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Pick. He's
big and he's red, and on time for Valentine's Day. Clifford the
Big Red Dog: King Clifford and Be My Big Red Valentine are
available on DVD together, or separately on VHS. Each title contains 4 fun
episodes (so you'll get 8 episodes on the DVD -- approximately 90
minutes). There are also bonus features, called Big Fun Features,
on the DVD.
Clifford: Be My Big Red
Valentine Four fantastic episodes all about Valentine's day
and love:
What happens when you give
special gifts to your friends, and they don't do the same in
return? Cleo learns how to handle this "problem" in Cleo's
Valentine Surprise.
T-Bone is helping out Cleo by
taking care of her spirited neice, Kiki, in Big-Hearted T-Bone.
Kiki turns out to be quite a handful. In fact, T-Bone is
overwhelmed, especially since he wants to be with Mimi (it's puppy
love, you see!). T-Bone's responsibility to his friend is
admirable, and the message gets across to young viewers
splendidly.
At Emily Elizabeth's school, her
teacher announces her plans to get married in Wedding Bell Blues.
The problem is, she will be moving away and Miss Grumbly will be
taking her place. The kids imagine just how bad she will
be, and later learn to avoid forming opinions about someone before
they even meet her.
T-Bone is going through a small
crisis in Special T-Bone. After Clifford proclaims that
everyone is special, T-Bone wonders just what it is that makes him
stand out from the crowd. It takes him a bit of time to figure out
his special gift, but he gets there!
King Clifford Four
episodes all about royalty! Kings and queens, and the lovable big
red dog:
There's a Treasure Island party
in the works in The Pirate King, and Clifford gets to
help. Even though he is too big for the houseboat, the party's not
over! In fact, little viewers learn a little about the value of
including everyone in the fun when Clifford gets crowned the
Pirate King.
It's Cleo's turn to get royal
treatment in Princess Cleo. However, she takes it all a
little too seriously when she gets to wear her grandmother's
crown. With the realization that she is a princess, she starts
ordering her friends around.
Mac learns an important lesson in
King Mac. After taking the credit for the very good-hearted
T-Bone's work, and
enjoying the tasty reward, Mac begins to feel a little
guilty.
It's raining and the dogs are stuck inside in this title's
final and fourth episode, Flood of Imagination. Clifford's
clear thinking saves the day -- he shows his puppy pals that they
can go anywhere with their imagination!
The themes are terrific in this series, and they come shining
through in these collected episodes. John Ritter is the voice of
Clifford (I only just found this out -- it was one of those times
when the voice sounded so familiar, and the realization that it's
John Ritter's voiceover was both natural and a surprise).
These stories are very tasteful and original. There's plenty to
like about the series! The characters are well-developed and
consistent, and the animation is lovely. We like how the episodes begin with a book
opening and end with the book shutting, and the Pirate King
episode makes reference to the likable classic book, Treasure
Island.
The DVD edition features a chaptering option plus Big Fun
Features: Where is Clifford Game involves "finding"
characters given text-only clues (and text-only means parents or
older siblings will have to help out); a live-action segment that
shows kids with real dogs; and a great feature called Clifford's
Big Ideas that contains animated shorts about different themes
(such as Being Responsible) as well as ideas for parents to extend
the themes at home.
For more information, user reviews, or to buy, follow these
links:
Clifford - Be My Big Red Valentine (VHS)
Clifford - King Clifford (VHS)
Clifford - King Clifford/Be My Big Red... (DVD)
Pros:
- Tasteful stories with
big lessons that are never heavy-handed.
- High entertainment
value.
- The animation is
delightful.
- Great value, low price.
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Cons:
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