| These
videos feature stories that many of today's parents enjoyed when they
were
young. The good news is, today's kids seem to be just as enamored
with them! The bonus: parents can revel in nostalgia as they enjoy
these video classics along with their kids -- and kids will be
seeing movies their parents once enjoyed, with "new"
eyes.
Chin Up!
 Charlotte's
Web is based on the classic book by E.B. White. The tale is
told with affection, and is supported by wonderful songs and
delightful animations of animal antics. Paul Lynde is unmistakable
as the voice of Templeton the Rat. This animated movie stars
Wilbur the pig, who was a born a runt. He is nursed to full pig
status by a young girl named Fern. When Wilbur meets a friendly and wise spider named
Charlotte, whose favorite expression is an
encouraging "Chin up!", his life changes completely. Children will enjoy this classic
video, especially its tender and silly moments. Charlotte's death,
however, is very sad. Parents may want to be sure their kids are
ready for this scene. This movie was originally released in 1973,
so expect some older-style animation. However, kids won't mind one
bit. Read our full
review.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Charlotte's Web
(VHS) or Charlotte's Web (Full Screen Edition)
(DVD) at Amazon.com]
Dragons
 Puff the
Magic Dragon features a painfully shy young boy named Jackie
who befriends a magical dragon. Puff takes Jackie on a fantasy
journey in which Jackie faces and overcomes his fears through the
power of imagination. The movie was inspired by the hard-to-forget
song of the same name by Peter, Paul, and Mary ("Puff the
magic dragon/lived by the sea..."), and is just as
emotionally-charged and triumphant. Though the animation is not up
to today's standards, this video is worth it for the story line
and music.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Puff the Magic Dragon
(VHS) at Amazon.com]
 The Flight of Dragons
is for lovers of fantasy. This feature-length animation is based
on the book by Peter Dickinson. A man named Peter (whose voice was
provided by John Ritter) travels back in time to a world filled
with fire-breathing dragons and magic. There, he must battle the
Red Wizard Ommadon (whose voice was James Earl Jones) and save the
old world using new world logic.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: The Flight of Dragons
(VHS) at Amazon.com]
Turtle Power!
 The turtles are back! Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtles Volume One (Season One) has been
released, and includes the first five episodes from the classic animated
series produced in 1987, as well as bonus features on the DVD
edition: four episodes produced in 1996. This DVD
premiere features 110 minutes of full screen Ninja Turtles action. What
fun! See our full
review.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
(DVD) at Amazon.com]
An Unforgettable Mongoose
 Rikki-Tikki-Tavi,
narrated by Orson Welles, is based on Rudyard
Kipling's story about a mongoose who saves his family from cobra
snakes. This mongoose, Rikki, is an adopted pet of a British
family living in India. After they save him from near death, he
returns the favor -- more than once! Note that very young children
may be frightened by the cobras. Also, this is an animated short
running for about 30 minutes, not a full feature movie. Otherwise,
the story is exciting and the mongoose is full of personality.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Rikki-Tikki-Tavi
(VHS) at Amazon.com]
Oompa Loompa
 Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is
a bit bizarre, filled with surreal fantasy elements, and
appeals to kids and parents alike. Based on Roald Dahl's novel,
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Gene Wilder stars as the
world's greatest chocolate maker, Willy Wonka, who has hidden five
golden tickets in chocolate bars. Even though Charlie, who is poor
as poor can be, cannot afford to buy more than one chocolate bar, he
wins a golden ticket. He, along with four other children, earn
entry into the fantastical Chocolate Factory. Inside, the children
meet up with the factory's chocolatiers, the Oompa Loompas, and
discover a world of fantastic contraptions. Charlie's polite and
wholesome character (in contrast with those of the other children,
who are spoiled in different ways), gets rewarded. The movie
features plenty of song and dance. Best for kids 9 and up--there
are some unusual and potentially disturbing moments for young
children.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory...
(VHS) or Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory...
(DVD) at Amazon.com]
The Last of Her Kind?
 The Last Unicorn
features a beautiful unicorn (voiced by Mia Farrow) who, after
hearing that she may be the last of her kind, embarks on a journey
to prove that all wrong. To most, her horn is invisible (because
they don't believe in unicorns), and she appears as a white mare. During her quest, she meets and
enlists the help of some human characters, one of whom is a bumbling
magician. This movie is a treat, and its dialogue is delightfully
sophisticated -- perfect for boosting the vocabulary of children,
and, at the same time, making the movie all the more appealing to
adults.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: The Last Unicorn
(VHS) at Amazon.com. 2004: Now available on DVD as well: The Last Unicorn
(DVD)]
Elementary, My Dear
 Schoolhouse Rock! Multiplication Rock Many
of today's parents remember learning their times tables and other
academic concepts through the Schoolhouse Rock! Saturday morning cartoons. In this
multiplication edition, kids learn to multiply by the numbers 0-12 (missing
are the 1 and 10 times tables) through song and visual aids. The
songs are catchy and surprisingly effective. This video runs for
approximately 30 minutes.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Schoolhouse Rock! - Multiplication Rock
(VHS) at Amazon.com]
Children's Musical
 Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang is
sugar-coated, light fare. In this world, everyone smiles,
obeys, and sings! Still, the musical numbers are so
catchy, young kids will ask to see this video many times over. Dick
Van Dyke stars as a somewhat eccentric inventor who constructs a
magical car that actually flies. This musical is entertaining and
full of spirit, and the title song is a tune that will stick in
your brain long after the television is turned off.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
(VHS) or Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
(DVD) at Amazon.com]
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