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July 2009 DVD and TV Recommendations
From Ranny Levy at KIDS FIRST!
 KIDS FIRST! is a project of the Coalition for Quality Children’s Media, a nonprofit organization whose goal is to empower children to make wise media choices and to promote quality media products that enrich their lives.
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| Preschool |
 Sesame Street: Bedtime With Elmo. It's bedtime on Sesame Street! Just like all little kids, Elmo and Abby would rather make funny faces and sing silly songs than go to sleep. Luckily, Elmo’s dad Louis knows just how to deal with extra glasses of water and little monsters who are afraid of the dark. Parents will love the practical strategies Louis uses to get Elmo and Abby to go to bed, and children will love snuggling under the covers with this timeless DVD. Featuring the special extra of Andrea Bocelli singing "Time To Say Goodnight" to Elmo. DVD. 45 min.; $14.93; Ages 8-12. Genius Products.
 Chicka Chicka 123... And More Counting Fun. Just in time for back to school fun, Scholastic Storybook Treasures presents four family favorite stories about numbers. The title tale is faithfully adapted from Bill Martin, Jr.'s best-selling book, with animation of Lois Ehlert's colorful illustrations. When 101 numbers race each other up the apple tree, bad bumblebees come buzzing. Which number will save the day? Crystal Taliefero sings on the fun-filled "Chicka Chicka 123" song. The DVD also features three other stories celebrating the fun of numbers: "Emily's First 100 Days of School," "How Much is a Million?" and "If You Made a Million." These stories-on-video were produced by Weston Woods Studios and have won numerous awards. DVD. 69 min.; $14. 95; Ages 2-5.
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| Early Readers to Preschool |
 Peanuts 1960s Collection is comprised of the first six animated “Peanuts” television specials that aired between 1965 and 1969, several of which earned either Emmy® Award nominations or wins. This is the first time all six specials are available to consumers in one set. Two of the specials, “He’s Your Dog, Charlie Brown” and “It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown” make their DVD debut. All six specials have been re-mastered for beautiful picture and sound quality. Featured Specials: “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (1965); “Charlie Brown’s All-Stars” (1966); “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” (1966); “You’re in Love, Charlie Brown” (1967); “He’s Your Dog, Charlie Brown” (1968) “It was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown” (1969) DVD. 150min. $29.98; Ages 5-12. Warner Home Video.
 Dragon Hunters (Chasseurs de Dragons). Zoe is a girl who loves stories about valiant knights battling dragons, and who dreams of going on a dragon hunt one day. Meanwhile, her uncle and guardian, fearing that the World Gobbler, the most fearsome dragon of all time, will soon awaken, decides that she should be sent away to a safe haven. Zoe has other ideas. Eager to help her uncle find a brave knight to face the fearsome beast, she sneaks off in search of a hero like those she reads about in legends. Voice cast starring Forest Whitaker, Mary Matilyn Mouser, Rob Paulsen and more. DVD. 80 min.; $14.99; Ages 5-8.
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| Grade School |
 Color of Magic. Inside a magical realm known as Discworld, a naïve tourist (Astin) in on holiday until a terrible fire breaks out, forcing him to flee along with an incompetent wizard (Jason). Now, as the clueless pair set out on a magical journey across the Disc, neither realizes that they are merely pawns in an elaborate board game being played by the Gods. After encountering a pair of barbarians, they take a trip to an inverted mountain housing dragons that only exist in imagination, survive a fall off the edge of the Disc during a perilous visit to the country Krull, and attempt to beat the wizard’s former classmate (Curry) to a collection of eight spells that could save Discworld from total destruction. DVD. 197 min.; $14.95; Ages 8-12. Rhi Entertainment.
 Jon & Kate Plus Ei8ht Season 4 Vol. 2: The Big Move. The Gosselins grow another year older, which means that they can handle more fun than they have before! And it’s a good thing because for the Gosselins, it's a monumental year. Not only do they relocate their family to another state and build a home that can finally accommodate their eight growing kids, but first they must get ready by clearing out the clutter. Jon and Kate continue to amaze themselves and everyone else by accomplishing things no one ever thought possible with two sets of multiples. Featuring 17 episodes, including all-new extended episodes, on a two-disc set. DVD. 413 min.; $19.95; Ages 8-12. Genius Products.
 Coraline. 11-year-old Coraline Jones (voiced by Dakota Fanning) has just moved with her parents (Teri Hatcher and John Hodgman) to a new home in Oregon. With no friends and her parents distracted by work, the feisty and adventurous Coraline sets out to find some excitement in her isolated new environment. She is befriended—or, as she sees it, pestered—by a local boy close to her age, Wybie Lovat (Robert Bailey Jr.) and visits her older neighbors, eccentric British actresses Miss Spink and Miss Forcible (Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French) as well as the arguably even more eccentric Russian, Mr. Bobinsky (Ian McShane). Just as she’s beginning to think her new home is utterly uninteresting, she uncovers a secret door which leads to a parallel existence much like her own life—but much better. The adults, including the solicitous Other Mother (also voiced by Teri Hatcher) welcome her warmly. And Coraline gets far more attention there—even from the mysterious Cat (Keith David). She begins to think that this Other World might be where she truly belongs. But when her wondrously off-kilter, fantastical visit turns dangerous, Coraline must summon all her resourcefulness, determination and courage to get back home—and save her real family. DVD. 100 min.; $29.98; Ages 8-12. Universal Studios Home Entertainment.
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| Jr. High and High School |
 The Lucy Show: The First Season. When the recently widowed Lucy Carmichael (Ball) and the newly divorced Vivian Bagley (Vance) move into a house together with their children - hilarity and chaos ensues. “The Lucy Show: The First Season” follows Lucy as she grapples with the comic complications of life on her own - raising two children played by Candy Moore ("Rawhide") and Jimmy Garrett ("My Three Sons") and juggling her career. DVD. 12 hrs. 53 min.; $39.98; Ages 12-18. Paramount Home Entertainment.
 Stargate Children of the Gods. Re-mastered. Re-cut. Re-imagined… Remarkable! The thrilling pilot episode
of television's longest running Sci-Fi series is now yours to own on DVD! With exclusive special features and masterful fine-tuning from series Co-Creator Brad Wright, Children of the Gods FINAL CUT is the ultimate realization of the series' iconic launch. Jack O'Neil and Sam Carter join a formidable
Stargate team on a mission to Abydos to defeat fierce warriors led by the vicious Ra. With the threat of the brutal Gou'ald hanging over the galaxy, the team must succeed – or General Hammond will unleash an apocalyptic solution! DVD. 90 min.; $26.98; Ages 12-18. MGM.
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