All-Star Titles

The All-Star category has 784 titles

Here are up to 50 of them

KIDS FIRST! has linked to external websites through which you may order many of the KIDS FIRST! endorsed titles

This title is in the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival - it may not be a regular, endorsed title

20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA - READSPEAK INC.
Series: N/A
Description - While setting sail in search or a green-eyed sea monster, 11-year-old Beth, her brother, and a skilled harpoonist become unwilling passengers of a futuristic submarine designed and run by 12-year-old Nemo, an eccentric scientist. Captioned with ReadSpeak.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Excellent presentation in movie quality, story, acting, and setting. Wonderful special effects, especially the ReadSpeak captioning which literally has the words appear as they are spoken. Children are encouraged to read and explore classic literature.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Kids loved it. "It was fun. I related with the actors because they're kids." "It was interesting how no one liked Ned until he found a way to save the others. Then, they all became friends." "I liked that the admiral was a girl."
Runtime: 48 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 6-13 Suggested Retail Price: $ 19.95 Media: VIDEO

A TO Z SYMPHONY, THE - CLASSICAL FUN MUSIC, INC.
Series: N/A
Description - Twenty six independent, one-minute videos set to the melodies of some of histories greatest composers. Each letter's vignette is preceded by an introduction of the title and composer, so they become memorized naturally by young minds.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Excellent. Can't-miss classical music in a kid-friendly format. Extremely high quality sound. One-minute tracks good for short attention spans. Images are not the usual kiddy alphabet stuff. Intriguing material for those just learning the alphabet.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Loved it. Repeated letters and associated words out loud, labeled foods (Boo! Mushrooms!) giggled (The arrow and the apple are funny!) and asked lots of questions. "How does the yo-yo work?" "What are Stonehenge and the Olympics?" "Is this all true?"
Runtime: 32 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 0-5 Suggested Retail Price: $ 19.95 Media: DVD ISBN # 0975992708

ADVENTURES IN ASIA - NAT'L GEOGRAPHIC HOME VIDEO
Series: REALLY WILD ANIMALS
Description - A wild magic carpet ride around Asia - cuddly giant pandas in Southern China, hairy orangutans in Borneo, huge manta rays in the Red Sea, and close-knit elephant families in India.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Packed with information from various locations. The music captured kids' attention. The jokes sometime detract from the information they are trying to convey. Some explanations are not particularly clear.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Likable host, good show fine mix of animation and live action. Children got a kick out of the animals' humor. Even the three-year-olds loved it. Girls were more attentive than boys.
Runtime: 40 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 3-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ 14.95 Media: VIDEO ISBN # 0-7922-2722-0

ADVENTURES IN THE GREAT STONE BALLOON - A FULL SERVICE IMAGINATION
Series: ADVENTURES IN THE GREAT STONE BALLOON
Description - In this adventure video and activity book, Martha Lambert and her balloon crew take an imaginative ride to learn about dinosaurs. They help prepare a dinosaur picnic, speak to Mother Earth about why dinosaurs are extinct and create stories.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Creative, absorbing, engaging. Excellent animation and production. Fascinating to watch, listen to and think about. Challenging and interactive. Greatly respects children and their abilities. Reading, writing and imagining are explored.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Good and funny. Appealing to both boys and girls, but especially to kids who are already reading. "The singing was good. Mother Earth was cute." "I liked when the dinosaurs fell over and died." "We sang along with the dinosaur song."
Runtime: 51 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 7-10 Suggested Retail Price: $ 19.95 Media: VIDEO

ADVENTURES OF DAVE AND AUGIE: BEN FRANKLIN - FREGGIE PRODUCTIONS
Series: INDEPENDENT SHORT, AGES 5-8
Description - Join Dave, Augie and Mary Ann as they travel to Philadelphia, the hometown of Benjamin Franklin, and the birthplace of the United States. It's here that they learn about the life of Ben and his involvement with the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Informational yet fun. Well produced. Various mediums - puppets, live action, historical sites, graphics - explore various facets of Franklin's life while holding kids' attention. A game show reinforces the lessons just presented. The "Wheel of Junk" is very funny. Loaded with historical facts that most people don't know about Franklin.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Kids liked it, learned a lot. "They were glued to the TV the entire time and danced along to the song at the end. They liked Franklin's quote: When you're good to others, you're best to yourself.
Runtime: 30 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 5-10 Suggested Retail Price: $ 19 Media: DVD

ADVENTURES OF FLOWER THE ARSON DOG - KHK FILMS, INC.
Series: ANIMAL BOOTCAMP
Description - Takes children behind the scenes to show how animals are trained and used for different vocations here and abroad. Flower assists fire fighters in the search for gas leaks and other fire hazards.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Excellent. Offers a fascinating look at the world of a working dog. Explains arson without the scare factor. Best viewed with an adult. Emphasizes respectful interaction with animals.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Enthusiastic. Generated discussion about the topics presented. "All the dog training was so great. I didn't know that dogs could be so smart." "It was very cool to see how Flower learned to do her job."
Runtime: 43 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 5-8 Suggested Retail Price: $ 14.95 Media: VIDEO

ADVENTURES WITH WINK AND BLINK: DAY IN THE LIFE OF A GARBAGE TRUCK, A - LAUREL HILL ENTERTAINMENT
Series: ADVENTURES WITH WINK AND BLINK
Description - Offers quality entertainment that engages, informs and inspires. Wink and Blink teach kids about garbage trucks, recycling and the environment with innovative graphics and fun music.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Very tastefully done. Through the characters from the Land of Imagination, the kids follow the life of a garbage truck. Clever presentation which encourages the children to protect the environment. Safety is stressed. Offers a positive view of the future.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Enjoyable, especially by the boys. They liked learning about trucks - how to build one fascinated them. Some thought the puppets were weird. "I liked seeing the real trucks and the real places they worked."
Juror Recommended Age: 5-8 Suggested Retail Price: $ 12.95 Media: Video and DVD

AFTER SCHOOL CHINESE: MANDARIN CHINESE LEVEL 1 - MASTER COMMUNICATIONS Click to purchase directly from the producer
Series: AFTER SCHOOL CHINESE
Description - This all inclusive language course utilizing authentic content and proven methodology will have children speaking Chinese at the very first lesson. The course encourages and engages children to explore the Chinese language and culture filmed in China.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Excellent program. Very well designed. Right away, you get it. This program is very comprehensive, makes good use of repetition. Each word or phrase is spoken by both a man and a woman which helps hear how the pronunciation might vary slightly. Designed to be used by persons who know nothing about the Chinese language. "I would definitely recommend this to someone who is serious about learning Chinese."
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - We tested this with Chinese speakers as well as non-Chinese speakers. Chinese speakers thought it was simplified and easy to understand. Non-Chinese speakers were definitely challenged but, by the end of the first lesson, they were indeed speaking Chinese. "It is so different from English or Spanish. I thought it would be easier." Our jurors did not get through the entire program, due to its length and complexity but they definitely got a lot out of the portion they did complete. They enjoyed seeing the Chinese people and how they interacted. "They had nice manners. I liked seeing the children at their school. It was cool to see the students." Younger kids enjoyed the Cd-Roms, older ones were very interested in the workbook.
Runtime: 120 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 8-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ 195.95 Media: DVD ISBN # 1888194731

ALADDIN AND THE MAGIC LAMP - RABBIT EARS ENTERTAINMENT Click to purchase directly from the producer
Series: WE ALL HAVE TALES
Description - From "A Thousand and One Nights," this story is about a young rogue and the genie who helps him win the love of the Sultan's daughter. Musician Mickey Hart weaves the rhythms of the Middle East.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Scored high. This iconographic presentation is faithful to the original story, with excellent narration and music. It is perhaps a little slow-moving for some children, but visually it's beautiful.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Enjoyed the story and the presentation. They were intrigued that it was not the Disney version. Kids liked the narrator but wanted the characters to have motion. "I loved the music and the colors." "I learned to be kind and not selfish."
Runtime: 30 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 5-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ 8.95 Media: VIDEO ISBN # 1-57099-002-6

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ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL - NEST FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT Click to purchase directly from the producer
Series: ANIMATED HERO CLASSICS
Description - Discover how innovation and determination can lead to world-changing inventions, as Alexander Graham Bell and his partner, Thomas Watson, turn a project to improve the telegraph system into the dream of the telephone! English and Spanish.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Well done. Good 2-D animation and music. Excellent biography about Alexander Graham Bell revealing the impetus behind his work. Entertaining, educational and humorous. Offers many lessons from sign language to science history to perseverance to believing in others. Very inspiring. Good role models about human relationships. Encourages children to think about inventors and scientists.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - A big hit. "It is amusing and amazing." "Good movie about the inventor with funny parts but also serious parts about helping other people." "I liked it because the little boy couldn't talk but then he said he'd try." "It shows how the telephone was invented. I liked how it shows you shouldn't give up when you're trying to invent something." "Alexander Bell taught deaf children and he was trying to make the telegraph but also the telephone." "Watson reminds me of me because I have the same personality - I am goofy and inventive."
Runtime: 30 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 5-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ 34.95 Media: DVD

ALGEBRA WORLD - COGNITIVE TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
Series: N/A
Description - Highly interactive math-building tools covering equations, ratios, percentages, variables, geometry and negative numbers. Kids solve a mystery while exploring these math challenges. Has three skill levels and a user-tracking feature.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Good teaching tool for difficult concepts. Program offers activities covering skills such as problem-solving and introduces algebraic concepts. Puzzles are difficult. Excellent 3-D graphics, great music.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Challenging and fun on different levels. Made kids think and come up with solutions. Kids enjoyed the graphics. "I like building my own shapes." "I didn't know algebra was fun." The different levels are really useful.
Platform: DUAL platform Juror Recommended Age: 12-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ 39.95 Media: CDROM

ALICE IN WONDERLAND - BUENA VISTA HOME ENTERTAINMENT/DISNEY
Series: N/A
Description - Daydreaming Alice chases the White Rabbit into the magical, madcap world of Wonderland with its kaleidoscope of off-the-wall characters. Alice goes to a wild tea party, meets the Queen of Hearts, and is tricked into playing a curious croquet game.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Whimsical, magical adventure with terrific animation and memorable score. An entertaining introduction to classic literature, plus Walt Disney explaining animation. Promotes diversity: "Everyone is different, and that is OK."
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Really taken with the fantasy. "I would like to dream like that." "It told a very funny story of things that we can't see here in this world." "We also get bored with school and want to go exploring." They even said they would like to read the book.
Runtime: 75 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 7-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ 22.99 Media: VIDEO ISBN # 0-7888-2221-7

ALL ABOUT HEALTH & HYGIENE - SCHLESSINGER MEDIA, INC.
Series: HUMAN BODY FOR CHILDREN
Description - Teaches young students how and why people get sick, and what they can do to help keep themselves strong and healthy. Clear, real-life examples and graphics show kids the value of practicing good hygiene and staying healthy.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Excellent presentation of a relevant topic. Lively and fun, with snappy graphics and good music. Great organization and format. Vocabulary is a little steep but well supported with visuals and explanations. "Our school nurse loved it."
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Very enthusiastic responses. "It's fun to know about our bodies." "I liked those kids talking to explain things." Biggest hit of all: animation of microbes multiplying. "I liked when the germs exploded." "We liked when the worms (germs) went into people."
Runtime: 23 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 5-10 Suggested Retail Price: $ 29.95 Media: VIDEO ISBN # 1-57225-421-1

ALL ABOUT JOHN DEERE FOR KIDS, PART 2 - TM BOOKS AND VIDEO
Series: ALL ABOUT JOHN DEERE FOR KIDS
Description - Learn fun and fascinating facts about farming and see how grapes and pumpkins are harvested, and watch giant John Deere combines at work.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Delightful. Well paced. Engaging and entertaining. Shows lots of equipment that will appeal to kids who are interested in farming or big machinery. It explains things well and shows real video footage of the implements. Loved the music. "Had me humming the John Deere song for the rest of the day. I like that the narrator is a child.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Great movie with good pictures, music, information and held the kids' interest. "I really liked it. The music is good. It is very interesting and I learned a lot." "I would definitely watch it again." "I viewed this with my two-year-old nephew who lives in the city and doesn't get to see farm machinery often. He was fascinated by this and went to his toy box and pulled out a green and yellow truck and put it up on the TV."
Runtime: 50 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 5-8 Suggested Retail Price: $ 14.95 Media: DVD

ALL BY MYSELF: TAKING CARE OF MY PET, VOL. 2 - ALL BY MYSELF, INC.
Series: ALL BY MYSELF
Description - Encourages children to get involved and participate in the family responsibilities of having a pet.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Wonderful production that encourages kids to be responsible and motivates them to do the job by themselves which instills a sense of pride and satisfaction of a job well done. Buddy the Ladybug as host is terrific. Content on the mark. Well produced.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Kids loved it. "It taught us how to take care of pets, to be kind, to not hurt the animals." Even the youngest wandered around a bit but became attentive during the animated segments. They tapped their feet, danced, and played drums to the music.
Runtime: 30 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 2-5 Suggested Retail Price: $ 15.95 Media: VIDEO ISBN # 0971543453

ALL DOGS CHRISTMAS CAROL, AN - MGM HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Series: FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
Description - Charlie, Itchy and Sasha star in a canine version of the classic Charles Dickens' Christmas tale. When Carface the bulldog devises a corrupt plan to ruin Christmas, Charlie and his pals visit him as the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Promotes Christmas spirit; good things come if we hold fast. Stresses good will toward others. Interesting spin on the classic story. Characters inspire compassion for animals. Adults objected to the zombie scene where they put a spell on the dogs.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Great heroes, funny adventure. Enjoyed watching Charlie dance in the yellow suit and listening to the other dogs sing. "I like the magical things they do with cartoons." "Most characters behaved, some needed to learn to be nice."
Runtime: 76 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 5-8 Suggested Retail Price: $ 14.95 Media: VIDEO ISBN # 0-7928-3966-8

ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN ACTIVITY CENTER - MGM HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Series: N/A
Description - Teaches language skills, vocabulary and counting, using the characters from the movie and TV series as guides. Develops critical thinking skills, memory and hand/eye coordination. Features multiple skill levels.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Well organized, lots of variety, interactive and entertaining things to do and learn. Some educational benefits are well disguised as games. Visually inviting. Nice introduction to art. Very child-appropriate, kids should enjoy this.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Really fun. Kids enjoyed the different activities, particularly the chase game. Easy to install and play. The dog videos were particularly appealing. "It made me really think." "There are so many things to do. It's the best CD-ROM I have ever used."
Platform: DUAL platform Juror Recommended Age: 5-11 Suggested Retail Price: $ 29.95 Media: CDROM ISBN # 0-7928-3677-4

ALLEGRA'S CHRISTMAS - PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT Click to purchase directly from the producer
Series: ALLEGRA'S WINDOW
Description - Allegra learns the true meaning of Christmas giving when she finds out that one of Santa's helpers expects to spend Christmas alone. Allegra to the rescue!
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Colorful characters. Engaging, thoughtful story. Wonderfully instructive in showing how to be happy about simple things. Good message about giving. Good color and amusing puppets. Appropriate language. Pace and visuals at times too fast.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - A nice Christmas message for kids. Prompted discussion among kids afterwards. Allegra is very lovable. The children sang along and laughed and talked about what they saw. Some dialog scenes are somewhat long.
Runtime: 47 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 2-7 Suggested Retail Price: $ 9.95 Media: VIDEO ISBN # 0-7921-4273-X

ALPHABET GAME, THE - SONY WONDER - NYC
Series: SESAME STREET HOME VIDEO
Description - Sunny Friendly is the host of a new game show with prizes and surprises. The contestants are Big Bird, Gary Grouch and Dimples the Dog. The object of the game is to be the first to find something that starts with the letter of the alphabet shown.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Visually appealing, silly game show format. Funny puppets, lively songs, guest appearances by Kermit, Grover, Cookie Monster, Oscar and Big Bird. Sesame Street follows through with humor and lots of color.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - "I Liked it very much." "I liked the talking 'S,' he was funny." I like watching for the letters." "I know my ABC's." Kids sang the Alphabet Song after watching the video.
Runtime: 30 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 3-5 Suggested Retail Price: $ 12.98 Media: VIDEO ISBN # 0-394-89885-0

ALPHABET ZOO, THE - DOLPHIN COMMUNICATIONS
Series: N/A
Description - Teaches the alphabet through bright, interactive songs and colorful scenes of animals in their natural habitat. Teaches letter recognition with visuals and sounds.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Multi-sensory with interesting animals. Good repetition and content. Excellent suggestions for parents or caregivers that reinforce the lessons. Attractive settings, good pacing. Stimulates participation.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - They sounded out the letters, made animal sounds and learned a lot about the animals after repeated viewings. One of the best alphabet tapes, great for zoo trips.
Runtime: 25 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 3-7 Suggested Retail Price: $ 14.95 Media: VIDEO

AMAIZING MIRACLE WORKSHOP, THE - MAIZ PRODUCTIONS
Series: CHILDRENS SELF AWARENESS AND SELF DEFENSE VIDEO
Description - Offers suggestions for peaceful conflict resolution, forming friendships, awareness of strangers and self defense in a relaxed way.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Gives tools to deal with problems kids encounter daily. Covers scary issues in a positive way. Presentation lacks pizzazz. Having children act out scenes offers good reinforcement. Respectful of race, culture and gender.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - High interest in self-defense, solving problems and recognizing potential dangers such as with strangers, bullies and e-mail. "It made me think about difficult things and talk about them." Children all tried the self-defense part.
Runtime: 44 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 5-8 Suggested Retail Price: $ 19.95 Media: VIDEO ISBN # 675163-0144-3

AMAZING BONE AND OTHER CALDECOTT CLASSICS, THE - WESTON WOODS STUDIOS/SCHOLASTIC
Series: N/A
Description - Contains three Caldecott classics - "The Amazing Bone," where a young pig finds a talking bone that gives her courage, "Where the Wild Things Are," where Max becomes king, "Goggles," where bullies are outsmarted - and the classic tale, "Stone Soup."
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Presents positive themes, whimsical characters and creative learning potential. Brings up issues about walking alone, encountering strangers, running from older children and helping those in need. Encourages kids to think about their own behavior.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Well received. Best part: when the bedroom turns into a forest. They didn't like the mean kids in "Goggles;" they led to a discussion about bullies. "Stone Soup was hilarious, it made all the kids laugh." Would watch again and re-read the books.
Runtime: 36 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 5-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ 19.95 Media: VIDEO

AMAZING GRACE AND OTHER STORIES - SCHOLASTIC/WESTON WOODS
Series: CHILDREN'S CIRCLE
Description - Features three stories adapted from popular children's picture books: "Amazing Grace," "Flossie & the Fox" and "Who's in Rabbit's House?"
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Outstanding music and narration. This thematic grouping of beautiful stories is tastefully done and a great springboard for discussions about history, language, countries and culture. Shows excellent multi-cultural mix. "Should be in every library."
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Very attentive and polite while viewing. "We liked all of the stories." The presentation "Amazing Grace" was a little slow. Kids liked the first story best.
Runtime: 35 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 5-8 Suggested Retail Price: $ 14.95 Media: VIDEO ISBN # 1-55592-042-x

AMAZING NORTH AMERICA - NAT'L GEOGRAPHIC HOME VIDEO
Series: REALLY WILD ANIMALS
Description - From the frozen Arctic to the Florida Everglades, the animals of North America are on parade: alligators patrolling the swampy waters of the Okefenokee, ground squirrels battling rattlesnakes in the Wild West, and many other encounters.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Visually interesting, entertaining, and well paced. Scored high with jurors. Humor sometimes gets in the way of information. Organization is a little confusing. Suitable for home or school use.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Scored high. Music helped capture their interest. Fills a much-needed gap of nature videos designed specifically for kids. Prompted discussions about animals in different regions.
Runtime: 47 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 5-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ 14.95 Media: VIDEO ISBN # 0-7922-2721-2

AMERICAN TAIL, AN - UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME VIDEO Click to purchase directly from the producer
Series: AMERICAN TAIL SERIES, AN
Description - A delightful animated tale of Fievel, the brave little mouse, who journeys from Russia to America with his family seeking a new life free from cat persecution. Fievel's adventure begins after he's lost at sea and washes ashore in New York City.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - This engaging story is well-animated with catchy songs and lovable characters. Viewers are drawn into Fievel's journey. It addresses friendship, death and separation. Can be scary for younger kids. Motivates discussion about emigration and cultures.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - They were rooted to their seats. Loved Fievel's sweetness. Older kids liked the action and the suspense. Kids resonated to ideas such as: "Never give up, keep trying." "America is a place to find hope." "Not all cats (people) are bad."
Runtime: 81 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 5-10 Suggested Retail Price: $ 19.98 Media: VIDEO ISBN # 0-7832-2897-X

ANCIENT EGYPT - SCHLESSINGER MEDIA, INC.
Series: ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS FOR CHILDREN
Description - Travel to ancient Egypt, a civilization that began along the Nile River over five thousand years ago. These early people advanced civilization by building pyramids and temples, establishing a vast trading system, and developing hieroglyphics.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Holds your interest from beginning to end. Flows well from one subject to the next. Topic appealing, very informative, good videography and format. "Provides accurate and factual information in an age-appropriate fashion." Aesthetically pleasing.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - "It was gross when they talked about taking the brains out. It was cool seeing inside the tombs." Kids complained about the captions but learned a lot from them. Got them thinking about Egyptians and other cultures."
Runtime: 23 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 8-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ 29.95 Media: VIDEO ISBN # 1-57225-138-7

ANIMAL ALPHABET - TIME LIFE HOME VIDEO
Series: N/A
Description - From a skittish armadillo to a playful zebra, Animal Alphabet provides preschoolers with an exciting way to learn the ABC's. Lively footage of 26 exotic animals help illustrate each letter. Each animal has its own toe-tapping song.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Well done, bright and fast-pace. Teaches new animal names as well as the letters. Exceptional educational value. Kids learn through songs and repetition. Older kids will continue to enjoy the animals even after they've learned their ABC's.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Seeing a wide range of animals was wonderful. Kids learned their names and songs to go with them. They danced, sang and asked for the animal names to be repeated for the animals they were unfamiliar with. "You shouldn't eat butterflies!"
Runtime: 44 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 2-5 Suggested Retail Price: $ 12.99 Media: VIDEO ISBN # 0-767-0184

ANIMAL GENIUS - SCHOLASTIC ENTERTAINMENT
Series: VIDEOGAME, AGES 5-8
Description - Five games will test your animal smarts, quick thinking and instincts on your quest to populate habitats around the world. Gameplay features include over 140 rounds, five different games, hundreds of photos, and trivia questions. Platform: Nintendo.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Right on target for kids 5-10 - the market for this group has been largely ignored. This is a great start to changing that. Fun, flashy, great music, easy to use. The "no fail" system encourages you to play on. Kids can learn about animals, they can repeat games until the facts become a part of their memory. Great educational value. It's a valuable tool to get kids thinking about animals and early science. It's enjoyable to play so kids will want to play it. As a handheld game, kids can take it anywhere. On the go, it will keep them edu-tained.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Loved the game. It's a terrific addition to the Nintendo DS library. It is easy to play independently. "My friends would definitely like this game. If I had it and they had it we would play it together." "I leaned stuff about sea animals and artic animals that I didn't know." I liked the mazes." "I liked the guessing game where you had to figure out which animal it was." Nothing negative to say about this game. It brings fun and learning together. All the kids enjoyed playing it. During free play time, after play9ing the game you could overhear the kids talking about the facts they learned from the game.
Juror Recommended Age: 6-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ 29.99 Media: Videogame ISBN # 47875-75413

ANIMAL GROOVE - BLUE VISION MUSIC
Series: N/A
Description - James Coffey's CD has kids hopping like kangaroos, soaring like the eagles, and enjoying diverse musical styles with his creative lyrics that take a journey through an imaginative animal kingdom.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Loved it. Very upbeat. Transitions are excellent, lyrics are informative while entertaininig. Combines silly songs with songs that make you think. Vocuabulary is perfect for young children. Lyrics are funny, catchy, and contagious. Even the "Dust Bunny" song is done in such as way that youngest kids can relate.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - YES! "I just really love it. It has groovy music." Kids were genuinely captivated. They danced, sang along and asked for it again. A favorite was "Jellyfish Jump." They loved the piano playing and the song "I Want to Fly." It made them fly!
Runtime: 40 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 2-8 Suggested Retail Price: $ 14.95 Media: AUDIO

ANIMALS & ME: EATING - SMALL WORLD PRODUCTIONS
Series: ANIMALS & ME
Description - Satisfies children's curiosity about wildlife. Entertaining and educational. Narrated by children. Features chimpanzees, bears, and elephants, along with exotic sounds and music.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Excellent, realistic photography, content, and presentation. Stands out for polish and high standards. Narration effective and natural.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - "I liked the elephants eating." "It's fun watching the bears catch fish." "This movie gets all happies." (happy faces on the evaluation tool)
Runtime: 30 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 3-8 Suggested Retail Price: $ 14.95 Media: VIDEO ISBN # 1-886748-00-4

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ANIMUSIC 1 - ANIMUSIC Click to purchase directly from the producer
Series: INDEPENDENT SHORT, AGES 12-18
Description - Instruments spring to life and perform a series of original compositions, produced with incredibly detailed computer animation.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Amazing! Excellent production. Great animation, electronic music and fantastical presentation. Upbeat music that appeals to a broad audience. Different ages will respond to the presentation different but each will enjoy. You can see the incredible amount of work that went into creating this production and the effort shows in the complexity of the final product. People will truly be astounded when they take all that into consideration. Together, it creates an entertaining, intriguing and unique experience.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Loved it! "Awesome" and "wow are the words kids used to describe it. One boy owns his own copy at home and was thrilled to see it again. They like that it was computer generated music and images. They definitely said they would watch it again. They often commented about the real instruments that were most like the ones in the DVD. One six-year-old kept up a running commentary about how each song was created on the computer. There were a lot of open jaws at first, then they just settled back and enjoyed it - tapping their feet and clapping their hands along with the beat. Older children who are making movies themselves appreciated the intense amount of work involved in creating this. Bravo!
Runtime: 35 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 12-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ 19.95 Media: DVD

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ANIMUSIC 2 - ANIMUSIC Click to purchase directly from the producer
Series: ANIMUSIC
Description - Virtual instruments spring to life and perform eight musical pieces. Computer animation and digitally created music are melded to form an entirely new genre of entertainment. Includes eight pieces: Starship Groove (drums, other), Pogo Sticks (acoustics, percussion), Resonant Chamber (strings), Cathedral Pictures (orchestral), Pipe Dream 2 (strings, percussion), Fiber Bundles (percussion, other), Gyro Drums (percussion), Heavy Light (other). From Animusic, an American company specializing in the 3D visualization of MIDI music; created with their own proprietary MIDImotion software, and various animation packages such as Discreet 3D Studio Max.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Unique, incredible music-driven computer animation. Clean, polished, outstanding rendering, original electronic music, fascinating imagery. Great combination of computer animation and electronic music, both of which are captivating and exquisitely executed on fictional, fanciful instruments. Many instruments appear to be robotic or play themselves. Images are very provoking and inviting. Great close up shots, different angles and the a 3-D feeling of being in outer space. Very cutting edge, 21st century! Each selection is about 4-5 minutes long, each played on different instruments. Very lively, very original. Shows a level of respect for children as thinking people.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Great! "The music is good. It's cool how the graphics go along with the music. I love all the blinking lights." "I can think of a five other friends who would like it." "I liked the Robots best." "It made me want to build some cool robot things of my own." Boys liked the changing colors that corresponded to the changing music and the sound effects such as the popping of popcorn in one and the pipe organs in another.
Runtime: 40 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 7-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ 19.95 Media: DVD ISBN # 821143115297

ANNE FRANK'S DIARY - GLOBETROTTER NETWORK SA
Series: N/A
Description - An animated adaptation of the famous diary written by young Anne Frank during the Jewish Holocaust, chronicling her family's days in hiding from the Nazis.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Artistically magnificent. Exquisite artwork and realistic detail. Excellent account of the treatment of Jews during WWII. Animation makes it easier for children to connect to WWII than documentary style. Handles issues of young womanhood.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Impressed them. "The characters were believable; we could feel their fears." "I could see how she felt jumpy and confused." "We want to learn more about WWII." "You should teach kids that this really happened so it won't happen again."
Runtime: 88 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 8-14 Suggested Retail Price: $ 19.95 Media: VIDEO

ARISTOCATS - BUENA VISTA HOME ENTERTAINMENT/DISNEY
Series: N/A
Description - A Parisian millionaire wills her fortune to her "family" - adorable high-society cats. But the butler tries to thwart her plans by catnapping the cat heirs and dumping them in the French countryside where their rough and tumble adventure begins.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Superb quality. Classic family video: cute characters, sad parts and a happy ending. Bright animation and colorful characters keep the story swinging and full of life. Good triumphs over evil. Differences are set aside to help each other.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Danced and sang at the end. "I love this movie!" "I love cats!" "I want to be a cat!" Identified with the characters and teamwork. "It teaches you how to be good to people." "The dogs teased each other like I do my friends. They were just having fun."
Runtime: 79 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 4-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ 22.99 Media: VIDEO ISBN # 0-7888-2165-2

ARTHUR GETS LOST - SONY WONDER - NYC
Series: ARTHUR
Description - Includes two stories. Arthur is ready for his first solo ride on the public bus. He has his book to read and the exact fare. But then he falls asleep, and wakes up in a strange part of town. Will he find his way home, and will D.W. forgive him?
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Arthur is a great role model. Tells anecdotes that adults can relate to. Teaches valuable lessons about being lost and civic mindedness. Teaches assertiveness skills; enhances self-esteem and positive self-concept.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Remained attentive throughout and wanted to watch it again. "Everybody loves Arthur. I was afraid when he was lost." Some parts were scary. "It taught us things. I learned that I have to pick up garbage. Let's go clean the playground."
Runtime: 30 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 2-5 Suggested Retail Price: $ 12.99 Media: VIDEO ISBN # 0-375-80180-4

ARTHUR'S BABY - SONY WONDER - NYC
Series: ARTHUR
Description - Arthur is not sure he's ready for a new baby in the house. As the months fly by, Arthur imagines how his life is about to change - and it isn't a pretty picture. When the baby arrives, it seems as if she doesn't like Arthur very much - or does she?
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Excellent production, good content. Deals with jealousy, anxiety and safety. Insightful and well paced. The section with opinions by "real" children is excellent. Useful for families expecting a new baby.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - "My kids laughed so much it made me laugh." Kids with siblings really responded well. One five-year-old said, "Everything they say is very, very true." Stories capture kids' thoughts and feelings. The characters respected each other.
Runtime: 30 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 2-7 Suggested Retail Price: $ 12.98 Media: VIDEO ISBN # 679-88483-1

ARTHUR'S TREASURE HUNT - SONY WONDER - NYC
Series: ARTHUR
Description - After Buster digs up an ancient arrowhead, everyone wants to hunt for buried treasures. How can Arthur become a famous discoverer of lost civilizations if his mom won't let him dig up the back yard? Includes two stories.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Engaging and interesting for adults as well as children. Realistic characters, strong female role models, age-appropriate. Addresses accepting responsibility and maintaining positive relationships with parents, friends and siblings.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Loved it. "Arthur's family will always love him and DW, even when they argue." "I learned you're supposed to do the right thing even if you first did the wrong thing!" "I want to dig in my yard to find something old." "We watched it three times."
Runtime: 30 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 4-8 Suggested Retail Price: $ 12.99 Media: VIDEO

ASHOK BY ANY OTHER NAME - AIMS MULTIMEDIA
Series: N/A
Description - Ashok wants to change his ethnic-sounding name to something more American. Addressing ethnic pride, this speaks to those with unusual names, and to anyone who feels a need to change in order to fit in.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Good topic, suitable for this age. Good script, mediocre production values. Storytelling format is not what children are accustomed to, but it works. Supports tolerance and ethnic diversity. It would be helpful for an adult to help facilitate.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Appreciated the lesson and were somewhat uncomfortable with the topic. They enjoyed the history lesson at the end and the "meet the authors" section.
Runtime: 45 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 6-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ 29.95 Media: VIDEO

ASTRO ALGEBRA - EDMARK
Series: MIGHTY MATH
Description - Covers major algebraic topics in a game format. Includes negative integers, equivalent expressions, ratio and proportions, exponential notation, and inverse operations.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Awesome. Outer space setting is very imaginative and visually stimulating. Great graphics and sound. Presents algebra painlessly, with positive reinforcement. Challenging content. Excellent teaching tool. Particularly helpful for slow learners.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Much fun with this program. They were challenged, motivated and thought it was fantastic! "I liked solving the problems at the space station." "If you like math, you'll love this." "It was cool, fun and taught me stuff."
Platform: DUAL platform Juror Recommended Age: 10-18 Suggested Retail Price: $ 29.95 Media: CDROM ISBN # 1-56926-380-9

ASTRONOMY FOR K-8 - COALITION FOR QUALITY CHILDREN'S MEDIA
Series: COLLECTIONS
Description - Includes:
An Eclipse: The Day The Sky Went Dark (201103) $12.00
Pisces and Gemini: a Case of Vanishing Stars (201102) $12.00
Value=$24.00
Runtime: 77 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 5-8 Suggested Retail Price: $ 24 Media: VIDEO

BABAR AND FATHER CHRISTMAS - LIONSGATE FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT Click to purchase directly from the producer
Series: BABAR
Description - Babar, that most regal of elephants, searches for the legendary Father Christmas, eager to make this Christmas a holiday his children will remember. He persuades Santa to take a holiday in the Land of Elephants and proves himself a worthy king.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - True to the spirit of the characters, and made a familiar book come alive. A great story with redeeming values. Animation and production is excellent.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - What's better than a happy ending and everyone gets what they want? Better-suited to those who have read the books.
Runtime: 33 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 5-11 Suggested Retail Price: $ 12.98 Media: VIDEO ISBN # 0-7840-0261-4

BABAR RETURNS - LIONSGATE FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT Click to purchase directly from the producer
Series: BABAR
Description - Babar shares a tale with a lesson about concentrating on our strengths rather than our weaknesses. Years after the wicked hunter separated Babar from his family, he meets him again, defeats him with his knowledge of man's ways and is crowned king.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Nicely animated with a good story that's appealing and creative. Delivers positive messages about home, family and helping others take charge.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Babar is always a favorite. Wanted to watch it repeatedly. Babar's separation from his parents may be frightening for the youngest children. It's best that they view this with their parent present.
Runtime: 49 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 3-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ 12.98 Media: VIDEO ISBN # 1-55658-504-7

BABE - UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME VIDEO Click to purchase directly from the producer
Series: N/A
Description - A very special pig turns Hoggett's orderly farm on its ear. A naive newcomer, Babe boldly forges friendships among all the animals and convinces the entire farm that only in the absence of prejudice can one truly be free to soar.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Charming. Great. Fabulous. The story combines drama with comedy amidst a sense of adventure. This story respects differences between characters and their abilities. Challenges the notions of solving problems with violence. Babe is a model of goodness. Nominated for many Academy Awards, this took home best for visual effects.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - "I liked how nice the talking animals were." Particularly enjoyed seeing Babe save the sheep. All the animals were adored by the kids, especially the singing mice. They wanted to watch it again. One took it home and watched it five times.
Runtime: 92 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 4-12 Suggested Retail Price: $ 14.98 Media: VIDEO ISBN # 0-7832-1667-X

BABY AND PARENT NURSERY: AGES AND STAGES PLAYTIME - BRIGHTENING MINDS, INC.
Series: BABY AND PARENT NURSERY
Description - Sections for both parents and babies make this a valuable DVD for new parents. Stimulating images and music keep infants entertained, and up-to-date advice is given for parents who wish to maximize the potential in their baby's early development.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Excellent parental material. Thoughtful, simple and calm. Well organized and useful with good examples: interesting scientific discoveries and explanations on how to stimulate a child's mind. Children's segment is perfectly paced for little ones, full of things to observe and learn from.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Loved the music selections and hummed along. Older kids sat back and watched the entire time. Babies waved toys in time to the music while facing the screen. Clear images and hypnotizing movements relaxed them all. Pre-schoolers talked about the toys and colors to parents and asked to see it again.
Runtime: 100 minutes Juror Recommended Age: adult-adult Suggested Retail Price: $ 14.95 Media: DVD ISBN # 0972889116

BABY AND PARENT NURSERY: LANGUAGE & NUMBERS PLAYTIME - BRIGHTENING MINDS, INC.
Series: BABY AND PARENT NURSERY
Description - A fun DVD with sections for both baby and parents. For parents, expert advice from doctors is provided on how to maximize your baby's potential. For the little one, engaging images and music provide stimulation as baby grows into the more challenging language and number exercises.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Superb guidance for new parents coupled with stunning visual effects for baby to watch. Calming and informative. Doesn't force teaching. Well researched advice is practical and non-technical. Offers everything from brain formation to music to pre-math skills. Beautiful, varied music.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Older kids were captivated, singing songs and doing the alphabet exercises. Babies were enthralled with the ever-changing objects. One baby was particularly drawn to the sequence with dripping and spinning toys. Preschool kids asked to watch it again; other parents asked to borrow it.
Runtime: 93 minutes Juror Recommended Age: ADULT-ADULT Suggested Retail Price: $ 14.95 Media: DVD ISBN # 0972889124

BABY BEETHOVEN, SYMPHONY OF FUN - THE BABY EINSTEIN COMPANY
Series: BABY EINSTEIN
Description - Illustrates the music of Ludwig Van Beethoven with baby-friendly images, colorful toys and puppets. Mix of instruments includes the vibraphones, glockenspiel, English horn, marimbas, and finger cymbals.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Pleasant tempos with lots of movement, color and activities. Excellent progression of music with movement. Well produced. Positive interaction between children and toys, puppets and puppeteers.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Fast, colorful, interesting and unique. Children enjoyed babies faces and joined in clapping and singing. "The children shared the toys." "I liked the songs." Engaging music. High educational value and holds children's interest.
Runtime: 30 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 1-3 Suggested Retail Price: $ 14.99 Media: DVD

BABY CHINA - B ME COMPANY
Series: N/A
Description - Takes non-Chinese speaking children on a fun journey of the language, culture and music of China. Has three sections: body/sign language; the language of music and expressive language.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Well done. Great continuity. What is terrific is the story that is constructed out of the words so that rather than being a random assortment of disconnected words, they begin to make sense in the context of the storyline. Also great is that many illustrations are given for a single word such as fire truck showing a real fire truck as well as a toy fire truck. We did not have a Chinese speaker evaluate it so we can't judge it in terms of accuracy. However, in terms of child development, it is suitable for young learners and if the words are accurate, presented well. Interactions among the toy characters are respectful. i.e. during the story, the characters help one another. Word choice is good, repetition good. It's a reminder that the toys are in a human context when a human hand moves into the screen to manually manipulate the toys. There was a slight technical problem at the onset of playing it but it straightened out shortly thereafter. At the end is a section for parents that serves as a review for the words. No English words are used in the teaching - only Chinese words. But, they are clearly illustrated. This program appeals to a special audience - those interested in learning Chinese. It is not for general entertainment.
Runtime: 36 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 2-6 Suggested Retail Price: $ 19.99 Media: DVD

BABY EINSTEIN: BABY MOZART (DVD) - THE BABY EINSTEIN COMPANY
Series: BABY EINSTEIN
Description - Introduces infants to the music of Mozart and eight foreign languages. Using an interactive format, Baby Mozart contains flash cards, pronunciations by native speakers and study tracks to develop reading skills.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Beautiful resolution and wonderful images. "Theater portion is wonderful." "Flash card section is dry and monotonous." Easily viewed in segments. Supports language development. Great music with a soothing quality.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Inconsistent. Kids really tuned into the theater sections, but the language area lost their attention. Responded well to the music, moving their bodies and focusing in on the image on the screen.
Runtime: 170 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 0-3 Suggested Retail Price: $ 24.98 Media: DVD ISBN # 1-892309-24-6

BABY GENIUS: ANIMAL ADVENTURES - GENIUS PRODUCTS Click to purchase directly from the producer
Series: ANIMAL ADVENTURES
Description - 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.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - 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.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - 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.
Runtime: 40 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 0-3 Suggested Retail Price: $ 12.99 Media: DVD

BABY GENIUS: FAVORITE NURSERY RHYMES - GENIUS PRODUCTS Click to purchase directly from the producer
Series: BABY GENIUS VIDEO SERIES
Description - Nursery rhymes come alive. Tots can sing and dance to tunes like "Old McDonald Had a Farm," "Twinkle-Twinkle, Little Star," as well as new originals. A mix of live action and animation designed to engage young minds.
KIDS FIRST!® Adult Jurors say - Wonderful visual presentation of nursery rhymes. Familiar images with familiar tunes. Excellent production. Demonstrates positive social interactions among diverse ethnic groups. Age appropriate. Easy to follow.
KIDS FIRST!® Kid Jurors say - Children loved it. Sang, danced and clapped along. Many asked to watch it again. Participation highly encouraged. Appropriate pace for listening and singing. Kids enjoyed hearing familiar tunes, as well as learning new ones.
Runtime: 33 minutes Juror Recommended Age: 1-5 Suggested Retail Price: $ 12.99 Media: DVD ISBN # 0-7907-7584-0

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