‘Why is it W?’ by the Baby Grands

Posted on March 3, 2009 at 12:00 pm

The Baby Grands make music for children and their families. The songs are singable and lots of fun.

Now they are giving families a chance to make their kids and dogs part of a montage in a new video for their song “Wet Nose Friend,” featured on their myspace page and on their recently released self-titled debut on Backspace Records. Send them video clips of children and dogs by going to You Send It and enter submit@backspacerecords.com in the “To” box and your own email address in the “From” box. Enter the “Subject” as Backspace Records Wet Nose Friend Submission and send in video files no larger than 100MB each. In the “Select A File” box, click the “Browse” button to upload media from your computer. Then click “Send It” to deliver the file. You do not need to check any method of delivery box. Good luck, and if your clip is selected, let me know!

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Gustafer Yellowgold’s Mellow Fever

Posted on February 24, 2009 at 11:23 am

B+

Lowest Recommended Age:	All Ages
MPAA Rating:	NR
Profanity:	None
Alcohol/ Drugs:	None
Violence/ Scariness:	None
Diversity Issues:	None
Date Released to DVD:	February 4, 2009
Amazon.com ASIN:	B001RJXBDQ

The third in the award-winning series of Gustafer Yellowgold is coming out on DVD March 17, featuring guest artists Lisa Loeb and Wilco’s John Stirratt and Pat Sansone.

These tuneful treats from artist/songwriter Morgan Taylor are family favorites, with singable songs and colorful visuals. Gustafer is a yellow guy from the sun who comes to Earth to make some friends, giving him a chance to explore and enjoy a wide range of characters and locations. It is a lot of fun for kids ages 3-8 and their families, gentle and charming without being sugary.

I have one DVD to give away to the first person who sends me an email at moviemom@moviemom.com with “Gustafer” in the subject line. Good luck!

Return of ”The Electric Company’

Posted on January 27, 2009 at 4:00 pm

Hey you guys! The classic 1970’s show The Electric Company taught a generation of kids how to take the letters they learned on “Sesame Street” and turn them into words and sentences. The superstar cast included Morgan Freeman, Rita Moreno, and Bill Cosby. Zero Mostel, Joan Rivers and Gene Wilder worked with animation pioneers John and Faith Hubley on the “Letterman” segments.

Now endearingly retro, the original disco-era series is available on DVD. And it has just been updated with a whole new series featuring beat-boxers, hip-hoppers, and record-scratchers, but still teaching kids about the power of the “silent e.” It also has some very good lessons about problem-solving and asking questions to discover the truth. In this version, The Electric Company is a group of people with special word skills who work together to foil a group of mischief-makers called the Pranksters. No Broadway or television stars in the cast, but it does have some Tony-award talent behind the scenes and some guest appearances by kid-friendly celebrities like Tiki Barber. It’s aimed at children from 6-9 and its bright, bouncy, and colorful characters and situations will keep them entertained and inspired about the power of words. And they still yell, “Hey, you GUUUUYYYYS!”

KidThing — Stories, Games, and Educational Content for Kids

Posted on January 17, 2009 at 8:00 am

Kidthing is a safe and secure place to find games and educational content for children.
Kidthing recently won The National Parenting Center’s 2009 Seal of Approval and has been selected to be the sole digital distribution partner for the National Education Association’s Read Across America 2008-09 resource calendar and guide. As part of this award-winning literacy program, Kidthing offers teachers a free digital download of select titles featured in NEA’s Read Across America calendar for use in the classroom each month.
It is is the first and only free digital media player made just for kids. It was created by parents to give kids a safe place to play and learn online away from web browsers and ads. After you download the free software you can select from an online store that has carefully selected and parent-approved digital animated books, interactive games, activities and videos. The downloads start at under a dollar and can be played even when the computer is not online. Kids can enjoy it away from home or in the car.
I was pleased to see that they now feature stories read aloud by Mrs. P, played by actress Kathy Kinney, who invites children to use their imaginations while she reads classic stories beside the crackling fire in her virtual library. She tells classics like Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Little Red Riding Hood, The Princess and the Pea, The Frog Prince and The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin.
It’s just getting started, but it seems to be very thoughtfully designed, with excellent content and a refreshing absence of ads. Definitely worth a look for any family with school-age children.

Kids’ Inauguration Info

Posted on January 14, 2009 at 9:58 am

Celebrate the inauguration of the nation’s 44th president with the help of the fabulously rich and engaging resources of Our White House.

The non-profit, non-partisan National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance has created a free online presidential inauguration activity guide for parents, teachers, librarians, and community leaders so that young people all across the country can participate in this exciting historic event.

The site is lively, colorful, and engaging and it features:

â€¢ an interview with professional speech writer Thomas LaFauci
â€¢ the oath of office
â€¢ the inaugural ceremony
â€¢ inaugural parades
â€¢ the White House transition of presidents

Activity projects and discussion question topics about the inauguration include:

â€¢ creating your own kids’ inaugural ball
â€¢ writing inaugural poetry
â€¢ creating parade floats
â€¢ designing a new oval office, and more