 r.
Seuss proved that some of the silliest rhymes can not only
entertain children, they can educate them too. Generations
of kids have enjoyed the imaginative settings, characters,
and scenarios presented by Dr. Seuss--from Thing One and Thing Two to
the Zizzer-Zazzer-Zuzz; and from an animal-imitating Mr.
Brown to a very persistent Sam-I-Am.
Dr.
Seuss stories ingeniously combine predictable rhymes with
unpredictable humor. New generations of children are tickled
by Dr. Seuss books, videos, and software games--and parents
enjoy the nostalgic ride at the same time since it's more
than likely they grew up on Dr. Seuss as well. Most people
will agree that every family's library should include at least a
couple Dr. Seuss books. Today's kids can also find satisfaction in
the Beginner Book
Videos that allow them to enjoy the books onscreen, and Dr. Seuss
software games that feature interactive storybooks. |
Cat in the Hat - Cat
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The Dr. Seuss
Beginner Book Videos are quite straightforward--each feature a
trio of books in the Dr. Seuss series. The graphics are not fancy.
In fact, the videos play much like narrated books -- the original
illustrations are not fully animated; rather, they are often
cut-outs that are panned to create movement. In some cases, words are
shown as the story is told, but the real beauty of these
videos is that kids can follow along with their hardcopy books.
As long as
these videos are used as reading aids for young children, there
should be few disappointments. These videos stay faithful to the
books and are presented without many bells and whistles. However,
those looking for fully animated versions probably will be
disappointed.
 Dr. Seuss's
ABC video features the title book--the very first Dr. Seuss
Beginner Book published in 1957--as well as I Can Read With My
Eyes Shut! and Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? Each letter
of the alphabet is presented in both lower-and uppercase and
celebrated with zany characters and both familiar and offbeat
objects beginning with the letter. This is one of our favorite
videos in the series.
[For more information, or to buy:
Dr. Seuss's ABC
(VHS) or
Dr. Seuss's ABC
(DVD) at Amazon.com]
 In Dr. Seuss
Green Eggs and Ham, kids follow the hilarious and persistent
"Sam I Am" with
his, "try it, you'll like it" until he finally meets his goal.
This story is not only wonderful for beginning readers, it's just
right for picky eaters. We wish there was full onscreen text,
which would boost the educational value of the video, however. Also included on this video are Ten Apples
on Top! and The Tooth Book.
[For more
information, user reviews, or to buy
Dr. Seuss - Green Eggs and Ham
(VHS) or
Dr. Seuss - Green Eggs and Ham
(DVD) at Amazon.com ]
Dr. Seuss
"Double Features" on DVD
 Those who own
DVD players will find great value in the new Dr. Seuss DVD
collections. Out now is Dr. Seuss The Cat in the Hat Comes Back/Hop on
Pop, a collection of six narrated Seuss stories, and includes: The
Cat in the Hat Comes Back, Fox in Socks, There's a
Wocket in My Pocket, Hop on Pop, Oh Say Can You Say?,
and Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now. The Hop on
Pop segment is especially educational for beginning and
emerging readers with its simple rhymes and focus on word
families, and There's a Wocket in My Pocket is hilarious
fun. The only "questionable" element of the DVD is a
part in the The Cat in the Hat Comes Back story in which
they "kill" spots with a gun. These are the actual lines
from the book, but parents who prefer to skip over it when reading
the books might find this particular section on the DVD somewhat
outdated.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy:
Dr. Seuss - The Cat in the Hat Comes...
(DVD) at Amazon.com]
 
As far as
software goes, a new Scholastic Dr. Seuss bundle of
previously-released Dr. Seuss software games is now available.
This package includes 3 Dr. Seuss programs: Dr. Seuss ABC, The Cat in
the Hat, and Green Eggs & Ham, and is entitled Adventure Workshop Grades Preschool-1st Dr. Seuss. Each interactive storybook
features "clickable" words that are fantastic for
beginning readers--kids can try to read individual words of the text and
receive instant
feedback. The software is charming for Dr. Seuss fans. If
purchased separately, families may be disappointed in terms of the amount of
content, simply because these titles were released quite a few
years ago. However, as a bundle, the package is well worth the
price.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Adventure Workshop Grades Preschool-1st Dr. Seuss
at Amazon.com]
Dr. Seuss Grow a Lorax Garden
 "The
Hummingfish swims in the rippulous pond, happily singing its hum
hummy song." The classic book by Dr. Seuss, "The Lorax",
not only entertains kids, it gives them a rather strong and
serious message about the environment. This fantastic kit by
Creativity for Kids allows children to build their own fantastical
garden, a "Lorax garden", and learn a little about
taking care of plants at the same time.
Kids can grow
their own little "forest", made up of sprouts and grass,
by planting their seeds in the included tray--but not before
adding Truffula trees! (Truffula trees are made up of twisted pipe
cleaners and fuzzy pom-poms). Children add a winding path of
colorful gravel to their little garden, and then position the
included figures--the Lorax and the Humming Fish.
One of the
great things about this kit is that the plants grow quite quickly
and are rather easy to care for. In fact, it is better not to
water them too often. They do need some trimming once in a
while.
Recommended
for: Dr. Seuss fans, and any young child who enjoys caring for
plants. Kids ages 3-up can participate with some help from their
parents, while children ages 7-up will need minimum
supervision.
Why do we
recommend this kit? It's easy to do, yet satisfying. The
results are fun and whimsical, and children learn a little about
gardening and taking care of plants.
[For more information, or to buy:
Grow A Lorax Garden
at Amazon.com]
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