2008 ALSC Notable Videos/DVDs and Recordings for Children & Great Interactive Software for Kids

-- School Library Journal, 4/1/2008

Also in this article: VIDEOS/DVDS RECORDINGS INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE ALSC 2008 Notable Children’s Recordings Committee: ALSC 2008 Notable Children’s Video/DVD Committee: DISTRIBUTORS

The Notable Children’s Videos/DVDs and Recordings lists are compiled annually by committees of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). These lists were released in January 2008 during the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia, PA. The items on these lists, intended for children 14 years of age and younger, were selected by committees of librarians and educators from across the country on the basis of their originality, creativity, and suitability for children.

The Great Interactive Software for Kids list (formerly Notable Computer Software for Children) is compiled by a committee of ALSC and recognizes exemplary computer programs and digital media for children ages 14 and younger.

VIDEOS/DVDS

Becoming an Organized Student. video or DVD. 20 min. with tchr’s. guide, activity sheets. Human Relations Media. 2007. ISBN 978-1-55548-597-9. $119.95. Gr 5-9.

Big Brown Bear Stories. video or DVD. 24 min. with tchr’s. guide. Nutmeg Media. 2007. video: ISBN 1-933938-41-2, DVD: ISBN 1-933938-32-3. $69.95. PreS-Gr 1.

Dooby Dooby Moo. video or DVD. 12 min. (closed captioned). with tchr’s. guide. Weston Woods. 2007. video, ISBN 978-0-545-04278-9: $60; DVD, ISBN 978-0-545-04277-2: $59.95. PreS-Gr 2.

Finding Daddy: A Story of the Great Depression. video or DVD. 17 min. with tchr’s. guide. Nutmeg Media. 2006. video: ISBN 1-933938-02-1, DVD: ISBN 1-933938-16-1. $59.95. K-Gr 4.

Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists: Andy Warhol. video or DVD. approx. 24 min. Getting to Know. 2007. $29.95. K-Gr 6.

Huffing: The Latest Facts About Inhalant Abuse. video or DVD. 20 min. (closed captioned). with tchr’s. guide. Human Relations Media. 2006. ISBN 978-1-55548-007-3. $119.95. Gr 6-9.

I Hate English. video or DVD. 15 min. with tchr’s. guide. Nutmeg Media. 2007. video: ISBN 1-933938-07-2, DVD: ISBN 1-933938-22-6. $49.95. Gr 1-5.

John, Paul, George & Ben. video or DVD. 10 min. (closed captioned). with tchr’s. guide. Weston Woods. 2007. video, ISBN 978-0-439-02751-9: $60; DVD, ISBN 978-0-439-02752-6: $59.95. Gr 2-5.

Jump In!: Freestyle Edition. DVD. 85 min. Disney. $17.99. Gr 5-8. (2008 Carnegie Medal winner).

Just Yell Fire: Empowering Girls to Protect Themselves. DVD. 45 min. Just Yell Fire. 2007. free download from Internet or free DVD (donation suggested). Gr 6 Up.

Leonardo, the Terrible Monster. video or DVD. 8 min. (closed captioned). with tchr’s. guide. Weston Woods. 2007. video, ISBN 978-0-439-02763-2: $60; DVD, ISBN 978-0-439-02764-9: $59.95. PreS-Gr 3.

The Librarian from the Black Lagoon. video or DVD. 9 min. with tchr’s. guide. Weston Woods. 2007. video, ISBN 978-0-439-02771-7: $60; DVD, ISBN 978-0-439-02772-4: $59.95. PreS-Gr 3.

Max’s Words. video or DVD. 10 min. (closed captioned). with tchr’s. guide. Weston Woods. 2007. video, ISBN 978-0-545-04287-1: $60; DVD, ISBN 978-0-545-04285-7: $59.95. K-Gr 2.

Nightmare at School. DVD. 8:43 min. with tchr’s. guide. National Film Board of Canada. 2007. $99. Gr 5-10.

Now and Ben. video or DVD. 12:35 min. Spoken Arts. 2007. video, ISBN 0-8045-9721-9: $49.95; DVD, ISBN 0-8045-8055-3: $50. Gr 2-5.

Rosa. video or DVD. 14 min. (closed captioned). with tchr’s. guide. Weston Woods. 2007. video, ISBN 978-0-545-04258-1: $60; DVD, ISBN 978-0-545-04257-4: $59.95. K-Gr 5.

Seven Blind Mice. video or DVD. 7 min. (closed captioned). with tchr’s. guide. Weston Woods. 2007. video, ISBN 978-0-439-02780-9: $60: DVD, ISBN 978-0-439-02781-6: $59.95. K-Gr 3.

A Very Brave Witch. video or DVD. 6 min. (closed captioned). with tchr’s. guide. Weston Woods. 2007. video, ISBN 978-0-545-04264-2: $60; DVD, ISBN 978-0-545-04263-5: $59.95. PreS-Gr 3.

Wallace’s Lists. video or DVD. 16 min. (closed captioned). with tchr’s. guide. Weston Woods. 2007. video, ISBN 978-0-545-04272-7: $60; DVD, ISBN 978-0-54504271-0: $59.95. PreS-Gr 3.

Water Detectives. DVD. 11:32 min. (closed captioned). with tchr’s. guide. National Film Board of Canada. 2007. $95. Gr 4-7

RECORDINGS

Black Duck. By Janet Taylor Lisle; read by David Ackroyd. 5 CDs. 5:30 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2007. ISBN 978-0-7393-4875-8. $45. Gr 7-10

Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary “Jacky” Faber, Ship’s Boy. By L. A. Meyers; read by Katherine Kellgren. 6 CDs. 8 hrs. Listen & Live Audio. 2007. ISBN 978-1-59316-094-4. $29.95. Gr 6 Up. (2008 Odyssey Award Honor Audiobook).

Cave of the Dark Wind: A Never Land Book. By Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson; read by Jim Dale. 3 CDs. 2 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2007. ISBN 978-1-4233-0959-8. $62.25. Gr 3-5.

Clementine. By Sara Pennypacker; read by Jessica Almasy. 2 cassettes or 2 CDs. 1:30 hrs. Recorded Books. 2007. cassette, ISBN 978-1-4281-4584-9: $25.75; CD, ISBN 978-1-4281-4589-4: $30.75. Gr 2-4.

A Crooked Kind of Perfect. By Linda Urban; read by Tai Alexandra Ricci. 3 CDs. 3:17 hrs. Listening Library. 2007. ISBN 978-0-7393-6144-3. $30. Gr 4-6.

Dooby Dooby Moo. By Doreen Cronin; read by Randy Travis. cassette or CD. 12 min. with hardcover book. Weston Woods. 2007. cassette, ISBN 978-0-545-04283-3: $24.95; CD, ISBN 978-0-545-04281-9: $29.95. PreS-Gr 3. (2008 Odyssey Award Honor Audiobook).

Dream: Lullabies and Lovesongs. Performed by Mae Robertson. CD. 47 min. Lyric Partners. 2007. $15. PreS.

Epossumondas Saves the Day. By Coleen Salley; read by Cynthia Darlow and author. 1 cassette or 2 CDs. 30 min. Recorded Books. 2007. cassette: ISBN 978-1-4281-4903-8, CD: ISBN 978-1-4281-4908-3. $15.75. K-Gr 3.

Every Child Deserves a Lifetime. Performed by various artists. CD. 55 min. Shout! Factory. 2007. $13.98. PreS-Gr 5.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. By J.K. Rowling; read by Jim Dale. 12 cassettes or 17 CDs. 21:39 hrs. Listening Library. 2007. cassette, ISBN 978-0-7393-6040-8, CD: ISBN 978-0-7393-6041-5. $90. Gr 5 Up. (2008 Odyssey Award Honor Audiobook).

Hattie Big Sky. By Kirby Larson; read by Kirsten Potter. 7 CDs. 8:30 hrs. Listening Library. 2007. ISBN 978-0-7393-5132-1. $60. Gr 6-8.

The Higher Power of Lucky. By Susan Patron; read by Cassandra Campbell. 3 CDs. 3:38 hrs. Listening Library. 2007. ISBN 978-0-7393-4851-2. $30. Gr 4-6.

If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period. By Gennifer Choldenko; read by Ariadne Meyers and Francois Battiste. 4 CDs. 4:16 hrs. Listening Library. 2007. ISBN 978-0-7393-6120-7. $30. Gr 5-8.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret. 3 CDs. 2:51 hrs. with DVD. By Brian Selznick; read by Jeff Woodman. Scholastic Audio. 2007. ISBN 0-545-00363-6. $29.95. Gr 4-9.

Jazz. By Walter Dean Myers; read by James Williams and Vaneese Thomas. cassette or CD. 43:02 min. with hardcover book. Live Oak Media. 2007. cassette, ISBN 978-1-43010-019-5: $25.95; CD, ISBN 978-1-43010-022-5: $28.95. Gr 3-9. (2008 Odyssey Award winner).

The Librarian from the Black Lagoon. By Mike Thaler; read by Alexander Gould. cassette or CD. 8 min. with paperback book. Weston Woods. 2007. cassette, ISBN 978-0-439-02773-1: $14.95; CD, ISBN 978-0-439-02774-8: $18.95. K-Gr 3.

Lilly’s Big Day. By Kevin Henke; read by Laura Hamilton. cassette or CD. 29:07 min. with hardcover book. Live Oak Media. 2007. cassette, ISBN 978-1-43010-027-0: $25.95; CD, ISBN 978-1-43010-030-0: $28.95. K-Gr 2.

Main Street: Welcome to Camden Falls, Book 1. By Ann Martin; read by Ariadne Meyers. 4 CDs. 4:27 hrs. Scholastic Audio. 2007. ISBN 978-0-545-00523-4. $49.95. Gr 4-6.

Marley: A Dog Like No Other. By John Grogan; read by Neil Patrick Harris. 4 CDs. 4 hrs. HarperAudio. 2007. ISBN 978-0-06-125509-0. $21.95. Gr 5-8.

The Rules of Survival. By Nancy Werlin; read by Daniel Passer. 5 CDs. 6 hrs. Listening Library. 2007. 978-0-73935115-4. $38. Gr 8 Up.

Seven Blind Mice. By Ed Young; read by B. D. Wong. cassette or CD. with hardcover book. 9 min. Weston Woods. 2007. cassette, ISBN 978-0-449-02782-3: $24.95; CD, ISBN 978-0-439-02783-0: $29.95. K-Gr 3.

Skulduggery Pleasant. By Derek Landy; read by Rupert Degas. 6 CD. 7:30 hrs. HarperCollins. 2007 ISBN 978-0-06-134104-5. $27.95. Gr 4-8. (2008 Odyssey Award Honor Audiobook).

Treasure Island. By Robert Louis Stevenson; read by Alfred Molina. 6 CDs. 7 hrs. Listening Library. 2007. ISBN 978-0-7393-5083-7. $55. Gr 5 Up. (2008 Odyssey Award Honor Audiobook).

A Very Brave Witch. By Alison McGhee; read by Elle Fanning. cassette or CD. 6 min. with hardcover book. Weston Woods. 2007. cassette, ISBN 978-0-545-04268-0: $24.95; CD, ISBN 978-0-545-04267-3: $29.95. PreS-Gr 3.

The Wednesday Wars. By Gary D. Schmidt; read by Joel Johnstone. 6 CDs. 7:28 hrs. Scholastic Audio. 2007. ISBN 978-0439-02340-5. $64.95. Gr 5-8.

INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE

Anime Studio. CD-ROM. Systems: Win, Mac. E-Frontier. $49.99. Ages 10 Up.

Big Brain Academy. Nintendo DS. Nintendo. $19.99. Ages 6 Up.

Collage Machine. CD-ROM. Systems: Win 98 & later, Mac OS 8.1 & later. ProtoZone Interactive. $24.95. All ages.

Crazy Machines 1.5. Systems: Win 98 & later. Viva Media. $19.99. Ages 6 Up.

KaleidoDraw. CD-ROM. Systems: Win 98 & later, Mac OS 8.1 & later. ProtoZone Interactive. $18.95. All ages.

Kaleidopix. CD-ROM. Systems: Win, Mac. ProtoZone Interactive. $24.95. All Ages.

Nancy Drew: The Creature of Kapu Cave. CD-ROM. Systems: Win XP & later. Her Interactive. $19.99. Ages 10 Up.

1701 AD. PC CD-ROM. Systems: Win XP. Aspyr Media. $39.99. Ages 10 Up.

Sid Meier’s Railroads. CD-ROM. Systems: Win 2000 & later. Firaxis. $39.99. Ages 6 Up.

Snapshot Adventures: Secret of Bird Island. Systems: Win 2000 & later. Large Animal Games. $19.95. All ages.

ALSC 2008 Notable Children’s Recordings Committee:

Ellen Spring (Chair), Rockland District Middle School, Thomaston, ME; Jane Claes, University of Houston Clear Lake, TX; Colette Drouillard, College of Information, Florida State University, Tallahassee; Kathy Kirchoefer, Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, Bowie, MD; Heather R. McNeil, Deschutes Public Library, Bend, OR; Karen M. Perry, Wiley Middle School, High Point, NC; Mary Puleo, Everett Public Libraries, MA; Angela J. Reynolds, Annapolis Valley Regional Library, Bridgetown, Nova Scotia, Canada; Janet Weber, Tigard Public Library, OR.

Great Interactive Software for Kids Committee: Ann Crewdson, Issaquah Library, King County Library System, WA; Anna R. Healy, Rochelle Lee Fund, Chicago, IL; Kirsten Freeman-Benson, West Slope Community Library, Portland, OR; Angelique Kopa, Harford County Public Library, Belcamp, MD; Jane S. Ritter, Mill Valley School District, CA; Becky White, Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne, IN.

ALSC 2008 Notable Children’s Video/DVD Committee:

Kathleen Apuzzo Krasniewicz (Chair), Perrot Memorial Library, Old Greenwich, CT; Molly M. Collins, Malden Public Library, MA; Cora Phelps Dunkley, University of South Florida-SLIS, Tampa; Deborah B. Ford, Instructional Media Center, San Diego, CA; Jan Johnson, Princeton Public Library, NJ; Christy Schink, Scenic Regional Library, Union, MO; Grace Shanahan, Brooklyn Public Library, NY; Lisa Marie Smith, Vernon Area Public Library, Lincolnshire, IL; Bina Williams, Academic Library Services-Joyner Library, Greenville, NC; Linda Zeilstra-Sawyer, Skokie Public Library, IL.