More Articles By Pamela Brill

• Sesame Street Playground
  PUTUMAYO KIDS Street: Sept. 30 Prebook: now > Sesame Street music videos and audio tracks from around the world. Sure, everyone knows the words to “Rubber Duckie” … but how about singing them in Chinese? This combination DVD/CD release from Putumayo Kids is a trip down memory lane and a primer on world culture. More
  
• Book of Virtues: A Christmas Carol for Annie
  The true meaning of Christmas resonates in this heartwarming tale about the spirit of the season. Street: Oct. 7 Prebook: now A new release this holiday season helps deliver messages of kindness and generosity in a straightforward, unpretentious manner, while also providing the opportunity for families to sit together and talk. More
  
• Fireman Sam: To the Rescue
  HIT/LIONSGATE Street: July 1 Prebook: now > Everyday hero from the U.K. provides lessons and fun for the little ones. In the vein of everyday heroes who make small miracles a reality comes Fireman Sam. Based on the U.K. children’s TV series of the same name, this feisty firefighter shows viewers that being safe can be fun, no matter how miniscule the task. More
  
• Bob the Builder: On-Site Roads and Bridges
  FOX/HIT Street: Feb. 5 Prebook: now > Bob and his crew show viewers what it takes to complete true-to-life construction jobs. Time for Bob the Builder fans to don their hard hats and join the gang for an action-packed adventure that goes out of Bob’s workshop and onto a real-life construction site. More
  
• Emily’s First 100 Days of School … And More Great School Time Stories
  WESTON WOODS/NEW VIDEO Street: July 31 Prebook: now > A fast-moving release about starting school that teaches how to count and numbers. Fans of Rosemary Wells’ picture books are sure to delight in this spirited collection of stories about starting school, as her endearing characters move from the page to the small screen. More
  
• James Marshall’s Cinderella … And More Beloved Fairy Tales
  SCHOLASTIC/NEW VIDEO Street: April 24 Prebook: now > A fast-paced format and entertaining narrators breathe new life into well-known characters. A medley of timeless stories that has been revamped for the next generation, this collection of animated fairy tales boasts an ensemble of star-studded narrators, including Kathy Bates and Patrick Stewart, who keep the story lines moving along. More
  
• The Snowman
  Director Jackson and producer John Coates give new life to a magical holiday tale as they bring the pages of a classic children's storybook to the small screen. Viewers will be transported to another place and time when they journey along with a young boy and his snowman friend brought to life. With no narration and only a musical score to move the story along, Snowman is a wonderful choice for... More
  
• Storywatchers Club Adventures in Storytelling: Christmas
  In an era of high-tech gadgets and instantaneous communication, the age-old tradition of storytelling is one that still manages to stand on its own. Thanks to an entertaining new series that re-invents this art form for the DVD generation, kids across the country can sit down, put on their listening ears and be transported to another place and time. More
  
• Nursery Tap, Hip to Toe Vol. 2
  For anyone who thought Mother Goose could never be cool comes a new release that debunks that myth. The second title in the series, Nursery Tap, Hip to Toe Vol. 2 is the next step in introducing preschoolers to classic nursery rhymes via dance, song and storytelling. Such favorites as "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" and "Mary Had a Little Lamb" are brought to life through the movement and voice... More
  
• The Toy Castle: Twinkle, Twinkle
  A fantastical journey that invites young minds to ponder the idea of make-believe becoming reality, The Toy Castle is an engaging series of live-action ballet stories for kids ages 8 and up. Set against the backdrop of a colorful toy castle, a child's playthings come to life when night falls and everyone is fast asleep. More
  
• Sesame Beginnings: Beginning Together
  For new parents looking to bond with their baby, this title is sure to resonate with caregivers and children alike. The beloved characters of Sesame Street take a step back in time to their diaper days, when they were exploring the world around them. Narrated by a young mother reading to her now 3-year-old daughter, the two recall her baby days and, through the eyes of the Sesame babies, revisi... More
  
• Mighty Me Training Camp
  No matter a child's size, eye color or hair texture, each has the ability to empower themself through physical activity. Such is the mantra of Brian Donovan, creator of The Mighty Me Training Camp, which encourages kids ages 3 and older to use their bodies and release their "inner superhero." As childhood obesity is on the rise, Donovan's message is especially timely. More
  
• Pocket Snails Aquaphonic Adventure
  Color, NR, 25 min., DVD $15.95, VHS $12.95 DVD: interactive phonics activity, bonus scene, music player, product catalog Street: March 14, Prebook: Feb. 14 First Run: DVD premiere SOARING STAR PRODUCTIONS, LLC (www.soaringstar.com) Creating a lively, entertaining method to teach phonics isn't an easy feat. More