The Classic

Do card games get any better than Uno? Such a simple game, but few games have achieved success like it has. It has spawned numerous special editions, including Sesame Street, Star Trek, and Toy Story, but the instantly recognizable original is what can be found in nearly every home in America.

It can be played with as many or as few people as you wish (though it would be pretty boring with one!). Just sit at a table or on the floor, hand seven cards out to each person, and leave the rest of the deck in the middle. Match numbers or colors, and foil your friends with Reverse, Skip, Draw Two, and Draw Four.

Easy to learn and fun to play, Uno is a definite plus for a camping trip or even a long car ride. Anyone can play, and if you can't win at any other game, maybe you'll have a chance with this one!

Just be sure to remember to call Uno when you have one card left!

Megacabuterimon!

I am nearly certain I spelled that wrong, but who's keeping track? That's one qualm I have with this show: the Digimon's names are so ridiculously long! Of course, that is only when these Digimon are ridiculously huge. Instead of evolving gradually like the Pokemon, they evolve and de-volve instantaneously. And when they have reached their highest level of evolution, these tiny little critters become half as big as the Earth. Not much exaggeration there. And they talk. While Pokemon could say no more than their own names (except for Meowth and Mewtwo), these Digimon talk just like people.

They don't have Pokeballs; I've rarely seen them not walking around, but it seems that they are stored in a tama gachi sort of device when they don't feel like being outside. Or maybe that just contains their vital statistics. The story centers around seven digimon and their digi-destined (does that sound cheesy to anyone else?), a group of kids from the "real world". Together they have to do...something, I haven't quite been able to figure that out yet. But they've been looking for an eighth member to join their group.

At many points in the show, Japanese writing comes zooming out of the screen, usually with the names of the monsters fighting one another. There are no "battles" here; the fights are for real, and they appear to be battling for the protection of all mankind. As with Pokemon, there is an emphasis on the importance of friendship, but the story is so complicated that I can hardly make any sense of it and still don't know the characters by name. I think this is one of those shows you have to watch from the beginning to understand, and I suspect that even if I had seen the first episode I would still be rather lost. Yes, Pokemon won me over, but I'm afraid that Digimon didn't make the cut.

*** All right, it is now June 21st, over two months after I first wrote this review. And now I feel compelled to add on to it, having been subjected to two more months of this show. I won't hesitate to say that I still don't quite get it, but I'll admit that it has grown on me a bit. The interaction amongst the main characters is often entertaining, sometimes even borderline heart-warming. The lovable nerd Joe remains my favorite. Kari, with her heart of gold, is a close second. Dead last, with the distinction of "How the heck did she wind up a digi-destined?", is Mimi, the whiny princess-type with a high voice.

The show focuses largely on the friendships between each of these characters, with the digimon usually being the voice of reason. Adorable in their first couple of digivolutions, they are enormous and frightening as ultimates and megas. I still hate the fight scenes, even though these battles are the whole reason that these kids are in the digital world. Most enjoyable are the episodes in which the kids are whisked back to Earth with their digimon and they have to tread carefully to make sure that no one discovers them.

I still seem to be missing the most important episodes, because I remain a bit muddled. But I guess I'll survive. I wish Puppetmon didn't have to be a Dark Master; I kinda feel sorry for him. But maybe that's my little brother talking. Anyway, I still think Digimon is incredibly complicated and very strange in more ways than one, but I guess it at least deserves more than a two.

Do You Believe in Angels?

I do, and I was thrilled when my grandma first sent this magazine along to us a couple years ago. It is filled with inspiring true stories about angel encounters from all across the globe. Like "Chicken Soup for the Soul," most of the stories are sent in by ordinary readers. Sometimes the stories leave me wondering if perhaps divine intervention was involved, and sometimes there is no room for doubt in my mind. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people have poured their angelic experiences out on paper to share with the world. Each tale is different, but they are all tied together by the sense of peace each of the writers was left with.

Because those "touched by an angel" come from so many walks of life, not all of them have any professional writing experience. But the beauty of the encounter shines through every time, whether the account is written by a retired schoolteacher, a mechanic, or a kindergartner.

In this hectic world, it's very comforting to think that there are angels looking out for us. Whenever I escape a harrowing situation, I cannot help but wonder...was that a wingtip that just brushed past my shoulder? The stories in this magazine will leave you amazed and peaceful, and they very well may inspire you to lighten the angels' load by performing random acts of kindness whenever you get the opportunity.

This is one of the very few magazines which I read cover to cover, and it always leaves me thirsting for more. If you need some inspiration, just stop at the nearest bookstore's magazine rack and pick up a copy. Just remember, "Never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly!"

It's So Easy Loving Green!

When I first laid eyes on this Talking and Singing Kermit, I knew I had to get him for my brother. This special 30th anniversary Kermit comes complete with Jim Henson's signature stitched into the foot. Even though he's not a puppet, you can squeeze his stomach while he's talking so his mouth moves along with the words.

Even the box is adorable, with a bright Caribbean background. We kept ours. Kermit is just the right size to perch jauntily on a desk, swinging his legs over the edge. Stick a pair of sunglasses on him and you're sure to get a laugh. We've found that a rubber band will secure them quite comfortably to his head.

Kermit is made of soft green material, and his posable limbs make it easy for him to wrap his arms around a child in a return embrace. With all the charm only this lovable frog could possess, Sesame Street Magic Talking Kermit the Frog practically comes to life as he entertains his young audience with his tunes.

Squeeze his foot and he'll introduce himself: "Hi-ho, Kermit the Frog here. Everybody sing!" and proceed the sing "Caribbean Amphibian". If you close his mouth during this time, he'll hum. Press his hand and he'll say "ribbit-ribbit". His other hand produces a buzzing fly noise, and if you close his mouth while it is buzzing you'll hear "gulp...mmm, delicious!" That is probably the most amusing feature of all.

While this Kermit is not exactly cuddly (he needs stiff limbs for posability and has a box in his stomach for his voicebox) he is certainly lovable. A must have for any die-hard Kermit fan, age 1 to 100, this friendly frog will keep you entertained long after the first batteries have worn down.

Don't Sample the Cuisine!

I grew up on Hungry Hungry Hippos, frantically controlling my hippo as marbles flew across the feeding ground, trying desperately to get more marbles than my cousins and brother. Sometimes it seemed that the harder I tried the fewer marbles gained successful entry into my hippo's mouth...but it was a lot of fun anyway. Very noisy, very chaotic, but definitely a blast.

Why hippos and marbles? Well, marbles are the easiest objects to maneuver, and hippos are so big and hungry, they'll eat anything. (Though I would be quite surprised to find a live hippo happily gobbling up marbles in his native habitat.) And they're just so darn cute!

This game is great fun for young children, preferably four of them. Five minutes is an unusually long duration for this game, which works quite well since children this age tend to have such short attention spans. It's the ideal game to be found in a kindergarten classroom or at a picnic with young children. But the children shouldn't be too young -- probably no younger than three or four. A baby or toddler could decide the hippos ought to share their dinner with him, and you could end up with a choking child on your hands. For five- and six-year-olds, though, this game can't be beat!

It's a Dream Come True

When I was very little, we had the record for Joseph, and I recall listening to it and enjoying it. But somehow or another it got misplaced, and for years the only thing I could remember about the show was "It was red and yellow and green and brown and blue."

But three years ago, I was with my cousin listening to an Andrew Lloyd Weber tape when Any Dream Will Do came on. It sounded awfully familiar, and my heart skipped a beat as I heard it. Then, a couple of songs later, Close Every Door began to play, and it just about blew me away. A wave of wistful nostalgia washed over me as I fell in love with this song I had last heard when I was probably no more than three years old. The two songs which had been dimly lurking in the shadows of my subconscious mind emerged now, and I was determined to bring them into full light. Imagine my delight when, a few days later, I was flipping through channels and found an ice skater doing a routine to Close Every Door!

I became desperate to find the soundtrack, and I finally met with success in Media Play. Ecstatic, I took home my new tape and played it over and over again. Within the week I knew it by heart, and my aunt bought me the sheet music. Then, just this year, I was thrilled to discover that the play I loved so much but had never seen was going to be performed by youth at our local theater. I was grinning from ear to ear when I left the Playhouse, finally having seen Joseph as well as hearing it. Sure, these were not professional actors, but the show debuted as an elementary school program, after all.

Well, when I heard last week that Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with Donny Osmond was going to be on PBS last night, I was on cloud nine. I absolutely could not wait to see it. And I was not disappointed.

Going back to its roots as an elementary school production, it begins with a crowd of schoolchildren in uniforms streaming into the school auditorium. Excited to be out of class, they chatter noisily until a severe look from their bespectacled teacher renders them silent. Stiff-necked and formal, the other teachers, mostly men, file in and sit down. An uncomfortable silence ensues as the audience waits for their special guest. As she arrives, flying through the auditorium and dropping her purse, the children erupt into laughter. Regaining her composure, she steps up to the podium on the stage and begins the tale...

As the narrator begins, she is singing directly to the children, and she even leaves the stage to wander among the audience. She finishes her introduction of "the story of a boy whose dreams came true" and Donny Osmond, white-robed as Joseph, emerges in a dramatic burst of fog. Making his way to the stage, he mingles with the children while singing a bright version of Any Dream Will Do. When the song is finished, the red curtain is opened to reveal the narrator in Canaan, where the story really begins.

Much of the charm of this particular version of the show lies in the fact that, although it is a movie, it is presented as a play. The scenery makes no attempt at being realistic; it is as fanciful as possible. Fake sheep on a turnstile, a giant Pharaoh's head whose face lifts up to reveal the pharaoh himself, and an oddly surrealistic jail cell are only a few examples of the overall stagey quality of the show. A grotesquely hilarious scene involves the brothers dismembering a very fake goat, yanking off his legs which have bloody stumps on the end. And when Joseph is trying to get out of the well, watch for his goofy encounter with a cobra puppet that he is obviously controlling himself.

The costumes are phenomenal, and Joseph's coat truly is amazing. Some of the women in Potiphar's home and Pharaoh's palace are clad in rather risque regalia, but it is tasteful enough that I wouldn't worry about young eyes being corrupted by it.

And the songs...what can one possibly say about them? Ranging in style from Western to French to Calypso to 20s gramophone, each song is pure gold. The children lend their harmonies to many of the songs, most notably Any Dream Will Do and Close Every Door. At times rushing onstage and instantaneously changing clothes, other times singing from the audience, their sweet, pure voices sound like a chorus of angels as they are swept into participation in the story.

Ramses, the pharaoh who looks and acts suspiciously like an American King of the 50s, delights the audience as he demonstrates "how we rock and roll in Egypt". Maria Friedman is versatile in her role as narrator, simultaneously observer and participant in the tale. The brothers provide one laugh after another as they don Southern, French, and Caribbean accents. And grandfatherly Richard Attenborough's low-key performance as Jacob, the father of Joseph and, eventually, the entire Israeli nation, radiates with warmth and tenderness.

Dripping with sincerity that even Linus van Pelt would be hard-pressed to match, Donny is enchanting as the starry-eyed youth who rises to greatness despite his brothers' nearly fatal jealousy. His expressions of disgust, confusion, and fear at various points in the show are priceless, and the sheer panic evident in his face as he is repeatedly fallen upon by throngs of ruthless women will have you in gales of laughter. His ingratiating smile lights up the screen time and time again, and the pain and concern in his eyes in Potiphar's dungeon and upon his reunion with his family, particularly his father, are nothing short of heart-wrenching.

After years of fervently wishing Joseph would come to video, my prayers have finally been answered more fabulously than I dared hope. The play-within-a-play idea is unique and truly made me feel like a part of the production. Excellent acting, delightful scenery, fabulous songs, and lots of slapstick bring this beloved Bible story to life in a way that is reminiscent of an elementary school production. The movie retains that charm, though it does include a few cinematic tricks that are expertly interspersed throughout the film. We get to see Joseph flung unceremoniously into a pit not once but twice, and the second time his descent appears endless, like Alice down the rabbit's hole.

A much more light-hearted production than Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph can get away with the abundant anachronisms. Indeed, they are deeply ingrained into the play; such numbers as Pharaoh's Dream, One More Angel in Heaven, and Go Go Go Joseph demand it. And because it is done as a theatrical production, somewhat similar to Peter Pan and Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, it is encapsulated in its own whimsical world where anything goes. Of contrast to this is the film version of Jesus Christ Superstar, which is filmed in a vast expanse of desert which simply doesn't fit in with the wacky costumes and oddly placed props.

The grand finale of Any Dream Will Do tops off the movie, soft and gentle in the beginning as Joseph receives from his father the coat which he lost so many years ago. The children chime in with an echo as Joseph grows louder, and he is the joined in exquisite harmony by the narrator. Finally, the entire cast belts out the final verse, and as Joseph demands "Give me my colored coat, my amazing colored coat" the cluster around him disperses, forming a beautiful multi-colored Star of David with Joseph in the center.

Even the credits are entertaining, as we get to see which teacher corresponds to which character. Of some disappointment to me is the way Joan Collins (Mrs. Potiphar/the elementary school spinster) is given co-star billing in everything I have read when she played such a minor role. I think Maria Friedman got slighted, not receiving proper acknowledgment for her excellent work in this film. However, that is a marketing concern and did not detract from my enjoyment of the film.

This movie is an absolute delight for all ages. The timeless tale of ambition and loyalty will never grow old, especially when preserved so delightfully as it is on this video. Who knew that nine chapters of Genesis could be this much fun?

Oops!

Do you remember the $100,000 Pyramid? I recall watching it years ago and itching to be able to get into that seat and get the other person to guess my word without saying something I wasn't supposed to. I thought, "That looks so easy! How can they not figure out what to say for that?" Of course, it always looks easier when you're not the one playing.

Taboo follows along the same lines as that lightning round of the $100,000 Pyramid. Each card has a word at the top and four words which you're not allowed to use in your clues. If you say one of the words accidentally, you get buzzed by a delighted delegate from the other team and must forfeit that point to them. The idea is to go through as many words in one turn as possible. I think the hourglass is two minutes. Four or five cards in one turn in considered great, but I've seen someone go through nine cards in a single turn!

The trick is to look for connections that the game makers might not have seen. Depending on how well you know your teammates, you may be able to judge what kinds of connections they'll make. You can even relate to something only they would know about. You can make fill-in-the-blanks. You can take it in an entirely different direction. For instance, I once had the word "cruise" and the taboo words were "boat," "vacation," "water," amd "carnival," or something to that effect. I said "actor, Tom..." and received the right answer in two seconds flat.

This is a game for fast thinkers. If you drive everyone crazy by free associating to the point where you're compared with Robin Williams, you will excel at this game. As long as the other players have some idea what you're talking about. This is a great game for parties and get-togethers, and it's sure to produce some laughs. And if younger children want to participate but find it too complicated, bestow upon them the honor of blaring the buzzer. You may wish you hadn't, but they'll have a blast.

Butterfingers?

I am an avid card player, but every time I play anything from double solitaire to Uno I find myself having to ask one of the other players to shuffle for me. My most valiant attempts always seem to turn the game into 52-card pick-up. When it happens that I am in a group of people which does not include a natural-born card dealer, then we're all in trouble.

That's not a problem, however, when I go to my grandma's house. Because of this magical little machine she has, all I have to do is put half the deck on one platform, half on the other, push the button...and presto, my cards are shuffled in a nice neat pile. I doubt if I'll ever get the hang of shuffling -- I've had perhaps fifteen years' practice and haven't gotten it right yet -- but if I can get my hands on one of these then I'll be all set.

Of course, if you're one of those people who likes to show off your ability as a casino-worthy card shark, this sort of device is extraneous, maybe even insulting. But if you're all thumbs like me, it'll make every card game a little bit less intimidating.

"You Roll Your Dice, You Move Your Mice. Nobody Gets Hurt."

Bob the Tomato was right on when he made this dry remark in Veggie Tales' "The Toy Who Saved Christmas". While "Mouse Trap" is as zany and crazy as it gets, it is also completely safe (unless someone swallows one of the mice). Younger kids enjoy just playing with all of the neat gadgets without bothering to try to put it all together. Just be sure not to leave a toddler alone with it as there are a very few game pieces small enough to be swallowed.

On the other hand, for the future engineer or inventor in your family, the elaborate setting up of the game is so intriguing that they may insist on setting the whole thing up before the game begins. The elaborate chain reaction which eventually leads to the capture of the unfortunate mouse/mice is simply ingenious, and the young participants may feel inspired to set up a fancy machine of their own.

Bright colorful plastic pieces and whimsical gameboard illustrations come together to create a five-year-old's cross between miniature golf and a role-playing game. One of the most creative games ever invented, no children's game closet is complete without it.

Pop! Goes the Dice

A simple dice game, Trouble has become a favorite in my house. Up to four people can play at a time. The more the merrier, because a more crowded board means more opportunities to jump your opponent. While this game is mostly luck, there is some strategy involved in trying to decide which pieces to move when. One thing to learn very quickly: never land on an opponent's starting point if you can help it. He may have been stuck there for twelve turns, but nine times out of ten he'll roll a 1 or a 6 on his next turn and send you back to where you started from.

This game usually doesn't take more than half an hour to play. It's simple enough that most kindergartners can grasp it, but it is entertaining for parents and grandparents too. This is a great game to bring along on a car ride or camping trip, and the POP! is so much fun that you'll be eagerly awaiting your next turn just so you can push that plastic dome.

Never Has a Board Game Tasted So Sweet

The bright and enticing illustrations on this gameboard immediately attract the eyes of young and old alike. This is a wonderful first game for a toddler. Using colored cards instead of numbered dice, even a three-year-old can figure it out.

Adults will enjoy playing this game with their children as it takes them back to their own childhoods. One look at the gameboard makes me feel sunny all over and I am more than glad to transport myself into this magical fairyland.

There is another game similar to this one which is instead centered in the Hundred Acre wood and has different colored plastic Pooh characters as playing pieces. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of it and I haven't come across it in stores, but it could maybe be found in a shop that sells used toys.

At any rate, far from being hard to find, Candyland is a constant in every store's game section. And the measly seven bucks you pay to take this game home with you will soon be forgotten as you return to this game over and over again.

Love Makes You Real

A story that has been treasured for years, this gentle tale will most certainly be enjoyed for many years to come. Often found among the Easter books when the holiday rolls around because the main character is a rabbit, The Velveteen Rabbit is all the more appropriately placed because it tells how love gives new life.

The Velveteen Rabbit is a lovely stuffed bunny given to a young boy for Christmas. He lives in the nursery, where his only friend is the ancient, ragged Skin Horse. The Skin Horse explains to the rabbit that he, unlike most of the toys in the nursery, is real because he was once loved by the boy's uncle. He describes how, when you are loved, you begin to grow tattered and torn and you no longer look beautiful to most people. But by the time you are real, none of that matters anymore. To the one who loves you, you are the most beautiful thing in the world, and once you have become real, no one can ever take that away.

The Velveteen Rabbit dreams of the day when he might become real, and on one magical night, quite by accident, the boy is reunited with him. They become constant playmates, and soon the boy will not settle for any other toy. The Velveteen Rabbit doesn't notice as his fur grows shabby and his eyes lose their polish. He has become real.

That year, the boy becomes gravely ill with scarlet fever. The Velveteen Rabbit remains at his side at all times, but when the boy is on the road to recovery, he is still infested with germs and sentenced by the doctor to be tossed into the burning barrel. And as the rabbit awaits his demise, still grateful for the chance to have been real, a miracle occurs that will leave tears in your eyes and a new song in your heart.

This book can be enjoyed equally by adults and children. It is a lovely story whose moral never grows old. Pick up a copy during this season of growth and renewal. You may never be the same.

Laugh Until You Short a Circuit

The very first time I saw this movie, I was not thrilled about watching it. In fact, I curled up in the other room reading "Watership Down" to avoid watching this boring military movie. But as I read, the spontaneous outbursts of riotous laughter from my family convinced me to wander over to see what was going on. And I was hooked.

Since that first viewing, I've probably watched "Short Circuit" a hundred times, thoroughly enjoying it each time. It is the tale of a robot who wants to be more. The story begins at the NOVA robotics center, where a demonstration is cut short by a sudden storm. Upstairs, the robots line up to promenade down to show themselves off to the visitors. Number 5 is in the wrong place at the wrong time (or should I say the right place at the right time?) and is struck by lightning. Seemingly unfazed by the incident, he follows the other robots but gets distracted by a robotic coffee server. One thing leads to another, and he finds himself outside, in the bed of a truck leading out into the country. Voraciously reading everything in sight, he is a sort of metallic Pinocchio who finds himself brought to life by the blue fairy of lightning.

While NOVA is in an uproar looking for him, he hitches a ride on the back of a snack truck driven by a young woman named Stephanie. She unknowingly drives him home, and when she discovers him she welcomes him into her home, convinced he is an alien. Fascinated by all the wonderful new things in Stephanie's house, he begins to investigate...wreaking havoc in the process. The rest of the movie is pure laughs as Stephanie learns Number 5's true identity, NOVA tries to recapture him, and Number 5 tries to convince everyone that he is alive.

Great characters are just as essential to this movie as the hilarious situations and memorable lines. There's Number 5, of course, the robot who is learning what it is to be human and teaching everyone else in the process. Stephanie is the rather ditzy animal-lover who takes him in and eventually begins to believe his story. Newton Crosby, the creator of Number 5, is a pacifist who has fallen for Stephanie but thinks she's crazy to believe that Number 5 is alive. And then there's Ben, the idiom-mixing-up fellow from who-knows-where who evokes a laugh each time he speaks.

This movie is just plain clean fun, and it raises some very interesting issues as well about what it means to be alive. Number 5 (re-christened Johnny 5) was one of the predecessors to Star Trek's Data and many of the other androids we love so much. He appears in a second film with Ben, and that is well worth a viewing. But the original movie is the one which I will continue to watch over and over again. One of the funniest movies of all time, any connaisseur of comedy should pick this one up. It is sure to become a family favorite.

It Keeps Going and Going and Going...

Have any of you ever noticed that it is nearly impossible to play a short game of Monopoly? There are many different schools of thought on how the game should be played, but none of them allow for a quick game that lasts half an hour. If you pull out Monopoly at noon you are doomed to be shackled to that board for the remainder of the afternoon.

And don't ever play it in a room with an open window or heavy traffic, especially by dogs and cats. You will be helpless to intervene as you watch all of your carefully sorted money fly across the carpet.

That said, this game is a classic. It has spawned countless new versions specific to a town or school or movie. It has made the words "Do not pass go. Do not collect two hundred dollars." an everyday phrase. And, of course, it has turned children at a very young age into little business people. I wonder how often Bill Gates played this while he was growing up?

Monopoly is a family-friendly introduction to the world of commerce and real estate, and the time a family spends playing it together can be very rewarding. Just don't take it too personally if you go bankrupt.

How Do You Spell Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious?

All right, so it's got about 25 too many letters. And it probably wouldn't count as a real word. But just think what a score it would get! Scrabble encourages everyone, from reading-level children to adults, to enhance their vocabulary. The more words you know, the more creative and lucrative your turns can be. Of course, the placement of the words is just as important as the words themselves. A well-placed three-letter word can easily outdo a six-letter word out in the open.

A delightful way to get kids interested in spelling and give adults a chance to show off to each other, there isn't much bad you can say about this game. You and the other players determine the course of the game. You can even bend the rules a bit for an interesting twist. For instance, you could have a "Star Trek" night where every word had to have something to do with Star Trek. Or a name night so you can use all those names you're not allowed to put on the board in a regular game.

The possibilities are endless, and each game of Scrabble is a couple of hours well spent engaging your mind and having fun at the same time. One word of warning: If you buy this particular version, you risk the letters sliding all over the board. The deluxe rotating plastic gameboard with grooves for each square is more expensive but it is money well spent. There are few things more infuriating when playing a game than to be winning gloriously only to have the gameboard wrecked before your victory can be sealed!

Don't Want Me for a Surgeon

It's been a long time since I've played this game, but I have fond memories of my cousins and I huddling around that poor plastic man, tweezers in hand. The concentration was so intense, you could hear a pin drop -- and if any of us did, we jumped halfway to the ceiling in fright, dropping whatever body part we had so carefully been trying to remove.

And then it came...the dreaded BUZZ! Accompanied, of course, by the flashing red nose. Is this guy the human version of Rudolph, or what? The ideal, of course, was to avoid that noise at all costs. Not only would it mean I had lost, but no one else wanted me to drop my piece because the nose alarm was so grating on the ears! Even still, I got the BUZZ often enough to tell me that I was perhaps not the ideal candidate to consider a career as a surgeon.

This game is a lot of fun for young children to play. It teaches them their body parts, and they will be so intent on doing the operation correctly that it will keep them quiet for quite a while. Except, of course, when that infernal buzzer goes off! So, for your sake, I would suggest you wait until your children are old enough to have a pretty steady hand before buying this game for them. The pieces are also quite tiny, and the last thing you need is your two-year-old swallowing another kidney!

Are You Still a Caterpillar?

I came across this book a few years ago while browsing Barnes and Noble's bookshelves. I began to read, and luckily my dad took a long time finding what he was looking for because I was able to finish it. Some time later, my high school junior Ethics teacher read it to us in class, stretching it out over a month. I finally purchased it last year.

This book is deceptively simple. With large hand-lettered words and pictures that fill the page, this nearly 100-page book can be read easily in one sitting. However, I think the author, by breaking it up into chapters, was trying to tell us that this is a story to be savored.

The story centers around Stripe, a small black and white caterpillar. We watch as he is born and eats his way through the first days of his life, much like Eric Carle's "The Very Hungry Caterpillar". Then, one day, he wonders if there is more to life than eating. Opening his eyes to the world around him, he sees a mountain of caterpillars in the distance climbing towards the sky. Intrigued, Stripe makes his way to the mountain and begins to climb.

A feverish frenzy overtakes him as he becomes more determined to reach the top, not knowing what is there. One day, he meets a caterpillar about his age and is talking to her when the pile shifts, and Stripe steps on her head to make his way further up the mountain. Soon he is so riddled with guilt that he finds Yellow and apologizes, and much to the astonishment of the other caterpillars they climb down together.

They are very happy together on the ground, and they spend their days hugging and eating to their hearts' delight. But Stripe begins to grow restless again, and he decides that he must find out what is at the mountain peak. Yellow sadly refuses to go, so Stripe returns to the brutal race alone. It seems even worse this time, and Stripe begins to wonder if it's really all worth it. He climbs, zombified, towards the top of the pillar, hardly caring anymore. But just as Stripe is on the verge of plunging into despair, Yellow discovers a wonderful secret that can turn Stripe's life around if he lets it...

This beautiful story of hope is illustrated entirely with simple white, black, and yellow line drawings. While it may hold the attention of a child, it is really an allegory geared towards adults. As it criticizes the mediocrity of those goals which seem so all-important to us at the time, it offers us hope for a much more satisfying existence. It does not come without cost, however; we must be willing to "throw off everything that hinders" and leave ourselves completely vulnerable. Only then can the magic work.

A wonderful gift for anyone who is experiencing a great change, "Hope For the Flowers" eloquently poses the question: Why crawl when you can fly?

Addictive

Based on a traditional African game, Mancala is a good investment for any family. It generally takes no more than fifteen minutes to play a game, though whether you can just play one remains to be seen. The premise is very simple. Each side of the board has six egg-shaped "pockets," each of which contains four brightly colored gem-like rounded pieces of plastic. The point of the game is to make your pieces travel around the game board, depositing one in each pocket you pass. At either end of the board is a long basin, one for each of the two players to collect game pieces in. The player with the most pieces in her bin when the game pieces run out wins.

This game is a lot of fun, but it can be maddening. When you lose one game, you insist on playing best of three. Then it's best of five. And so on. You could find yourself in a championship Mancala tournament. The polished game pieces and lovely board make this edition of the game one that whose quality will last for years to come. If you're the crafty type, though, you may have even more fun making your own. Children can use an egg carton and marbles just as effectively. Just put a bowl on either end for the basin. No matter what form this game takes, it's a great way to spend a rainy day -- or maybe even a sunny one!

The Good of the Many...

After the floundering "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" (couldn't they have come up with a better title than THAT?), "The Wrath of Khan" is a glorious triumph. Following up on an episode in the show's first season, the movie centers around Khan, a criminal exiled to Seti Alpha 5 by Captain Kirk. With his band of shipmates from Botany Bay, an Australian penal colony, Khan had been wandering through space cryogenically frozen for two centuries before he encountered the Enterprise. Unfortunately, after leaving Khan and crew on the ideal planet, no one ever checks back to see what has happened to them. An astronomical disaster on Seti Alpha 6 lays waste to Seti Alpha 5 shortly afterward, turning it into a desert.

Mr. Chekov and another officer are sent to the planet to scan it for life. If it is uninhabited, it will be the test site of the Genesis Project, which will attempt to create life from scratch. While surveying the planet, they discover a hideout and Chekov sees the words "Botany Bay" printed inside. He realizes too late the dangerous situation they have stepped into.

Khan inserts a parasite into one of each of the officer's ears, thereby rendering them under his control. Using them as the bait, he plans to trap Captain Kirk and get revenge for his abandonment which led to the death of his wife. Kirk's own conflicts with his aging self, his newfound son, and his dull position as admiral take the backseat as he fights for his life, and that of his entire crew.

The most moving of the Star Trek movies, "The Wrath of Khan" tackles such issues as creation, aging, and friendship. There are many great lines, especially among Bones, Kirk and Spock. The death of Scotty's nephew towards the beginning is the first tear-jerker in this movie. The lush beauty of Genesis coupled with the orchestral soundtrack are stunning, but it is the ultimate sacrifice at the end that makes the film so memorable.

A must-see for any Star Trek fan, it is guaranteed to leave you weeping. With its underlying themes of friendship and new life, it can be enjoyed by anyone, Trekkee or not. And it also made "The good of the many outweighs the good of the few or the one" a welcome well-known phrase...and philosophy.

Just in Time for Easter

As Easter approaches, this movie is a great one to pick up to get you in the spirit of the season. This energetic retelling of the last week of Jesus' life is more powerful as a play, but as a video it holds its own. Sung in its entirety, J.C. Superstar features a cast of rock singers with bizarre costumes.

For the most part, this Andrew Lloyd Weber-Tim Rice production stays true to the story, though they put a very different spin on it. Instead of focusing on Jesus, they attempt to show us the Passion of Christ through the eyes of Judas. A tortured individual, he believes that it will be to the betterment of his people to turn Jesus in to the authorities. Filled with remorse after the deed, he wonders if Jesus could still love him after his betrayal. Then he hangs himself, later confronting Jesus in limbo, in our current time, asking if he thought it was all worth it.

The music makes this movie. Similar musical themes run throughout, giving different songs the same tune. All are memorable, from the tender I Don't Know How to Love Him to the hilarious Herod's Song to the hesitantly triumphant title number. As that's the only dialogue in this movie, you almost might do just as well to simply buy the soundtrack.

There are so many absurd costumes in this movie, and the dances which go along with some of the songs are downright disturbing. As for the props...the scene in the temple includes everything from postcards to firearms. Herod's palace includes a huge swimming pool, a honky-tonk piano, and a big basket of bagels which he throws at Jesus. And in Judas' delusions, he sees himself being chased by tanks and B2 bombers.

All anachronisms aside, this is an interesting modern treatment of a sacred story which millions across the globe consider to be true. The music makes it entertaining and accessible to all manners of people in our young generation. Everyone should see this production at least once. It is highly preferable to see it in the theater, but if your local theater can't accommodate then give the video a shot.

Down to Earth Humor

"Star Trek IV" is the contender for best Star Trek movie. It is as hilarious as "The Wrath of Khan" is touching. And it provides us sophisticated 20th-century folks with a look at our society of fifteen years ago. Have we changed that much? Hmm...

And beyond being hilarious, it also has a wonderful message. The Earth is being destroyed by a probe which is searching for hump-backed whales. The whales became extinct in the 21st century, and Earth's only hope is to go to the 20th century and bring a couple of hump-backed whales to the future. It shows just how important the protection of endangered species is.

Each of the crew members has a special task when they reach Earth. Chekov and Uhura have to try to find the Alameda naval base. Sulu gets a crash course in flying a helicopter. Scotty and Bones have to find plexiglass for their makeshift aquarium. And Spock and Kirk take on the mean streets of San Francisco to convince a marine biologist to let them beam the whales in her care on board.

From the moment Kirk and company land their cloaked Klingon bird of prey in the park, this movie is nonstop laughs. Experience all the "colorful metaphors," "dark age" medical technology, and other 1980s phenomena as seen from the viewpoint of our favorite folks from the future as they race to save Earth. And watch as Spock becomes a bit more human in the process.

The Very Quiet Cricket

The vivid pictures and simple story make this book a very enjoyable read for youngsters who are just beginning to read on their own. It tells the tale of a cricket who cannot chirp. He goes about his business throughout the story, coming across a different animal on each page. Each different animal has a different way of saying hello, but the poor cricket cannot say anything in reply. Then, just as he is about to sink into the depths of despair, he hears a noise more beautiful than any he has heard yet. Who is this mysterious stranger? And is she just what he needs to get him to speak up?

This is a fun book for young children to read. Not only is it a good story dealing with loneliness and a search for companionship, it is educational as it describes the noises made by various creatures. And the surprise ending is sure to leave the reader squealing with delight. If you enjoy this book, try Eric Carle's other books. "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" is especially fun. And for more books along these lines, check out "Are You My Mother?" and "Is Your Mama a Llama?".

Journey to the Past

How many elementary school kids could say they knew about the Russian revolution before Anastasia came out? Not to say that this movie is any more historically accurate than Disney's Pocahontas. Instead of a talking willow, the most bizarre character in this movie is Rasputin, who actually did exist. But in this rendition of the tale of the missing Russian princess, Rasputin is dead and we watch him literally fall apart in scene after scene. It's morbid to the point of being comical.

The story centers around Anya, an eighteen-year-old orphan whose only link to her family is a locket which says "Together in Paris". She can remember nothing of her life before the orphanage. As the headmistress sends her out to strike out on her own, advising her to get a grunt job in town, Anya wonders if there might be more in store for her. She waits at the crossroads and prays for guidance: should she be Anya the orphan forever, or should she pursue the one clue she has to the family she's always wanted? Her answer comes almost immediately in the form of a puppy tugging her towards St. Petersburg.

When she arrives, she is directed to Dmitri, a con artist bent on finding someone to portray Anastasia so he can present her to the Grand Dowager, her grandmother, in Paris. If he can convince her that his Anastasia is real, he'll have a hefty reward to look forward to. Anya knows none of this. She only wants to get to Paris, and she has heard that Dmitri can get her there. Stepping into the abandoned castle, memories come flooding back to her, but she can make sense of none of them. She is rudely interrupted when Dmitri sees her and demands to know how she got in. But then he notices how similar she looks to the princess who disappeared ten years ago when the rest of the Romanov family was killed. Ecstatic, he and his partner Vladimir agree to take her to Paris.

With Pooka the puppy in tow, the travelers set off, but Rasputin attempts to foil them at every step along the way. It is one thrilling adventure after another as Anya grows ever closer to Paris, and to discovering the key to her past.

With endearing characters, many played by big names (Meg Ryan, Kelsey Grammer, Angela Lansbury, Christopher Lloyd), amazing graphics, and a great plot, this movie is a sure hit. Images of St. Petersburg and Paris are especially elegant, and each character is animated to perfection. The songs range from fun to beautiful to frightening, each standing on its own merit. The haunting Once Upon a December will leave you with chills running down your spine.

As stated before, this is not incredibly historically accurate. But it's first and foremost a story in this movie, and if kids want to find out more about the Russian Revolution they should be inspired to read up on it in the library. This is an adventure, a love story, and a tale about the ties of family. It has something for all ages, and it will be a treasured addition to your family video collection.

A Tale of Two Voices

Greatest Hits is actually the album that introduced me to Simon and Garfunkel. I first encountered it when I was eight years old, I believe. I was already a great fan of Art Garfunkel, mainly because of the song from the Angel Clare album, Feuilles-Oh/Do Space Men Pass Dead Souls on their Way to the Moon? I don't think I knew his name at the time, nor did I realize that one of this duo was the same person who sang the space men song. I was skeptical at first of the duo, but not for long. After hearing it just a couple times, I was hooked. Nearly all of Simon and Garfunkel's greatest hits are included on this album. I will run down the songs individually.

Mrs. Robinson -- Only a chorus when it was recorded, the song later developed its verses which reflect some of the pressures and poignancy of the time. Bouncy and catchy with a hint of desperation, this song gets the album off to a good start as Simon and Garfunkel's voices combine to produce a memorable song. And with the somewhat recent death of Joe DiMaggio, the line "Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio? The nation turns its lonely eyes to you" is sure to stir emotion in any baseball fan.

The Boxer -- Tight harmonizing is especially apparent in this aching song of youthful angst and hope. So tightly are Simon and Garfunkel's voices blended that it is often impossible to pick them out individually. They become one being. Described by Simon as being a metaphor for his life, the song deals with the crushing blows which hard city life deals to youthful idealism and the hope which allows one to rise above it. The extended coda builds and swells with drum crashes and violins until it gently fades away, ending with the guitar, Simon making his voice heard through the tumult.

Feelin' Groovy -- Soft and gentle with a beautiful blending of voices, this bouncy song is one of the few songs of Simon's which is only positive. Caught in a moment of bliss, one of those mountaintop experiences, this song brings a smile to the face each time it is heard.

For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her -- Quiet and beautiful, this song floats along in a dreamlike state, gently guided by Art Garfunkel. Paul Simon slips into the shadows in this song and lets his friend take center stage. Inspired by the poetry of Emily Dickinson, this tender song is one of love and longing. But unlike many songs of a similar vein, the woman being pursued is already firmly in the man's grasp, and the song ends in a grateful affirmation of his love for her.

The Sound of Silence -- This was what really started Simon and Garfunkel's career. As in The Boxer, the vocals are so tightly blended that Simon and Garfunkel become a single entity. A deeply disturbing song about the lack of communication in our society, this haunting ballad strikes a chord even more today in the age when computers and cell phones have begun to override face to face communication. If we fail to connect with one another, we won't make it.

I Am a Rock -- Paul Simon's voice is more evident in this rather harsh song about the barrier built to protect oneself after being hurt terribly. The speaker tries to deny his feelings, closing himself off to emotional intrusion. He has become cold and bitter, and one is almost reminded of Ebeneezer Scrooge. Mostly we are moved to pity by his pathetic state, especially as he softens in the end, explaining "...a rock feels no pain, and an island never cries."

Scarborough Fair -- An exquisite version of a medieval classic. The song is hauntingly beautiful to begin with, but add Simon's On the Side of a Hill, whose tune was provided by Garfunkel, and it becomes stunning. So beautiful it makes you want to cry. It helps to get a copy of the words, however, because the two songs are so intricately woven together that it is hard to catch all the words. The anti-war message is one of the most powerful of any song I have encountered.

Homeward Bound -- Simon's voice is also a bit more prominent in this song about a traveling singer longing for his home. Based on his own experiences in England, it mirrors the loneliness felt by anyone forced to be away from home for an extended period of time.

America -- One of -- if not the only -- Paul Simon's nonrhyming songs. Showing America through the eyes of the young, with miles of new horizons yet to be explored, it touches on the youthful desire for adventure and something unexplainable which is just out of reach. The crashing cymbals towards the end and the gentle fading away of the song are especially beautiful.

Kathy's Song -- A beautiful tribute to Simon's girlfriend from his England years, this song shows the desperate love he had for her and reveals his own feelings of inadequacy. Quietly romantic, its lovely tune and confessional words remain true for many a despondent young man. "I know that I am like the rain; there but for the grace of you go I."

El Condor Pasa -- Taken from the Spanish, this tune has an exotic flavor while remaining close to home. It carries a simple message of ambition and appreciation for nature. Simon and Garfunkel switch off in this song, with Simon's voice the clearest for the majority of the song and Garfunkel taking the bridge.

Bookends -- A sad little song about the loss of youth and the passing of time. Lovely and melancholy, it still seems a bit lost without Old Friends to segue into it. Not including that song was almost like cutting the song in two.

Bridge Over Troubled Water -- What can I possibly say about this song? This is Art Garfunkel's moment of triumph. As he said, it was written "in the spirit of a gift" and that made it especially touching, and he claimed it was "perhaps the transcendent thrill of my life to pole vault over those high notes and have my throat open up like that." Hymn-like and glorious, the song starts out at barely above a whisper and ends in a thrilling fortissimo that takes my breath away every time I hear it. An anthem for friendship, this is perhaps the best song they ever did.

Cecilia -- Ends the album with a bang. This song is just fun. Loud and raucous, it grew out of Paul Simon's brother banging a couple of drumsticks on a chair. Garfunkel admitted "the idea was not so much to sing it as to shout it". And the beat is so strong you can't help but tap along. Great song, but if you catch it on your way to church on Sunday morning...change the channel.

Whew! What a packed album! While each of the singers comes into focus individually during the course of the album, their characteristic blending of voices is omnipresent and continues to thrill. Paul Simon is one of the finest songwriters ever to put pen to paper. Art Garfunkel has the sweetest voice this side of Heaven. And together, for an all-too-brief period of time, they were magic. A must have for every Simon and Garfunkel fan, this album brings those days back to life. "Preserve your memories; they're all that's left you."

Nothing to Fear Here

Have you ever been deathly afraid of something only to realize in the end that there was really nothing to be afraid of? In the endearing Sesame Street book "The Monster at the End of This Book," Grover is distraught because the title of the book says there is a monster at the end of the book. With each passing page, he becomes more and more determined to keep you, the reader, from getting closer to the end of the book. He tries taping the pages together, putting in a brick wall, groveling...but we of course ignore him. Our curiosity overcomes our inclination to heed Grover's warnings. The suspense builds...and we and Grover are in for a big surprise when we actually reach the last page!

I grew up with this book, reading it many times over until the binding cracked and the pages were quite rumpled. The pictures are lots of fun, and the idea that you are actually interacting with Grover the entire time makes this book one of a kind. Any child who likes Sesame Street will love this book. Not only will it entertain them, but it will also help them understand that sometimes we are afraid of things needlessly.

If you enjoy this book, check out other Sesame Street books, especially the sequel to this one...I think it's called "The Monsters at the End of this Book" and Elmo's in it. And for another Boogie-Man beater, try the Veggie Tales video "Where's God When I'm Sca-a-ared?" (see my review).

Happy When it was Over

"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" is one of the greatest animated movies of all time. "Happily Ever After," the sequel that came more than half a century later, is one of the worst. Picking up where the last movie left off, this movie begins with Snow White picking flowers with her Prince on the way to invite the Seven Dwarfs to their wedding. In the middle of this idyllic scene, the prince is snatched away by a dragon, who is a transformation of the wicked queen's brother. Determined to avenge his sister's death, he carries the prince off and begins to plan his capture of Snow White.

Meanwhile, a distraught Snow White makes her way to the home of the Seven Dwarfs, only to find that they have left. In their place are their female cousins, the Seven Dwarfelles. Each has been given a special gift by Mother Nature, but they bicker so much that they end up doing more harm than good with their powers. They soon agree to join Snow White on her quest to rescue her beloved, hampered by Mother Nature's threatened revocation of the Dwarfelles' powers, an ornery owl and his timid bat sidekick determined to deliver the women to the enemy, and a mysterious creature lurking in the shadows.

Famous voices and a classic story do not bail this movie out. It sinks where the original soared. Of course, this is not Disney. Everyone familiar with the Disney movie is sure to be annoyed by the obvious differences in the characters -- mainly in Snow White. If this is your first experience with Snow White, maybe you won't care so much. An extremely obnoxious villain and a heroine with a voice like nails on a chalkboard do not help this movie. Neither do the stilted dialogue and largely forgettable songs.

There are a few bright spots in this movie: the owl (played by Ed Asner) and the bat provide some genuine comic relief, and the magic mirror is mildly entertaining. Unfortunately, that's about it. Another warning: For some inexplicable reason, toddlers seem to love this movie. If you buy it, they will want to watch it over and over and over until they finally tire of it...at which point you will be on the verge of kicking a hole in the tv. All in all, this movie is a disastrous attempt to capitalize on a classic story. If you want classic, stick with the original.

Comedy at its Best

Back in the days when Fred was adorable,
"Columbo" stepped in to play his Grand-dad
And tell him the tale of a deed so deplorable
That it held the attention of the fickle young lad.

With pirates and giants and six-fingered menaces,
A charming love story that made the boy gag,
A rotten kidnapper and his clueless apprentices,
This was one book that wasn't a drag!

I can't tell you how many times I have watched "The Princess Bride," and I love it every time, even more so now that I can recite the script word for word. There are more catch phrases in this film than you can shake a stick at, and the hilarity rarely stops long enough for you to catch your breath. From Fezzik, the rhyming gentle giant, and Inigo, the swordfighting Spaniard, to Buttercup, the young princess, and Wesley, the boy who loves her, this is a cast of characters not soon to be forgotten.

And superbly acted as well. This was Robin Wright's first film -- she went on to star in "Forrest Gump" and "Message in a Bottle". Cary Elwes' role as The Man In Black is typical of his work in other films with exotic settings, such as "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" and "Jungle Book". Behind all the slapstick in this tale is a touching love story and a nice reminder that books can be just as exciting as video games or television.

Mostly, though, this movie is great to watch for the never-ending laughs it provides. Pre-teen boys will groan along with the sick boy in bed as he asks if this is "a kissing book". The words "as you wish" will never have the same meaning. And where else could you find out that iocane powder comes from Australia? Always a classic, "The Princess Bride" is sure to have you in stitches each time you watch it. Great comedy like this never goes out of style.

Keeps On Giving

Shel Silverstein, the late great children's author extraordinaire, showed his sensitive side in this beautiful book illustrated by him as well. With gentle simplicity, he begins the story: "Once there was a tree..."

In the beginning pages of "The Giving Tree," he sets up the blissful friendship between the tree and a little boy. The boy climbs up her trunk, swings on her branches, picks her apples...even immortalizes their love in her bark by carving "Me & T" with a heart around it. But as too often is the case, the child grows up and loses interest in his childhood friend, much like Jackie Paper in "Puff the Magic Dragon".

While the boy grows into a man, the tree continues to see only the boy who she loves so much. When he is a young man, he remembers the tree long enough to complain to her that he wants to start a life for himself but has no money. The tree generously gives up her apples so he can sell them, and she is happy because she was able to help her friend.

But he stays away for a long time, and the tree grows lonely. Then, one day, he comes back. This time he wants to settle down and start a family, but he needs a place to live. So the tree offers her branches so he can build a house. Once again he leaves, and she is happy to have helped him.

But he stays away even longer this time, and when he returns he has grown much older. The tree doesn't notice, however, and she listens as he expresses his wish to travel the world. This time she tells him to cut down her trunk and make a canoe out of it. So he does, and he paddles off into the sunset. And the tree is happy, "...but not really."

She has been reduced to a sad old stump. The wind can no longer whip through her branches, she can no longer gaze out upon the world from high in the sky...but most of all, she has nothing left to offer her friend. He stays away a long, long time, and the tree begins to think he will never return. Then, one day, he comes back, an ancient man who has withered away to practically nothing. She is so happy to see him that she can scarcely contain her joy. But she is old, too, and just as weak as he is.

She turns to him sadly and explains that there are no branches left to swing from, no apples left to eat, not even a trunk to climb. The boy -- for he will forever be so in her mind -- replies that he is too old to do those things, that he is sad and tired, that all he really wants now is a place to sit and rest. And the tree straightens herself up proudly as she realizes that an old stump is good for something. So the boy sits on the tree, and the tree is happy.

It is a beautiful story about growing up and about the value of friendship. And it comes full circle when at last, after a long, hard life, the boy returns to the tree to live out the rest of his days by her side. For she has remained faithful to him to the end, and the sacrifices she has made for him allow their friendship to survive all of the years of separation.

Other books by Shel Silverstein are also thoroughly enjoyable, though generally more for their comedic value. This book is probably the most thoroughly moving thing he ever wrote. If you enjoy the themes of this book, keep an ear out for the following songs: "Old Friends" (Simon and Garfunkel), "Puff the Magic Dragon" (Peter, Paul and Mary), "Biff, the Friendly Purple Bear" (Dick Feller), and "Little Boy Blue" (The Irish Rovers).

Third Time's A Charm!

Definitely the most intense of the first three books, "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" is dark and frightening at times, and there are so many incredible plot twists that it almost requires a second reading just to fully understand it.

Harry begins his school year once again fearing expulsion, this time because he really did use magic -- by inflating his cousin's aunt. Oddly, though, the Ministry of Magic does not disturb him this time, and he hangs out in a little hotel which they have placed him in for the rest of the summer. Unfortunately, the big thrill for third-years -- a trip to a real wizard town -- cannot happen for Harry because his aunt and uncle didn't sign his permission slip.

He has even bigger worries on his mind, though. Sirius Black, a prisoner at the high-security wizard prison Azkaban, has escaped, and it appears that he's after Harry. The school is surrounded by Dementors, the wraith-like guards of Azkaban who chill Harry to the bone each time he sees them. But even with them to stand guard, evidence arises that Sirius Black has been in the school. Calamities pile up on top of one another as Mr. Weasley risks losing his job at the Ministry of Magic and Hagrid's hippogriff, Buckbeak, awaits execution for injuring Malfoy.

With the aid of Lupin, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and a remarkable map provided by Fred and George Weasley, Harry is able to confront his fear of the Dementors and discover some of Sirius' plans. However, nothing can prepare him for the incredible truth that will be revealed when he finds him...

A page turner from start to finish, "The Prisoner of Azkaban" is absolutely brilliant. These books just keep getting better. But as Harry discovers the true circumstances of his parents' betrayal and death, the book becomes very complex and a bit frightening. As Harry grows older, the themes intensify. Younger children will still enjoy this book, but it may scare them. Still, very worth the read. We've followed Harry this far; we can't abandon him now.

The Great Story

The Last Battle, the last volume of The Chronicles of Narnia, is one of the most moving books I have ever read. In order to be properly impacted by it, you should first read the other six volumes so that you truly care about Narnia, Aslan, and the British children before you pick this up. It is clear from the beginning that this will be the last book -- the events are described as being "in the last days of Narnia". For those who have come to know and love Narnia, this is a disturbing prospect indeed.

The trouble begins when a shifty ape finds a lion skin and convinces Puzzle, a slow-witted but kindly donkey, to wear it, thereby impersonating Aslan, the Great Lion who is Ruler of Narnia. Soon Narnia is thrown into an uproar as the Ape tells its citizens that he is Aslan's spokesman and insists they do as he says. The warlike citizens of the country Calormene are brought in to aid the Ape in his attempt to take over.

By the time King Tirian discovers the atrocities which have been occurring in Aslan's name, he is too late to stop it. He turns himself in after killing a Calormene guard and is tied to a tree, where he begs for help in restoring his country. Help arrives in the form of two British children, Jill and Eustace, who have made the journey to Narnia before. They free Tirian and his friend the unicorn, and Jill discovers Puzzle huddling in the barn and insists upon taking him along.

Together, they plan a counter-attack, but confusion and fear run rampant in Narnia and the good creatures of the forest are afraid to lash out against someone who claims to speak for Aslan. A fierce battle ensues, and Tirian and his allies cringe at the thought of the evil being they know is inside the stable. They are hopelessly outnumbered, and it is only a matter of time before each of them goes to face the fearsome beast.

But each is shocked to discover that inside the stable, instead of a fiery foe sure to tear them to shreds, is a beautiful land as calm and peaceful as the most idyllic summer moment in Narnia. More amazing still, Tirian finds himself surrounded by Narnia's High Kings and one of the High Queens -- legendary figures who had ruled during Narnia's Golden Age. Along with them are Digory and Polly, who witnessed the creation of Narnia.

From their new vantage point, the young people watch in awe as the true Aslan destroys Narnia before their very eyes. The stars come down from the sky, the earth is ripped apart, blackness consumes everything -- but those who love Aslan join King Tirian and his friends in the wonderful new land. And as they mourn together the death of the wonderful country they had all loved so much, they realize that it has not truly been destroyed after all. Indeed, the Narnia they loved was really only a shadow; their true home lies before them.

The imagery in this book is absolutely fantastic. Aslan's Country offers a clear and convincing vision of Heaven, and the ending will leave most readers with a deep sense of peace. The ties between this book and "Revelation" are unmistakable, and I would heartily recommend it to anyone doing an in-depth study of that final book of "The Bible". Especially interesting is who Aslan allows into His Country...it may give you a new way of looking at things.

All Biblical references aside, this is a grand finale to a truly wonderful work of literature. Lewis' writing style is accessible to children without being too simplistic for adults, and this is one of the only books you can read which has a truly happy ending.

Oh, Heavenly Cat!

The Newberry award-winning book The Cat Who Went to Heaven is short enough to read in one sitting, but poignant enough to remain in your heart long afterward. It is the simple tale of a starving artist who has never gotten the recognition he deserves. He barely has money to take care of himself, so he is not pleased when his housekeeper brings home a cat. However, the cat is so well-mannered that the artist grows to enjoy his company and allows him to stay.

One day, he receives a commission from the priest at the local temple to paint a grand painting to be hung in the temple. The artist spends the days leading up to his deadline immersed in his work, trying to reach into the soul of each animal which the Buddha became at one time. As the deadline nears, his painting fills up with glorious depictions of hundreds of animals. As each day passes, the cat grows more despondent because he has not been included in the painting. But according to tradition, the cat was the only animal who refused to acknowledge the Buddha. To include a cat in his painting would be utterly blasphemous.

The night before the deadline arrives, and the painting is perfect. But the cat is utterly miserable and is starving because he has refused to eat. And now the artist is faced with a great dilemma: Should he add a cat to the painting and risk the wrath of Buddha and his priests, or should he leave it as is and crush the feline who has been so loyal to him?

The ending of this story is nothing short of miraculous, and it is a beautiful commentary on love, loyalty, and forgiveness. You don't have to be a Buddhist to appreciate this simple tale of the bond between a man and his cat. Its message is something all of us could afford to hear.

Harry Potter Strikes Again!

In this second volume of the Harry Potter chronicles, Harry's year is not off to a good start. First a pesky little elf shows up and warns him not to go to Hogwarts. When Harry ignores him, the elf does some magic, and Harry gets a warning from the Ministry of Magic because they think he did it. His aunt and uncle are furious with him when they discover he can't use magic...and he's been threatening them with it all summer. He's locked in his room, but the Weasleys come to rescue him in a flying car.

The rest of the summer is wonderful, but when the time comes to go to Hogwarts, Harry and Ron can't get onto the platform to catch the train. So they take the flying car to Hogwarts instead and end up in the clutches of the ferocious tree which guards a part of Hogwarts: the Whomping Willow. Their car gone, the tree damaged, having been seen by several Muggles, the boys think their luck has run out. Fortunately, Professor Dumbledore decides not to expel them, but their troubles are far from over.

A fascinating host of new characters is introduced in this book, from Gilderoy Lockhart, the gorgeous egomaniac celebrity who teaches Defense Against the Dark Arts, to Moaning Myrtle, a young ghost who haunts the girls' bathroom. As the term wears on, there is a very important character who still lurks in the shadows. When people turn up with strange and horrifying enchantments placed upon them, it is once again up to Ron, Hermione and Harry to figure out just what is going on. Loyalties are tested as unsavory rumors begin to surface, and Harry wonders miserably whether he is destined for evil.

It's a fascinating thrill ride from beginning to end, with lots of humor to help it along. New aspects of the Hogwarts world are introduced and the histories of Harry and Voldemort begin to be revealed. And of course, throughout it all lie the enduring values of friendship and loyalty, and just how far the young heroes will go to honor them. Harry's second year at Hogwart's is every bit as fascinating as his first, and readers can only wonder with bated breath what he has in store in his third year.

Even Better than the Original

After growing up with the animated classic "101 Dalmatians," I wondered how a live action movie could measure up. After all, there are so many things you can do with animation that you could never do in real life. Still, I saw the previews and was looking forward to seeing this new version in the theater at Thanksgiving a few years back. I was not disappointed.

The details of the movie had changed considerably, though the main storyline was the same. In this movie, Roger is a video game designer instead of a songwriter. Anita is a fashion designer who works for Cruella DeVil. They get around town on their bikes with their dogs attached by leash. If you ever want to convince someone that this is a bad idea, have them watch this movie!

Once again it is Pongo, Roger's dalmatian, who spots Anita and Perdita, her dalmatian. He leads Roger on a wild ride across town that eventually lands Roger in the pond. Later, the tables are turned and Perdita does the same to Anita. True to Disney style, Roger proposes to Anita that very night.

The real trouble begins when Anita gets pregnant and must work from home. Cruella comes to visit and discovers that Perdita will be having puppies soon, and she is determined to buy them and make a puppy-fur coat. Soon after they're born, her henchmen steal them, and the great search begins.

What makes this movie so remarkable is that, other than a few computer animated stunts, everything is done by real live animals. The opening scene in which Pongo does half a dozen household tasks before waking up Roger is priceless. The scenes containing only animals manage to be even more effective than the scenes with dialogue in the cartoon, and the dialogue between the humans, especially the villains, is hilarious.

Slapstick abounds towards the end of the film, making it reminiscent of "Home Alone". And, of course, the dogs triumph in the end, as does Roger -- this time producing a thrilling video game instead of a hit song. This more modern version of the Disney classic is a wonderful new take on a story we've all grown up with. And with real dogs doing the acting, you can't help but start to wonder if maybe it's not so far-fetched after all...

Leapin' Wizards!

I first read this book last year when I received it as a birthday present. Within pages, I was completely engrossed. Rowling's incredible attention to detail, vivid imagery, and master storytelling ability help make this book an absolute gem. And the new world which she has created so lovingly and lucidly are reminiscent of Tolkien, Lewis, and other masters of fantasy. But it is the ordinary elements mixed with the extraordinary that make "Harry Potter" so popular. It is the tale of a seemingly ordinary boy thrust into the extraordinary world of his parents, a world he had no idea even existed. Within that world are all sorts of people, and though they may look and act very strangely, their personalities are easily found here in our own world.

There's Hermione, the work-a-holic teacher's pet. There's Neville, the neurotic clutz. Hagrid, the burly outdoorsman with a heart of gold. Fred and George, the mischeivous twins. Dumbledore, the kindly mentor. Snape, the teacher who loves to make students' lives miserable. Malfoy, the snobby bully. Crabbe and Goyle, his oafish henchmen. And the list goes on.

Chances are that any one of us can identify with one character or another and find several who remind us of people in our own lives. It is very easy to care about the characters. And while flying brooms, magic wands, and gryphons may draw children into Hogwarts, it is the wonderful young heroes who will keep them there.

And sometimes, it is unclear just who the heroes are. Obviously Harry and Ron are good, as are Hagrid and Dumbledore, but many of the students and professors leave room for doubt. There is very little black and white in Rowling's world. This is an important lesson for children to learn: People are not always what they seem. And along with that comes the realization that you can do things together with other people that you could never dream of doing on your own. And that some things are worth breaking a rule or two over.

These important life lessons subtly woven into Rowling's tale lend credibility to the obviously fantastic realm which she has created. Children and adults will pick up the next volume thirsty for more, never knowing where Rowling's incredible plot twists will take them. The lush descriptions and intricately-developed characters pull the readers along as they brave the rapids to come to the next bend in the river. For once you have met Harry Potter, there is no turning back.

Riveting

When I first saw the previews for The Sixth Sense, it freaked me out. The commercials made it look like a terrifying horror flick, and I was sure that I couldn't handle it. However, I went to the movies one night with one of my more courageous peers, and I decided to give the movie a shot. After all, it was only PG-13, and it starred a kid. How bad could it be? I figured I'd suffer through it.

I needn't have worried. After a couple of minutes, I was drawn into Haley's riveting performance and Bruce's low-key display of sensitivity. The story was simple incredible, and the characters, mainly Cole Sear, his mom, and Dr. Malcolm Crowe, displayed an impressive depth. Cole was especially fascinating. The first time we hear him speak, he is huddling in a church with his toy soldiers murmuring a Latin prayer. Strange things seem to happen around him, and he tells Dr. Crowe that what he wants more than anything is "not to be scared anymore."

Dr. Crowe is chilled by the similarity between Cole and Vincent, a child who he misdiagnosed several years before. Vincent broke into Dr. Crowe's house one day and shot him before killing himself, and the doctor hasn't been the same since. He works feverishly to figure out where he went wrong with Vincent and help Cole. He becomes so engrossed in Cole's case that he never has time to talk to his wife anymore.

Meanwhile, Cole suffers in silence as he is haunted by visions of dead people. When he breaks the secret to Dr. Crowe -- after a frightening incident which landed him in the hospital -- Malcolm assumes that Cole has been hallucinating. But then how to explain those scratches all over the boy's body? When we see through Cole's eyes, we are presented with a gruesome line of ghosts who have died horribly. Be prepared for a couple jumps, maybe a shriek or two.

I came to "The Sixth Sense" expecting a horror movie, and I left feeling what was almost a spiritual experience. Aside from some gory graphics, this movie is a touching drama that will give you a lot to think about. When you leave the theater, you may thin twice about whether you believe in ghosts. I was especially touched by the fact that in the end, Cole simply had to listen to the ghosts and help them. They were just normal people who had died with unresolved issues.

Then there was the tender relationship between Cole and his mother, and her pain over the not-so-recent loss of her mother. Watch for Cole's comment at the dinner table: "Sometimes you miss something, and you think it's lost, but it really just got moved." While his mother doesn't catch his meaning at the time, it is one of the most meaningful lines in the whole movie.

Haley is brilliant in this movie, creating an enduring character more convincingly than many adults could. He deserves an Oscar for that performance. Toni Colette and Bruce Willis are also remarkable. Come to the movie prepared to laugh, to scream, and to cry. And if the end doesn't twist your head around 180 degrees, I don't know what will.

Picky People

Have you ever had trouble getting a child to try something new? Does your youngster insist "I hate this!" even though he's never tried it before? Well, this may be the book for you. With lots of goofy pictures and ridiculous situations, "Green Eggs and Ham" has long been helpful in getting kids to try new foods.

The story follows the bubbly Sam-I-Am's efforts to convince his friend to eat green eggs and ham. He continues to pose the question: "Would you eat them..." adding a different qualifier each time. But each time, his friend refuses. "I will not eat green eggs and ham. I do not like them, Sam-I-Am!"

But finally, after running down an enormous list of possibilities of ways to eat the dish, Sam-I-Am has become so annoying to his friend that he agrees to try green eggs and ham if Sam-I-Am will leave him alone. After choking down the first bite, he discovers that he actually loves to eat it, and he goes on to say how he would eat it in every situation Sam-I-Am had mentioned earlier.

This is a really fun book with great illustrations. Not only does it show kids that sometimes it pays to be adventurous about eating, it also tests their memory to see if they can remember all the ways that green eggs and ham can be eaten. A great read for kids and their parents.

Is That Halo On Straight?

Hey, kids: Have you ever felt like the adults around you just don't understand you? This was a big problem for the youngster in The Littlest Angel, a small boy who had just recently died and gone to Heaven. Heaven was such a big, serious place, and this Littlest Angel always seemed to be getting into mischief. All the bigger angels complained about his antics, and he was sent to the Understanding Angel, who realized that the Littlest Angel was lonely and homesick. The kindly angel made a special trip to Earth to retrieve a battered box that contained all the Littlest Angel's most precious treasures. Once he got the box, the Littlest Angel was happy, and he didn't get into trouble so often.

Then there was a special announcement that God would be sending His Son to Earth, and every angel was instructed to come before the Throne of God to present a gift for the child. The Littlest Angel had nothing but his box of treasures, which was his most valued possession. He bravely decided to offer it to the Lord, but he was discouraged when he saw all of the fine gifts given by the other angels. With the incredible gifts that the big angels had to offer, what would God's Son possibly want with his shabby box?

But the beautiful conclusion to this tale is a reminder that it is not the size or value of the gift that matters, but the love behind it. This heartwarming story not only helps convince children that they have something important to offer, it reminds adults to be more understanding of children. A Christmas, and any-time-of-year, classic.

Come Back, Yeller!

There was a point in my life when Old Yeller was absolutely, unequivocably my favorite movie. I haven't watched it lately, but I am nearly certain that my eyes will still be raining buckets at the end the next time I see it. Very few movies make me cry, but this is a notable exception. (The only other movie that rates so highly on my tearjerker list is "Willie: The Whale who wanted to sing at the Met," and that is really only a small portion of the movie "Make Mine Music".)

Any connaisseur of classic live-action Disney films will recognize the trio that star in this movie. The actors playing the two brothers were seen in movies such as "Swiss Family Robinson" and "The Shaggy Dog," also playing brothers. Many of the movies in which they are brothers include the "Old Yeller" mom as their mother.

Packed with good old-fashioned, wholesome Disney adventure and humor, this movie is sure to be enjoyed by viewers of any age. Beware, though: If you by chance do not know how the movie ends, have a box of tissues on hand to dry your eyes. This heartwarming tale will touch the heart of anyone who has ever loved a dog.

"Unless..."

With bright illustrations on every page and a lulling lyric that lures us into the story, The Lorax is a masterpiece with a mission. The beginning is dark and gloomy, and one is inclined to shudder just reading the words: "On the far end of town where the grickle-grass grows and the wind smells slow-and-sour when it blows and no birds ever sing excepting old crows...". Contrast this with the sunny description of the land before the Once-ler came to develop it: "Back in the days when the grass was still green and the water was wet and the air was still clean and the song of the Swamee-swans sang out in space...One morning I came to this glorious place."

The Once-ler, an ancient hermit who lives in the top of a crumbling factory, relates the tale of his days of youthful ambition. When he saw the beautiful multi-colored, soft-tufted Truffula trees, he knew he had to stop and make something of them. The Lorax, a strange little old creature who spoke "for the trees," confronted the Once-ler angrily when he began chopping the trees down, but the Once-ler insisted he was doing to harm. His business continued to grow and grow, and the Lorax made more unwanted visits. He was forced to send the Humming Fish, the Swamee-swans, and the Brown Barbaloots away from their home in the forest because the factory had polluted the air and water and there was no Truffula fruit for the Barbaloots to eat.

Then, one day, the last Truffula tree was chopped down. All that was left was an empty factory in the middle of a stump-filled wasteland. The Lorax sadly stood on the stump and lifted himself into the air and out of sight, leaving the word "unless" carved into the stump. And so the Once-ler finishes the tale and gives his listener "the very last Truffula seed of them all," saying, "Unless someone cares a whole awful lot, nothing's going to get better. It's not."

With typical Seussian warmth and wit, this classic encourages children to care for the Earth, for it is in their hands. It is a very important lesson, and who better to teach it than the good Doctor?

Don't Be Horrified

When I think of Steven King, I tend to conjure of images of pulling a blanket over my eyes and letting out a bloodcurdling scream. This genius in making the spine tingle is not one for the faint of heart, and generally his books -- and his movies -- are far too frightening for me. But Eyes of the Dragon is different.

My dad is an avid Steven King fan, and knowing how I hate horror stories, he was thrilled when he came across this book. With reluctance, I agreed to let him read it to me. Steven King for a bedtime story? The thought was dubious at best. But as he read, I found in this book one of the finest fantasies to come from a current author. I was held in rapt attention each night as King's superb attention to detail and characterization made the tale come alive -- and in chapters short enough that Dad never had to stop reading in the middle of a chapter.

I couldn't have asked much more of this book as a fantasy. It was comparable in quality to the work of Brian Jacques and J. K. Rowling, and there were very few passages which would be inappropriate for young readers. The nightmare-inducing horrors typical of Stephen King books are all but absent here. King fans will enjoy this book as a deviation from the norm, and the lily-livered folks like me will enjoy it for the fine writing which we could not enjoy before. I wish he would write more books like this.

Bridge Over Troubled Water

When ten-year-old Jess meets Leslie, the girl who has moved in next door, he isn't exactly thrilled. After all, he's been practicing all summer to be the fastest runner in the fifth grade, and she shows up and immediately beats him in a race. But she seems to understand him, and they soon form a tight bond of friendship that draws them together in their own little world. Entranced by Narnia and other such realms of fantasy, they decide to create their own kingdom: Terabithia.

In this sacred land just across the creek, Jess and Leslie are King and Queen, aided by Leslie's faithful pooch who was a Christmas gift from Jess. With this most wonderful secret between them, they are able to handle the trials of everyday life more easily. Leslie encourages Jess to pursue his artistic talents, which have been stifled by his practical parents.

But it is these abilities which lead Jess to embark on an adventure without his constant companion, not realizing that this is the first step in the most difficult journey of his life. And when he returns, Terabithia, which had been so close at hand before, now seems unreachable. It takes all the strength he can muster to bridge the rift that the tumultuous waters of fate have placed between himself and Leslie, but their friendship conquers death itself in the end to bring Jess the peace he so desperately needs.

Readers of any age will be moved by this beautifully written tale by Katherine Patterson. Bridge to Terabithia portrays the triumphs and trials of the two children with sensitivity and eloquence, and its touching treatment of death is sure to bring comfort to anyone, especially a child who is grieving his first loss.

A Work of Art

Watership Down, the glorious novel by Richard Adams, soared to fame when it was written, and rightly so. It is a poignant tale of a group of rabbits' struggle to find a home after theirs is destroyed to make room for a shopping mall. Through their struggles, we are offered a glimpse into an entirely new world, complete with its own language and mythology. It was a tall order to try to convey this world on film with but an hour and a half to spare. But this movie managed beautifully.

Its realistic animation bathes the rabbits in an aura of authenticity which can't be found in the wisecracking Bugs Bunny or even in the forest-dwelling Thumper. Sticking closely to the plot and leaving out as little as possible, this masterpiece transcends the ordinary, interweaving the rabbit mythology so intricately with the plot that the entire movie is wreathed in shadows of otherworldliness.

This effect is completed by the ever-angelic voice of Art Garfunkel, whose haunting melody "Bright Eyes" accompanies Fiver's ruminations about death when Hazel is shot by a farmer. Other than the beautiful ending, which carries on in dialogue what the song begins, this segment is my favorite part of the movie. Robed in mysticism, Artie's richly echoing voice sweetly sings of the mysteries of death, using rich natural images.

The simple line "There's a fog along the horizon" never fails to send shivers down my spine, and you can't help but wonder along with Fiver, "How can the light that burned so brightly suddenly burn so pale?" In deference to the rabbits' graciousness upon finding Watership Down ("Oh, Frith on the Hills! He made it for us!" "He may have made it, but Fiver found it."), I feel compelled to point out that while no other singer could have handled the song so masterfully, the song would not have been in existence were it not for Mike Batt. Way to go, Mike!

Few animated films achieve what this film has, and its beauty will leave you stunned. But there is a good deal of darkness as well, and images of rabbits screaming out in agony as they are trapped underneath a newly-laid parking lot may be too frightening for younger children. Nor will they be comforted by images of dogs tearing out the throats of rabbits or the fearsome rabbit General Woundwort ripping rebels to shreds. For older children and adults, however, this is not a film to be missed.

The Greatest Adventure

How do you go about transforming a 300-page legendary work of literature into an animated feature less than an hour and a half long? Not very easily. But the creators of this movie made a go of it, and the result was not bad...not bad at all. The animation captured the beauty of the landscapes described so eloquently by Tolkien, and the characters were depicted quite admirably. The actors who provided the voices for Bilbo, Gandalf, the dwarves, and the other characters brought them to life. The musical score is enchanting, and it is entrancing to actually hear the songs which were written in the text.

Unfortunately, there was much that this movie left to be desired. For instance, Beorn the shape-shifter was left out of the story altogether, as was any mention of the coveted Arkenstone. The introduction of the dwarves to Bilbo, which took up a great deal of time in the book and provided quite a few laughs, was shortened to nearly nothing at all. Many critical sequences in the story received the same treatment. Still, given the time constraints of an animated movie for children, this could hardly be avoided.

This movie retains the spirit of the book, even though it leaves out many critical details. It is a good movie for children to watch to introduce them to the wonderful world of Middle Earth. But it should not be a substitute. If you really want to get the full appreciation of "The Hobbit", read the book.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Some of the most hilarious moments on television are unrehearsed. Such is the case with "Kids Say the Darnedest Things". Many years ago, Art Linkletter tapped into the refreshing wit of youngsters on the show "House Party". Now Bill Cosby has taken up where Art left off. With his natural affinity for children, he spends the majority of the show chatting with children...and listening to what they have to say.

Bill Cosby does a variety of different things to make the show more interesting, from having kids launch commercials to participating in a little league game to inviting guest child prodigies on the show to demonstrate their prowess. But the best part is still when he talks to the kids in their line of chairs just as Art Linkletter did. Their responses are completely unpredictable, and sometimes they are so unexpected that he can't think of anything to say in response. Art Linkletter is a frequent guest to the show, sharing some of his favorite clips from "House Party".

All in all, this show is a refreshing chance to listen to what children are saying and, for adults, to remember when we thought that way ourselves. After all, as Bill Cosby says at the end of each show, "There's a little kid in all of us." Let that kid out once in a while.

Kratts' Creatures -- Phase Two

Chris and Martin, the energetic animal-loving hosts of "Kratts' Creatures", have done it again. Very similar to the first show, "Zoboomafoo" is a half hour romp through the magical world of animals. Each show begins in Animal Junction, where Chris and Martin hang out with Zaboo the lemur and an ever-changing host of wild animals. This is a place where the laws of nature step aside momentarily, allowing all sorts of interactions that would never happen in the wild. You can always expect one of the brothers to chime in with "It can only happen in Animal Junction".

Usually there is one particular animal that is the focus of the show. Zaboo offers clues to the animal's identity, and then the viewers are asked with a song to help figure out what the mystery animal is. From there, the Kratt Brothers set off on an expedition to study the creature in its natural habitat. Fantastic animal footage abounds in every episode, and along with the animals comes lots of great info about them.

All this is broken up by the crazy stunts of Chris and Martin, the corny jokes of Zaboo, the experiences of kids around the country, and Zaboo's adventures in Zabooland -- not to mention the songs which are sung in every single episode. Guaranteed to hold the attention of a preschooler just discovering the wonderful world of animals, this show is another testament to the Kratt Brothers' creativity.

I Was Teenage Witch...

Following in the footsteps of "I Dream of Jeannie" and "Bewitched", this supernatural sitcom for the 90s has a new twist: the title character is a typical teenager. In addition to all the normal trials of being in high school, Sabrina has to deal with her budding abilities as a sorceress. Unfortunately, she hasn't quite got the knack, and everything seems to backfire on her. She lives with her eccentric aunts and Salem, a warlock who was changed into a cat long ago as a punishment for bad behavior. These wacky members of her family are the only ones she can turn to when her spells backfire. No one else can explain why so many strange things seem to happen when she's around.

Her school life is mainly centered around her best friend Valerie, her boyfriend Harvey, and her aunt's beau, the antagonistic Principal Kraft. When her high school woes meet her magic wand, no one knows just what might happen. Add to that two other witches and a four-footed warlock sharing her house, and the results are hilariously disastrous. From transforming a baby into a 60-year-old man to resurrecting long-dead American heroes and breaking and entering someone else's dreams to switching bodies, there's always something incredible happening.

As sit-coms go, this show's not bad. It's utterly ludicrous, but that's most of the fun. So tune in to TGIF some Friday night and sit back and enjoy the show. Just remember: do not try this at home!

"Bumblyburg has the Measles!"

This latest Veggie Tales video, LarryBoy and the Rumor Weed, is notably different from most of the others. There is no countertop scene with Bob and Larry, no Veggie Tales theme song, no Qwerty. Instead, there is the Larry Boy theme song. The tale begins on a dark night outside of a movie theater, where Percy Pea and his brother have just finished watching a scary movie. Suddenly they are approached by the Milk Money Bandit who (yep, you guessed it) takes their milk money. Fortunately, Larry Boy comes to the rescue. With some help from his Super Suction Ears, he apprehends the thief and returns the milk money to the grateful brothers. While reporting his success to his faithful butler Alfred, Larry Boy accidentally knocks a plant out of the window of someone who is gabbing on the phone. It falls into the sewer and a monster is born...

 The next day, Alfred goes to the classroom of Junior Asparagus and Laura Carrot to tell them stories. When the teacher, Mr. Asparagus, suggests that Alfred stay to observe the class, Alfred bows out saying, "I think I need to go home and recharge my battery." Laura and Junior later conclude that Alfred must be a robot -- and they make the mistake of telling the newly-created Rumor Weed. She spreads the news all over town, and each time the story grows worse. Soon Bumblyburg is filled with the pesky weeds and everyone is terrified of Alfred.

Larry Boy receives word of the infestation, and he sets out, determined to eradicate the weeds. Alfred knows just what must be done, but Larry Boy must rely on his friend's directions because he is clueless. Unfortunately, their communication breaks off when Larry Boy reaches the underground lair of the Motherweed, and Alfred must come to his rescue. While Larry Boy tries to fight of the huge weed, Alfred races to town on his motor scooter, begging for assistance. But no one will help because they have been convinced that Alfred is a dangerous robot. As the accusations pile up, the Motherweed rises out of the ground, grabbing Alfred.

In the ensuing confusion, Mr. Asparagus arrives and questions the weed, who says that Laura and Junior are responsible for her growth. When they realize their mistake, Laura and Junior decide that they can counteract the effect by spreading nice words about Alfred. Before long, the town comes to its senses and remembers what a nice guy Alfred is. Thus, the weed becomes harmless and Bumblyburg is safe.

With terrific graphics, great humor, an important lesson to teach, and endearing new characters, this is a fine addition to the Larry Boy Chronicles that kids will treasure for years to come.