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| "Books" by Paula Slade |
In this week’s edition of the “Book Report”, we’ll be focusing solely on 42 top-selling children’s picture books that have been expertly translated into video format and presented on three differently themed DVD sets. These collections are designed to come to life on the small screen and entertain as well as reinforce reading skills.
All three of the DVD sets that are featured below, are part of the Scholastic Storybook Treasures™ line, and bear the hallmark of quality from the Scholastic Corporation, the world’s largest publisher/distributor of children’s books in addition to being a leader in educational technology and children’s media.
Each picture book adaptation is produced by the award-winning Weston Woods Studios, a division of Scholastic Media, and is distributed to the public by New Video.
The production values for these DVDs are of the highest quality; each book is presented with music, professional narration, and inviting camera work, which frequently includes animation. Illustrations have been extracted from the original books, which proved over time to be beloved children’s classics.
All of the stories help reinforce emerging reading skills with a special embedded read-along function, which is presented with the visuals and narration.
To explore each book’s title and storyline presented within these collections, simply click on the links that are provided.
BOOKS ON DVD
MY FIRST COLLECTION FEATURING SPLAT THE CAT
This 3-DVD set runs 1 hour and 40 minutes, and includes “extras,” and features 14 stories that have won more than 15 awards, including the Caldecott Medal, NAPPA Gold, and American Library Association Notable Books.
Designed to encourage toddlers to give reading a try, this collection also supports the key concepts of friendship and cooperation - perfect for children ages 2 to 6.
Professionally narrated by Catherine O’Hara, Laura Dern, Tim Curray and Mary Beth Hurt, the DVD includes an interview with Splat the Cat Author/Illustrator Rob Scotton, and a Spanish version of The Story About Ping.
The suggested retail price for MY FIRST COLLECTION FEATURING SPLAT THE CAT is $24.95. Amazon.com currently has this set available for $12.49 with best pricing through Amazon Marketplace for $4.83.
The storybooks presented in this DVD are the following:
GOOD NIGHT GORILLA…AND MORE WACKY ANIMAL ADVENTURES
This DVD 3-Discs set features a rollicking mix of amazing animal stories, monsters that are friendly and creatures that come to life, and represents Caldecott and Newbury Honor-winning books, and an ALA Notable Video as well as an Oppenheim Gold DVD Award.
The collection of stories supports the theme of science and the skill of cooperation and is recommended for children ages 4 to 10.
The 16 different stories are celebrity narrated by such notables as: Anthony Edwards, Mary Beth Hurt, Elle Fanning, and Lynn Whitfield.
The set runs 2 hours and 40 minutes and includes the following “extras”: Spanish versions of Danny and the Dinosaur, The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash, Doctor De Soto, and Joey Runs Away. There also are interviews with Author Robin Page and Illustrator Steven Jenkins, and an interview with First the Egg Author Laura Vaccaro Seeger.
The suggested retail price for GOOD NIGHT GORILLA…AND MORE WACKY ANIMAL ADVENTURES is $24.95 and may be pre-ordered directly through New Video, and will be shipped upon date of release, which is June 28, 2011.
The storybooks presented in this DVD are the following:
I’M DIRTY & I STINK!
Fun, action and adventure tales about trucks, trash, boats and bikes in this 2-Disc DVD set with running time of two hours and four minutes, which includes Caldecott Honor, Publisher’s Weekly and ALA Notable Award-winning titles.
The set features 12 stories, an interview with I’m Dirty author and illustrator Kate and Jim McMullan, and an interview with Fletcher and the Falling leaves author Julia Rawlinson, along with celebrity narration by Andy Richter, Forest Whitaker, and Steve Buscemi.
The DVD set supports the understanding of science and nature and highlights the concept of responsibility – a good choice for children ages 3 to 10.
The suggested retail price for I’M DIRTY & I STINK! is $19.95 and may be pre-ordered directly through New Video, and will be shipped upon date of release, which is June 28, 2011.
The storybooks presented in this DVD are the following:
This October, “Sesame Street” veteran, Emmy Award®-winner and one of contemporary kid lit’s best-selling author/illustrators, Mo Willems, returns to DVD featuring his best-loved characters in, THE PIGEON FINDS A HOT DOG…AND MORE STORIES BY MO WILLEMS.
In the lead story, “The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog” (a sequel to Willems best selling “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!”) has Pigeon finding a delicious hot dog, but a sly and hungry duckling also wants a bite – a test of who will be the more clever bird. This fast, funny feature is narrated by the author and his daughter, Trixie.
