KIDS FIRST! New Endorsements

Description:

In the second chapter of Stephenie Meyer's best-selling Twilight series, the romance between mortal Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) grows more intense as ancient secrets threaten to destroy them. The Twilight Saga: New Moon TM & © 2009, Art and Supplemental Materials © 2010 Summit Entertainment, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Description:

Based on the best-selling classic book, Toby's father has packed away in ice his grief over the death of his wife. When Toby is sent to stay with his very proper and somewhat forbidding grandmother over the Christmas holidays, he does not know what to do with himself. Then he discovers an attic filled with toys from the past and an unopened present from his angel mother. Inside the box is a velveteen rabbit that opens up the world of imagination for Toby. Rabbit along with Swan and Horse fill Toby's world with exciting animated adventures. Their love and insights help Toby melt the heart of his grandmother, who calls his father home. Their world reaches a crisis when Toby contracts Scarlet Fever and his beloved rabbit must be burned. Through this loss Toby and the grownups in his life come to realize the importance of family and the power of love to make us real.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Wonderful film that appeals to the entire family. The relationships, the visuals and the classic, sweet story make this one film that appeals to adults as well as children. The filmmaker took a simple story and expanded it into a full length feature without making the story feel forced. The boy's loneliness that draws him to bond with the rabbit sets the stage for a relationship change between his father, grandmother and himself. The story is simple to follow and unfolds in a natural manner. Some kids might get frightened by the fires and destruction in the imaginary world toward the end. Most will identify with the boy and his relationship with his stuffed rabbit. They will most likely be happy that the boy becomes closer to his grandmother and isn't lonely anymore. Each character is true to his or her status including the strict grandma. When poor behaviors are shown, so is kindness. I.e.. when Toby is locked in his room on his grandma's order, she still tries to find his rabbit. Some kids might have a difficult time separating the imaginary scenes from the real ones at first but will soon understand that the animated scenes signify the imaginary scenes. The characters, especially the goose and the horse, explain difficult concepts in detail. Beautiful animation mixed with live action. The scene in which the boy turns from live to animated is incredible. The quality of the cinematography is very good. Love how it brings classic literature to life.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

Loved it. "I loved this story." "It is good because the imaginary world is cool. I like how he played with the bear." "I liked how one minute it is animated and the next, it isn't." "The part where the velveteen rabbit sees the other rabbits is cool. You can't tell what's real and what's not." "I would definitely watch it again. In fact, I would watch it at every chance I could as if it was the only movie I had." "The grandma was kind of mean sometimes but then she was nice. The toys tried to save the boy at the end and they did." "The rabbit almost burned saving the boy." "It made the imaginary world seem more real." "It seems like this took place long long ago. The attic was full of toys. I think it took place in England. It looks like the olden days."

Description:

Jewel heists around the city of London befuddle Scotland Yard. Only the legendary Sherlock Holmes can find the thief with the help of his assistant Dr. Watson – and of course, Tom and Jerry. But cracking the case will be elementary compared to keeping the peace between the rival cat and mouse duo. TOM AND JERRY and all related characters are trademarks of and © Turner Entertainment Co. © 2010 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.

Description:

Girl-phobic and easily embarrassed, young Bryce does everything he can to keep his outspoken wannabe girlfriend at arm's length… for the next six years. This isn't easy, since they go to the same school and live across the street from each other. This coming-of-age romantic comedy from Director Rob Reiner, takes Bryce and Juli from Grade School to Junior High, through triumph and disaster, family drama and first love, as they make the discoveries that will define who they are - and who the are to each other.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

Flipped is a movie showing how when you like a guy (or girl) make sure you see them as the whole self. A quote I loved from the movie is "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts." I do not know exactly what it means but it touched my heart. Rob Reiner (Director) really showed the viewers what Flipped means - showing the same situation from both the girl's side and the boy's side. I would recommend it to everyone that has ever had a crush. Hold on tight because Flipped is coming soon to theaters. (Lauren Boxer)

Description:

Modern and mythical worlds collide in a heroic epic adventure in Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief . Based on the popular book series by Rick Riordan, the film follows trouble-prone Percy Jackson who finds himself having problems in high school… but that's the least of his challenges. It's the 21st century, but the gods of Mount Olympus have walked out of the pages of his Greek mythology texts and into his life, and they're not happy – Zeus' lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect. Learning he is the son of Poseidon, the young teen finds himself caught between angry and battling gods, and embarks on a cross-country adventure to catch the true lightning thief and unravel a mystery more powerful than the gods themselves. Directed by Chris Columbus (Harry Potter films), starring Logan Lerman ("Jack & Bobby"), Rosario Dawson (Seven Pounds), Steve Coogan (Night At The Museum films), Uma Thurman (Kill Bill films), Pierce Brosnan (The Thomas Crown Affair, James Bond films), Catherine Keener (Where The Wild Things Are), and Kevin McKidd ("Grey's Anatomy").

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

The ancient gods meet the modern world as Zeus accuses a young demi -god of stealing his lightning bolt. Never knowing he was part god, Poseidon's son, Percy, is suddenly thrust into another world where he has exceptional powers, and must enter the depths of Hades to prevent a war among the gods. This film is particularly appealing because it clues a viewer in to the inner workings of Greek mythology, yet ties the mythology into the modern world. Not only is the story and imagery captivating, but it also promotes a strong sense of family bonds in a very realistic way. Percy feels like his father abandoned him, and we see the relationship develop between father and son as the plot-line develops and Percy discovers that his father never abandoned him. Although gods couldn't be with their children after birth, the father was always in Percy's mind, helping him when he needed help. There is a poignant scene near the end where father and son come face-to-face and have a realistic confrontation. The cinematography is so crisp, smooth and detailed that some of the evil characters were almost too scary for young viewers. Hades, in his god-form, is particularly scary, and the snakes that surrounded Medusa's head seem incredibly lifelike. While this might make the film inappropriate for younger viewers, these aspects are part of what made the film such a success with the teen and tween audience. The adventurous story shows how a common, somewhat dorky boy, can find something special within himself. It took his dyslexic and ADHD tendencies, and turned them into powerful weapons against the enemy. It's a good message for viewers, seeing how things that can be perceived as negative attributes can be really be used as strengths.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

Viewers who watch this film might become inspired to learn more about Greek mythology. Children who watched it were discussing stories they knew from childhood even as the credits rolled. They started discussing what it would be like, and how they would act, if they were the young heroes in the film. A 17-year-old girl viewing the film was excited about the reminder of the stories she loved in her youth. The 10- and 13-year-old boys loved the sword fighting and special effects. A 16-year-old boy summed it up: "The visuals were stunning, and the music was fit for the story. I loved the models and animation with the monsters like the Hydra. It actually looked realistic. The only thing I didn't like about this movie is that the story was extremely predictable (a point the younger children disagreed with). I was able to call out what was going to happen dozens of minutes before it happened, such as needing the 4th pearl to bring his mother and his friends back (the other kids did notice this, also, but it added to the drama for them and made them feel smart). I was also able to predict who would stay in Hades." This film is one our family unanimously voted to keep in our own personal DVD library. It was too good to watch just one time.

Description:

Award-winning Debbie and Friends are back with new story songs, jokes, games and surprises to delight the whole family. Special guest Bob McGrath from Sesame Street.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

A nice mix of interactive and story songs. Some of the stories teach a simple lesson, most create vivid imagery and many are just silly. The music repeats refrains that are easily remembered, together with funny lyrics. Music is not overly simplistic like a lot of kid's music. Children will enjoy good music and singing, as well as exercising through interaction and dance.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

From beginning to end, the children sang and danced around. "I like the tune, the singing, the dancing… I like the whole thing!" Kids could recall the stories told in the songs, "Willie, Rosie, Ronnie and Bob have special things about them that are different and interesting," "The parents don't listen to Willy when he tells why he won't smile." "Good music, I can hear all the instruments, sounds and background voices they use to tell the stories." After listening, some kids visited the website where they were treated to some of the videos of the songs and more fun and games which enhanced the overall experience.

Description:

Covers the origins of the street games that were played and shared by all children within inner city neighborhoods. It's narrated by Hector Elizondo and features interviews with Regis Philbin, Ray Romano and Keith David, among many others.

Description:

"Alice in Wonderland" takes on a new twist in this Sesame Street version where familiar characters take on characters based on the book with silly names like "Cheshire Cookie Cat" and tea is taken literally as the letter "T".

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

The DVD is full of great songs that invite singing along, rich visuals and seamless puppetry. Children are reminded that they have control over their own stories. This video will charm even the most serious adult while offering up lessons for preschoolers that make great use of humor just right for a young audience. Our kids jurors who watched it were quite enchanted. They loved the strange characters, from the counting caterpillar to the hatter who was mad and then sad. They thought it as quite cool that Abby could change size by rhyming. Most important, they liked seeing their Sesame Street friends acting in another kind of story where they were different people. Overall, thumbs up - fun video.

Description:

The American remake of "Hachiko Monogatari" (1987) tells a story inspired by the true story Hachiko, an Akita dog who lived from 1923-1935.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

This film reaches into the deepest sentiment of your heart. The tale is simple, demonstrating love in its many forms. We see the love between a long term marriage, love between a daughter and father, love between master and dog, love between dog and daughter and ultimately, the love between dog and town. Be prepared with some tissues because this is a true tear-jerker. Cate (Joan Allen) and Professor Parker Wilson (Richard Gere) connect with viewers in their realistic portrayal of marriage. Cate isn't happy when Parker brings a stray dog home one day, and Parker attempts to find the Akita a new home out of respect for Cate. Because of their love for each other, they find a solution for the dog dilemma, which turns into a blessing in the long run. This is not Hollywood fiction, it is based on a true story that resonates on a different level. It is an extremely well-produced story with brilliant cinematography that will touch every dog-lover's soul. One of our student viewers commented, "It you didn't like "Marley and Me," you might find this too sad. My favorite part was when the person said Hachi would never learn to play catch with anyone, and the man taught him how to play catch.

Description:

This almost three-hour epic is considered by many as the most beautiful movie ever produced thanks to its groundbreaking 3-D and graphics technology. Set in the far future, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), travels to Pandora, a lush, jungle-covered extraterrestrial moon and home to a sentient humanoid race, the Na'vi. The 10-foot tall, blue-skinned Na'vi fight when a human corporation attempts to remove the indigenous people from their native lands. Human scientists create genetically-bred human-Na'vi hybrids known as Avatars to infiltrate the locals and discover their secrets. Jake participates in this program and encounters many dangers and beauties on Pandora as he scouts around.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Our youth viewers commented, "One of my all-time favorite parts of the film is when Jake is walking through the forest of Pandora - everything lights up and looks amazing." The movie has a fabulous soundtrack and somewhat of a new age feel that invites you into a new world. Somehow, the world of Pandora seems real and draws you in. You want to be part of that world. All in all, one of the best movies we have ever seen.

Description:

Maurice Sendak's book comes to life with lush cinematography and incredible puppetry. Things aren't going so well in young Max's life so he runs away, and his imagination takes him to the land where the wild things are. In this land, Max claims to be a king so he won't get eaten, and the wild things look to him for leadership. While being king can be lots of fun, Max learns that being responsible for everyone isn't so great, especially when his subjects get hurt by his own poor choices.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

It's an unsettling tale about a boy who deals with the hardships in life by throwing severe tantrums. Some child viewers immediately connected with Max, and saw how his dealing with the tantrums of Carol, one of the wild things, showed how anger and lashing out wasn't the way to deal with life's problems. For our young viewers, their favorite part was when the wild thing got angry and he punched the chicken's arm off and sand came out. But, the chicken didn't care. He just said, "Oh, that was my favorite arm!"

Description:

Democracy hits Berryland as Strawberry Shortcake and Orange Blossom compete to become the Berryfest Princess. At first the town is divided by the friendly competition. But then, Strawberry and her friends learn that competing for a title doesn't mean that people have to pick favorites.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

The election is set so everyone can vote for the contestants based on the different opinions expressed in their speeches. Everyone can remain friends. Then the plot takes a twist. As Strawberry gets ready for the celebratory parade, she learns that being a leader isn't all it's cracked up to be. She and her friends are overwhelmed and starting to treat each other poorly. Not only do we see how the election process works - from campaigning to advertising and speech-making - but we also see how everyone can celebrate each other's best qualities and support each other, even when times are tough. Our youth viewers felt the movie appealed more to girls than boys because "it's got girly stuff in it and all the people are girls except for one guy."

Description:

AAAAlllllvvvviiiin, Simon and Theodore are back in town, and this time they have some competition. The Chipettes! As the brothers get used to school life and try to get over the betrayal of their former agent, Ian, they discover that Ian is up to his old tricks with the Chipettes. It's up to Alvin, Simon and Theodore to help the girls. That's not easy to do when the girls just think they are just jealous. It also doesn't help that the brothers aren't getting along as well as they usually do. In the end they are reminded that there is nothing as great as true brotherly love.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

With catchy tunes and darling animation, the chipmunks will steal your heart and have you singing along as you are reminded about the power of love. Some viewers might not appreciate the potty humor. But, the storyline was good and holds the interest of both kids and adults. Our younger viewers laughed and commented that it was like their everyday life being on film, and parents were able to see it, too. The music is great. Kids liked hearing the songs they normally listen to re-done with chipmunk voices.

Description:

Through simple stories, kids learn about trains and also learn life lessons such as the idea that sometimes you can benefit from the help of friends.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

The great thing about Thomas is that he sometimes makes poor decisions which preschoolers can relate to, such as the time he was so interested in finding the perfect gift that he forgot to invite friends to Hiro's party. He admits when he is wrong and corrects his "silly" behavior. The slow pace of the stories makes viewers feel as if they are seeing a book come to life. Thomas is a pleasure to view. It's fun seeing some live action mixed in with the cartoons like when an engineer introduces the episodes and takes care of Sir Topham Hat's mother's bird. Our preschool viewers love Thomas. They love the trains. They love all the different characters, each with its own personality and job to do. They like seeing how all the trains work together to help solve problems. The music is catchy and many of our kids hummed along.

Description:

Saving the earth never gets old with Elmo and his gang.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Once again Sesame Street does a brilliant job mixing education with loads of fun. We learn why it's important not to litter and why it's best to completely use both sides of a piece of paper before throwing it away. Lots of songs and animated segments are mixed together with live action and puppetry, keeping young viewers glued to the screen. The messages of re-using and recycling are delivered in such a way that a preschooler gets it, yet the jokes appeal to an older crowd, making this DVD perfect for family viewing. Homeschoolers can use this as part of their science curriculum because children learn that they are a key factor in saving the earth. Our youth jurors enjoyed learning about recycling and how to help nature in a fun way. They love earth and like learning ways to help protect it. Their favorite part was when Elmo was leaving with his friends and said, "Bye park, bye trees, bye blue feathered swallowing swallow." They realized that the trees, swallow and park were their friends too.

Description:

This DVD offers a collection of colorful shows including Barney, Bob the Builder, Thomas the Tank Engine, Fireman Sam, Kipper the Dog, Fifi and the Flowertot.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

These six quality shows offer many scenarios promoting positive social interaction and the importance of color and the knowledge of color for your preschooler. Barney's friendly lesson reminds us that colorful rainbows can come on rainy days; Bob the Builder's project lacks color; Thomas the Tank Engine illustrates the significance of colors in communicating. For example, Fireman Sam uses "especially red" as a warning message. The information included surprised even our jurors and especially our kid jurors who liked it a lot. They loved seeing favorite characters such as Bob and Thomas, all at one time. The kids sang along with the Barney songs. A favorite part was when the dog went and dug the cell phone, and the people couldn't find it.

Description:

The children in this video take turns using their imaginations in fun and creative ways as they explore different environments, follow clues to identify animals and sing a bunch of songs while doing so. We even find out what happens when some eggs Riff is watching hatch.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

See family members of all ages singing along to classics songs as well as new ones. Animated segments add fun interludes to the lessons about animals and the environment. Our kid jurors really enjoyed the songs and learned about developing friendships. They loved seeing the real kids on screen who they could relate to. One child mentioned how he wished that he could be on the show with Barney who still finds a special way into young people's hearts. Most important, this show gets kids up and moving. It is very interactive and encourages kids to participate.

Description:

Gerald the giraffe longs to dance like everyone else, but his legs are too skinny, and he just can't seem to get it right. At the Jungle Dance, all the other animals make fun of him, except for the cricket, who shows him how he can be the best dancer of all.

Description:

Includes three shorts: " In the Small, Small Pond" - Spring is here in this cheerful introduction to the seasons. Frogs leap, tadpoles wriggle, geese waddle and minnows scatter. Young kids won't want to miss a single splash. Narrated by Laura Dern, with music by Jerry Dale McFadden (6 min.); "Waiting for Wings" - Butterflies bloom as delicately as flowers in this visually magnificent story of beginnings, middles and ends: eggs, caterpillars and finally butterflies. Vocals and music by Crystal Taliefero and animation by Cha-Pow! (6 min.); "Goose" - A baby goose, adopted at birth by a family of woodchucks, feels like an outcast in everything she does until she discovers - all by herself - that she can fly. Narrated by Laura Dern, with music by John Jennings (7 min.)

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Beautiful; visually very pleasing. These book-based stories are presented simply and true to the original story. We love the way action words are presented in "In A Small, Small Pond." "Goose" is a good tool for teaching about the Spring season and it would make a good comparison between it and Hans Christian Anderson's "Ugly Duckling." The whole collection instills a love of literature appreciation and increases learning through the activities included.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

Kids loved the stories; found them interesting and fun to watch. They are also easy to understand. "A goose was being raised by woodchucks because her egg had rolled into their place. When she fell off a cliff and could fly, when realized she was a goose!" "The pictures are beautiful." All the children said they would watch this again.

Description:

This is the diary of a spider who is a lot like you! He goes to school, but he also spins sticky webs and takes wind-catching lessons. This portrait, an upside-down web world, will have kids wishing they could be spiders too.

Description:

Includes 2 shorts: "Johnny Appleseed" - John Chapman's (aka Johnny Appleseed) legacy of botanical achievements and the stories he shared with children are presented here at their very best in verse and art. Narrated by Mary McDonnell, with music by Randy Scruggs (11min.); and "Miss Rumphius" - Inspired by a true-life story, Miss Rumphius shows us how we can all make the word a more beautiful place with a simple handful of seeds. Narrated by Clair Danes, with music by John Jennings (17 min.)

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

This simple story about two remarkable characters will give children some worthwhile ideals to consider. Gently and clearly conveys stories with accompanying music and art that fit the period and theme of the individual stories. The poem about Johnny Appleseed includes many of the wonderful characteristics of his life that made him an American legend. The second short, "Miss Rumphius" is based on the true life actions of 'The Lupine Lady,' Miss Hilda Hamlin. Its sentiment that "you must do something to make the world more beautiful" is a wonderful and embraceable idea. Both stories tell about a person who has thoughtfully made a contribution of beauty to our country. Both follow a life cycle from childhood to adulthood. The poetry and music of Johnny Appleseed is somewhat folksy with the sounds of apples crunching, wagon wheels rolling, birds flying and the campfire crackling. Violins and piano music transport us to a later time and place, changing in tempo as Miss Rhumbhius lives out her life amid the sounds of a pat's purr, a car engine and children playing. "There is a sparkle on the ocean and the lupines blow in the wind."

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

Big hit with the kids. "Thank you for the movie mommy, I liked it a lot." "I liked when Alice sat on her grandfather's lap." "My favorite part was when Alice grew up and was planting the lupines." Kids hummed along to the piano music. They discussed what faraway place they would like to travel to, what they would do to make the world more beautiful and what they would like to plant. They imagined what it would be like to travel, like Johnny Appleseed, alone and in the wilderness. Kids enjoyed following the activities on the on-disc learning guide. "We learned a lot from this."

Description:

"The Blind Side" depicts the story of Michael Oher, a homeless African-American youngster from a broken home, taken in by the Touhys, a well-to-do white family who help him fulfill his potential. At the same time, Oher's presence in the Touhys' lives leads them to some insightful self-discoveries of their own. Living in his new environment, the teen faces a completely different set of challenges to overcome. As a football player and student, Oher works hard and, with the help of his coaches and adopted family, becomes an All-American offensive left tackle.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Fantastic! More movies need to be made that are like this film! It is a thought-provoking, uplifting movie that is highly entertaining. This is a great family film that you can enjoy with your elementary, middle school, high school and even college kids. Sandra Bullock is a spitfire as Leigh Anne Touhy, a well-to-do wife and mom, with a compassionate heart. The film is based on the true story of the gentle, giant--Michael Oher, a homeless black teenager, who is taken in by the affluent Leigh Ann and her family and who eventually, with his new family's encouragement, becomes a football star! Oher is currently playing in the NFL. The acting is great, especially on the part of Sandra Bullock, who won an Oscar as Best Actress for this role. The story is skewed towards the positive of what was going on, but it isn't syrupy. The film inspires and make one feel hopeful about the world at large. There is no sex or graphic violence, just a super interesting story and some good filmmaking. Sit back, relax and enjoy. We recommend this film to families, and particularly those interested in sports.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

Loved it. "I liked EVERYTHING about the film. The characters made you root for them. The story made me feel good about trying for a good future. The filming was good because you would forget you were watching a movie." "The acting and the words they used were great and meaningful. The scenes and sets were so real feeling I forgot I was watching a movie. The costumes were great too. I liked how Big Mike first picked striped shirts that made him look like a big bumble bee. They used the costumes to show different life styles. You got to know everybody like family." "My favorite part was the sports action scenes. Especially when Michael pushed the bully over the wall. I like the scenes where Michael suddenly realized he could do it and got really great at football and how surprised the other team was and how happy his team was." "I would recommend this film to friends. And I did recommend it to friends and family and they liked it too because it's a very meaningful movie and it's a true story. It is for kids age 10 and up because of a little bit rougher scene with a group of guys Michael used to hang out with and I think really little kids wouldn't understand the story. But for 10 and up they will love it, even grown-ups. It is a family kind of film."

Description:

Come join Lil' Iguana and his friends as they have fun learning important safety lessons. Learn about getting permission before going anywhere, never going anywhere alone, knowing who is a stranger and what to do if a stranger tries to make you go with them. Includes one DVD and three music CDs.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

A good piece to have in your video arsenal of learning about safety. It takes a subject that can be hard to explain to children and turns it into fun. Shows situations, stories, games and songs that get the message across. Different aged kids will pick up on different things, but the pace is slow enough for even the youngest. Use of children and puppets, music and dancing, will help kids relate to the stories.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

Kids enjoyed this. "The songs taught us a lot and were fun to sing." "Teaches us how to be smart about strangers." "I liked when they were on the farm with the chicken." "This movie taught us how to be safe - that's really important!" Kids seemed to enjoy the music and the scenery and understood most of the lessons imparted.

Description:

Two brothers, Mugo and Tugo, go on Safari to discover the magic of Africa, from animals to culture and their roots. They discover more than they expected.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Follows two little brothers on a safari trip, learning about the animals they encounter. There are two short quizzes to help children remember what they learned. The next best thing to going on a real safari. Great for building excitement prior to a visit to the zoo. Educational as well as entertaining. Kids will enjoy the ABC song, sung by African children. Promotes a positive view of Africa and their animals. Enjoyed the use of nicknames for animals to engage the kids - "Here comes Mr. Temper." Pop-ups appear on screen with "fun facts" so kids can put information together with the animal they are viewing on-screen. African music enhanced the theme. Some adults appreciated the border that sometimes appeared on the screen, saying it helps to draw attention of pre-schoolers, other found it detracted from the film. A good media tool to introduce young children to the conservation and appreciation of wildlife. After viewing with children, one juror said, "Yeah, this is definitely a keeper."

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

The children love the musical exploration of some of Africa's safari animals. It really makes kids want to know more. Children are engaged and full of questions/comments throughout, "Can I pet a flamingo," "Tortoises are good animals," "My favorite animal is the snake." They like the African children singing the ABC song about the animals, learning that there are at least as many animals as there are letters in the alphabet. Some try to guess which animal will be chosen for each letter in the song. "Beautiful, I like how the giraffe stands when he is drinking water." "The brothers were excited and followed the rules of the safari - be good to each other." "I really liked the question and answer part." "It taught me about animals I didn't know - I never saw a water buffalo before," "It told me some names of animals I didn't know, but didn't show a picture of them, so I want to look them up." "Press the PLAY button again!"

Description:

Turning gears operate every day but one day one of the gears falls asleep. That causes the entire gears to stop. This playful stop-motion animation short explores how people are related to each other.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Well done 2 minute claymation. Good colors and the gears appear to have distinct personalities. It's interesting how dirty and gritty the elements of the animation appear. Good background sounds.

Description:

The world's most beloved and inquisitive monkey is back in Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey!, the fun-filled sequel to the hit animated movie. Join Curious George and The Man with the Yellow Hat as they set out on a madcap cross-country adventure to reunite Kayla, a homesick elephant, with her family. This unlikely trio faces all types of comic calamities and colorful characters and in the end, learn that with family, friends and determination, you can achieve anything. Featuring the voices of Tim Curry, Matt Lauer, Jamie Kennedy and Jerry Lewis, Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey!, "proves that family, friends - and curiosity - are number one." (Francine Brocaw, Los Angeles Family Magazine)

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

In this sequel, not only his curiosity but his big heart gets George into a little trouble but also a lot of fun as he helps a new friend. Tim Curry, Jamie Kennedy, and Matt Lauer all lend their voices to this fun adventure about caring for others. Like a lot of parents, Ted, the man in the yellow hat, is a little too busy with work and has left George feeling friendless. Luckily the Piccadilly Magic Circus comes to town, providing George with the opportunity to spend more time with Ted and make friends with Kayla the juggling elephant. Upon discovering his new friend misses her elephant brother and sister all the way across the country in California, George and anyone young at heart, understands that the right thing to do is reunite this elephant family. George follows his heart and does what is right by taking off with Kayla and Ted for a cross-country adventure. However, trouble ensues when everyone at home thinks the magic juggling elephant has been kidnapped. This beautifully animated feature is filled with slapstick comedy, hilarious action sequences and a valuable lesson about family. The deeper theme of how family is more important than work is complemented by a younger sense of humor and very silly characters. Witnessing George and his friends help each other, kids and parents are reminded of the true importance of caring for friends and always making time for family.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

A hit. "I think Curious George is kind of a crazy monkey in this movie." They all asked to watch it again. They wanted to learn more about trains. Some walked in and out and played during the DVD, but they all said it was fun and wanted more. They liked that the girl took care of the elephant; and related to the character of the girl "she's a girl, like me!" Kids love Curious George, though younger ones may not understand the story as well, they all enjoy watching the monkey and his antics.

Description:

The lives of Finn, a life-loving, Frisbee-playing dog, and his shy, 13-year-old owner, Peter are changed forever when a lab experiment goes wrong and Finn is accidentally transformed into a human. Once on two legs, Finn teaches Ben to feel the wind in his fur, catch Frisbees like a dog and, ultimately, to find his own pack. Starring Ana Gasteyer (The Women, Saturday Night Live, What Women Want), Matthew Knight, Ryan Belleville, Brendon Firla and David Milchard. Directed by Mark Jean (Homecoming) Winner of "Best Independent Feature for Ages 8-12, KIDS FIRST! Best 2009."

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Love this indie feature about a dog who accidentally gets turned into a boy. If you can imagine how you would behave under these circumstances, that's exactly how this dude does. Then, he saves the day by helping Ben's team winner the Frisbee match. His reward - to be turned back into a dog. Cute and funny. Well produced

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

Kids really got a kick out of the storyline. It's so improbable, yet makes you laugh at the very idea of it. The boys particularly enjoyed it and talked about what their life would be like if their dog became a human. "Yup, my friends would definitely like this because it's so funny."

Description:

Cale Bryant (Bleu) needed someone to believe in him. Ever since he was young, he's wanted to race motocross professionally; but after a string of bad luck hits his family hard, the would-be champion is forced to put his dreams on hold. All that changes when he meets Alex (Sandra Echeverría, star of Telemundo's "Marina"), a beautiful girl who gives Cale encouragement, support and an old bike so that he can get back in the game again. Now, with Alex by his side, Cale takes on the challenge of his life: to beat the odds and cross the finish line a winner. Free Style also stars Penelope Ann Miller (Kindergarten Cop) and Madison Pettis (The Game Plan), and features music from star Corbin Bleu and The Jonas Brothers!

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Winning the Amateur National Motocross Championship is Cale's (Corbin Bleu) ticket out of town where he can have the opportunity to make something of himself. The reality of making this dream come true is tenuous at best as Cale has to deal with the curves life throws at him. Filled with twists and turns, the plot isn't as straightforward or predictable as you might think. While you learn about motocross, the dangers and the thrills and the business itself, this film also deals with family relationships and dating relationships. Along with the message of clinging to dreams, there is also a strong message that sometimes the best way to make something of yourself is by dealing with the situations at hand in the place where you currently live. "Free Style" provides positive role models for interpersonal relationships and offers a positive and hopeful view of the future. It demonstrates the application of knowledge as it engages and entertains adults and children.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

It was exciting. The guy in yellow was a jerk. The main character's friends were nice to each other. It was all the motocross stuff I knew. My favorite parts were watching him build the dirt bike and winning. I didn't expect that chain to break. I like to have fun with the motocross racers, and I like to ride their bikes. The images were awesome - especially the jumps. The music was loud sometimes.

Description:

Looking for a fast way to earn dough, Wallace decides to make it. Armed with a batch of ovens, an army of robotic kneading arms and an old-fashioned windmill, Wallace & Gromit™ start "Top Bun," their new bread-baking business. Sales rise quickly and Wallace falls head over buns in love with a seductive bread-industry icon, Piella Bakewell. But when bakers suddenly start disappearing, Gromit realizes that his master is in danger as he follows a twisting, turning trail of crumbs to solve a murder mystery that becomes…A MATTER OF LOAF AND DEATH!

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

A baker's dozen isn't so great when you're talking about murder. Wallace and his dog, Gromit, open "Top Bun," a bread baking business. They are quite successful, and life seems to be going well for Wallace, who falls in love with a bread industry icon named Piella Bakewell. Things aren't perfect, though. Twelve bakers have already been murdered, and Gromit soon realizes that Wallace might be the next victim. He does everything he can to save his master using entertaining, clever strategies that keep the viewing audience captive. "Wallace & Gromit" once again lives up to its reputation for excellent cinematography as the clay characters take on lives of their own through stop-motion animation. It offers a great use of humor, appropriate for its audience.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

This is a bit different from the classic "Wallace & Gromit "movies in the sense that the older "Wallace & Gromit" movies were based upon Wallace's ideas and impulses - like going to the moon or building robots. The antagonist stemmed form Wallace's own ideas in the classic ones. This was more like "The Curse of the Were-Rabbit." I think my friends would like that it's different. It's claymation, not CGI, and you don't see that as often. It was a bit predictable, but was still funny. My favorite part was seeing the contraptions in the beginning that Wallace made.

Description:

This classic collection of Veggie Tales favorites teaches about several different forms of love. "The Story of Fibber-O-Loo" presents the parable of the good Samaritan in a Dr. Seuss-esque format that keeps you laughing as you learn about loving your neighbor.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

The Old Testament story of Ruth is told in "Duke and the Great Pie War." While the story addresses romantic love, it also highlights love for family. In "Madam Blueberry," we learn that material things don't bring happiness, but loving God does. While the stories are great, the segments in between the stories are just as good. Kids and parents will find themselves singing along to the silly love songs including, "Endangered Love," "His Cheeseburger," "Love My Lips!," and "The Bunny Song." The vegetables also interview young children (vegetables) about the meaning of love. Their actions and answers are just like children you might find in your own life, and will have you laughing as you appreciate their candid definitions of love. "Veggie Tales: Silly Little Thing Called Love" exhibits cinematographic and musical excellence. It promotes a balanced appreciation of self and others as well as service to and compassion for others.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

It was pretty exciting because I liked all the Veggie Tales episodes on the DVD. I liked the obstacle course in the one with the knight. Some of the characters were bad guys so they had to treat the other ones bad. We learned that God loves you. Very much. The silly songs really were silly. My favorite was "I Love my Lips!" because it was funny. My friends would like this because it's fun to watch. I liked how it sounded because there were no crackly noises, and the images were clear.

Description:

Get an inside look at what it might be like to be the President of the United States. Scholastic Storybook Treasures has a long history of bringing award-winning children's books to DVD. This collection focuses on Washington DC and the Presidency.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

In "So You Want to Be President?" we learn the pros and cons of the job. This title is great for recognizing Presidents as real people. It shows how the United States President comes in all shapes and sizes and how past Presidents' different personalities contributed to the nation's history. The title takes us through a day on Capitol Hill with a senator in Washington DC and also gives us the history of Esther Morris who got women to vote in the 1800s. "So You Want to Be President?" doesn't glorify the Presidency in the least. It does show what an important job it is, but is brutally honest about successes and failures of past United States Presidents. It provides accurate facts and information.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

This DVD is about President's and what they do. I thought it was good how it told you about the Presidents. It tells a story from a senator's dog's point of view. I loved that because I love dogs, and it was fun to see Washington from the dog's viewpoint. It looked and sounded good. It showed what the Presidents looked like in cartoon animation like a caricature. I think my friends would like this because they would get better grades in social studies. My favorite part was when the girl wanted to become President, and she changed a few words in the song from "he" to "she."

Description:

Veggie Tales is updated! Don't worry, you can still sing along with the popular theme song, but its presentation is a bit different. The kitchen has new decor, and even Qwerty has had an upgrade. When children have questions for the beloved vegetables, they used to write letters. Then they sent text messages. Now Qwerty shows children asking their questions through videos clips.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

In "Pistachio," a young boy has a question about obeying his parents even when he doesn't want to. The veggie characters tell the tale of "Pinocchio" with a classic veggie twist to demonstrate how important it is to be honest and to listen to your parents. It emphasizes that parents are older and have more experience and tell children to do things out of love for them. "Pistachio" has a serious message, but also has a great use of humor, which is appropriate to audiences of all ages. It provides positive role models for interpersonal relationships, addressing issues of respect and honesty.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

We love Veggie Tales, and this is as good as all the others. It is funny how they upgraded Qwerty and said they decorated when all they did was paint the wall and add a throw pillow. It was the "Pinocchio" story. The characters were nice. It taught me about listening to parents. Sometimes I don't want to listen to my parents, but I have to. It's usually a good thing when I do obey. The songs are fun. I liked how they played games, and he didn't know they were cheating. It showed he wasn't really thinking. If he was thinking, he would have figured out they were trying to trick them.

Description:

A fox is in the henhouse, and this time you are rooting for him. This film, based on the child's book by Roald Dahl, is an entertaining stop-motion animation featuring the voices of Meryl Streep, George Clooney, Michael Gambon and Bill Murray.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

When Fox finds out he is going to be a father, he promises his wife that he is going to put his thieving ways behind him. He does not hold true to this promise, and chaos ensues as the farmers he steals from try to get him back, affecting the entire underground animal community. As he struggles to right things, the fox is also working on his relationship with his son while learning who he, himself, truly is. "Fantastic Mr. Fox" keeps the viewing audience riveted and assists children in working through problems and emotional issues. It inspires children to find reasonable, positive solutions to problems and promote the balance appreciation of self and others.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

This movie was surprisingly good. It was enjoyable. You knew what was going to happen, but now how it was going to happen, which kept it interesting. The voices fit the parts well because they made the fox sound human with an animal-side, which is perfect. The animation was snappy, rather than smooth, but it fit the story. It looked almost perfect when the foxes were slinking around. I think my friends would love this because it's different. My favorite part was watching the fox steal the chickens. The conclusion was pretty realistic. They were happy enough.

Description:

Learn how to face your fears and embrace your talents in this empowering collection of "Bob the Builder" episodes. Bob and his gang take you step-by-step through the building process, showing that it takes careful planning and lots of teamwork to get the job done.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

In the five animated episodes Scrap learns that observing others can help him work better in the long run; Lofty learns that water won't hurt him; Roley learns that it's better to work as a team and that his ideas aren't necessarily the best ideas; Scoop learns that builders can be artists and being an artist doesn't necessarily mean that you have to paint; and Lofty learns to face his fears with his eyes wide open and discovers that doing so gives him the understanding that there was nothing to be afraid of after all. This title assists children in working through problems or emotional issues and promotes service to and compassion for others.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

I liked this movie because it told you not to be afraid because there's no such things as monsters. It looked really good because they didn't mess up the cartoon. They were nice to each other. When one machine wanted to build something, the other machines told him to watch and learn, and they were nice to him. My favorite part was when Lofty thought that the water made it so that you fall apart if it touches you so he was afraid of it. He went into the water by accident and learned that if you go into the water, you don't fall apart. I think my friends would like this because they like big machines.

Description:

A groundbreaking series that celebrates cultures of the world with heart and humor. Watch these friends as they learn that not matter where you are from or what food you eat. Everyone can be a hero!

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

This series focuses on children from different cultures who make up America and the challenges they face growing up surrounded by different beliefs and customs. As they share and explore what makes them unique, they begin to also understand how much they are alike. "Peanuts" like characters and animation are nostalgic for adults, but may be a bit too stiff by today's standards. Adults like the "old school" use of sounds to connote action. Much of the dialogue seemed forced, but with a positive message. Accentuates the value of effort as opposed to perfection. Some adults enjoyed getting to know the characters better with each episode.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

The youngest children seemed to enjoy and engage in the series best. Older kids understood the story content better. Kids relate to the young animated characters. "I like how they talk to each other." "It has happy music." "Tubby calls the children names, one girl is snobby to the others, most of them are nice." The children enjoyed most of the episodes. The youngest commented and asked questions throughout and it held their attention. Some kids said they were "bored" while others wished there were more episodes to watch.

Description:

Dwayne Johnson is Derek Thompson, a hard-charging minor league hockey player whose nickname is "The Tooth Fairy." When Derek discourages a youngster's hopes, he is sentenced to one week's hard labor as a real tooth fairy, complete with the requisite wings and magic wand.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Hockey player Derek "The Tooth Fairy" Thompson (Dwayne Johnson) is a big, tough guy whose pro career fizzled but who continues to please crowds by being the heavy for his minor team. While he's got an attractive girlfriend (Ashley Judd) with two kids, he has a very bad attitude and tends to rain on everyone's parade, particularly those of children with big dreams. To teach him the error of his ways, he is summoned to Fairy Land (presided over by Queen Fairy Julie Andrews and helped by wizened Billy Crystal) where he sprouts wings and learns he must perform the job of Tooth Fairy for 2 weeks. Crazy antics ensue, with the man suddenly sprouting wings at inopportune times and having a nightmarish time trying to fulfill his sentence. In the meantime, he begins to bond with the girlfriend's son, who is himself suffering a crisis of confidence. Eventually, both man and boy learn to believe in the power of dreams, build confidence through hard work and determination and open their hearts to love of self and others.
This is good, solid mainstream Hollywood family fare. Big name actors (Dwayne Johnson, Julie Andrews, Billy Crystal, Ashley Judd) appeal to parents, fantasy antics appeal to kids and the happy ending means everyone walks away satisfied. Kids will laugh at the physical humor. The audience age for this is probably 6-12, with 12 stretching it a bit. Filled with silly physical humor, hockey action and a well acted portrayal of a guitar-playing pre-teen boy who learns to believe in himself.
The humor certainly works for intended audience. While there is a bit of relatively violent action in the hockey rink, it's no more brutal than a televised NFL football game. The heart of the film is about a man who has lost his confidence and therefore assumes everyone is doomed to fail like he has. His negative attitude and progress toward change are easily comprehendible for a youth audience. It's a message both kids and adults can relate to and does offer some good talking points to open up a discussion with your child.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

I watched this with a 6 and a 10-year-old boy. They loved it. In fact, they were so drawn into it that they never even sat back in their seats at the theater, they leaned forward the entire time. Both boys are really into sports so they knew who Dwayne Johnson was and loved the hockey playing scenes in the film. The goofy slap stick humor was right up their alley and they clearly appreciated all of it. They would definitely watch it again, and most likely will when it comes out in DVD. Thumbs up from these guys.

Description:

Engaging award-winning animation that combines colorful whimsical worlds, endearing characters and fun upbeat music that even parents can enjoy! A new twist to some of the most beloved traditional children's songs, as well as some original tunes.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Fun-filled silly animation with a mix of familiar songs. Fast paced, colorful, very appealing. Every character shows love, fun and spirit. They really make you want to get up and dance along. The songs are a mix of original tunes and familiar ones. For example, the ABC song is sung but to a different tune.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

Children definitely moved along to the music and were engaged. They said familiar words such as "monkey" and "bus." The one year old didn't watch at all. The 2-year-olds were more interested. They enjoyed the music and seeing the characters who they could identify with. They danced and pointed out names of things on screen. Some of the songs dragged a big and they lost interest. Some 4 and 5-year-olds were interested as they could actually sing along. Definitely this appealed more to the 2-5 year-olds rather than the younger ones.

Description:

The complete works to date on cooperative play by Dale LeFevre: New Games, Cooperative Games, New Parachute Games, & New Soccer, plus an interview from Parent TV. The games are for all ages, sizes, abilities, and both genders. Mainly, they're fun!

Description:

An instructional program teaching kids the basics of traditional Kung Fu. Simple follow-along workout featuring cartoon segues with Shing. Training tips for parents, teachers. Features Ben Warner, Nicholas Yang, Cameo by Dr. Yang, Jwing Ming.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Very informative. An excellent tool to teach the importance of health and exercise. Most useful broken up into segments for better learning results. Interactive format allows for kids to participate in the movements while watching. Promotes health and wellness. Positive and respectful.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

Kids liked it, "it taught me that Kung Fu can by anything. When you work hard and reach your goals you can tell your friends you have done Kung Fu." Fun and motivating, the kids got up and moved around. "I learned that Kung Fu is about more than fighting. It is about discipline, practice and hard work." "Kung Fu can develop your body and mind." "It was fun and had a lot of activity." "It taught us the basics stances, punches, blocks and kicks. It was easy to follow." "Ben, the instructor, was friendly and playful." "It made me think about humility, respect, trust, courage and loyalty." "It made me think bout fitness." "Kung Fu is a fun work out."

Description:

In the time-honored tradition of political commentary, the public and private lives of the 42 Presidents of the United States are celebrated with humor and flair.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

This covers a wide range of traits, habits and backgrounds of American presidents. It makes historical figures come to life, using animation and humor. It conveys the message that is okay to be different. In fact, all the presidents were unique and many; had things in common with their predecessors. For example, some of them played musical instruments, sports, danced, went to college (nine didn't) and had pets. Thomas Jefferson wore many hats. John Quincy Adams was a swimmer. Teddy Roosevelt had a zoo. They were different sizes and shapes; Taft was the heaviest and had a custom built bath tub. But, each showed courage, spirit and the will to make leading the people and country his first priority. It may even inspire YOU to become president some day. The pastel and watercolor illustrations with black lines are beautiful. Some scenes have textured paper background which was very appealing.

Description:

A duck on a bike? From sheep to horse to chicken to goat… everyone in the barnyard has something to say about Duck's zany idea. But what are they really thinking? And what will happen next? Narrated by Walter Mayes. Music by Jack Sundrud and Rusty Young. Animated by Soup2Nuts. Optional English subtitles.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Entertaining and fun! Book based with a read along feature that everyone likes. The flow of the story together with wonderful animation and interaction of the animals makes it appealing enough to want to add to your library of kids' videos. The story is whimsical with lots of farm animals joining in the fun. It is fun to see the animals reactions to the Duck and then join in the fun. Everyone has a great time and it's contagious. Great animation and lovely narration. It makes you want to run out and get the book so you can follow up reading that with your child.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

Loved it! A huge hit with the kids. "I liked all the animals and the story was funny. It was funny to see the animals ride bikes." "Yes, we want to watch it again. Can we watch it please? I want to see the duck riding the bike again and the goat eating grass." "Can a duck really ride a bike? That is silly." Being able to have the words up on the screen is a plus and really helps promote early reading. It is very funny and holds your attention.

Description:

Thee is a new gym teacher coming to school. The kids say he is a real monster! Imagine their surprise when they discover he is a regular guy… and they actually like gym. Narrated by Joey Stack. Directed by Galen Fott, with music by Scotty Huff and Robert Reynolds. Includes bonus interviews with author Mike Thaler and illustrator Jared Lee. Optional English Subtitles.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

This film is the perfect prescription for a child suffering from school anxiety. It magnifies a child's worst fears about meeting a new teacher and calms the child back down, using humor and finally - reassurance. In fact, the teacher turns out to be even better than the child could have imagined. This movie may make you want to read some other books about dreading the start of school such as "First Day Jitters" or "Miss Nelson Is Missing" which is about substitute teachers. Everything in this movie is perfect. From the child narrator's voice to the background music. Simple, yet effective illustrations really compliment the story. The length is long enough to build your fears to a ridiculous level. The scenes with the real gym teacher are long enough to bring the viewer gently back to reality. The use of the scoreboard at the end makes you feel as if you are in a gymnasium. You can almost hear the buzzer.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

Kids enjoyed it. " "I like the illustrations on the cover. It looks kind of scary." "The gym teacher, Mr. Green is actually nicer than I thought he would be.: "The whole movie was better than I thought it would be. I would watch it again, with the read aloud version. In fact, we did watch it again, with the words highlighted in yellow as they are spoken by the child narrator." "The pictures help show what is going on." "It has a surprise ending. I thought the bad things were going to continue. But the gym teacher really wasn't all that bad."

Description:

From enormous sneezes to gigantic wails, the outrageous antics of these mischievous ailing dinosaurs will strike a chord and bring a smile to any child or grown-up who has ever sniffed, snuffled, coughed or ached. Narrated by Jane Yolen, with music by Jerry Dale McFadden. Animation by MaGiK Studio. Optional English sub-titles.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

A short humorous Scholastic video that encourages children to imagine how dinosaurs would behave in common situations that children face. Encourages children to think and use their imaginations. A lovely message about how we all need a little TLC. A friendly way for children to learn about doctor visits. Kids love watching the silly dinosaurs. The video poses appropriate questions that make children think and react. Eye-catching colors and illustrations are sure to mesmerize. Another successful story in the long line of "How Do Dinosaurs" book series brought to life on DVD.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

Kids had fun with this video and while acting like dinosaurs themselves. Children looked at each other and smiled as the story progressed. Kids, especially boys, love the dinosaurs and said they were not at all scary. They repeat the words they hear in the video in a playful way, "Goodnight momma", "Goodnight dadda." Kids really find the video funny, "I liked the way the dinosaur threw the tissues around", "I liked how tiny the doctor was." Kids waled around like dinosaurs and used their "dinosaur" voices.

Description:

Wubbzy and his friends are heading out on a mysterious adventure! Join the Wuzzleburg gang as they voyage to Dino Island in Widget's Wavy Wheeler 3000, explore Wazumboo Jungle and try to control a Doodleberry patch that has gone Wow! Wow! WILD! There is no telling who they will meet along the way! Sing and laugh along while learning life lessons about honesty, sharing, friendship and being prepared!

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

In this collection of episodes, Wubbzy learns that his actions have consequences that become his responsibility. Wubbzy realizes his decisions have caused a Sillysaurus to follow the Wavy Wheeler 3000 to Wubbzville. He must ultimately confront the situation. The result is a sweeter understanding of his neighbors on Dino Island. The variety of humorous, unusual imagery is appealing to the our youngest viewer. The stories present scenarios that help develop decision making skills. Our preschool jurors like it, because it is fun and sometimes silly. They particularly liked how the Sillysaurus chased Wubbzy so he could get some sugar.

Description:

Everyone in Wuzzleburg is getting involved in saving the planet! In these earth-friendly episodes, Wubbzy, Widget, Walden and Daizy must find a new place for the Wuzzle Bears to live, think up creative ways to reuse juice bottles and learn to grow their own doodleberries. Your pre-schooler will discover important lessons about ecology, harmony, and personal responsibility while enjoying plenty of singing and dancing.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

The earth is something to celebrate as Wubbzy and his pals go green for Earth Day. We learn about re-using and recycling through the fun, animated tales. We learn about how some good ideas go bad when building a gigantic new playground results in displacing hundreds of animals whose habitat is the trees they are about to chop down. Wubbzy and his friends learn about the importance of water and then discover how plastic water bottles are creating more pollution. Song segments between the episodes re-emphasize the lessons and are catchy enough to have your kids singing along. Our young viewers loved it. Their favorite part is when Wubbzy figured out that he could make playgrounds out of trees so the animals could be saved. Then, he did it. While we get a strong save-the-earth message, the DVD doesn't come off as too preachy. This video creates an interest in the environment and promotes pro-activity and appreciation of self and others

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

All the kids love Wubbzy and cheered for him when the DVD began. Children loved the butterflies. "Wubbzy's friends watched out for him and didn't let him eat all of the doodle berries." Children sang and danced during the show. The girls ran to get their butterfly wings and play butterflies after watching. Everyone loved this!

Description:

Set in the mythical world of burly Vikings and wild dragons, and based on the book by Cressida Cowell, the action comedy tells the story of Hiccup, a Viking teenager who doesn't exactly fit in with his tribe's longstanding tradition of heroic dragon slayers. Hiccup's world is turned upside down when a dragon challenges him and his fellow Vikings to see the world from an entirely different point of view.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

How to Train Your Dragon is an exciting and appealing new CGI animated feature film from Dreamworks. Though screened in an unfinished version, in 2D, with temporary scenes and music in place, once finished it will be another strong 3D title in theatrical release. Young Hiccup is a Viking and has always wanted to fight the dragons along with the grown-ups but has never been allowed. During a battle between the dragons the Vikings, Hiccup is able to snare a flying dragon, a fact he shares with his father, the town leader. But his father doesn't believe him and Hiccup is forced to search out the downed creature. When he finds him, instead of killing him, which has been Viking culture forever, he spares the young dragon, and a friendship is born. Hiccup hides his dragon friend, builds him a new tail so he can fly again, trains to be a warrior, and slowly begins showing the townspeople a way to befriend the dragons. When his father returns from sea, Hiccup is forced to prove he can slay a dragon. He refuses, and his dragon friend is exposed and captured. Hiccup's father uses the dragon to lead his army to the ‘nest' to rid the town of the dragons once and for all and it's up to Hiccup and his friends to stop the attack, save the young dragon and the Vikings, and take on the evil mother dragon. The CGI animation is spectacular, professional all the way. The film will probably appeal more to boys (dragons, fighting and such) than girls and is a bit scary for kids ages 5 and under. It is a film that uses violence and war to prove the point that violence and war is not needed, but there is plenty of action and adventure. Lots of explosions, fire, scary looking creatures and loud effects. Its appeal could extend to young male adults as well as it is truly a rollicking adventure.

Description:

Lionsgate and Relativity Media's family action comedy starts Jackie Chan as Bob Ho, and undercover CIA superspy who decides to give up his career in espionage to settle down with his next-door neighbor and girlfriend, Gillian (Amber Valletta). But Bob has one more mission to complete before Gillian agrees to marry him: winning over her three opinionated kids.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

The Spy Next Door refers to Bob Ho (Jackie Chan), a square but safe next-door neighbor and boyfriend of Jillian, a single mom with three kids. She is glad to have an honest and dependable guy in her life. The kids are dead set against the relationship because he's, well, just a big geek. When Mom needs to leave town suddenly, Bob offers to care for them, thinking it will give him a chance to make the kids like him. What no one knows is that Bob is actually an accomplished Chinese spy working with the CIA who has just worked his last job and has retired in the hopes of settling down with Jillian. The kids put Bob thru the ringer, but trouble really starts when the bad Russian guys come after Bob and the kids. Jillian breaks up with Bob when she realizes he has put her kids in danger. In the end, the kids come to his defense, the couple gets married and a new family is born.
What will appeal to a youth audience the most are the action scenes. The good guy spy, with help from the kids, fight the evil Russian baddies. There are lots of martial arts scenes but the action is almost cartoonish and we see no blood and guts. There is only scene where a bad guy gets a bloodied nose.
The heart of the film is delivered by Jackie Chan when he tells his girlfriend's teenage daughter that family is what you make – who you love and who loves you – not just the blood that runs in your veins. It's good advice and she grows to accept him as a potential step-father. It also helps her embrace her own family after feeling she didn't belong. Watching Bob trying to care for three unruly kids is truly humorous. The emotional arc of the kids letting down their defenses and allow a new man into their lives is something many kids can relate to, whether it's happened to them or they have seen friends experience similar things. The film is certainly derivative of other James Bond-for-kids type movies such as Spy Kids but doesn't really add anything original or memorable. The true appeal of this film is Jackie Chan, who gracefully moves between his two identities – the super square pen salesman who lives next door, and the super cool and capable Chinese spy working with the CIA. Plus, he's funny. That surprised us.

Description:

Meet Clutch Powers, the best builder and explorer in the LEGO universe as he heads off on his most dangerous mission yet. Join Clutch and his team of LEGO experts as their adventure leads them from LEGO City, to the Space Police prison planet, to the Mid-evil world of Ashlar where they must help the rightful heir to the King¹s throne find the courage to regain the kingdom from the evil Wizard Mallock the Malign. Their brick building skills will be put to the ultimate test, as they face off against Mallock¹s skeleton army.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

Brace yourself for a dangerously hilarious ride into outer space with Clutch Powers and his new LEGO team. The LEGO world gets a big dose of action when they put Clutch Powers, infamous adventurer, on a mission to round up the universes' three most dangerous convicts. The only problem is; Clutch the lone adventurer, must learn how to work with the team assigned to help him on his mission. Everything from a failed rescue operation to building a space ship poses a problem for this dysfunctional team. Unless they learn how to work as a team, the LEGO crew will never track down the most dangerous convict; evil wizard Mallock the Malign. Follow Clutch and his team of LEGO experts as their intergalactic adventures take them from LEGO City to the Space Police prison planet to the medieval planet of Ashlar. The planet Ashlar is in desperate need of the LEGO teams help. Mallock the Malign is terrorizing the medieval planet and threatening to steal the King's throne from its rightful heir. With the help of the King's army, and a few unexpected accomplices, the LEGO crew takes on Mallock and his skeleton henchmen. Clutch and his fellow LEGO experts build amazing LEGO creations and learn the value of teamwork while they fight for good in a world full of evil convicts and comical skeleton armies. Kids will remain enthralled until the very end of LEGO's first humorous action-packed film. While this film is hilarious and has non-stop entertainment, it also teaches kids the importance of teamwork and friendship.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

Enjoyed it. Some wanted to watch "their favorite parts" again after the DVD was over. "It was awesome." "It was a little scary." "I liked seeing the legos I built at home in a movie." "Kids who like legos, dragons and castles would like this movie." Kids couldn't remember the names of the characters and the plot was a little complex for the younger ones. "Some were arguing and blaming each other for mistakes, but mostly they worked together." "The best part was watching legos come to life." Some kids were uncomfortable with the fighting scenes, making this potentially inappropriate for younger more sensitive viewers. The film was 82 minutes long, which made it difficult to keep the attention of the seven-year olds and younger.

Description:

Barbie™ stars as Merliah™, a surfing champion from Malibu. One minute she's a normal teenager and the next she learns a shocking family secret: she's a mermaid! Merliah™ and her dolphin friend Zuma set off on an undersea adventure to rescue her mother, the queen of Oceana. With help from her new mermaid friends, Merliah™ saves the ocean kingdom. In the end, she discovers what makes you different can also be your greatest strength.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

This latest release of Barbie movies features a very self-sufficient and hip Surfer, Merliah who discovers that her mother is a mermaid and she is in danger somewhere deep under the sea in a place called Oceana. When Merliah takes off to rescue her mother, she has no idea that she is a princess, destined to become queen of Oceana should any harm come to her mother. She is young and innocent, immediately befriended by the local teen mermaids who expose her to their magical kingdom under the sea - complete with fashion boutiques and other accoutrements not unlike what teens find above the sea. This video will appeal to any preteen who is attuned to fashion, the environment or behaving heroically - if only in your imagination. I love the shots of Merliah surfing and the underwater landscapes and critters. They're imaginative. Fish as paparazzi! Calissa's evil sister, Erris, is suitably evil but won't give anyone nightmares. The music is upbeat, original and very danceable. Fun story, easy to watch.

KIDS FIRST!® KID Juror Comments:

Loved it. "I really liked this movie because it had a good story and a good ending. Merliah finally got to meet her mother and got her own mermaid tail. Her mother gave her a necklace that she could make a wish on so she could either be a mermaid or a human whenever she wanted." "It made me think about coral because they mentioned it a lot because it was dying. It also made me think about merilia, something Calissa put in Merliah's necklace to protect her." "I sang along with the songs." "It made me wonder why Erris would want to lock up her sister and made me think about what it would be like to be a mermaid." "At the end, when Merliah did the big surfing competition, she really did cool tricks and got a perfect score and won - I liked that!" "The costumes were cool, especially their tails when they were underwater."

Description:

An evil draken, The Magistical, a misused spell, an eccentric emperor, a corpulent king, a war, a mess of midgeons, a friend in need and one small boy who must believe he can save them all.

KIDS FIRST!® Adult Juror Comments:

This beautifully animated feature weaves a tale about learning to believe in yourself and expresses themes of friendship and love. The animation quality is simply outstanding and beautiful. The storyline takes a while to take off, then wanders a bit but pulls it together in the end. I watched this with an 8-year-old who wiggled around for the first 15 to 20 minutes but after that, stayed with it, even explaining to me at times what was going on.