The Pet Sitter Books

The Pet Sitter: Tiger Taming and The Pet Sitter: Dixie in Danger
By Julie Sykes • Illustrated by Nathan Reed
March 2009 • Kingfisher • Middle grade fiction (illustrated) • Ages 7-10

From the publisher: Introducing Max, the pint-sized hero of a brand new series for pet lovers everywhere.

Story: Tiger Taming: Max thinks he’s going to love his new job as a pet sitter, but his first client, Miss W. Itchy, seems a little odd. His instincts prove him right when it turns out that her cat, Tiger, can talk. It’s not long before Tiger is ordering Max around, demanding bat juice and hogging the TV. But when Miss Itchy’s archenemy kidnaps Tiger, Max has to prove just what kind of pet sitter he really is.

Story: Dixie in Danger: Max is minding his own business when he receives a call from Ivor Gadget, a famous inventor who needs Max to pet sit his dormouse, Dixie. How hard could it be? thinks Max. Ivor is hardly out the door when Dixie escapes from her cage and runs through the invention-filled house. Little does Max know that the chase will land him 2,000 years back in time.

My take: It's been a long time since I've been in middle school but I still enjoy reading middle-school fiction once in a while, not only for enjoyment (Harry Potter comes to mind) but to keep an eye out for reading material for my kiddos. Because it won't be long before I'll blink and they will be in middle school themselves, you know what I mean? And I'll be happy to pull out The Pet Sitter series to give them when they say "Mom? What can I read now?" With The Pet Sitter books, I can offer my kids books with adventure that isn't frightening. Talking animals, a quick pace (I finished both books in an hour), uncomplicated plots that have a strand of morality behind them - these books would be great for young children beginning to read chapter books on their own. 4 out of 5 (see rating scale below).

About the author and illustrator: Julie Sykes is the author of more than 20 books for children. Nathan Reed has illustrated many children’s books, including Kingfisher’s I Am Reading: Hocus-Pocus Hound.

The Picnic Basket Rating Scale
5 Strongly Recommend This book is so delectable that it calls for a picnic just to read it. I might even skip dessert to read it or enjoy the book and the strawberry shortcake. Definitely part of the gourmet, decadent picnic basket.

4 Recommend without Reservation This book should be in every picnic basket, it is as good as the perfect potato salad and would be welcome at a coastal or park picnic. You would rummage through the picnic basket to read it.

3 Neutral This book is good for a sandwich picnic on the lawn in the shade but it may not be worthy of a picnic planned around it.

2 Recommend under Certain Reading Situations This book is not as essential as the picnic tableware but it may provide picnic entertainment under the right conditions.

1 Unlikely to Recommend This book is for the fast food picnic basket, where you dialed on the way to the picnic. Not sorry if this picnic is rained out.

Obama

Obama: The Historic Journey
Young Reader’s Edition

by The New York Times, Jill Abramson, Bill Keller

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 96 pages
Publisher: Callaway (February 16, 2009)
Language: English
List Price: $24.95

From Mother Talk: "Many of us shared Barack Obama’s inauguration with our children, explaining to them the significance of the day and appreciating the fact that we could all take part in such an important moment in history. Of course, the time leading up to that day was no less significant. Throughout it all, The New York Times captured Obama’s journey, sharing with us a story that began in his childhood and carried through his swearing in as our 44th President. This book, which comes from a compilation of that coverage, was adapted for young readers to give our children a better look at and deeper understanding of the life of a man who has touched the lives of so many Americans and reached young people in a way that so few leaders today can. Interwoven with the story are a collection of gorgeous and moving photographs that truly capture the essence of Obama, his work, his family, and the journey that led him where he is today. As beautiful as it is meaningful, this book is important not just for us and our kids, but for future generations as well."

Amazon.com Review: Obama: The Historic Journey: Young Reader's Edition brings readers the extraordinary story of Barack Obama’s voyage from childhood through his inauguration as the 44th president of the United States of America. His election marked an unprecedented step forward in American history, shattering racial barriers and forever altering the political landscape. No other news source has better captured his story than The New York Times, America’s premier newspaper and the winner of 96 Pulitzer Prizes for journalism. With an astounding array of visual imagery, along with in-depth reporting that has been specially adapted for young readers, this beautifully produced volume gives children a comprehensive portrait of the man whose inspiring message has touched people the world over. Children will be fascinated by the “skinny kid with the funny name” who rose to become America’s first African-American president.

My take: To this day, whenever my 4 year old daughter sees President Obama on the t.v. screen, she screams in delight "That's Obama, Mama!" Which tickles me no end, on two levels - one, because I am the proud owner of an "Obama Mama" t-shirt and two, because I love how much she loves our new President. Now she, and my 6 year old son, are too young to appreciate WHY President Obama's election means so much to me and her dad, and how significant his election was for our country and for history. And that's why I love this new book - because Obama: The Historic Journey: Young Reader's Edition is going to help me share this piece of history with them for years to come. This book touches on a little of everything - with chapters on his birth and upbringing, political career, the road to the election and White House and even a two page "fact" sheet about Obama's shoe size, favorite music and t.v. shows! Near the end is a chapter about his two daughters, Malia and Sasha - the chapter most kids will relate to the most I'm thinking. In short, Obama: The Historic Journey: Young Reader's Edition is a delightful summary of our President's life. I definitely give it 5 out of 5 binkies!

Mother Talk

and by

Mom Central

Little Oink

Little Oink
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Jen Corace
Spring 2009 • Chronicle Books • Picture book • Ages 3 and up

From the publisher: "When I grow up, I'm going to let my kids clean up their rooms as much as they want."

Story: From the creators of Little Pea and Little Hoot comes this tidy tale of a decidedly different pig. Little Oink is a neat little fellow. Clean, clean, clean, that's all he wants to do. But Mama and Papa won't have it! They say in order to be a respectable pig, he has to learn to make a proper mess. "Don't come out until your room is a pigsty," they chide. A humorous twist on a universal dilemma.

Story behind the story: Amy's sister, Beth, came up with the idea for the story -- and her daughter wrote the book's last line (SPOILER ALERT: "And they all lived hap-pig-ly ever after.") When asked if there was anything she disliked as a child that her parents insisted on, Amy replied: "As a kid, I always hated getting presents. My parents would insist on getting me all these great presents on my birthday every year. Can you believe that? Oh, wait. I totally loved that. It was going to the doctor that I hated. Sorry about the mix-up." Oh, and in the random information department, illustrator Jen Corace is a master at bumper cars but is unable to properly operate any other type of licensed vehicle.

My take: I had not heard of Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Jen Corace before (but am thinking I need to get Little Pea and Little Hoot now). Little Oink is a straightforward, charming little book that will appeal to you and your child alike; it has some subtle humor young children won't appreciate yet (check out the chalk board specials during Little Oink's lunch time) as well as simple humor directed toward the younger set. The prose is clear (though the font is not - I have to agree with another reviewer that it's hard for beginning readers to make out the words on their own as my 6 year old had a tough time with it) and includes rhyming and counting - two activities my 4 year old relishes in her books. And of course, what child doesn't enjoy the concept of being able to mess up her room!

I give Little Oink a 4 out of 5 for the above reasons and for the vocabulary being on a bit higher level than the stated target audience of 3; for example, I had to explain what a truffle was (see the rating scale from The Picnic Basket below).

Bonus: The author, illustrator and publisher have created loads of downloads for your classroom or library including an event kit (with masks, pun activities, a Pin the tail on Oink game and more), a Little Oink song, poster, super cute video for “Little Oink” (narrated by the author's nephew) and video of the author on tour!



The Picnic Basket Rating Scale
5 Strongly Recommend This book is so delectable that it calls for a picnic just to read it. I might even skip dessert to read it or enjoy the book and the strawberry shortcake. Definitely part of the gourmet, decadent picnic basket.

4 Recommend without Reservation This book should be in every picnic basket, it is as good as the perfect potato salad and would be welcome at a coastal or park picnic. You would rummage through the picnic basket to read it.

3 Neutral This book is good for a sandwich picnic on the lawn in the shade but it may not be worthy of a picnic planned around it.

2 Recommend under Certain Reading Situations This book is not as essential as the picnic tableware but it may provide picnic entertainment under the right conditions.

1 Unlikely to Recommend This book is for the fast food picnic basket, where you dialed on the way to the picnic. Not sorry if this picnic is rained out.

Gather Around the Table...and the campfire and sleeping bag!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED.
CONGRATULATIONS STACI!

From the PR firm: Want to know what kids talk about? Then go talk to a kid! No kidding! That’s what Beth Daniels, owner of Around The Table Games did when she wanted to add new titles to her award-winning line of games, “Family Talk” and “Grandparent Talk.”

Three new versions of the game, Camp Talk, Buddy Talk, and Teen Talk were each inspired and created for kids, by kids. So, no matter where they are, kids can engage in colorful conversations with new friends or learn things they never knew about old pals and family members.

Each of the three games comes with 50 conversation bubble-shaped cards:

Camp Talk – Gather around and make new friends with…Camp Talk! Perfect gift for kids heading off to camp or for family camping trips! Camp Talk is the perfect way to get to know new camp friends on the bus to camp, in the bunk after lights-out or around the campfire while eating s’mores! It’s also a great way to learn fun things about your family! Just draw a card, read one of the 50 cool questions and let the fun begin! The handy flashlight and compass allow you to navigate your way back to your campsite or cabin for some fun, late night conversations! Ages 7+, MSRP $7.99. Here’s a small sample of the questions included in Camp Talk:

- What's the funniest or most unusual nickname for a counselor you’ve heard?
- If you wrote your own campfire song, what would it be about?
- Name a place you feel you can really be yourself.

Buddy Talk - Fun ways to get your friends talking! Buddy Talk is rapidly becoming the rage for both boy and girl BFFs. Find out a ton about your friends at the bus stop, during recess or at a sleepover. Ages 7+, MSRP $7.99. Here’s a small sample of the questions included in Buddy Talk:

- What's your favorite thing about summer break?
- If you could have picked your own name, what would it be?
- What is the funniest trick your pet can do?

Teen Talk – A fun way for teens to really get to know their friends! This set of diverse questions is sure to spark some colorful conversations among teens! The cool carabiner clip attaches to backpacks, sports bags or overnight bags for fun conversations anytime! MSRP $7.99. Here’s a small sample of the questions included in Teen Talk:

- What is one thing you couldn’t live without?
- What influences you the most?
- What is the weirdest dream you’ve ever had?
- Do you think guys/girls act or talk differently online than they do in person? Why?
- What would be the title of YOUR autobiography?

My take: A year ago, I was lucky enough to review Family Talk and Grandparent Talk. I told you then how great I thought this idea was for a game - and a way to learn more about my husband (I reviewed Family Talk just a few days before my 7th wedding anniversary and yesterday was my 8th anniversary and I'm thrilled to say I'm STILL learning new things about my husband). So I was excited to hear the Around The Table Games line was expanding to include Camp, Buddy and Teen Talk. I was sent just the Buddy Talk to check out and let me tell you, this set would be great for sleepovers for your older kids and I can even see using them as a springboard to conversation between me and my kids! With questions like "What's your favorite riddle or knock-knock joke?" and "What makes you feel most welcome when you come home from school?," I can't wait to go through the whole stack with my kids in the years to come. AND as a life long girl scout, I'm anxious to see the Camp Talk as well! I know how hard it is to make friends at sleep-away camp and will definitely be sending a Camp Talk game with my kids when they are old enough to go. And finally, I think Teen Talk might be just the ticket to getting some real talk from my kids when they reach the dreaded teen years - those of you with teenagers, let me know what you think - would Teen Talk help your relationship with them? With six different Around the Table games, there seems to be one for every age and stage of life!

Bonus: Also new for 2009, Around The Table Games is offering a double-deck tin with full playing-card-sized Family Talk and Grandparent Talk decks. Makes a great addition to any family gathering or game night. Each tin comes with 200 conversation cards. MSRP $19.99

Around the Table Games is rolling out “new and improved” cards for Family Talk, Family Talk 2 and Grandparent Talk. All cards will be larger playing-card-sized, made from heavier paper stock with rounded edges and equipped with a circular carabiner for easier flipping. MSRP on each 100 card set is $9.99.

ABOUT AROUND THE TABLE GAMES: Creator and owner of Around the Table games, Beth Daniels was blessed to have her grandparents and great-grandparents in her life for decades. Over the years, she realized that the more she learned about them, the better she understood herself. As an Occupational Therapist, wife and mother of two, Daniels understands all too well how active lives and busy schedules can prevent families from sharing the anecdotes and folklore that make a family a family. That’s why she created Family Talk and Grandparent Talk games as a fun way for families to reconnect.

Family Talk and Grandparent Talk have received multiple awards, including a 2008 iParenting Media Outstanding Product Award, a Top 10 Puzzles & Logical Thinking Games from Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Children’s Products of 2008, the Grandkids Gift Guide 2008 Superproduct Award, the National Parenting Center 2008 Fall Seal of Approval and a Teachers’ Choice for the Family Award 2009.

For more information, click on http://www.aroundthetablegames.com/.

The giveaway: Win one of these games of the winner's choice.

To win: Leave me a comment here telling me the name of one of the other Around the Table games not mentioned in this review. Also tell me which game you would choose if you won. Be sure to leave your email address with your comment if you are not a blogger or your email is not easily found on your blog. This giveaway is open until 11:59 p.m., EST, Thursday, June 4, 2009. Good Luck!

Bonus entries: Get up to 8 extra entries for a total of 9 entries (please leave a separate comment for each extra entry):

• Follow Around The Table's Twitter page at http://twitter.com/aroundthetable
• Become a "Fan" of Around The Table's Public Profile on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/cazftf
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Labou

Labou

Actors: Kelson Henderson, Barnie Duncan, Bryan James Kitto, C. Ray Nagin, Chris Violette

Director: Greg Aronowitz

Rating: G (General Audience)

Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Language: English
Number of discs: 1
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
DVD Release Date: May 19, 2009
Run Time: 95 minutes

Price: $26.98 U.S. / $37.98 Canada

LONG LOST TREASURE. NEW FOUND FRIENDS.

From the studio: Legend has it the famed pirate, Captain LeRouge haunts the Louisiana bayou where his treasure-filled ship went down after it was struck by a hurricane. Embarking on the journey of a lifetime, three friends come together to discover that some legends are true in the action-adventure fantasy Labou. From the creative minds known best for their behind-the-scenes work in Disney’s The Haunted Mansion, The Country Bears, Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed and more, Labou is about the camaraderie of three children in search of a ghost pirate and his long lost treasure. Eager to get back at the school bully, feisty Emily and the new kid, Gavin challenge Toddster to explore the eerie and murky Louisiana swamps. Lost in the bayou after being chased by the ghost of Captain LeRouge, the kids stumble across a lovable little creature named Labou whose home is about to be destroyed by two money hungry oil tycoons. Determined to save the swamps and their new found friend, they devise a plan and enlist the help of the legendary ghost pirate to rid the wetlands of its imposters once and for all.

Voted as “Best Feature” at the 10th Annual Brooklyn Academy of Music Kids Film Festival in New York, Labou offers positive life lessons about teamwork, friendship and good versus evil through captivating music, inspiring characters and high-octance action that will excite kids of all ages.

My take: I'm really going to be giving away my age here, but let me ask you - who here remembers "The Goonies" movie? How about "Gremlins?" Because it was those two movies that immediately came to mind when I watched Labou with my kiddos. Right down to the creepy yet lovable creature, Labou is the "Gremlins" of the 21st century. And is it just me, or have most all of the movies I've watched lately for kids included morality lessons? That's in here too - teamwork, overcoming adversity (battling the school bully for one), and the power of friendship. It's sneaky but I like two-for movies like that - the kids are entertained and taught a lesson without even realizing it! So, if you are looking for a movie the whole family can enjoy this summer, Labou is for you!

Special Features:
• Audio commentary with director and writer Greg Aronowitz, producer Sheri Bryant and actor
Chris Violette
• Building Labou
• The Casting Process
• The Making of Labou: Part One and Part Two
• The Music of Labou
• Special Effects
• New Orleans: Points of Interest

About the studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., Ventanazul, MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Domestic Networks LLC, MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM
Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 120 countries. MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

A recognized global industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC (TCFHE) is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming on DVD, Blu-ray Disc (BD) and Digital Copy as well as acquisitions and original productions. The company also releases all products around the globe for MGM Home Entertainment. Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets -- from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce - throughout the world. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC is a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company.

DR. DOOLITTLE: Million Dollar Mutts

Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts
Starring: Kyla Pratt, Tegan Moss
Rating:
Release Date: May 19, 2009
Price: $29.99 U.S. / $32.99 Canada BD
$22.98 U.S. / $26.98 Canada DVD
Feature Running Time: 87 minutes BD 87 minutes DVD
Number of discs: 1

PAW-FECT FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

From the studio: Maya Dolittle and Lucky the Dog are off on an exciting new fun-filled adventure, taking them inside the world of Hollywood glitz and glamour when DR. DOLITTLE: MILLION DOLLAR MUTTS arrives exclusively on Blu-ray Disc and DVD May 19th from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Kyla Pratt (Hotel for Dogs, Fat Albert) returns as Maya Dolittle, the “animal whisperer,” who is heading off to college when Hollywood starlet Tiffany Monaco seeks out her canine counsel to help with her depressed Chihuahua. After witnessing Maya’s natural charm and ability to communicate with animals, Tiffany introduces the gifted teen to her self-serving agent and the two persuade Maya to star in her own reality series. However, as Maya experiences the razzle-dazzle of Hollywood, her plans for college get put on the backburner. With her faithful sidekick, Lucky, by her side, Maya sees past L.A.’s rich and famous and stays true to what’s really important in her life. A hilarious and irresistable “tail” for the whole family, DR. DOLITTLE: MILLION DOLLAR MUTTS delivers a wholesome, animal-filled comedy for the entire family.

Synopsis: An all-star cast of loveable animals highlights this fast and furry-ous adventure set in exciting Hollywood, where everyone’s favorite wise-acre mutt Lucky proves he’s worth millions in love and laughter! It’s Lucky to the rescue when his owner, Maya Dolittle (Kyla Pratt), finds herself in hot water – Hollywood-style! Dropping her dreams of becoming a vet, Maya (and Lucky) travel to L.A. where her talent for talking to animals lands her a job hosting an animal talk show with famous heiress Tiffany Monaco (Tegan Moss)! But just as Lucky starts falling in love with the pedigreed pooch, Maya falls out of love with Tiffany’s bird-brained ideas about how to help animals. And just when Maya thinks she’ll be trapped in Tinseltown forever and never become a vet, Lucky, his new girlfriend and a whole herd of their animal friends spring, trot, fly and slither into action to save the day!

My Take: We received this movie from the studio in a plain white DVD wrapper instead of the normal case so my kids had no idea what to expect when I loaded up the DVD (normally they look all over the DVD case before they watch a new movie and even fight over who gets to "hold" it during the movie!). The verdict? Another hit in our house! I have to confess the only Dr. Doolittle movie I saw was the first one (the remake) with Eddie Murphy and I thought without him, this movie wouldn't be any good. I was pleasantly surprised though and my kids certainly didn't miss him judging by their constant stream of laughter. And you definitely don't need to have watched the other movies in the franchise to follow along with this one. So if you are looking for a fun movie to pop in during those hot summer days that will entertain and even slip in some values (the importance of staying true to yourself), pick up your own copy of Dr. Doolittle: Million Dollar Mutts today!

Blu-ray Disc and DVD Special Features:
• Tiffany’s Tricked Out Cell Phone featurette
• No Business Like Show Business featurette
• Star Tours: Dolittle Style featurette

About the studio: About Twentieth Century Fox A recognized global industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC (TCFHE) is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming on VHS, DVD and Blu-ray Disc (BD) as well as acquisitions and original productions. The company also releases all products around the globe for MGM Home Entertainment. Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets – from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce - throughout the world. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC is a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company.

The "Google" for Mom Wisdom: Mamapedia

From Mom Central: "As a mom, I have been faced with issues and questions regarding my children over the years where I wished that I had advice from other mothers who had "already been there, done that." Ranging from how to deal with a newly discovered allergy to deciding on the safest car seat for your kids, moms take on the important task of family decision-making everyday. Advice, however, does not always prove easy to come by in our time-crunched lives. Perhaps you have even had a question that you would rather not discuss with your friends and family, but still need the answer to. In comes Mamapedia, providing all these answers aggregated in a single destination.

Mamapedia enables you to search answers for your most pressing questions, such as childhood crushes, renting a house, and summer camps, to get empathetic and insightful answers from moms around the country. A virtual encyclopedia of Mothers' wisdom, Mamapedia allows you to quickly navigate through thousands of diverse categories to find the thoughtful, sympathetic-and most importantly-helpful answers to all of your questions. Mamapedia brings millions of women together online, both nation-wide and in our own communities, so we can help each other tackle those difficult parenting questions or even just give recommendations on our favorite pediatricians, playgroups, and kid-friendly restaurants."

What is it? (from the site): "Mamapedia is your lifeline to millions of moms who’ve shared their real-world wisdom through local Mamasource online communities over the past two years. We compiled their answers, organized them by stage, and made them instantly searchable. "

My take: My first question about Mamapedia? "Where were you when I first became a mom?!!" Because this is a resource I really could have used, let me tell you. But it's not too late...Mamapedia is a great resource for Moms in all stages of the Motherhood journey. From Moms with newborns to middle schoolers to college bound kids, help and advice is just a mouse click away. And it's super easy to use. Head over to the main page and type your question in the search box. Then different question forums come up that you can go through OR click on any of the labels in the upper left corner that come up and you can link to even more resources (includes resources on the web). Another fun feature is the scrolling "live mom searches" which is a live shot of all searches going on at any given moment - simply click on the topic and you can read about such diverse topics as "tummy tuck experience," 2 year old won't stay in bed," "teen daughter curfew" or "seeking great summer programs in (fill in your city)." So next time you have a question or problem you need help with, turn to other Moms "in the trenches" at Mamapedia. You can bet I will!

This review was sponsored by
Mom Central

Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwiches

From Mom Central: With summer fast approaching (in some places faster than others!), it means that the time has almost come for some of our favorite activities: going to the beach or pool, grilling on the barbecue, having a picnic, and of course, enjoying ice cream. And, in my family, eating ice cream is chief among them. Luckily, today we can find low-fat options that provide a cool treat any time of the year.

Skinny Cow's low-fat ice cream sandwiches are a great way to enjoy ice cream as part of a healthy lifestyle. With only 150 calories and 2 grams of fat, we don't have to feel guilty about Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches when reaching into the freezer for a snack. The light and creamy frozen treats come in seven different flavors, including cookies 'n cream, chocolate peanut butter, and mint, which are not only indulgent but remind us of carefree summer days. Not to mention, these sandwiches taste anything but low fat!

My take: Yum - Ice cream! Yuck - love handles from eating too much ice cream! My solution? Skinny Cow. Now I know from my own grocery store, just how many low calorie and/or low fat dessert alternatives there are on the market today. And believe me when I tell you, I've tried them all, having spent about 15 years on and off the Weight Watchers program now. And I keep coming back to Skinny Cow. Why? Because their products really are delicious. And they have variety! From sandwiches, cones to bars, each well-proportioned treat range from 1 to 3 points on the weight watchers system. My favorite sandwich thus far is the Strawberry Shortcake but I am looking forward to my grocery store carrying the Chocolate Peanut Butter and Cookies and Cream versions as well. And the new chocolate truffle bars are so good - only 100 calories and very filling! Really, I can't get over how "normal" all the portion sizes are - unlike a lot of other "diet" treats that are teeny-tiny, with Skinny Cow, you are getting an actual dessert without a lot of calories or fat. Win-win.

This review was sponsored by

Mom Central

Star Trek: The Original Motion Picture Trilogy

Star Trek: The Original Motion Picture Trilogy
Actors: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Walter Koenig
Directors: Leonard Nimoy, Nicholas Meyer
Writers: Leonard Nimoy, Nicholas Meyer, Gene Roddenberry, Harve Bennett, Jack B. Sowards
Release Date: May 12, 2009
Pricing: $48.99 U.S. (Blu-ray) $29.99 U.S. (DVD)
Format: AC-3, Box set, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Original recording remastered, Restored, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Language: English
Number of discs: 3
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Paramount
Run Time: 335 minutes

From the studio: Go where no fan has gone before when Paramount Home Entertainment debuts the STAR TREK: MOTION PICTURE TRILOGY on Blu-ray or DVD May 12, 2009. Available for the first time in high definition, these classic films launched the beloved “Star Trek” characters onto the big screen.

The STAR TREK: MOTION PICTURE TRILOGY is an epic 3-part adventure starring the legendary crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise as they sacrifice their lives, ship and freedom to save the universe from imminent destruction. The Trilogy includes Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and Star Trek: IV The Voyage Home in one box set, which will be available on either Blu-ray or DVD. The films have been digitally remastered in high definition (The Wrath of Khan has been restored) with new 7.1 Dolby TrueHD audio for the Blu-ray release and each disc includes all-new special features, including exclusive BD-Live content.

My take: My introduction to the original Star Trek series began with the movies (it was only later that I went back and dipped into the t.v. series) so it was a real treat to receive this DVD trilogy from the studio (though to be honest, I would have loved the entire collection of Star Trek movies even better *grin*). Still, the Trilogy includes three of my favorites - including my all time favorite, The Voyage Home (I know, I'm in the minority, but I love the blending of the Star Trek world with our own time). If you've never seen any of the Star Trek movies before, this would be a great place to start.

Bonus: The DVD special features are as follows:

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
• Commentary by director Nicholas Meyer and Manny Coto
• James Horner: Composing Genesis
• Collecting Star Trek’s Movie Relics
• A Tribute to Ricardo Montalban
• Starfleet Academy: Mystery Behind Ceti Alpha VI

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
• Commentary by Ronald D. Moore and Michael Taylor
• Industrial Light & Magic: The Visual Effects of Star Trek
• Spock: The Early Years
• Star Trek and the Science Fiction Museum Hall of Fame
• Starfleet Academy: Mystery Behind the Vulcan Katra Transfer

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
• Commentary by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman
• Pavel Chekov’s Screen Moments
• The Three-Picture Saga
• Star Trek for a Cause
• Starfleet Academy: The Whale Probe

About the studio: Paramount Home Entertainment (PHE) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. PPC is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. PHE is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment products on behalf of various parties including: Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Paramount Famous Productions, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, CBS and PBS and for providing home entertainment fulfillment services for DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment.

"To boldly go where no one has gone before..."

THE BEST OF STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES
Release Date: May 12, 2009
Pricing: $14.99 US/ $15.99 CAN
Runtime: 3 Hrs., 35 Min.
U.S. Rating: Not Rated Canadian Rating: G

THE BEST OF STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
Release Date: May 12, 2009
Pricing: $14.99 US/ $15.99 CAN
Runtime: 3 Hrs., 1 Min.
U.S. Rating: Not Rated Canadian Rating: PG

See The Blockbuster New Film, Then See Where It All Began As Two Landmark Star Trek Series Beam Onto All-New DVD Collections From CBS Home Entertainment And Paramount Home Entertainment

From the studio: Explore two of the greatest action-adventure sagas of all time when THE BEST OF STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES and THE BEST OF STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION arrive on DVD May 12 from CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment.

The original and iconic series that started it all, THE BEST OF STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES navigates the fantastic adventures of Captain Kirk (William Shatner), Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and their crew on the Starship Enterprise as they launch a five-year mission to explore strange worlds, seek out new life forms and boldly go where no man has gone before. Featured episodes include The Trouble with Tribbles, arguably the most popular “Star Trek” episode of all time, plus Amok Time, The City on the Edge of Forever and Balance of Terror, which introduced the evil Romulans to the series. Digitally remastered with brilliant picture quality and enhanced special effects, THE BEST OF STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES serves as a perfect introduction to the epic world of “Star Trek.”

An ideal introduction to the only syndicated series to ever receive an Emmy® nomination for Best Dramatic Series, THE BEST OF STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION highlights the four most sensational episodes of the series TV Guide calls “one of the greatest television shows of all time.” Set in the 24th century, “The Next Generation” follows the crew of the Enterprise-D, helmed by Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Commander William T. Riker (Jonathan Frakes), along with their iconic and endearing supporting crew. Featured episodes include the two-part The Best of Both Worlds, Yesterday’s Enterprise in which a previous Enterprise travels 22 years into the future to meet with its successor and The Measure of a Man, an episode where Commander Riker is forced to take the stand to prove that Data is indeed an android.

The DVD disc breakdowns are as follows:

THE BEST OF STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES
• The City on the Edge of Forever – The Enterprise crew discovers a time and space portal, leading one of them to accidentally alter history
• The Trouble with Tribbles – The cute, furry tribble is brought on board the Enterprise as a pet, only to be discovered as a rapidly reproducing, all-consuming animal
• Balance of Terror – After the Romulans use hostile force on a Federation outpost, Captain Kirk and the Enterprise must battle an invisible spaceship
• Amok Time – Follow Mr. Spock as he returns to his homeland for a brutal Vulcan marriage ritual

THE BEST OF STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
• The Best of Both Worlds (Part I) – Responding to a distress call on one of the Federation’s outer-most colonies, the Enterprise arrives…only to find the colony has disappeared
• The Best of Both Worlds (Part II) – Commander Riker pulls out all the stops in order to save Earth from a Borg invasion lead by Locutus – otherwise known as Captain Jean-Luc Picard
• Yesterday’s Enterprise – A rift in the space/time continuum brings the previous Enterprise – the Enterprise C – 22 years into the future, forever altering time
• The Measure of a Man – When Data’s rights as a sentient individual are placed under trial, Starfleet forces Commander Riker into a position where he must prove that Data is an Androi

My take: When I was in college (has it really been 16 years since I finished college?), my boyfriend and I were both Star Trek freaks, especially Star Trek: The Next Generation (which ran September 28, 1987 to May 23, 1994). In our area, the show aired from 11:30 to 12:30 at night, so many a Saturday night, I actually feel asleep while watching the show (hey, I may have been young but I was in college full time and working 4 part time jobs)! So I loved receiving this DVD from the studio, if nothing else, it was a nice trip down memory lane ("Resistance is futile!" Awesome! My favorite Star Trek villain of all time - the Borg!). My 6 year old son watched it with me and was delighted to see it was a "space movie!" It's safe to say I've got a makings of a new generation of Trekkies in my house!

By contrast, the original Star Trek series debuted on NBC on September 8, 1966 and the last original episode aired on June 3, 1969. I was not even born until 1971 so the original Star Trek phenomenon passed me by long before I was born. Luckily, my own mom was a "trekkie" of sorts and passed on her love of the series to me. This DVD is an excellent introduction to the campiness and shear originality of the original Star Trek; it's one DVD I'll be watching over and over again (really, who can resist The Trouble with Tribbles?!)

About the studio: CBS Home Entertainment manages the worldwide DVD business for the CBS Corporation across all lines of content including current hits and classic series from the vast CBS library, as well as new releases from Showtime Video. CBS Home Entertainment products are released on the CBS DVD label.

Paramount Home Entertainment (PHE) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. PPC is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. PHE is responsible for the worldwide sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment products on behalf of various parties including: Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, CBS, PBS and Hasbro and for providing home entertainment fulfillment services for DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment.

KidCards®

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED.
CONGRATULATIONS "AMISHDANCER"

From KidStuff PR: Let’s be honest, homemade soup is better than canned soup. And homemade spaghetti sauce is oh-so-much more “delicioso” than that stuff you get in a jar. Well, it’s the same thing with homemade greeting cards; there’s just something warm and fuzzy about getting a Valentine’s Day card where the heart is purple and the crayon coloring spills out of the lines. Plus, you know that the child who made it was thinking of you while making it.

As a mother of two, Melissa Marra loved watching her daughters make homemade cards for birthdays and other celebrations, as well as to tell their flu-ish BFFs to get better soon. But as much as they loved making cards, it was very time consuming and required a lot of help and guidance. One day, while making cards with her oldest daughter, Marra had an idea that would allow a child to make homemade cards, but would focus them in the right direction.

Thus, the idea for KidCards® was born. KidCards are adorable, plastic-spiral topped "books" in which the pages contain "pre-drawn" greeting cards. Each card/page can be removed, colored and folded into individual greeting cards. A set of envelopes is thoughtfully included, too. Since coming up with the idea, Marra has created and sold her product to thankful parents, teachers and caregivers all over the country.

Volume 1: Coloring Cards – These cards are ready for color and decoration! Variety includes Birthday, Thank you, Get Well, Congrats and general Friendship designs. The front cover of each card has design ready for coloring with a lettered message inside. Perfect for the younger child. 20 Cards per book. MSRP $14.99.

Volume 2: Freehand Drawing Frames - Cards with themed frame on the cover; leaves more room for creativity because a child can draw whatever they want inside the frame. Variety includes Birthday, Thank you, Get Well, Congrats and general Friendship designs. 20 Cards per book. MSRP $14.99.

-------------------------------------

Special Edition: Christmas Book – Includes 15 “Merry Christmas” cards in five designs as well as five Christmas Gift Thank You notes. 20 cards per book. MSRP $14.99.

Introducing KidCards® Teachers’ Editions! - These editions have the same card design repeated throughout. Perfect for classroom projects and group settings. For example, each child in the class gets to make a Mother’s Day or Father’s Day card, or write a thank-you note to a speaker or volunteer who did something nice for the class. 25 cards per book. Books available: Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Thank You! MSRP $14.99.

Breaking news: KidCards® just won a 2009 iParenting Media Excellent Products Award in the Books Category. Here's what the iParenting reviewers had to say about KidCards®: What are the most positive characteristics of this book?

-The best characteristic of this product is that it promotes creativity and imagination. It gives the child the chance to create something for someone else with a personal touch. It gives a guide to work with, but allows the child to be as creative as they choose to be.
-There were many choices of cards and envelopes to use with the cards. The choices were plentiful and worked well for many occasions. The spiral binding was great for flipping through the pages.
-What a great way to teach children good social etiquettes. With this product children learn the importance of empathy and helps them think of others on special occasions. These cards can really make a difference in someones life, especially knowing that it came from a young person.

My take: I rarely buy greeting cards if I can help it. Occasionally I find some really funny ones for my friends but now that I have kids, I know most of our family would prefer the homemade cards I make with card software - I print pictures of the kids on them and let the kids sign them. Now I'm thinking KidCards® will be the only cards I'll send out from the kiddos. Why? Because these are ingenious! Such an inventive way to combine art and creativity and FUN while reinforcing our values (the importance of sending thank you notes, and birthday cards). My kids, especially my 6 year old son, jumps all over the chance to color in ANYTHING so KidCards® were a huge success in our house (we were sent Volume 1 to check out - both my kids still like to color in pictures so we're holding off on Volume 2 for now).

We were also sent a set of Father's Day cards from the teacher's editions to review. I was so impressed I promptly went back to the KidCards® website and purchased for myself another set of Father's Day cards and 2 sets of Thank you cards (so we would have enough for the entire kindergarten and pre-k classes at our school to do Father's Day cards for their dads and Thank You cards for the room moms). Let me tell you, my kids' teachers were really pleased with these cards - "easy to use" "great illustrations" "wonderful idea!" "perfect for this age" and "can't wait to get started" were things I heard. I've not seen the finished products yet but they should be awesome!

Bonus: Use this coupon code on http://www.kidcards.org/, click on Buy Online, then enter the Penny Promotion Code "Blogger Bonus" in the box in the top right corner when purchasing 2 or more books and you will get the crayon set AND watercolor paint set for 1 Penny! That's right, ONE PENNY! Who says a penny doesn't buy anything these days?

The giveaway: One lucky winner (US address only please) can pick from the Volume 1 or 2 Edition or the Christmas Edition!

To win: Visit KidCards.com and come back here and leave me a comment telling me the name of one of the editions that will be coming out this summer! Be sure to leave your email address with your comment if you are not a blogger or your email is not easily found on your blog. This giveaway is open until 11:59 p.m., EST, Friday, May 29, 2009. Good Luck!

Bonus entries: Get up to 6 extra entries for a total of 7 entries (please leave a separate comment for each extra entry):

• Blog about this giveaway (don't forget to leave the link in your comment)
• Twitter, Stumble or Digg this giveaway
• Subscribe to my blog via RSS or Email (see top left sidebar)
• Add my blog to your blogroll or my button to your sidebar (leave your website address for verification)
• On Technorati - click on this link, then on Fan or Fav (or use the green link on the top left sidebar)
• Follow me on Blogger (see top left sidebar)

This reviewed was sponsored by

KidStuff Public Relations

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Starring: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Jason Flemyng, Taraji P. Henson and Julia Ormond
Directed by: David Fincher
Producers: Ceán Chaffin, Frank Marshall, Jim Davidson, Kathleen Kennedy, Marykay Powell
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Language: English
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Paramount
Run Time: 166 minutes
Pricing: $29.99 U.S./$36.99 Canada (Single-Disc DVD)
$39.99 U.S./$45.99 Canada (Two-Disc Criterion DVD)
$39.99 U.S./$45.99 Canada (Two-Disc Criterion Blu-ray)
U.S. Rating: PG-13 for brief war violence, sexual content, language and smoking
Canadian Rating: PG for mature theme and coarse language
(see scenes from the movie here)

Life isn't measured in minutes, but in moments

Groundbreaking Winner of Three Academy Awards® Makes Home Entertainment Debut

"I was born under unusual circumstances." And so begins "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," adapted from the 1920s story by F. Scott Fitzgerald about a man who is born in his eighties and ages backwards: a man, like any of us, who is unable to stop time. We follow his story, set in New Orleans from the end of World War I in 1918, into the 21st century, following his journey that is as unusual as any man's life can be (synopsis source).

From the studio: A thrilling adventure and captivating story of one man’s unusual and enchanted life, director David Fincher’s Academy Award®-winning film THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON debuts as a two-disc DVD and two-disc Blu-ray on May 5, 2009 from Paramount Home Entertainment. Called “a monumental achievement” that “must be experienced” (Rex Reed, New York Observer), the film stars Academy Award nominee Brad Pitt who “does his best work ever” (Lou Lumenick, New York Post) and Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett who “is simply dazzling” (Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal) in an exhilarating adventure that takes viewers on a breathtaking journey filled with romance and redemption. Nominated for 13 Academy Awards and winner for Best Visual Effects, Art Direction and Makeup, THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON also stars Academy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson (Hustle & Flow), Academy Award winner Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton) and Julia Ormond (Legends of the Fall) in a grand tale of a not-so-ordinary man and the people and places he discovers along the way, the loves he finds, the joys and romance of life and what lasts beyond time.

My take: Beautifully filmed. A magical story. Authentic characters. Gripping. Timeless. All adjectives I've seen to describe The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. And all true, at least to this reviewer. I was riveted from beginning to end (thank goodness since it is a long movie at 3 hours) - the last time I enjoyed an epic like this was Titanic - which also resonated with the theme of love transcending time. And the visual effects, the aging of Brad Pitt's character, well, you just have to see to believe how awesome and realistic they are. 5 out of 5 binkies (I'd give it 6 if I could!)

Bonus: THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON two-disc DVD and two-disc Blu-ray boast over three hours of enthralling special features including interviews with stars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett with behind-the-scenes footage of their astonishing on-screen transformations, an in-depth documentary revealing the unusual journey of the film itself including the secrets of its award-winning visual effects and an exploration of the groundbreaking computer wizardry that brought the magical world of Benjamin Button to life.

The two-disc Criterion Edition DVD and two-disc Criterion Blu-ray include the following special features:

o The Curious Birth of Benjamin Button—four-part documentary:
o Academy Award-nominated director David Fincher introduces the surprising beginnings of what would become an epic masterpiece including the casting of Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, the decision to change the location of the story to New Orleans and more.
o Follow the production from day one including the challenges of aging Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, designing over five thousand costumes and creating the animatronic baby.
o Explore the incredible visual effects techniques created specifically for the film that allowed Brad Pitt to play the title character at virtually every age. Also includes a visit to the scoring stage with composer Alexandre Desplat.
o Walk the red carpet at the film’s premiere in New Orleans, with final thoughts from cast and crew.
o Audio Commentary by director David Fincher

There is also a single-disc DVD presentation that includes the feature film.

About Paramount Home Entertainment: Paramount Home Entertainment (PHE) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. PPC is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. PHE is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment products on behalf of various parties including: Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Paramount Famous Productions, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, CBS and PBS and for providing home entertainment fulfillment services for DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment.

Frosted Flakes Plant a Seed...part 2

You may recall the Mom Central / Kellogg's Frosted Flakes tour I participated in back in January (Superbowl Sunday!) to let you know about Kellogg's "Earn Your Stripes (EYS)" field renovation program (a program that aims to renovate neighborhood sports fields across the U.S.). Since that time, thousands of fields were nominated some with as many as 700,000 supporters! Those fields have now been narrowed down to 100 finalists and your vote will help determine the winning fields!!

The semifinalist fields were chosen based on the feasibility of the field makeover, the location and age of the field, how often it gets used, how many events take place, what teams use it, the number of other athletic fields in the community, the demand, condition, and the impact a field renovation would have on the community.

From now through May 31st, you can vote for your favorite semifinalist field at www.frostedflakes.com. When I went over to vote, I didn't see any fields near me on the finalist list but I did see one near where I went to college. How about you? Do you have a field in your area that got nominated or do you like one with a particularly compelling story? Those who nominated these fields described the conditions as having inadequate grass, equipment, uneven playing surfaces and other problems. These renovations will help to build community and provide better places for kids to stay active and play.

So go vote, and do YOUR part to: "Plant a seed...Help Rebuild America's Playing Fields...On the Right Field, It's Amazing What You Can Grow."

This review was sponsored by
Mom Central

Pepsi Throwback

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
CONGRATULATIONS SOPHIA (non-blogger)

From the PR firm: This spring, Pepsi and Mountain Dew are taking a nostalgic trip back in time by offering special retro formulas of their popular beverages sweetened with natural sugar, just as they were back in the ‘60s and ‘70s, giving fans literally a taste of the past. Pepsi Throwback will be available nationwide for about 8 weeks beginning April 20 in 20-oz retro designed single-serve bottles and 12-pack cans.

My take: In the spirit of full disclosure, my "payment" for this post was one 12-oz can of Pepsi Throwback and one 12-oz can of Mountain Dew Throwback. I'm not normally a full sugar soda - I actually really like diet soda (good thing for my waistline!). However, I did like the taste of these two "throwback" sodas. And I like the concept of real sugar rather than High Fructose Corn Syrup (see Dangers of HFCS and you'll see what I mean). If you are a full sugar soda drinker, be sure to pick some of the "real sugar" Pepsi while you can!

Bonus: Be sure to visit Pepsi Throwback's website for some cool stuff like a list of 1970's slang, wallpaper/twitter backgrounds, and pictures of Jeff Gordan at Talladega!

The giveaway: Win the "throwback party" pictured above - valued at $150 it features a Pepsi Throwback Trucker Cap, a Retro Pepsi Tin Lunch Box, a Retro Clock Radio/CD Player, a USB Lava Lamp, Pepsi Throwback & Mountain Dew Throwback.

To win: Leave me a comment with the name of your favorite soda. OR, tell me where you were in 1970 - me? I wasn't even born yet! Be sure to leave your email address with your comment if you are not a blogger or your email is not easily found on your blog. This giveaway is open until 11:59 p.m., EST, Wednesday, May 27, 2009. Good Luck!

Bonus entries: Get up to 6 extra entries for a total of 7 entries (please leave a separate comment for each extra entry):

• Blog about this giveaway (don't forget to leave the link in your comment)
• Twitter, Stumble or Digg this giveaway
• Subscribe to my blog via RSS or Email (see top left sidebar)
• Add my blog to your blogroll or my button to your sidebar (leave your website address for verification)
• On Technorati - click on this link, then on Fan or Fav (or use the green link on the top left sidebar)
• Follow me on Blogger (see top left sidebar)

Disney Animation Collection: Volumes 1-6

Climb the beanstalk with Mickey, keep the wolf out with the Three Little Pigs and experience the magic of Wind in the Willows! Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment is proud to present the DISNEY ANIMATION COLLECTION VOLUMES 1-6 on DVD that includes beloved classic short films from the Disney library!

DISNEY ANIMATION COLLECTION VOLUME 1: MICKEY AND THE BEANSTALK
Suggested retail price: $19.99 US; $24.99 Canadian
Rated: Not Rated (US); ‘G’ (Canada)
Run time: 69 minutes
DVD aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Language: English

From the studio: Embark on magical adventures in this Disney Animation Collection DVD, part of an exciting series of classic Disney short films! Favorite Disney characters star in Mickey And The Beanstalk, the imaginative telling of a beloved storybook tale. Based on the timeless adventures of “Jack and the Beanstalk,” Mickey, Donald and Goofy climb a fantastic beanstalk up into the sky to a place where everything is huge – the food, the castle and the fearsome giant named Willy who guards a beautiful golden harp. Will Mickey and his friends outwit the giant and make it safely back home?

Bonus Shorts:
• Brave Little Tailor
• Thru The Mirror
• Gulliver Mickey
• Mr. Mouse Takes A Trip

___________________________

DISNEY ANIMATION COLLECTION VOLUME 2: THREE LITTLE PIGS
Suggested retail price: $19.99 US; $24.99 Canadian
Rated: Not Rated (US); ‘G’ (Canada)
Run time: 62 minutes
DVD aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Language: English

From the studio: Experience a unique telling of one of your favorite storybook tales in this Disney Animation Collection DVD, part of an adventure-filled series of classic Disney short films! Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf? “Not I!” answer the first two brothers as they build their new homes – one made of straw and the other of sticks. But when the wolf huffs and puffs and blows down their houses, the brothers seek protection in the third pig’s house, very wisely made of bricks. Will the three little pigs finally be safe once and for all?

Bonus Shorts
• The Big Bad Wolf
• Three Little Wolves
• Lambert The Sheepish Lion
• Chicken Little
• Three Blind Mouseketeers
• Elmer Elephant
___________________________

DISNEY ANIMATION COLLECTION VOLUME 3: THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER Suggested retail price: $19.99 US; $24.99 Canadian
Rated: Not Rated (US); ‘G’ (Canada)
Run time: 54 minutes
DVD aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Language: English

From the studio: The legendary tale of The Prince And The Pauper gets a magical Disney makeover in this adventure-filled Disney Animation Collection DVD, part of a series of beloved classic short films! In a faraway kingdom, two boys who look exactly alike meet by chance and decide to switch places: a pauper named Mickey, who dreams about a life of luxury, and the Crown Prince, who wishes he could be as free as his subjects. Each boy faces extraordinary challenges in his new role, and together they must figure out how to save the kingdom from an evil Captain who wants the throne for himself!

Bonus Shorts
• The Pied Piper
• Old King Cole
• Ye Olden Days
• A Knight For A Day

___________________________

DISNEY ANIMATION COLLECTION VOLUME 4: THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE
Suggested retail price: $19.99 US; $24.99 Canadian
Rated: Not Rated (US); ‘G’ (Canada)
Run time: 65 minutes
DVD aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Language: English

From the studio: Walt Disney’s Academy Award®-winning adaptation of The Tortoise And The Hare (1934; Short Subject – Cartoons) is now part of the Disney Animation Collection series on DVD! Join the excitement as unlikely competitors Max Hare and Toby Tortoise challenge each other to a foot race. Max is so confident he will win, he takes time out to flirt with some cute bunnies, show off his skills in other sports and break for a nap. But when he hears the crowd roar for Toby, who has slowly and steadily kept to the course, Max must make a last-minute dash for victory. Will the ever-persistent Toby beat him across the finish line?

Bonus Shorts
• Babes In The Woods
• The Saga Of Windwagon Smith
• The Goddess Of Spring
• Toby Tortoise Returns
• Paul Bunyan
___________________________

DISNEY ANIMATION COLLECTION VOLUME 5: WIND IN THE WILLOWS
Suggested retail price: $19.99 US; $24.99 Canadian
Rated: Not Rated (US); ‘G’ (Canada)
Run time: 78 minutes
DVD aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Language: English

From the studio: Experience the magic of Wind In The Willows in this extraordinary adaptation – now part of the Disney Animation Collection series of beloved classic short films. Join the adventures along the riverbanks as one of the most enchanting storybooks of all time comes to life with classic Disney animation. Mr. J. Thaddeus Toad has got himself into a bit of trouble – from buying fancy new cars and dealing with some weaselly weasels! Now his beloved home, Toad Manor, is at risk of being lost. It will take the help of his dear friends Ratty, Moley and Angus McBadger, and a promise to change his ways, for Mr. Toad to set things right.

Bonus Shorts
• The Ugly Duckling
• The Grasshopper And The Ants
• The Golden Touch
• The Robber Kitten
• The Wise Little Hen

___________________________

DISNEY ANIMATION COLLECTION VOLUME 6: THE RELUCTANT DRAGON
Suggested retail price: $19.99 US; $24.99 Canadian
Rated: Not Rated (US); ‘G’ (Canada)
Run time: 62 minutes
DVD aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Language: English

From the studio: The Reluctant Dragon, a clever and entertaining short film, is now part of the Disney Animation Collection! This lighthearted story follows the adventures of a brave young boy who, emboldened by tales of brave knights, decides to pursue the horrible dragon that is terrifying the villagers. But what he discovers is a surprisingly friendly dragon that is more interested in reciting poetry and making music than devouring fair damsels. Will the boy be able to stop the local hero before he challenges the dragon to a fiery battle?

Bonus Shorts
• Goliath II
• Ferdinand The Bull
• Johnny Appleseed

___________________________

My take: In my opinion, everything old is new again eventually. How else can you explain the recent reappearance of hideous fashions from the 70s? It's no different with the shows we watched as kids. Thorough this set of DVDs, you can introduce your kids to the classic Disney animation you loved as a child - they even view on the screen as if you are watching a reel-to-reel movie, which I found quite charming. The color is grainy and "off," just like it was when we watched it as well - some people might find that off-putting if they are used to today's crystal clear pictures though. My 6 year old son was recently home sick and he watched all 6 of these DVDs over the course of the day. How do I know they were winners? He immediately started watching them again! He and his sister have also enjoyed laughing out loud at them many times since, and making me crazy by singing "Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Wolf" over and over again! If you are looking for a trip down memory lane that you can share with your kids, be sure to pick up the DISNEY ANIMATION COLLECTION VOLUMES 1-6 on DVD today!

Bonus: Each DVD contains a collectible litho print.