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Classic, Sweet (and Not-So-Sweet) Treats for the Holidays
It's not too early to stock up on holiday gift books for young readers. These brand new festive releases should get kids in the mood for all things seasonal.
"The Night before Christmas" retold and illustrated by Rachel Isadora; Putnam/…Read more.
Funny Books To Cure the Blues
Humor cures most ills. It can turn a grumpy child happy and cheer up a sad child. Reading a funny tale before bed can help kids calm down and relax. Laughter, after all, is nature's best remedy.
"Where the Mild Things Are: A Very Meek …Read more.
Gift-Box Book Sets make Series Reading a Snap
It's the time of year when publishers release special boxed sets of books, perfect for gift giving. Children's book series have always been popular, and giving a boxed set makes tracking down that elusive second or third book a breeze.
…Read more.
Perhaps Bog Babies and Superhero Cats Really Do Exist
Picture books can transport readers to lovely locales with fairy tale-like stories. These new storybooks will capture the short attention spans of youngsters and leave them with imaginative stories to retell.
"The Bog Baby" by Jeanne …Read more.
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Snow White Kicks off Fall's Crop of Worthy Children's ViewingIt's the time of the year when the weather turns cooler and kids want to dive into a good DVD. These new releases are perfect for cozy, curl-up-on-the-couch time. Prices vary from store to store. "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" from Walt Disney Home Video Disney opens the vault once again with "the one that started it all," "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," now in high-definition Blu-ray for the first time. Painstakingly restored beautifully, with fabulous picture and sound, the classic is a magical viewing experience. Extras include "Disney Smart Navigation," which allows the characters to come to life, and "Disney Family Play," with a variety of immersive games, activities and customizable features. Adult fans will also enjoy exclusive extras like a "Backstage Disney" visit to Hyperion Studios, the historic landmark built by Walt Disney where "Snow White" was developed. There's a "magic mirror" feature that recognizes viewing patterns, suggests where to go next, and allows a Disney artist to "draw" beyond the movie's border with custom imagery. Amazingly spellbinding, even after 70 years, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" holds up to time's changes beautifully. "Bedknobs & Broomsticks: Enchanted Musical Edition" from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment An Academy Award winner in 1971 for Best Effects and Special Visual Effects, Disney's beloved "Bedknobs & Broomsticks" is still a magical family adventure for all ages. Now fully restored and remastered to look and sound more vivid and clear, the musical includes tons of new bonus features. Bringing the classic musical modern, "Wizards of Waverly Place" star Jennifer Stone becomes a special-effects wizard apprentice and compares 1971's special effects with those used today. Another featurette explores the origins of the film's songs, even adding a deleted song called "A Step in the Right Direction." "Where the Wild Things Are ... And 5 More Stories by Maurice Sendak" from Scholastic Storybook Treasures Let the wild rumpus begin! Fans of the blockbuster feature film "Where the Wild Things Are" may not remember the simple imagination of the 1963 book. Fans of the classics will also enjoy Scholastic Storybook's "Treasury of Classic Bedtime Stories," a four DVD set. Curious George, Corduroy, Harold and the Purple Crayon and many more beloved children's book characters star, and the animation is true to the original tales. "Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Hilarious performances from Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary and Queen Latifah make the latest Ice Age prehistorical tale the best in my opinion. In this cool treat, Manny and the herd discover a lost and not so icy world of funny dinosaurs, while Scrat goes nuts over the beautiful Scrattie. With three discs and tons of extras — including an Ice Age digital storybook maker, deleted scenes, how-to-draw Scrat instructional and two special Scrat shorts — "Ice Age 3" is a perfect cold-weather treat. "Elmo's World: All about Faces" and "Elmo's Animal Adventures" From Sesame Workshop and Genius Products Sesame Street's favorite Elmo teaches tots all about important body parts in "All about Faces." In "Elmo's Animal Adventures," he teaches sharing, discovering and teamwork with animal tales. Both super fun and educational, each DVD is affordably priced and includes bonus games. "Wash Your Hands" from Bill Harley and Round River Records Though it's a musical CD and not a movie, Bill Harley's "Wash Your Hands" is a timely addition to this column. With help from the Department of Health, Harley offers up the four best ways to prevent the spread of the flu — get vaccinated, cover your cough, wash your hands and stay home when you're sick — in zesty musical releases. A smart choice to help instill in children (and parents) the all-important habit of hand washing, Harley's also-entertaining CD would be a great gift for a teacher or day care provider. To find out more about Lee Littlewood and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2009 CREATORS.COM
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