tours major cities. A visit to Dallas focuses on the assassination of John F. Kennedy, using that as a segue to Lyndon Johnson, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush—all Texans who became president. While “The Great Society” is highlighted during the segment on LBJ, there is no mention of Vietnam. The only part of George H. W. Bush’s presidency mentioned is Operation Desert Storm. In a similar vein, although Texas’s border with Mexico represents two-thirds of the entire border between the two countries, no mention is made of the growing problem of illegal immigration. Instead, we are shown a small border town where Mexican citizens take boats across the Rio Grande to shop in Texas. For these reasons, this production works better as a travelogue than as a history resource.–David Bilmes, Schaghticoke Middle School, New Milford, CT

Gr 9 Up–Ted Koppel narrates this made-for-Nightline television documentary originally titled, “Cutting the Chains: The Struggle Against Slavery in Niger.” Oliver Steeds, a British reporter, visits Niger to expose the long tradition of black African landowners who maintain slaves of inheritance today. Slave holders did not want to be interviewed, but Steeds located a few slaves who escaped from their masters and were willing to describe the situation, with the help of a translator. The slaves are usually herders or field workers and water bringers who live in very isolated parts of the country. A caste system ensures that even the slave’s children will belong to the master. Largely Muslim, slaves are told they will not reach Paradise if they refuse to obey, and they often stay out of fear. One woman escaped after years of physical abuse and now lives in a human rights encampment. Although laws exist prohibiting the practice, civil rights leader, Ilguilas Weila, was imprisoned for his efforts to address government hypocrisy. Koppel delivers statistics and commentary between segments and concludes with a summary of what is being done by Amnesty International and other groups to put pressure on Niger to abandon the practices of slavery and enforce the existing laws. An additional resource for inquiry on modern slavery, caste systems, and Muslim culture.–Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY