Revolting Rhymes. 60 min. Public Media Distribution. 2017. $14.99. ISBN 9781531702038.

Gr 1-5 –Adapted from the six-poem collection by Roald Dahl, this excellent production mashes the tales together and frames them brilliantly. The action starts with Ms. Hunt slipping into a café to wait till it’s time for her to babysit the children who live across the street. The Long Wolf enters, wearing a suit. He strikes up a conversation with Ms. Hunt and begins to tell her the story of how he lost his nephews: Rolf Wolf loses his life to Red Riding Hood’s pistol as the three stories of Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, and the Three Pigs are fractured and merged with humor and imaginative changes. (The seven dwarves become seven retired jockeys who bet on the horses and win, thanks to Snow White’s stepmother’s mirror.) The stories of neighbors Jack (of beanstalk fame) and Cindy (Cinderella) come into play later with amusing twists. Jack acquires golden leaves from the beanstalk giant and opens a shop that sells jams. Meanwhile, Cindy escapes from her psychopathic prince to be united with Jack, who is a good man. The voice actors portray three-dimensional animated characters based on Quentin Blake’s illustrations. The abundant, beautifully rendered computer animation complement the stories. Ben Locket’s exceptional score includes fitting thematic compositions for the main characters and the action. VERDICT Most public libraries will want to purchase this outstanding production. Highly recommended for family movie night.–Constance Dickerson, Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library, OH

This review was published in the School Library Journal December 2017 issue.