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August 4, 2002 Issue
" It is impossible to become rich without enriching others. He who adds
to prosperity must prosper in turn." Earl Nightengale http://www.earlnightingale.com
Dear Friends,
So, August it is. I just returned from a Leo Party at Heron Lake, a beautiful
oasis in the desert two hours north of Santa Fe. This party was started several
years ago by a group of people who are all Leos. It has expanded to a group
of more than 30 people, children, and dogs. Most memorable of this event is
the quality of the life experience. Everyone, and I mean everyone fits together
so well. Sharing of food and drink and child care is the order of the weekend,
accompanied by music, swimming and boating. What a wonderful to start this month
of August.
Many thanks to all the producers who donated videotapes to children who are
Arizona fire victims. KIDS FIRST! partnered with K.I.D.S. (Kids in Distressed
Situations) for this effort. Thanks for a terrific response. We don't have the
final tally on what was received but will have it in time for next month's e-zine.
I have some dates and places for your for our Junior Film Critics Club Facilitator's
Workshops: We'll have one in Albuquerque on August 31, and are scheduling
four for Ridgewood, NJ, Mamaroneck, NY, Port Washington, NY, and
Manhattan for four weekends in September. If you are interested
in participating in one of these, please contact our office for
details. call 505.989.8076. All workshops run from 8:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. and there is a minimal fee ranging from $35 - 59, depending
on the city and sponsors.
For all you Santa Fe readers, we have a gift for you. Thanks to the generosity
of the Cinemacafe, we are screening 13 weeks of pre-screenings to the KIDS FIRST!
Film, Video and DVD Festival at their St. Michael's Road location starting August
4. The screenings will be Wednesdays and Saturdays at noon featuring videos
and films for pre-schoolers. The Cinemacafe will have a special kids' menu to
compliment the film offerings. For a schedule, visit our website or look in
the local paper.
Thanks to everyone who sent their condolences after reading of my mother's death.
Your support and love is most welcome.
Best wishes for a wonderful August.
Love,
Ranny Levy
**** KIDS FIRST! FILM, VIDEO AND DVD FESTIVAL
UPDATE ************************************************
Our KIDS FIRST! Film, Video and DVD Festival 2002 Fall Tour will be going to
the following cities and venues. Mark your calendars. More information will
be available on our website at least one month prior to each event.
October 5: Warner Quad, Ridgewood, NJ
October 12: Mamaroneck Playhouse, Mamaroneck, NY
October 19: Soundview Cinemas, Port Washington, NY
October 26: Chelsea Cinemas, New York, NY
October 26-Nov 2: Community Development Corp, Tampa, FL
November 2 - 9: Cinema Café, Santa Fe, NM
November 15-17: Palm Springs International Film Festival, Palm Springs, CA
December 7 - 14: Camera 3: San Jose, CA
December 26-29: Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Santa Barbara, CA
Please, if you have time to volunteer for our NY area Festivals, please let
us know. We need people to help assemble goodie bags, to staff information
tables at the events, to help disseminate flyers in each of these
neighborhoods, and for adults who are interested in training to
become Facilitators for our Junior Film Critics Club. If you can
volunteer,
****** New KIDS FIRST! Endorsements ******
AUDIO CD
** THE ULTIMATE BABY CD Using original compositions in the classical Mozart
tradition, this compilation of music is intended to stimulate a baby and have
a positive affect on the baby's mood. Adult Juror Comments: Pleasant listening.
Well produced. Classical music is consistent throughout with varying tempos.
Calming, soothing. Although the research on effects of music on infants is inconclusive,
quality music is bound to benefit both baby and parent. Kid Juror Comments:
Responded appropriately when played in segments: upbeat tempos brought smiles,
quiet music brought sleep. Infants seemed to lose interest after the first selections
if music played continuously. Cognitive responses are impossible for us to measure.
Audio. 59 min.; $14.99; Age: 0-2. NORTH BAY ENTERTAINMENT
CD-ROM
** MIA'S MATH ADVENTURE: JUST IN TIME! - Features a story, a quest, and an exploration
as well as educational activities. Includes over a dozen characters rendered
in feature-film-quality 3D animation and scenery seen from the perspective of
a mouse. Adult Juror Comments: Good animation and state-of-the-art graphics.
Unique and creative game. Challenging and stimulating. Installation and use
fairly straightforward, Player's Guide extremely helpful. Conveys the message
that young children can be heroes and help people. Kid Juror Comments: Girls
responded better to the mouse character than boys did. All of them thought it
was going to be easier to do than it was but quickly warmed up to the challenge.
All wanted more time to play. "Sometimes we had to click on things a bunch
of times." CD-Rom. WIN/MAC; $19.95; Age: 6-10. KUTOKA INTERACTIVE.
VIDEO
*** BABY GENIUS ANIMAL ADVENTURES. An adventure through the San Diego Wild
Animal Park shows babies and toddlers interacting with animals from around the
globe. Soundtrack features classical music selections. Adult Juror Comments:
Simple content, soothing tone. Bright, interesting footage of animals and kids
at the zoo. Uses random animated characters to help focus attention on screen.
Unhurried pace and no voice-overs encourage caregivers to talk and explain.
Kid Juror Comments: Remained attentive for short periods, pointing, gurgling
and smiling. Liked the music and made animal sounds. Some liked seeing the babies
more than the animals, shouting "BABY!" whenever they saw one. Older
kids enjoyed watching the animals' behaviors. Video. 40 min.; $12.99; Age: 0-3.
GENIUS PRODUCTS.
*** CAILLOU: I WANT TO GROW UP! Being little is fun, but sometimes Caillou
wants to be bigger, too! He learns what grownups do when he meets a mail carrier,
garbage collector and police officer. Adult Juror Comments: Wonderful story
uses real kids, puppets and animation. Very high quality production promotes
a sense of responsibility. Packed with positive behaviors. Multi-cultural, gender-neutral
and intergenerational. Allows a soundboard for greater discussion. Kid Juror
Comments: Identified strongly with Caillou and his pre-schooler frustrations.
"I like Caillou. He's a big boy like us." "It makes me think
about how long it takes to grow up." "How did Caillou learn to be
big?" They were intrigued about jobs. "How do people work?" Video.
40 min.; $12.95; Age: 2-5. WARNER HOME VIDEO.
** THOMAS & FRIENDS: BEST OF THOMAS. Features eight Thomas the Tank adventures,
including when Thomas got his own branch line; when he and a dragon play a trick
on Percy; and when the engines prepared for a very special visitor. Adult Juror
Comments: Sweet and colorful. Quiet story with expressive, charming train characters.
Not overly detailed. Content and presentation well suited for younger attention
spans. Gives an action outlet without a violence component. Kid Juror Comments:
Kids who already like Thomas were keen on this video. "We all like Thomas."
"It was funny." Most understood the messages in the stories: "I
give help when someone needs it." "Thomas helps James and the other
trains when they get hurt or scared." Video. 46 min.; $12.98; Age: 2-6.
ANCHOR BAY ENTERTAINMENT.
** SHANA BANANA - MUSIC AND FUN FOR KIDS! Filmed at various locations in the
Tampa Bay area and in a "Banana Shack" treehouse, nine songs written
and performed by Shana Smith are presented with twelve children in this interactive
production. Adult Juror Comments: Infectious energy and music. Fresh and snappy
and not slick. Features regular, real-looking kids of all sizes, shapes and
kinds who are all treated with respect. Incorporates animation and puppetry.
Provides social and educational lessons. "Loads of fun." Kid Juror
Comments: Sang, jumped, danced like popcorn and loved going bananas. "I
want to watch it again. Let's watch it right now!" "Ooga Booga is
scary. Fast forward through it." "I love Shana! She is a good teacher."
"I really like her funny faces." Video. 36 min.; $14.95; Age: 3-5.
SHANA BANANA ENTERPRISES.
*** VEGGIE TALES: LARRYBOY AND THE ANGRY EYEBROWS - When Larry receives word
that super-villain Awful Alvin has unleashed a plague of angry eyebrows on Bumblyburg,
he is transformed into the crime-fighting crusader Larryboy, who shows the town
how letting go of anger is the way to win. Adult Juror Comments: Fast and bright.
Lots of action, jokes, and exaggerated characters. Creative, innovative and
intelligent script tackles the subject of anger in terms children understand.
Helps children learn a religious-based moral message without shouting. Empowering.
Kid Juror Comments: Fascinated and attentive. "It was so much fun to watch.
I was never bored, like I am with some videos." "I want to watch it
again right now. I want to see all those Angry Eyebrows again. It's so funny."
"Being angry is not nice, let it go and be happy." Video. 30 min.;
$19.99; Age: 5-8. BIG IDEA PRODUCTIONS, INC.
*** JIMMY NEUTRON BOY GENIUS Jimmy Neutron's genius saves the day when he leads
a battalion of amusement park rides into space to rescue everyone's parents
from aliens. Features CGI visuals and "retro-hip" art style. Adult
Juror Comments: Hilarious kid-oriented sci-fi spoof. Splashy, snappy and fun.
Ingenious animation and clever humor. Action-packed beginning, cute follow-up
at the end. Kids reveling in a day of parental absence tend to be sophomoric,
but learn a good lesson. Kid Juror Comments: A huge hit, hands' down. "It
was great!" "I LOVED it!" "I'd watch it again in five minutes!"
"It was SO cool." "The kids have to fight the aliens, but they
save their parents." "Now I know about experiments and inventions."
"It was WAY beyond awesome." Video. 82 min.; $14.95; Age: 5-11. PARAMOUNT
HOME ENTERTAINMENT.
*** SHAKESPEARE'S SOLILOQUIES A troupe of actors, in various stages of rehearsal,
present some of the bard's most poignant speeches that have earned a place in
the history of theatre and in all of literature. Includes soliloquies from Hamlet,
Julius Caesar, and The Merchant of Venice. Adult Juror Comments: Exceptional.
Professional, friendly production makes Shakespeare's works accessible and non-painful.
Effective camera work and lighting. Contemporary treatment makes timeless human
issues relevant. Perfect accompaniment to studying Shakespeare. Kid Juror Comments:
Drama students were captivated; others were less involved. "Powerful."
"Dull." "I didn't always understand the words but it was easy
to get around that and figure it out." "Hamlet's speech was neat.
I could feel it as he spoke. He was really cute." Video. 40 min.; $24.95;
Age: 14-18. MONTEREY HOME VIDEO.
** THE BABY WHISPERER VOLUME 1 Based on the best-selling Secrets of the Baby
Whisperer by Tracy Hogg, Teaches parents how to calm, connect and communicate
with their newborn child. Provides simple, accessible programs that parents
can begin before and after the baby is born. Adult Juror Comments: Well produced.
Relaxing; peaceful and soothing tone. Logically organized. Information is clearly
outlined, each section is short and to the point. Offers common sense and practical
options to choose from. Shows fathers as equal caregivers. DVD. 71 min.; $14.98;
Age Adult. TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT.
MEDIA NEWS *****************************
**********************************************
Parent and Family News *****************************
*********************************************************
**** Murder, Beatings and Car-jackings featured in Video Games ***
Lion and Lamb Director, Daphne White was a guest on Phil Donahue's show on
July 22. Mrs. White's discussion focused on the video game Grand Theft Auto
III, the adult-rated video game involving murder, beatings, car-jackings, prostitution,
and other illegal activities. This game was the top-selling title last year,
and many of the players are young teens. At present, there are no real restrictions
on the sale or rental of adult video games to children. Some retailers have
policies that require age identification, but even these are not always enforced.
When questioned by Donahue about this game, MIT professor Henry Jenkins defended
Grand Theft Auto III because of its technical innovativeness which "gives
players lots of choices." Read the exchange between Lion & Lamb's Daphne
White and Henry Jenkins, who represented the video game industry on http://www.msnbc.com/news/784580.asp
or http://www.lionlamb.org/news_articles/donahue_july_22.htm
**** Giving Peace Young Hope ****
Twenty teenagers from the two opposing sides of Cyprus met July 1 on as "young
peacemakers" during three weeks they spent in Washington DC. The youths,
ages 14 to 16, are separated at home by their country's so-called Green Line,
which divides the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities. They participated in
a total immersion project called Peace Through Art in Washington, D.C., organized
by the International Child Art Foundation in cooperation with the Cyprus Fulbright
Commission. For more information, visit http://www.washingtontimes.com/entertainment/20020722-94471030.htm
**** Producer
News ****
**** VIDEO SOFTWARE DEALERS ASSOCIATION (VSDA)
2002 HOME ENTERTAINMENT AWARD WINNERS ****
The winners of VSDA's 2002 Home Entertainment Awards were announced July 28.
Among the awards given were the four below to children's titles:
Best Sell-through Title of the Year by a Major Studio
"Shrek" – DreamWorks Home Entertainment
Direct-to-video/limited Release by a Major Studio
"Cinderella II: Dreams Come True" – Walt Disney/Buena Vista Home
Entertainment
"Lady & The Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure" – Walt Disney/Buena
Vista Home Entertainment
Best Selling Direct-to-video by an Independent
"Barbie In The Nutcracker" – Artisan Home Entertainment
***Hollywood Reporter Publishes Survey of Entertainment Industry
Philanthropy
The Hollywood Reporter has just published its 4th Annual "Philanthropy
in Hollywood" Special Issue that takes a comprehensive look at the wide
scope of giving in entertainment, an industry that has been at the forefront
of developing long-term philanthropic strategies through charitable investments
and gifts. Also featured are a list of high profile givers and the trade paper's
annual guide to non-profits with ties to the entertainment industry... http://www.pnnonline.org/article.php?sid=462
**** The Dust or Magic Institute will be held November 3-5 in Lambertville NJ--
for people who design children's interactive media. For information, please
go to
http://www.childrenssoftware.com/dustormagic
*** JOB Opportunities ***
Family Support Advocate: Progressive Non-profit organization serving homeless
children and their families seeks outstanding Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) individual
for full-time salaried position. Skills required include: excellent communication
and commitment to service and teamwork, resourcefulness and critical thinking
skills. Responsibilities include: Case management and family and child strengths
assessment; home visiting to provide parent education and support, parent education
workshop facilitation. Knowledge required: Child Development for ages 0-8, at-risk
family systems and dynamics. Education required: CDA with 5 years experience
considered. Prefer college degree in Social Work, Early Childhood Development,
Family Studies or related field. Competitive salary, benefits and leave package.
EOE. Position open until filled. Cover letter and resume to: Executive Director,
PO Box 12786, ABQ 87195 FAX (505) 764-8296.
Become a Coalition for Quality Children's Media Member ***
********************************************************************
If you've found our e-zine and web site helpful, please consider becoming a
member of KIDS FIRST! Members help underwrite the various projects of this organization
and are a critical component of our success.
The Coalition for Quality Children's Media's relies on the generous support
of its members and donors to support its programs. An individual/family membership
is only $25/year. An organizational membership is $100/year. An independent
producer membership is $200 - $10,000 / year. For more information, visit our
website (http://www.kidsfirstinternet.org) or contact our office for an application
form, 505.989.8076.
***********************************
Resouces ***********************
******* KIDS FIRST! Book ***
Our book, A Parent's Guide to the Best Children's Videos, DVDs, and CD-ROMs,
featuring reviews of more than 1800 KIDS FIRST! endorsed videos, DVDs, TV shows,
and CD-ROMs is available now. To order your copy, call our office, 505-989-8076
or send your request, to kfnews@http://www.kidsfirstinternet.org. You can view
sample pages of our book at http: //www.pgpress.com/Book_Excerpts/kidvid/
VISIT OUR MEMBERS' SITES ******************
*****************************************************
http://www.advancedbrain.com
http://www.adventuresinoz.com
http://www.allbymyself.com
http://www.anchorbayentertainment.com
http://www.babybrother.com
http://www.a-imagination.com
http://www.activeparenting.com http://www.BabyAboutTown.com
http://www.babyplaytime.com
http://www.babysongs.com
http://www.babyeinstein.com
http://www.babygenius.com
http://www.babyplaytime.com
http://www.devine-ent.com
http://disney.go.com/DisneyVideos/
http://www.edact.com
http://www.familiesoftheworld.com
http://www.fancymonkey.com
http://www.finemediagroup.com
http://www.filmmarketonline.com
http://www.familytv.com/index_usa.asp?AFID=2002072002"
http://www.hunktabunkta.com
http://www.iluminadaproductions.com
http://www.kathybyers.com
http://www.krikou.net
http://www.lafete.com
http://www.Littlehardhats.com
http://www.magicfrank.com
http://www.mybestenglish.net
http://www.nafce.org
http://www.nestfamily.com
http://www.newvideo.com
http://www.northbayentertainment.com
http://www.pixiesage.com
http://www.sesameworkshop.org
http://www.shanabanana.com
http://www.sosmart.com
http://www.splashesfromtheriver.com/web/pl1.html
http://www.sqedunk.com
http://www.strangerinthewoods.com
http://www.tcfhe.com
http://www.underthewaves.com
http://www.vidmedia.com
http://www.vtmproductionsinc.com
http://www.wamtv.com
http://www.warner.com
http://www.zula.com
Thanks to our KIDS FIRST! Film, Video and DVD Festival 2002 Sponsors: Edwards
Theatres, LA Parent Magazine, Orange County Parenting, Parenthood.com, Parents
Guide Press, Walt Disney Home Entertainment, PAX-30, Paramount Home Entertainment,
The El Capitan Theatre, Rhino Home Video, Artmatten Productions, Devine Entertainment,
Embassy Suites, KidsEdge.com, Productions La Fete and to supporters: Anchor
Bay Enterprises, Backyard Enterprises, Big Idea Productions, Child Magazine,
Children's Media Project, Columbia Tri-Star Home Entertainment, Noggin, Nomadic
Pictures, Nickelodeon, Sesame Workshop, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment,
Warner Home Video.
EVENTS and NEWS ***************
***************************************
August 6, Fourth Annual Peace Day - Critical Mass For Peace, Santa Fe, NM. 12
noon to 8 PM
Opening Ceremony doves will be released to the tones of Native American Flautist
Andrew Thomas. Bruce Gagnon, the coordinator for Global Network against Weapons
and Nuclear Power in Space will speak at 1:00 followed by Irwin Rivera, coordinator
for American Friend Service Committee, and author and psychologist Chellis Glendenning.
Santa Fe's youth band, Andé Marimba Band will perform and accompany dances
by Fara Tolno from Guinea and D'Jeune D'Jeune Dance Troupe. Other featured performers
include Latino/Sephardic singer/songwriter, Consuelo Luz; comedian/musician,
Lenny Hoffman; the uproarious Raging Grannies; Aztec Dancers; Chance Encounter
with a Wormhole; Shukran-Middle Eastern world music; and many more talented
offerings from our local community - booths - information tables - lots of childrens'
activities. For more information, visit www.networkearth.org or call Cranes
for Peace Project (505) 989-4482.
Oct 2 - 5: 2002 NAMAC Conference. The National Alliance for Media Arts and
Culture NAMAC (www.namac.org)Seattle, WA For information, visit http://www.pullfocus.org
October 6-10 The World Conference of women Religious and Spiritual Leaders,
An Initiative of the Millennium World Peace Summit, Geneva Switzerland. 212.715.1526
Http://www.millemmiumpeacesummit.org;
email: [email protected]
KIDS FIRST! Film, Video and DVD Festival Fall Tour:
October 5: Warner Quad, Ridgewood, NJ
October 12: Mamaroneck Playhouse, Mamaroneck, NY
October 19: Soundview Cinemas, Port Washington, NY
October 26: Chelsea Cinemas, New York, NY
October 26 - Nov. 2: Community Development Corp., Tampa, FL
November 2 - 9: Cinema Café, Santa Fe, NM
November 15-17: Palm Springs Int'l Film Festival, Palm Springs, CA
December 26-29: Santa Barbara International Film Festival presents the KIDS
FIRST! Film, Video and DVD Festival, Santa Barbara, CA
October 11, 2002 Williamsburg, VA; Fall Literacy Institute - "Using Play-Based
Curricula to Enhance Literacy Experiences for All Young Children." for
more information, visit http://222.cdr.org/training_institute.htm or email Lisa
McKean at [email protected]
To add your event to this list, please sent a notice to [email protected]
********* IF YOU FIND THIS NEWSLETTER USEFUL ...
FORWARD IT TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY ****************
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Copyright 2002 by Coalition for Quality Children's Media,
http://www.kidsfirstinternet.org
**************ABOUT CQCM AND KIDS FIRST! ***************
KIDS FIRST! is the not-for-profit Coalition for Quality Children's Media's
initiative that evaluates and rates children's media - videotapes, CD-ROMs,
and television - using a highly acclaimed method that has been praised by parents
and educators alike. It utilizes professionally designed criteria and evaluation
tools and engages a volunteer jury comprising child development professionals,
teachers and parents nationwide and children of diverse geographic, socioeconomic
and ethnic backgrounds. KIDS FIRST! endorsed titles appeal to people around
the world and include many programs on topics important to children's development.
KIDS FIRST! - endorsed titles are available on CQCM's award-winning Internet
site, in The Parent's Guide to the Best Children's Videos, DVDs, and CD-ROMs
and in reviews it provides to more than 75 publications.
CQCM evaluates feature films, television programs, videos, CD-ROM, DVDs, and
audio recordings year round. For an application form, visit our
website (http://www.kidsfirstinternet.org), call our office (505.989.8076
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