MEDIA

WordWorld: Be My Valentine

60 min. Dist. by PBS. 2015. $6.99. ISBN 9781627894463.
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PreS-Gr 1—Duck, Ant, Sheep, Bear, Fly, Bug, Frog, and Dog learn how to make a rhyme, write their names, and make up words with their friends. Each short episode starts with a rousing "Let's build a word" song, accompanied by rollicking music and energized singing. Various animals then combine letters and sounds to form a word into the shape it represents. Often, this is difficult to detect. The silliness in this computer-animated collection is palpable, as fun with phonics takes on a visual meaning. However, Frog sounds a bit like Kermit, Duck tells really bad jokes, and Princess Sheep monopolizes the gown and crown. Also, only two stories out of five have a Valentine theme. Amusing and colorful, this DVD might be fine for home use, but it lacks the power of teachable lessons for classrooms or school libraries.
VERDICT While this program is mildly entertaining, there is minimal educational value. An additional purchase.
Reviewed by Lonna Pierce, MacArthur & Thomas Jefferson Elementary Schools, Binghamton, NY , Mar 01, 2016

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