Note: I will run a giveaway every Tuesday until I run out of loot. On other days, I'll still run reviews and may run a giveaway (in an effort to catch up). But for now, Tuesday is giveaway day.
I had never heard of Gerald McBoing Boing when I agreed to review the Volume 2, Fairytales DVD. It contains six episodes of the Cartoon Network series, which is based on the Oscar-winning animated short film and classic book written by Dr. Seuss. It also comes with a mini-reprint of the original Dr. Seuss book.
It took me a month or so to convince my boys to even watch it. At 6 1/2 and almost 5, they push the upper limit of the age bracket for the show.
However, when they did sit down to watch it, they became enthralled. I spent most of the time watching them, because they had that wide-eyed, fascinated look as they watched (as opposed to that zombified look I usually see when the watch TV).
The vibe of the show reminds me of the HBO show Harold and the Purple Crayon, which my boys used to be obsessed with. It's narrated in a calm voice, and Gerald and his buddies inhabit a world of fantasy where nothing happens quite the way we're used to, in boring reality. From the press materials:
Gerald McBoing Boing is actually Gerald McCloy, a six year-old boy who doesn’t speak in words, but in sound effects. Gerald lives in a wonderfully optimistic place, a world filled with silliness and warm-hearted humor, where the townspeople are completely accepting of a six-year-old boy who only makes sounds. He manages to find all sorts of adventures along with his Janine, Jacob and dog Burp. Gerald uses “honks,” “hoots,” and “boings” to solve problems, entertain his friends, and even cause a little harmless mischief along the way.
A few weeks after he watched it, I overheard my six year old telling his friend what videos we've watched on "movie night." He named Brother Bear 2, Curious George (both upcoming giveaways, by the way), but when he named this one he started laughing and said, "That one's really funny." Pretty high praise, from a "cool" first grader.
If you'd like to win my (unsealed) review copy of Gerald McBoing Boing, Volume 2, Fairytales, along with a minibook of the orginal Dr. Suess story, leave a comment between now and Thursday at midnight, EST.
In your comment, please tell me what shows your kids are into, as well as their ages. My kids are getting sick of Cyberchase, Reading Rainbow and House of Mouse. We need some new ideas!
Meanwhile, check out this free Gerald McBoing Boing online game.
8 comments:
I can't give you good advice for shows, since my oldest is 3. He loves Dora & Blues Clues right now, as well as the Veggie Tales on Saturday morning.
My son is going on four and he is in LOVE with the Muppet Show episodes. The first season DVD set came out recently, and some "Best of" DVDs, with three episodes to each one, are a kick. My personal fave is the "Best of" with Peter Sellars, John Cleese, and Dudley Moore as the special guest stars.
Also, get the video of Alexander Calder's Circus, Very cool and very funny.
My son is 2 and loves Thomas the Tank Engine. He also likes Kipper and Andy Pandy. I think he may have been British in a past life. Anyway, my God-Daughter is 5 and insists on watching Danny Phantom and Fairly Odd Parents when she is over here. I can't say that I enjoy them, but they don't make me want to run away screaming either.
My son is 4 and loves Power Rangers, Cyberchase, Magic School Bus...
My daughter is almost 2 and loves Sesame Street and The Backyardigans.
My kids would watch tv all day if I let them. And on some days...I do! Whatever works. :-)
My two year old loves Harold and his Bucket of Dinosaurs, and Blue's Clues. My tin 6 year olds (boy and girl) love Perils of Penelope (some show from way back), Tom and Jerry, and a bunch of other shows I used to watch when I was young. My oldest (8 year old daughter) loves Hannah Montana. I had never heard of it and found myself watching it even after she went to bed. It isn't super good, I just seem to like really bad repetitive kids shows.
I think I wrote Harold because that is what my son calls it. The name of the show is really Harry and his bucket of dinosaurs. Sorry! My son insists that Harry's full name is Harold, and who am I to argue?
My son is 3 and his favorites are the Letter Factory and Word Factory by LeapFrog. He just sits in a trance (or sings along). He also adores Spiderman, which is probably way too old and violent for him, but my husband introduced him and now he's a hardcore addict. ;)
My almost 6 year old loves Pokemon!
It's bordering on obsession I am afraid-he knows what type they are, what they evolve into, what their weakness is.....it's almost maddening, but he loves it! We also just watched Monster House, which he saw in the theater with his dad and uncle, I watched with him and I was almost scared, but LOVED IT! My almost 2 year old will watch anything her big brother watches-yes, Pokemon! But her faves are Elmo and Dora.
I have no doubt that this would be a great addition to our collection!
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