Brand new children's DVD releases offer education and fantastic fun during weekends or when homework's done.

"The Blue Elephant" from Genius Products; 79 minutes; $19.97.

The late Jim Henson and his company, Discoveries, continue to thrill children in this new animated tale, produced with The Weinstein Company and Genius Products. Featuring the voices of Martin Short, Carl Reiner and Miranda Cosgrove, the popular teen star of "iCarly" and "Drake & Josh," the heartwarming and adventurous film stars a young elephant journeying into the world.

Fun and full of life lessons about friendship, love and courage, "The Blue Elephant" is classy family entertainment all the way.

"Jane Goodall's When Animals Talk" from Genius Products and Animal Planet; 89 minutes; $14.95.

Legendary primatologist Jane Goodall embarks on an incredible journey to show how animals and people communicate. Best known for her study of chimpanzees, Goodall educates viewers of all ages on the special bonds picked up with cues between people and their pets. With interviews and spellbinding stories, Goodall presents the secrets of elephant whisperers, Mozambique rats trained to sniff out land mines and animals that can predict natural disasters.

A super gift for any animal lover, "Jane Goodall's When Animals Talk" will certainly open viewers' eyes to the special communications that can take place between humans and creatures.

"Growing Up Safari" from Genius Products/Animal Planet; 169 minutes; $14.95.

Four episodes from the top-rated Animal Planet series "Growing Up Safari" include: "Growing Up Rhino," "Growing Up Zebra," "Growing Up Giraffe" and "Growing Up Hyenas" —each an amazing story of babies overcoming challenges with professional caregivers.

Orphaned baby rhinos take their first mud baths and recover from a mysterious illness; a badly injured zebra foal grows into a mischievous rascal; an orphaned giraffe is filled with hope at a northern California wildlife sanctuary; and one man shows the world that hyenas are to be respected, not ridiculed.

This DVD is incredibly entertaining and heartwarming for audiences of all ages.

"The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning" from Walt Disney Home Entertainment; $29.99, suggested retail.

One of Disney's most beloved princesses returns in this music-filled prequel to the wildly popular "The Little Mermaid." Once again featuring the voices of Jodi Benson and Samuel E. Wright as Ariel and Sebastian, the film remains true to the original with more dazzling animation and peppy music.

This time a new villain, Marina Del Rey, is pitted against Ariel and her plucky pals in the magical kingdom of Atlantica, long before Ariel met Prince Eric and walked on land.

Top-notch Disney bonus features include: presenting the story of how the director's expertise in dance choreography correlates to animation; a Disney song selection that allows viewers to sing along with the film; a "World Wide Water Webb" introduction to the mermaids' personal blog; and a look behind the scenes at "The Little Mermaid: The Broadway Musical."

Also new from Disney, a threesome for "101 Dalmatians" fans — "102 Dalmatians," "101 Dalmatians" (live action version starring Glenn Close and Joely Richardson), and the new "102 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure Special Edition." In the last DVD, the pups are once again kidnapped by Cruella De Vil; pup Patch longs to be a larger than life hero.

"My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Hundred Acre Wood Haunt" from Walt Disney Home Entertainment; 88 minutes; $19.99.

Tots love Winnie-the Pooh. They'll certainly enjoy this full-length feature starring Tigger and Pooh in four Halloween-inspired stories. The pair and pals encounter scary thunderstorms, set off on a quest for the perfect pumpkin, enjoy an Eeyore-filled adventure to the moon and celebrate "Super Sleuth Fall Harvest Festival" — inviting kids and parents to play along.

A bonus Halloween "Handy Manny" episode is included.

"Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey's Storybook Surprise" from Disney; 96 minutes; $19.99.

Mickey and pals decide it's time to rewrite the storybook; they take on four classic fairy tales in this rip-roaring preschool adventure. In "Minnie's Mystery," the gang has to figure out who's been eating the cookies. "Donald the Frog Prince" is turned into a frog who needs a kiss from Princess Daisy to be rescued. Mickey and Minnie face challenges to visit a sick Goofy in "Minnie Red Riding Hood." And Mickey must collect the right tools to rescue Minnie from a 100-year-old sleep in "Sleeping Minnie."

A bonus interactive storytelling game encourages kids to read along and create their own fairy tales.

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 2008 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.