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Kids@Discovery

Creepy Creatures!
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Gr 2—5—Experts from museums in the United States and Canada introduce those incredibly creepy creatures that make us shudder in this program that is definitely not for the squeamish. Their detailed introductions, accompanied by fabulous videos, dispel myths and present some pretty amazing facts. Viewers meet snakes, bats, naked mole rats, frogs, tarantulas, and hissing cockroaches. We learn what makes a Madagascar cockroach hiss, how vampire bats suck blood from their prey, and other amazing facts about these creepy critters. The segments are fast-paced and contain a lot of fascinating information. In between each section, "Discovery Facts" reveal spellbinding details about these misunderstood creatures. Scientific terms are used appropriately, but are not defined or explained; the experts talk about adaptations, sexual behaviors, and genetics, but in general terms that can be understood by intermediate students. The videos are awesome, whether it is watching scientists handle cockroaches and poisonous frogs, meeting a couple who has 200 tarantulas, or seeing how bats land upside-down. Students will be fascinated by the slimy, slithery, weird, and wonderful animals, and may be inspired to do additional research. A terrific introduction to animal studies.—MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann and Thomas Jefferson Elementary Schools, Binghamton, NY
In this beautiful, heartrending, yet horrifying film, North Koreans tell their stories of imprisonment, sexual slavery, torture, murder, and escape to China or South Korea during the nearly 50-year regime of Kim Il Sung (1912—94). The interviews are illustrated through the interspersion of dance sequences, archival news footage, and drawings. Particularly interesting are the North Korean propaganda films celebrating Kim Il Sung as God and showing in the face of mass starvation happy workers, elaborate military displays, and the creation of a new flower in 1988 in honor of the 46th birthday of Kim's son and successor, Kim Jong Il. A valuable time line traces 20th-century events in Korea. Bonus features include previously unreleased footage of camp refugees. This mesmerizing film displays excellent production values and is highly recommended for Asia collections.—Kitty Chen Dean, formerly with Nassau Community Coll., Garden City, NY
Reviewed by Kitty Chen Dean , Dec 01, 2011

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