Sara Hickman Big Bird, Little Bird

 

Sara Hickman

Finding children's music that I could listen to and enjoy with my kids has always been a challenge. We discovered pretty early on that tons of children's cds are billed as "silly" which equates as just plain annoying.  There are only so many goofy voices and forced hilarity that I can endure.  Sara Hickman's music is in a whole different class.   

Besides being the Official State Musician of Texas for 2010-2011, Sara is an acclaimed recording artist who is devoted to both her two girls and raising community awareness. Her plan with Big Bird, Little Bird is to help families create together and bring art programs into public schools.  These songs are beautiful and Sara's voice is flat out amazing.  Somehow she can make goops in your eye sound like the sweetest thing in the world.  So, yeah, I can see why Texas laid claim to her!   

Sarah says: "As a mom, I know having a new baby is like no other other experience.  It's a miracle.  I used to ask my babies, 'Where did you come from?'  I will never understand how I got so lucky to have such beautiful beings in my world and I bet you feel that way, too."  You can tell Sara put those feelings directly into her music.  Listening to these songs is like hearing the happiest mother in the world singing right to her own children.  There is such a sense of peace that comes from hearing that.  

I love it for the music alone, but it offers some great multimedia animation too.   It's laid back and sweet, not overly stimulating, which is perfect to wind down at the end of the day.  Dr. Toy agrees, naming this DVD as winner of the 2010 Dr. Toy Best Vacation Children's Products Award.

The songs included are It’s Alright (Acapella), A Slice of Heaven, Goop’s In It, Big Bird, Little Bird, Lily, This Heart, You Are My Sunshine, The Family Tree (You and Me), All Things Bright and Beautiful, We Are Each Other’s Angels and It’s Alright.

Review copy provided by Andrea Blain Public Relations

Thunderheads

Smithsonian Networks and Infinity Entertainment Group

Smithsonian Networks produces some of the best, most interesting, well-done videos on the planet. We can all agree on that, right? They have a way of taking a topic that I have never given much thought to, waving their wand and producing a riveting documentary that I would watch multiple times. This DVD pretty much guarantees that you will never again look out your window at a thunderstorm in the same ho-hum way again.

Basically, a large group of the world's smartest scientists and researchers join forces with the world's best pilots. All 250 of these super-smart and/or super-capable people load themselves and some very expensive, high-tech gadgets onto seven planes and fly straight to Darwin, Australia. Why Darwin? This group has been planning for two years, waiting for just the right opportunity. They believe Australia will offer their opportunity in the form of a very large thunderstorm, nicknamed Hector.

To recap, these people are flying directly into a gigantic ball of water and fire. And those are the smartest people in the world. Their mission is called I.C.E. - the International Cloud Experiment. The group is hoping they can study Hector to learn how thunderstorms affect global warming. Clouds are the Earth's first line of defense against global warning, and understanding them is key to understanding more about global warming.

What makes this documentary spectacular? During the experiment, a record-breaking tropical typhoon will arise, then spend seven days as a "landphoon" over the Australian desert. The pilots will be battling life-threatening turbulence, lightning, grapefruit-sized hail, microbursts, mysterious “gravity waves” and mechanical mishaps. Possibly best all, the pilots will be fighting with the scientists to keep a safe distance from the danger.

Barney & Friends: Egg-Cellent Adventures

Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment

Could you jam a great big purple dinosaur into your Easter basket this year? Maybe a slightly smaller green or yellow dinosaur? Every year I am faced with the same dilemma - should I fill the baskets up with cheap candy or try to find seasonal items that won't rot their teeth without cluttering up the house? This DVD is the perfect solution for the younger set. At $14.98, it won't break the bank and is certain to provide more hours of enjoyment than a bag of speckled chocolate eggs. Well, better for kids anyway - just set those eggs aside for yourself as a pat on the back for being such a clever basket filler.

Even if moms and dads aren't the Barney biggest fans, they can always trust him to deliver a wholesome message. The big guy always comes through with a dancing and singing display that puts sharing and caring at the forefront of every episode. Did you know that this Emmy award-winning series (I didn't!) is one of the top-rated preschool shows today?

You know, I'm not a huge Barney fan, but I will admit he does teach valuable lessons. I don't have a clue what it is about his demeanor that makes the kids flock to him so eagerly, but he's onto something there. Make Easter "super-dee-duper" by giving your chidlren an Easter spectacular that includes Mother Goose, a nest full of eggs, and a mysterious, carrot-eating visitor.

Episodes include: Rabbits, Mother Goose, Ducks and Fish. DVD special features: Barney’s Easter Egg Hunt, Gumdrops Matching Game.

Review copy provided by Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment.

Lionsgate & HIT Entertainment

I really like these discs that take an episode from each series and tie them together around one theme. For this particular offering, viewers get to see how Barney, Thomas & Friends, Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam, Fifi and the Flowertots and Kipper all relate to color in their own unique ways.

Brilliant colors are the stars of this show, from rich reds to vibrant purples. Come along with Barney and find out how bright the sunshine is when colors dance in the air. Join Bob the Builder as he discovers rich cave paintings, and collect colorful items for a magic show with Thomas. Their adventures will show you the true colors of friendship and fun.

You can count on each episode to feature timeless tales of helping others, friendship and imagination. You will love this colorful collaboration!

Episodes include: Barney – Colors;Bob the Builder – Scrambler and the Colorful Cave; Thomas & Friends – Smoke and Mirrors; Fireman Sam – Seeing Red; Kipper – Rainbow Puddle. Fifi and the Flowerpots Blueberry Surprise is the DVD Special Feature.

Review copy provided by Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment.

Thomas & Friends: Splish, Splash, Splosh!

Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment

Thomas and his engine friends are having all sorts of fantastic adventures involving water. A brand new friend, purple and red engine Charlie, joins them in this dvd. The word on the track is that he's "the most fun engine ever!" You will also meet Driver Perkins, the brand new host, who helps out Sir Topham Hatt, all the engines and engineers.

Soak up adventure with Thomas and his engine friends as they travel around the Island of Sodor. This is brand new content, which has never been aired on television. Grab your galoshes and join the team as they prepare for rainy day visits and sudsy spills, and then get unstuck from a snowy situation in this collection of stories from the Island of Sodor.

Even when it’s wet outside you can still have plenty of fun, especially when you share your adventures with Thomas & Friends! These are great discs to share with your children as these trains are renowned for teaching timeless life lessons such as discovery, friendship and cooperation. Children will enter a world of imagination through the tracks of a train and the words of a story.

The DVD includes the following episodes: Playtime; Splish Splash Splosh; Slippy Sodor; Snow Tracks. Bonus Features: Lift and Load Crane Game & Counting with Thomas Game

Shaun the Sheep: A Woolly Good Time

Lionsgate & HIT Entertainment

It’s another crazy ba-a-a-tch of adventures with Shaun and his flock. An international hit, Shaun the Sheep recently won an International Emmy Award for Children & Young People.

Just like the cake says - it's a woolly good time that you won't want to miss. A little pinch of zany and a big dash of fun is the perfect recipe for laughter as Shaun the Sheep and his barnyard buddies Bitzer, Shirley and Timmy (plus those pigs) inadvertently find more trouble.

Washday – When the Farmer leaves, the sheep have loads of fun playing with his newly washed clothes hung out to dry. The only question is will they be able to clean up the mess before he returns?

Tooth Fairy – Bitzer gets a terrible toothache and Shaun plays dentist hoping to help his friend and remove the painful tooth. After several creative (and hilarious) attempts at extraction it’s off to the vet for success! But will the Tooth Fairy still visit Bitzer?

The Farmer’s Niece – The Farmer’s naughty niece comes for a visit and Bitzer and the poor flock has to put up with her silly antics.

Snore-Worn Shaun – What can Shaun do to stop Shirley’s snoring? Nothing is working, so he and the flock decide to get her out of the barn with some unexpected results.

Helping Hound – Farmer and Bitzer are fed up with the naughty sheep and hope a robotic dog will keep them in line. But there’s mayhem in the meadow when he turns out to be stricter than Bitzer!

Big Top Timmy – The sheep awake to find Timmy gone! The search is on and he’s found at a nearby circus. Can Shaun and the fearless flock rescue him and return to the barn before the Farmer finds out?

While five minute shorts of the series currently air in the U.S. on the Disney Channel, fans can only find full length episodes on the DVDs. If you haven't already, check out this flock. You won't be disappointed!

Holiday Gift Sets

Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment

It’s big-time holiday fun with everyone's favorite preschool friends Barney, Bob the Builder and Thomas & Friends in special holiday collections of DVD 3-packs. Perfect for gift-giving, young carolers can sing-along to seasonal favorites and enjoy winter-time fun with the Barney Tee-Riffic Holiday Collection Gift Set. Join Bob the Builder and his Can-Do Crew in action-packed winter adventures that show you “having fun is in getting it done” during the holidays in the Bob the Builder: Building Crew Holiday Collection Gift Set. Travel down the tracks for cheery holiday adventures, daring rescues and heart-warming life lessons in the Thomas & Friends: Sodor Friends Holiday Collection Gift Set.

Thomas & Friends Sodor Friends Holiday Collection: There’s fun around every turn in these joyful wintertime adventures! Catch the holiday spirit as Thomas & Friends prepare for the grand opening of the Toy Workshop. Laugh and play along as Percy tries to fool his friends into believing he’s Jack Frost. And hold on tight for some of Thomas’ most thrilling races and rescues in this heartwarming holiday collection.

Barney Tee-Riffic Holiday Collection: Bundle up with your best friend Barney for this special collection of wintertime favorites! Take a musical journey to the North Pole with Barney, BJ, and Baby Bop in Night Before Christmas.” Sing along to your favorite Barney tunes in the fun-filled game show, “Can You Sing That Song?” And join Barney, Bob the Builder, Thomas & Friends and more for the magic of “Winter Wonderland” in this magical holiday gift set!

Bob the Builder Building Crew Holiday Collection: Just in time for the holidays, discover why “the fun is in getting it done” in these action-packed, fun-filled adventures! Join Bob and the Can-Do Crew as they rescue their friend from a winter storm in “Bob’s White Christmas.” Then it’s time to build a log cabin and smooth the ice rink for the Winter Games. Finally, come along as Bob and Scoop hunt for buried treasure -- and make some amazing discoveries -- in this one-of-a-kind collection that's the perfect holiday treat for Bob the Builder fans.

Art House Volume 1: Basic Shapes and Animals

Art House

Creating art is a treasured activity at our house. No, we don't have the finest materials stocked, but we do have plenty of crayons, markers and plain paper. Occasionally, we run into bouts of frustration because "I don't KNOW how to draw a rhinoceros!"

The Art House DVD series teaches children ages three and up how to draw using basic shapes – squares, circles, triangles, etc. – as a base to illustrate almost anything. But more than that, it serves as a helping hand in letting a child become accustomed to the process of creativity. The Art House series nurtures young minds and offers parents a chance to create art with their child even if neither have any experience in drawing.

In Art House Volume 1: Basic Shapes and Animals, your children will learn to draw fish, dogs, monkeys, birds, dinosaurs and more. Engaging kids with bright, bold animation, original music and fun live-action visuals, this program is both interactive and plenty of fun. Easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions help young viewers create simple drawings of their very own.

The Art House DVD series uses energetic songs and animation to reinforce this simple artistic principle: everything around you is made up of basic shapes and when you learn to draw those, you can draw anything!

Strawberry Shortcake: The Sky's the Limit

20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Do you have little ones who have been anxiously awaiting the newest full length movie from the girls of the patch? I can remember being totally engrossed with Strawberry Shortcake when I was younger. Their appearances have changed a lot since then, but the characters still retain their wholesome values.

Strawberry Shortcake is now a working girl, running the Berry Café in Berry Bitty City. When a boulder blocks the town's water source, she (with the help of her friends) has to figure out a way to rescue the town and her cafe. Unless they find a way to safely remove the obstacle that threatens their town, everything they hold dear is at risk.

The storytelling Mr. Longface Caterpillar says he has an easy solution. Strawberry reluctantly agrees to follow him in an adventure-filled journey in search of his fabled Geyser Stone. We are also introduced to the magical Berrykins, mischievous little creatures who grow and harvest berries from the nearby strawberry fields.

When Strawberry's journey to find the Geyser Stone ends in failure, she loses faith in herself. Can her friends restore her “Sky’s the Limit” attitude to help lead them to save the town? When you have good friends and faith in yourself, any challenge can be overcome.

Bonus extras on the disk include a brand new music video “Café Cabaret Sing-A-Long” and printable coloring pages. In the box you'll also find a coupon for a free photo book from American Greetings.

Thomas & Friends: Hero of the Rails

Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment

I love the full-length movies from Thomas & Friends. They offer so much more of an depth plot than the shorter videos can. The prior release, The Great Discovery, was excellent and this one follows that same path. The biggest addition here is the brand-new CGI-animation, which marks the debut of individual character voices for the engines.

Thomas and his friends have the unpleasant experience of meeting a new engine named Spencer. He's faster than the others and teases them unmercifully. While engaging in a race with Spencer, Thomas accidentally runs off the track and discovers an old, abandoned engine named Hiro. Thomas learns that Hiro was once known as "Master of the Railway" but was forgotten once he grew old and needed extensive repairs.

Thomas pledges to help Hiro again become a really useful engine. He works hard at finding extra parts and implores the other cars for help. Just as they are getting the final part, Spencer discovers their secret. As Hiro struggles to escape from Spencer, his parts come flying off and he is forced to come to a stop. Spencer is elated and tells Thomas that the engine is bound to be scrapped.

In fact, when Thomas comes clean to Sir Topham Hat, he isn't cross at all. He exclaims that Hiro is a very famous engine and should be brought to Steamworks at once so he may be repaired! Thomas heads over to Hiro to tell him the wonderful news, and the two engines are overjoyed.

When Hiro is completed, all of the engines are amazed at how wonderful he looks! He may look good, but he doesn't feel so great. Hiro confesses that he has been feeling terribly homesick. Sir Topham Hatt arranges for him to return to his homeland and Thomas promises him that he will always have a home on the Island on the Sodor, should he wish to return.

This movie is packed with tales of friendship, determination and teamwork. The engines have their share of disagreement, but they always work together to do the right thing. The brand new style of animation breathes new life into the trains, and the new voices give each train more personality. Another great full length movie from Thomas that you won't want to miss!

Shaun the Sheep: Little Sheep of Horrors

Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment
$14.98

The mute, yet impossibly funny flock is back. Of course, these sheep are clever. Of course, they are also sneaky and a little bit weird. Add those characters to a wristwatch wearing, coffee drinking dog and you can't miss, right?

Little Shop of Horrors - While the Farmer is watching a horror movie, he doesn't realize the whole flock is peeping through his window. After he goes to bed, the littlest sheep, Timmy, slips into his recliner and helps himself to the leftover pizza. Havoc ensues as Shaun organizes a rescue mission.

Sheep Walking - Shaun has developed a troublesome nighttime habit - walking around the farm while fast asleep. Of course, the Flock's natural instinct is to follow, which leads to trouble and hilarity.

Abracadabra - When the Farmer decides to throw out his magic set, Shawn scoops it up to put on a show of his own. Things get out of hand when members of the Flock start disappearing.

Things That Go Bump - It was a dark and stormy night and the Flock could not sleep. Something out there was making a racket and it's up to Shaun to find the culprits.

Heavy Metal Shawn - The Farmer inspects the lawn with a metal detector. When Shawn and Bitzer try it, they discover a metallic threat behind a hedge.

Troublesome Tractor - The Farmer's tractor is not running well and seems destined for the scrap heap. The sheep do him a favor and give it a complete makeover.

I think Shaun the Sheep videos are a little bit different from the rest of animated programming. They are silent but very expressive, and they have that great humor. While five minute shorts currently air on the Disney Channel, full length episodes are only available on DVD. Join Shaun as he leads his fearless flock through six new adventures that mix the spooky, the kooky, and the just plain funny.

Trick or Treat Tales

Lionsgate & HIT Entertainment

These compilations they put together for each holiday are such a clever idea! It's so neat to get the all the best shows centered around a specific theme. And what better to watch than some spooky tales for Halloween?

In Flour Power, Sir Topham Hatt asks Thomas to go on a midnight Halloween run to the mill to bring back flour for the bakery. On the way, Thomas decides to cover himself with flour to make himself look like a ghost. Does him prank go awry?

In Trix’s Pumpkin Pie, Trix the Forklift has offered to help Bob transport lumber for the new school jungle gym and help haul two huge pumpkins to the pizza parlor. But Trix can't be in two places at the same time, and she decides to ask Spud for help. Uh, oh, we all know how Spud can be. Thankfully, Bob the Builder comes through to help his friend.

Enjoy these, plus Guess Who from Barney and Friends, Fifi and the Flowerpots in Pirate Primrose and Angelina Ballerina in The Costume Ball. The bonus episode is Cat Magic, where Fireman Sam saves a furry friend from a chilling experience. Get ready for the season with this sweet and scary collection of Trick or Treat Tales!

Pandas in the Wild

Infinity Entertainment Group & Smithsonian Networks

Smithsonian Networks always gives us the very best in nature programming. This time we get a rare, close up look at the secret lives of one of the world's most beloved creatures - pandas!

Were you aware that only about 1,600 Giant Pandas survive in the wild? This video takes us into China’s mist-shrouded Quinling Mountains, which extend for thousands of miles and where few people gain permission to enter. Here there are 200 to 300 of the amazing creatures, and we can experience their wild habitat through the eye of the camera.

Pandas in the Wild captures the loving warmth between a mother panda and her newborn, the fierce competition among male pandas fighting for females as spring approaches and the harsh struggles pandas endure to survive the snow-buried winter. Smithsonian Networks captures the pandas in their natural habitat for the first time, behaving in ways you just can't experience at the zoo.


Watching this DVD is akin to taking a journey into a remote and exotic locale and getting an inside look at these rare mammals. As always, there is the same great quality we have come to expect from Smithsonian Networks!

Bob the Builder: Call in the Crew

Lionsgate & HIT Entertainment
$14.98

This is another one of those DVDs that contains that magical phrase "featuring never before seen episodes." Not only that, but this also includes a bonus collectible toy vehicle, tucked in right at the top. These are really sturdy little toys, with full metal bodies and moving parts. I would be very surprised if kids weren't clamoring for more to add to their collections.

Watch as Bob and his crew build a house, open a new cafe, fix an old gate and help a family of ducks. Parents know their children are learning about teamwork, positive thinking and problem solving when they watch Bob and his Can-Do Crew.

Inside the package, you will find a coupon for a free child's admission to Legoland (California or Chicago) with the purchase of an adult's admission. This offer expires 12/31/10.

Five episodes: Massive Muck, Roley's Moleys, Scoop Slips Up, Scrambler's Seaweed Delivery and Muck's Convoy

Special features: Lofty the Painter game and Skip's Chute Rescue game

Fireman Sam: Help is Here

Lionsgate & HIT Entertainment
$14.98

Fireman Sam has gone all CGI on us! Following in the footsteps of Thomas & Friends, Fireman Sam is trying out the new technology and we're loving his fresh new look.

Join Fireman Sam, Norman, Mandy and Radar in all new adventures from the pleasant Welsh village of Pontypandy. Just typical days in the life of a firefighter, but very exciting for small viewers. Fireman Sam is a pillar of the community and the hero of every rescue, saving the supermarket on Fire Prevention Day and making a daring helicopter rescue in the midst of a forest fire. He also helps rescue dogs find missing people, and shares important safety tips with village people. Fireman Sam somehow finds the time to do it all!

It's amazing to me that Fireman Sam is the only children's firefighter-themed show. I guess when you have a program as entertaining as this one, who needs anything else? Originally launched in the UK before making it's way to the US, this continues to thrill children on a daily basis. And now even better with the new CGI format!

Episodes: Paper Plane Down, Hot & Cold Running Sniffer Dog, Hearts on Fire, Perilous Path and The New Hero Next Door.

Spanish for Beginners

Whistlefritz - Inspiring Young Minds

The easiest way to teach kids a foreign language? Make it fun! Just like name implies, Whistlefritz is whimsical and engaging, which will make learning Spanish literally seem like child's play. This series uses stories, funny characters, and lively music to become an interactive teaching tool with which to stimulate and educate kids.

The series uses Spanish immersion, meaning children learn by hearing and speaking only Spanish. No English is spoken. Whistlefritz Spanish DVDs and CDs are designed to captivate kids with animals, puppets, dance, music, and play. The children love the programs and, with repetition, learn Spanish without even realizing it. I love a tricky learning tool! It's just as satisfying as feeding them healthy food and passing it off as a treat.


Spanish for Beginners is non-stop fun as teacher Maria and the Whistlefritz kids search for the mischievous mouse Fritzi. Together, they explore their world inside and out, having a huge amount of fun with animation, puppets and music.

Learning to understand and speak Spanish (the world’s third most spoken language) opens a whole new cultural world to your children. This series leads the way to ensure that learning the language is an enjoyable experience. The CDs and DVDs are a wonderful way sneak that Spanish right into their heads and have fun at the same time.

Thomas & Friends: Percy and the Bandstand

Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment
$14.98

Introducing four new stories of adventure and celebration staring Thomas and his friends! Best of all, this disc contains never before televised content that can only be seen on this DVD. We all love that kind!

Get ready for a party with freightloads of fun! We ride along with Thomas to a special birthday party, a hot air balloon ride and a special surprise at the bandstand. The host is Mr. Arkwright, who engages the viewers with interactive dialogue and plenty of fun.

It's all here - excitement, adventure and valuable teachings. Thomas & Friends are always careful to teach timeless life lessons that parents will appreciate. Children worldwide are infatuated by these trains that convey terrific attributes of friendship and cooperation.

Episodes include Toby's Special Surprise, Duncan and the Hot Air Balloon, The Man in the Hills and Percy and the Bandstand. DVD special features: Songs of Sodor game and three read-alongs.

Barney: Book Fair

Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment
$14.98

This really is the best of both worlds! Instead of the usual plastic case, this Barney DVD is tucked just inside a nice hardback story book. We all know how wonderful and important it is to read to your children. What better way to get them on board with a new book than with some of their beloved characters?

Barney and his friends are holding a book drive in the park. Each time they crack open a book, it begins a new story on the DVD. Their imaginations soar and lead them to put on a fantastic circus and build a make-believe rocket. They are even inspired to create their very own books!


The book is a custom reprint of Barney's storybook Count to 10. Barney and friends visit Professor Tinkerputt at the toy factory for some number fun. Children will enjoy counting the toys with Barney, from one toy elephant to ten blocks.


Children have adored Barney for over twenty years, with good reason. The characters and show promote sharing, caring, and the importance of using your imagination. Even today, Barney and Friends continues to be one of the top-rated preschool programs on television. The book/DVD combo is a great idea and would be make an excellent gift for any young Barney fan.

Bob the Builder: Built for Fun

Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment
$14.98

Your budding builders will learn about the values of teamwork, positive thinking and lending a helping hand with Bob and the Can-Do Crew. Bob always equips his crew with the necessary tools to get the job done right while having fun in the process. Can they build it? We know they can!

This disc contains five great episodes where the crew builds a radio station complete with a sky-high broadcast tower, plays skidsies with Roley and Muck, designs greenhouses out of recycled material and much more. Alongside Bob, Scoop, Benny and the rest of the team, kids see that they can accomplish anything with a Can-Do attitude.

Plus, right on top of this box is a bonus collectible toy vehicle. Kids will love this little extra that comes along with all of the usual crew fun.

Episodes: Radio Bob, Super Slasher, Roley Brings the House, Scrambler Gets Prepared
Special features: Build with Bob The Game; Building Buddies Read-Along

Sing & Dance with Barney

Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment
$14.98

It's Barney's party and he'll dance if he wants to! And since he's having such a good time onscreen, it's a safe bet that his viewers will hop up and dance with him! The songs are fun and the beat is catchy, which means kids will be unable to resist joining this very special sing along party.

This disc is filled with 55 minutes of a sing and dance free for all. Songs include old favorites such as Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, If You're Happy and You Know It and You Can Count on Me. In addition to the songs, Barney and his friends travel off site on some fun adventures - a farm, a campsite in the woods and a storybook land.

There's a reason Barney has been around for twenty plus years. Kids love him and parents appreciate his values of promoting sharing, caring and learning. In addition to the DVD, there is also a musical CD included, which contains five of the best songs. The DVD special features are an interactive matching game, Catch up with the Barney Reunion Cast and Barney Boogie Music Video.