Review and Giveaway: Scholastic Treasures - The Rosemary Wells Collection CLOSED

Thank you to Weston Woods and Sugar Mountain P.R. for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event on Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

By now, you probably know that my family is a big fan of the Scholastic Storybook Treasures DVD series. Not only do they breathe new life into classic tales, but their special read-along feature aids in comprehension and vocabulary expansion. So, when I heard that they were adapting the works of Rosemary Wells, I was thrilled.

Who is Rosemary Wells, you ask? Well, if you watch Nick Jr., you've probably caught an episode or two of a little show called Max and Ruby. You may not know that the cartoon is actually based on the books by author/illustrator Rosemary Wells. She is also responsible for the award-winning children's book, Noisy Nora. With a career spanning more than four decades and 120 books, Wells has delighted children and adults alike with her unforgettable characters.

Scholastic has brought eight of Rosemary Wells' beloved stories to life in a new 2-DVD collection, featuring original Max and Ruby stories and new family favorites.

Episode Listing:

DVD #1: Max's Chocolate Chicken

1. "Max's Chocolate Chicken" - Will Max or Ruby find the most Easter eggs to win the chocolate chicken? Only the Easter Bunny knows for sure!
2. "Max's Christmas" - Max is told that he can't stay up to see Santa, but he sneaks down anyway. Will Santa still come if Max is awake?
3. "Morris's Disappearing Bag" - Morris thinks his brother and sisters have better Christmas presents. But inside the last box he finds a magical gift that makes all his troubles disappear.
4. "Otto Runs for President" - Who will win the big school election at Barkadelphia School? Popular Tiffany, sporty Charles or good friend Otto?

DVD #2: Noisy Nora

1. "Noisy Nora" - What's a wee little mouse to do when little brother and big sister take up all of Mom and Dad's time? Make noise!
2. "Emily's First 100 Days of School" - As the days and weeks of school go by, Emily and her classmates learn new ideas, expand their world and grow closer together one day at a time.
3. "Voyage to the Bunny Planet" - Three bunnies are whisked off to the gentle Bunny Planet - a place that lies "far beyond the moon and stars."
4. "Reading to Your Bunny" - An original story by Rosemary Wells highlights the importance of reading to little ones.

One of my favorite things about Scholastic is that they always manage to uphold the integrity of the original story and illustrations, as they transform them for the small screen. Each cartoon short has a timeless, vintage quality. No distracting, flashy graphic effects; the stories take center stage. They also feature narration and performances from actors and musicians, to which children may be oblivious but it adds a little something special for parents. This particular collection features narration from actress Maggie Gyllenhaal (Sherrybaby, Crazy Heart, Dark Knight) and a music video by country star Mary Chapin Carpenter ("Reading to Your Bunny").

Being fans of the TV show, I had a feeling this set would become a fast favorite - and I was right! In addition to all of the charming banter between mischievous little brother Max and bossy big sister Ruby, we were also introduced to new lovable friends like Morris, Nora and Emily. Some of the subject matter was a little advanced for Nate, as he didn't full grasp the conflicts between the characters, and he's still a bit too young to know how to read along. But I like that he is becoming familiar with the concept. He never hesitates to crawl into my lap and watch a few episodes as we escape the August heat and humidity.

With Easter, Christmas and school-themed episodes, this collection would make a great educational yet entertaining back-to-school or holiday gift for some-bunny special.

BUY IT: You can purchase the Scholastic Storybook Treasures Rosemary Wells Collection online at www.newkideo.com or Amazon.com. (ARV $17.99)

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win this 2-DVD set!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Tell me who you want to win this for. Easy peasy! Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count! Remember to leave one comment per entry.

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. If you already follow and/or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You may use the following tweet of come up with one of your own:

Win the Rosemary Wells Collection 2-DVD set ft. Max and Ruby @kris10chumley! Ends 8/28 http://bit.ly/b0ev9c

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry)

3.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Add my Bloggy Birthday Blowout event button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

5.) Add my blog button to your site and comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on August 28, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received this DVD set from Beth at Sugar Mountain P.R. in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in my review are purely mine. Your experience may differ.

Giveaway: Wubbzy Goes to School DVD CLOSED

Thank you to Anchor Bay Entertainment and Grand Communications for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event on Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

One of our favorite Nick Jr. characters, Wubbzy of the Emmy Award-winning cartoon Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!, is back and ready to make the grade in his newest DVD, Wubbzy Goes to School. Along with his friends Widget, Walden and Daizy, Wubbzy helps preschoolers prepare for their big first day in the classroom, with episodes to ease children's anxieties about this new environment and making new friends. Wubbzy's wacky adventures are sure to make learning fun!

In "Who Needs School", Wubbzy is nervous about his first day of school and decides he is going to learn all he needs to know himself. But when things don't work out as expected and Wubbzy is lonely, he realizes school isn't so bad after all. When Murphy, a larger-than-life new student joins the class in "New Kid on the Block", Wubbzy finds that good friends can come in all shapes and sizes. Other episodes include "Gotta Dance", "Wubbzy the Star", "You Gotta Have Art" and
"Magic Tricks", starring Moo Moo The Magician.

This new A+ DVD is chock full of bonus features such as the "Meet Wubbzy's Schoolmates" photo gallery, printable coloring and activity sheets and more.

If your little one is anticipating their first day of preschool or kindergarten, you'll definitely want to add Wubbzy to your back-to-school shopping list!

BUY IT: Wubbzy Goes to School was released today, August 3, and can be found at most major retailers, as well as Amazon.com (ARV $12.49).

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win this DVD!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Think back and tell me your favorite subject from your school days. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count! Remember to leave one comment per entry.

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. If you already follow and/or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet of come up with one of your own:

Prepare your preschooler for their 1st day of school with the new "Wubbzy Goes to School" DVD @kris10chumley! Ends 8/18 http://bit.ly/c6rjXD

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Add my Bloggy Birthday Blowout event button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

5.) Add my blog button to your site and comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on August 18, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I was granted this giveaway opportunity from Rachel at Grand Communications on behalf of Anchor Bay Entertainment. I did not receive a product to review, nor was I compensated in any other way for this post. I just wanted to share this giveaway with my readers.

Review and Giveaway: Scholastic Treasures Wheels on the Bus Sing-Along Travel Kit CLOSED

Thank you to Scholastic and Sugar Mountain P.R. for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event on Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

Ah, summer. The perfect time for road trips and traveling. While I love exploring and visiting new places, long car rides and toddlers are like oil and water - they just don't mix. It can be a struggle to keep them entertained for extended periods of time when their patience hangs by a thread. Thankfully, Scholastic Treasures has an extra-special rescue pack for us road warriors.

The Wheels on the Bus Sing-Along Travel Kit gives you everything you need to make traveling with little ones easy, fun and educational. Included in the kit are 15 musical stories on 2 DVD's, a 13-song CD, and a 34-page activity booklet complete with crayons and travel tips for parents. All of this fits conveniently in a compact travel case with handle for hours of family-friendly fun.

Episode/Track Listings:

DVD #1: The Wheels on the Bus
1. The Wheels on the Bus
2. Musical Max
3. Joseph Had a Little Overcoat
4. Bugs! Bugs! Bugs!
5. All the Colors of the Earth
6. Keeping House
7. Hush Little Baby

DVD #2: There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
1. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
2. This Land is Your Land
3. Frog Went A-Courtin'
4. Over in the Meadow
5. Giraffes Can't Dance
6. The Chinese Violin
7. Dem Bones
8. Changes, Changes

CD: The Wheels on the Bus
1. The Wheels on the Bus - The Bacon Brothers
2. The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night - Alice Peacock
3. Dinosaur Bones - Bob Barner
4. Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3 - Chrystal Taliefero
5. Donut Make You Feel So Good - Scotty Huff and Robert Reynolds
6. Dem Bones - Raul Malo
7. He's Got the Whole World in His Hands - Chrystal Taliefero
8. Everything's Better - Scotty Huff, Robert Reynolds and Paul Deakin
9. Over in the Meadow - Mae Robertson
10. The Erie Canal - Rusty Young and Jack Sundrud
11. Frog Went A-Courtin' - Rusty Young and Jack Sundrud
12. Tooth School Anthem - Scotty Huff and Robert Reynolds
13. Gonna Read to My Bunny - Mary Chapin Carpenter

A few weeks ago, we decided to take an impromptu trip to the beach, which is about 2 hours away. I was nervous about Nate being in the car that long with no pit stops so I made sure to bring along our Wheels on the Bus Sing-Along Travel Kit. We don't have a DVD player in the Jeep so we couldn't view the videos on the way but we popped in the CD instead. It really set the tone of anticipation for the start of our vacation. It wasn't too boisterous or too mellow; it was just right and had all of us bopping our heads. The Bacon Brothers' "Wheels on the Bus" is a refreshing rendition of a repetitive classic and Mary Chapin Carpenter's catchy country ode to storytime "Gonna Read to My Bunny" is beyond cute. I also enjoyed the Beach Boys-esque "Dinosaur Bones" and "The Erie Canal", on which Rusty Young is a dead ringer for Eric Clapton.

Mid-way on the trip, we slipped Nate the crayons and activity book, which he loved. It kept him happy and occupied for a good long while. I liked that it had simple color pages for toddlers as well as counting and matching games for slightly older kids. There were also travel game ideas such as scavenger hunts and alphabet games in the back of the book that the whole family could play together on the road. I just wish the book had wipe-clean pages so it could be reused.

Once we made it to our destination, as luck would have it, it rained just about the entire weekend. Bummer! Since we were stuck in our hotel for hours on end with limited resources for an attention-deficit toddler, we pulled out our Sing-Along Travel Kit DVDs and played them on the laptop for Nate. As we've come to expect from Scholastic Treasures, both videos were entertaining as well as educational. The illustrations are whimsical and colorful, and narrations/music by popular actors and musicians such as Rob Reiner, Cyndi Lauper and Arlo Guthrie make them fun for parents. Nate is only two so he can't read yet but I still love the read-along feature, which supports reading comprehension and vocabulary.

All I can say is thank goodness for our travel kit. Without it, I think our getaway would have been a lot more stressful. But we don't use our kit exclusively on the road. As you can see, we even have fun with it at home:

BUY IT: You can purchase the Scholastic Treasures Wheels on the Bus Sing-Along Travel Kit online at www.newkideo.com or Amazon.com (ARV $13.49).

WIN IT: I have another travel kit up for grabs for one lucky reader!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Tell me where your next family vacation will be and how you're getting there! Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count! Remember to leave one comment per entry.

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. If you already follow and/or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You may use the following tweet of come up with one of your own:

Road trip with the rascals? Win the Scholastic Wheels on the Bus Sing-Along Travel Kit @kris10chumley Ends 8/15 http://bit.ly/c6EXH5

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry)

3.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Add my Bloggy Birthday Blowout event button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

5.) Add my blog button to your site and comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on August 15, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received a free Wheels on the Bus Sing-Along Travel Kit from Beth at Sugar Mountain P.R. to facilitate my candid review. I was in no other way compensated for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in my review are purely mine. Your experience may differ.

Review and Giveaway: Balloonatiks CLOSED

My son loves his Nick Jr. so I have yet to introduce him to the world of superheroes. Batman. Spiderman. Superman. The Hulk. Iron Man. The closest he's come to them is a graphic on a hand-me-down t-shirt. The animation versions are just a bit too violent and scary for a toddler, in my opinion. But thankfully, the Balloonatiks have come to our rescue.

The Balloonatiks is a CGI-animated series and merchandise brand, with two paperback books, a series of comics and games and an interactive website under its belt. The series features voice talents of renowned actors such as Mark Hamill, Debi Derryberry (Jimmy Neutron) and Billy West (Futurama). The theme song is performed by Ray Parker Jr., who is famous for writing the Ghostbusters theme song. (Any 80's baby like me should love this!)

The Balloonatiks are a group of five ordinary teens who are mysteriously transformed into rubbery, bouncy balloons, each gifted with incredible abilities from their unique personalities. The characters include:

• Flator - the school jock who is able to grow to massive sizes
• Airbrain - the brainiac who can use his giant head as a hot air balloon
• Squeeker - the popular cheerleader who uses her high-pitched cheers to paralyze bad guys
• Sparky - the multi-talented activist who can stop opponents with her lightening bolts
• Bouncer - class clown and food lover who can transform into any kind of ball and bounce to amazing heights

The supporting cast includes Leaky, a frog-turned-mascot; Professor Swellhead, mentor and creator of the Balloonatiks; and Dr. Poppemoff, the evil mad-scientist out to take over Hot Air City.

I had the pleasure of reviewing Balloonatiks: The Collector's Set, a special edition DVD with two Balloonatiks episodes. In "Meet Deflator", Dr. Poppemoff creates an oversized latex monster to wreck havoc on Hot Air City. It is up to the Balloonatiks to combine their powers and defeat the monster before it can reach the city's main hot air valve. In "Pop Goes the Balloonatiks", villain Mr. Point descends upon Hot Air City to proclaim himself king. Can the team stop him before he can "burst their bubble" and take over city hall?

I wasn't sure what to expect upon hearing the concept but I was pleasantly surprised. The Balloonatiks were pretty fun! Besides, what kid doesn't love balloons? The theme song was really modern and catchy. The unique style reminded me of Jimmy Neutron, Backyardigans or Fanboy & Chum Chum. I liked that it was upbeat and not dark or scary for young ones. The colors were vibrant and held Nate's attention in spurts. He particularly enjoyed the scene where Bouncer gets a leak in his behind and farts bubbles. Boys... (honestly, Mommy let out a giggle too).

Overall, I think this DVD would be perfect for ages 3-8. Balloonatiks teaches children important messages such as problem-solving and teamwork in a fun, family-friendly format. I do wish there were a few more episodes included but the 23-minute running time makes it just long enough for the younger crowd to sit still for.

BUY IT: Balloonatiks: The Collector's Set will be released on July 15, 2010 and will be available at Walmart, Netflix.com and Amazon.com. (ARV $14.95)

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win their own Balloonatiks: The Collector's Set DVD before it's in stores!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Visit the Balloonatiks and tell me something you learned or click on the Balloonalair link and tell me your favorite Balloonatik. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet or come up with one of your own:

Your preschooler will love zany, bubbly superheroes, The Balloonatiks! Win a collector's DVD @kris10chumley ENDS 7/4 http://bit.ly/aCJ612

Just leave me a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) Add my button to your site and comment with a link where I can find it. (1 entry)

4.) Become a fan of Balloonatiks on Facebook. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on July 4, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. residents 18+ only. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: Thank you to the Product Review Place for this opportunity. I received a free copy of this DVD to facilitate my candid review. I was in no other way compensated for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed are solely mine. Your experience may differ.

Review and Giveaway: Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! Escape From Dino Island CLOSED

If you have a toddler or preschooler, odds are they've caught an episode (or two...or three) of Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!. This Emmy Award-winning show from Nick Jr. has been a hit since its debut in 2006, with its quirky, fun-loving, bendy-tailed character Wubbzy and his friends Daizy, Widget and Walden. Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! supports preschool social skills such as sharing, listening, compromising, helping and appreciating others, self-awareness and the use of humor as a coping mechanism. Children learn how to fit into a group, how to understand their own feelings and those of others, and how to get along with one another. Most of all, they learn the value of friendship and community.

In his newest "din-amic" adventure, Escape From Dino Island, Wubbzy and friends embark on a prehistoric quest, and there's no telling who they will meet along the way! In seven fun-filled episodes, our favorite Wuzzleburg pals learn important life lessons about honesty, sharing, friendship and being prepared.



Episode Summaries:

1. "Escape From Dino Island" - Wubbzy, Widget and Walden take a voyage to Dino Island. But when Wubbzy ignores Walden's advice to not get too close to the dinosaurs, they find themselves being chased by a giant Sillysaurus! Will they be able to escape his wrath?

2. "Too Much of a Doodle Thing" - Wubbzy can't get enough of those sweet, tasty Doodleberries. The only problem is they are hard to find! He decides to grow some with the aid of Daizy's Magic Grow Spray. But when he goes overboard, the Doodleberry bushes grow out of control and take over the town! How will they get rid of all the berries and restore peace to Wuzzleburg?

3. "Wubbzy, The Hero" - After his playtime game of chase with Chumley the Crusty Cragasaurus is misconstrued as a dino attack, Wubbzy is hailed as the town hero. Will he tell the truth or keep up the ruse to get praise and attention?

4. "Call of the Mild" - After Daizy's newly adopted baby unicorn goes missing, Wubbzy and friends decide to go on a safari to the Wuzzumbo Jungle to find her. Eager to begin the exciting adventure, Wubbzy leaves his gear behind. However, he quickly discovers it is best to always be prepared.

5. "Wubbzy and the Sparkle Stone" - While she plants her looney petunias, Daizy asks Wubbzy to hold onto her sparkly, glow-in-the-dark ring. After accidentally dropping it in a hole, Widget and Walden come to his rescue to find the shiny bauble.

6. "Daizy's Purple Thumb" - When the Mayor needs to plant a community garden , he recruits the best gardener in town - Daizy! But when she suddenly loses her "green thumb", she and her friends must find another way to complete the task.

7. "Mt. Fizzy Pop" - After some mysterious rumbling and shaking, Wubbzy and friends discover Mt. Fizzy Pop on Dino Island is about to erupt! The last time this happened, Wuzzleburg was covered in sour milk for months. Will they be able to save the town from the same fate?

Bonus features on the DVD include a Dino Island photo gallery, coloring and activity sheets, sneak peeks and a bonus episode.

Anchor Bay Entertainment was kind enough to send me a screener copy of Escape From Dino Island to review.

This DVD is everything we've come to know and love about the Wubb Club. Adventures abound and there is plenty of singing and dancing to go around. Nate especially loved the title episode and laughed out loud when the giant Sillysaurus hopped after Wubbzy and scared a poodle, who was innocently out for a walk. As a parent, I really like the lessons that we learn through Wubbzy such as to take responsibility for your actions, work as a team and not to judge a book by its cover. Even though Wubbzy always somehow manages to get himself into a pickle, he and his friends are able to practice their problem-solving skills to get through it.

Bottom line: No doubt about it. Your child will definitely "dig" this "dino-mite" Wubbzy excursion.

BUY IT: You can purchase Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! Escape From Dino Island at most major movie retailers nationwide or online at Amazon.com (ARV $16.98).

DELECTABLE DEAL: From June through December 2010, customers who purchase one box of Minute Rice and any Wubbzy DVD can receive a free Wubbzy toy (nominal S&H applies). Also, from May through September 2010, consumers who purchase a Wubbzy DVD and any package of Joy Cone Company ice cream cones can receive two Wubbzy Scholastic books - a $10 value ($2 S&H applies)!

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win a copy of Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! Escape From Dino Island!



MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Tell me another TV show that your child enjoys. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet or come up with one of your own:

#Win a Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! Escape From Dino Island DVD @kris10chumley and @AnchorBayDVD! Ends 6/3 http://bit.ly/b3Zm3k

Just leave me a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) Add my button to your site and comment with a link where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on June 3, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received a screener copy of this DVD from Laura at Grand Communications to facilitate a candid review. I was in no other way compensated for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are solely mine. Your experience may differ.

Review and Giveaway: Giggle Giggle Quack CLOSED

I try to strike a balance with my son's free play and structured play everyday. But one thing I always make room for is storytime. Nate is getting to the age where he enjoys turning the pages in his books and pointing to the characters and objects. His library contains a fair number of books but I am still working on accumulating the classics. With Scholastic Storybook Treasures, we can now bring our favorite stories to life.

Giggle, Giggle, Quack...And More Stories by Doreen Cronin is the newest release from the world-renowned read-along DVD series. The sequel to Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type, Giggle, Giggle, Quack is just one of the five hilarious animal stories adapted from tales by best-selling author Doreen Cronin. The colorful animation mimics the original storybook illustrations by Betsy Lewin and Harry Bliss. Featuring celebrity narration by Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine), Alexander Gould (Weeds) and Grammy Award-winning singer Randy Travis, Giggle, Giggle, Quack supports reading comprehension, vocabulary and problem solving for early readers aged 3-8. Bonus DVD features include an interview with the illustrator, an enhanced read-along function, new "Talk About the Story" questions to enhance early literacy skills and two Spanish adaptations to hone bilingual skills.

About the stories:

• In the title story, Farmer Brown leaves his brother, Bob, in charge as he takes a much-needed vacation. In his absence, the mischievous farm animals are up to their old antics, changing their care instructions and setting the stage for mass confusion and tomfoolery.
• In "Dooby Dooby Moo", Duck sees an ad in the newspaper for a talent contest and decides to enter the farm animals with the hopes of taking the top prize. Little does he know the talent lies within himself.
• Unhappy with the farm conditions, Duck decides to take over in "Duck For President". But when he wins, he finds out just how hard it is to run a farm!
• "Diary of A Worm" shows us the daily happenings of an underground dweller and how our lives are really not all that different.
• The concluding story, "Diary of a Fly" gives us a sneak peak into the day-to-day life of a little fly with big dreams.

We had never read these particular stories but since we love our Scholastic picture books, we were eager and excited to see this animated version. We watched it together as a family and all three of us really enjoyed it. We laughed our way through the entire DVD but "Giggle, Giggle, Quack" was our favorite. Randy Travis' warm, Southern voice really made the story for me. And even though Nate is too young to read, I really like the read-along feature for when he's a bit older. For now, he loves looking at the colors and trying to sing along with the fun-loving animals.



Bottom line: Giggle, Giggle, Quack is sure to elicit laughs from the whole family. I love that we have some new storybook classics to indulge in.

BUY IT: You can purchase Giggle, Giggle, Quack in stores or online at www.newkideo.com (ARV $14.95).

WIN IT: I have another DVD up for grabs for one lucky reader!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Tell me your child's favorite farm animal. Easy peasy, right?! Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. Just leave me a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry)

3.) Add my button to your site and comment with a link where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on May 28, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this DVD from Beth at Foundry Communications in exchange for my candid review. I was in no other way compensated for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are mine alone. Your experience may differ.

Coming Soon: More Wubbzy!

If you didn't win my Wubbzy Goes Green giveaway, have no fear! The Wubbzter and his friends Walden and Widget are back with an all-new prehistoric adventure, Escape from Dino Island! If you have a toddler or preschooler who's a fan of Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!, they won't want to miss this.

Next week, I'll be sharing my review of the DVD and giving one away to one lucky winner. So stay tuned!

Review and Giveaway: Dwizzle Dee CLOSED

Call me a bad mom but I let my toddler watch TV. (*gasp* the horror!) As a stay-at-home mom, there are times I need to safely occupy my son while I take care of cooking, cleaning. laundry and/or other duties around the house. We don't sit in front of the boob tube all day long but I don't mind a few Nick Jr. shows here and there. I prefer programs that have an educational component in addition to the obvious entertainment. So, when I was invited to review a new children's DVD series, I gladly accepted.

Dwizzle Dee™ – Colors, Sizes, Songs & Imagination! is the first title in a new educational video series, created to entertain and educate preschool children, ages 1-4. Dwizzle Dee™ teaches fundamentals such as colors, sizes and shapes and utilizes repetition, imagination, songs and fun problem solving to reinforce these principles. Featuring colorful and lovable live-action puppet characters - Lenny, Penny, Gifford and their teacher, Ms. Ashley - the series encourages children to participate in fun and stimulating adventures inside the virtual classroom. Dwizzle Dee™ has been approved and endorsed by two prestigious nationally-recognized parenting organizations - The Dove Foundation and KIDS FIRST! Coalition For Quality Children's Media - as DVDs they would recommend to parents and children.

The story behind the project is wholly inspiring. Dwizzle Dee™ has been a labor of love for its producers/directors, Ryan Poore and Scott Anderson. They both had full-time production jobs and had to work on their new "baby" in their spare time. They both also lived in separate geographical regions so production had to take place in seven different locations in three states. But after five long years, their commitment to unique, quality children's programming has finally come to life.

We received a copy of Dwizzle Dee™ – Colors, Sizes, Songs & Imagination! to review. As soon as my son caught a glimpse of the colorful cover, he couldn't wait to watch it. I popped it in our DVD player and the intro screen featured one of the puppets, Gifford, playing peek-a-boo. Nate just lit up and started giggling. I knew we had a winner on our hands.

Dwizzle Dee™ reminded me alot of the PBS classic, Sesame Street. The furry puppets were cuddly and sweet. The teacher, Ms. Ashley, guides us through the lesson and helps us identify primary colors, shapes and sizes. But you don't stay indoors for long! After some classroom time, she encourages us to go outside, explore nature and play pretend, where we use fun, catchy songs (like "I'll Become A Little Flower When I Sprout" to the tune of "She'll Be Comin' 'Round the Mountain") to reinforce the messages that we've learned.



The bright, vibrant colors really captured Nate's attention. His favorite part was pretending to be a bee and "bzz"-ing along with the characters. As you can see from the expressions on his face, Dwizzle Dee™ was a surefire hit.



Some TV shows or videos amuse Nate but start to grate my nerves after awhile. Dwizzle Dee™ didn't have that effect on me. It wasn't overstimulating and didn't make me feel jumpy or manic. I didn't have the urge to change the channel or turn it off after 5 minutes. It's just a half-hour of pure, simple fun that we can enjoy together. Check out this preview to see for yourself:



Also included on the DVD are sing-a-longs from the show and an illustrated video preview of Frankie Corrigan's storybook, El Gato. Nate didn't have much interest in El Gato but I personally thought it was a great way to introduce the Spanish language to young children.

I could definitely see a whole line of Dwizzle Dee™ puppets and toys being released along with the DVDs. If your child is a fan of the-little-red-monster-whose-name-begins-with-E, they will love Dwizzle Dee™!

BUY IT: Dwizzle Dee™ – Colors, Sizes, Songs & Imagination! is not due out nationally until May 25, but you can pre-order it now through Amazon.com or FilmBaby.com (ARV $14.95).

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win their own copy of Dwizzle Dee™ – Colors, Sizes, Songs & Imagination!!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Tell me who you'd like to win this DVD for. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me and Dwizzle Dee on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet or come up with one of your own:

Educate and entertain your preschooler with the @DwizzleDee DVD series! Win a copy @kris10chumley Ends 5/18 http://bit.ly/96BiA0

Just leave me a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) Become a fan of Dwizzle Dee on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Add my button to your site and comment with a link where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on May 18, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this DVD from Eva at Damore P.R. to facilitate my honest review. I was in no other way compensated for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are solely mine. Your experience may differ.

Giveaway: Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! "Wubbzy Goes Green" DVD CLOSED

Thank you to Anchor Bay Entertainment and Grand Communications for their participation in the Goodie Goodie Gumdrops Earth Week Event!

It's never to early to start teaching your child to be kind to Mommy. Mother Earth that is. Set a good example by taking along reusable cups instead of disposable juice boxes while on the road. Have an older child join an organization that plants trees and/or encourages eco-consciousness. Even little acts like turning the faucet off while brushing your teeth can set the stage for responsible "green" behavior. And now you can get help from some of your preschooler's favorite Wuzzleburg friends.

The quirky, bendy-tailed character we all know and love from the hit Emmy-winning Nick Jr. TV series, Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! is going from yellow to green in his new environmentally-themed DVD, Wubbzy Goes Green. Just in time for Earth Day, Wubbzy and pals teach young fans the importance of being green, whether it's recycling or growing berries. Wubbzy Goes Green is a great tool to help kids learn how to pitch in and help make the Earth a better place.



To celebrate this exciting new release, Anchor Bay Entertainment has partnered with the Alliance for Community Trees (ACT). For every Wubbzy Goes Green DVD sold, Anchor Bay will donate $1 to ACT to support the planting of trees in playgrounds and schoolyards across the country! This special tree-planting initiative is active through May 31, 2010.

Why are trees so important, you may ask?! Here are some fun facts to share with your child:

Trees help clean our air. Trees capture soot and dust particles that would otherwise enter our lungs and contaminate our soil and water. It is estimated that four million trees could save $20 million in annual air pollution cleanup!

Trees save energy. Trees keep our homes cool in the warmer months. Three to four shady trees placed strategically around a house can cut summer cooling costs by 30-50%!

Trees keep us healthy. Green settings can reduce symptoms of asthma and ADHD.

Trees inspire us to do better. It's been proven that students perform better in tests when surrounded by trees and grass. Also, neighborhoods with more trees tend to experience less crime.



BUY IT: You can purchase Wubbzy Goes Green from most movie retailers or online at Amazon.com (ARV $13.49).

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to help their little one(s) get a green thumb with their own copy of Wubbzy Goes Green!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Give me one example of how you teach your child(ren) to be environmentally-responsible. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count! Remember to leave one comment per entry.

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. If you already follow and/or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet of come up with one of your own:

Teach your little one to be kind to Mother Nature with the "Wubbzy Goes Green" DVD @kris10chumley Ends 5/5 http://bit.ly/aQGuaZ

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) Add my regular blog button and/or event button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry/each)

Giveaway will end on May 5, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I was offered this giveaway opportunity from Rachel at Grand Communications. I did not receive a review copy, nor was I compensated in any other way for this post.

Giveaway: Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! "Go For Gold" DVD CLOSED

Today marks the start of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. And while you may not have a pass to Vancouver, I have just the ticket to get you and your kiddos pumped up.

Wubbzy, the quirky character we all know and love from the Emmy Award-winning Nick Jr. series, Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!, shoots and scores with a new action-packed, athletic-themed DVD, Go For Gold. With the help of Olympic-medalist and figure skater Michelle Kwan and NFL star Tiki Barber, Wubbzy and friends learn the importance of teamwork, good sportsmanship and more.

In "Run For Fun", one of the seven episodes included on the disc, everyone in Wuzzleburg is excited that the Wuzzolympic Games are coming to town - especially when they hear that the head coach is Michelle Kwanzzleberry (Michelle Kwan)! Wubbzy and pals gear up to compete in the Wuzzleburg Wacky Dash and Michelle advises them to prepare, practice and - most of all - have fun. While Wubbzy, Widget and Walden all devise shortcuts to help them reach the finish line the fastest, Daizy helps her friends see that slow and steady wins the race. In another episode, "What A Card", Wubbzy and Daisy try to complete their footy-football card collections with the extremely rare Touchdown Tiki card. When a mutual friend happens to get it, they both try to become his best friend with the hope he will share the coveted card. Other lessons from the episodes include playing fair and perseverance.

Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! supports preschoolers' social skills such as sharing, listening, compromising, cooperating, helping and appreciating others and self-awareness. Because the characters deal with similar developmental issues, preschoolers can learn how to get along with their peers, by recognizing and understanding the feelings of others as well as their own.

Go For Gold also features music videos and special coloring and activity pages to keep kids moving, even if its too cold for outdoor play.

BUY IT: Go For Gold will be available to purchase at retailers nationwide on Tuesday, February 16 (ARV $16.98).

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to take home the gold - Go For Gold, that is!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Tell me your favorite Olympic sport - summer or winter. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count! Remember to leave one comment per entry.

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. If you already follow and/or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the tweet below or come up with your own.

Help your preschooler Go For The Gold with Wubbzy's new Olympic-themed DVD! Score a copy @kris10chumley http://bit.ly/dnNEu2

Just leave me a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry)

3.) Add my blog button and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on February 27, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I did not receive a product to review, nor was I compensated in any other way for this post. Thank you to Rachel at Grand Communications for this giveaway opportunity.

Giveaway: Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! "Wubb Idol" CLOSED

Nate and I are big fans of Nick Jr. Yes, even the mama can enjoy kids' programming. Admit it: some of it is really kinda catchy! We don't watch much afternoon TV in our house but there is one show that we've come to know and love.

Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! is an Emmy award-winning animated children's series that follows the adventures of a playful, cheerful little guy named Wubbzy in his hometown of Wuzzleburg. Wubbzy often encounters problems along the way and consults his friends: the spunky Daizy, quirky intellectual Walden, and mechanic whiz Widget. Now in its second season, Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! is the #2 rated program on Nick Jr. for preschoolers, behind Dora the Explorer.

Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! supports a range of important preschool social skills, including sharing, listening, compromising, helping and appreciating others, self-awareness and the use of humor as a coping skill. Although their world is more fanciful and imaginative than our own, Wubbzy and his friends deal with the same social and developmental issues faced by preschoolers. They learn how they fit into the group, how to understand their own feelings and those of others, and how to get along with one another. Young viewers learn the value of friendship and community as they have fun watching Wubbzy and his friends tackle these issues in each new adventure.

Wubbzy is going A-list in the DVD release of "Wubb Idol" , the newest TV movie from the franchise. Wubbzy, his best friends, Walden, Widget and Daizy, can’t wait for the most popular girl group, The Wubb Girlz, to pay a visit to host the “Wuzzleburg Idol” talent show! Everyone in town hopes to win the contest. If Wubbzy can wow the judges, he’ll get the chance to go on to Wuzzlewood and perform with Sparkle, Shimmer, and Shine at their big concert and maybe even become a movie star! But will he remember the importance of just being himself? International pop sensation Beyonce Knowles makes her voiceover debut - her first-ever children's project - as Shine, the lead singer of the Wubb Girlz! The new 93-minute DVD - with double the content of the TV movie version - features special activities, coloring pages and music videos, as well as a new original song composed and performed by Beyonce titled, "Sing-a-Song."

BUY IT: "Wubb Idol" was just released today, October 13, and can be purchased on Amazon and at select retailers (ARV $16.98).

You can also visit the Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! website to play interactive Wubbzy games and activities, or check out the first-ever podcasts for preschoolers.

WIN IT: To celebrate the release of "Wubb Idol", I've been offered a very special prize-pack to give away to one of my readers! This prize includes the new "Wubb Idol" DVD, two "Wubb-Idol"-themed books from Scholastic and the new Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! Sing-a-Song CD, featuring the original song composed and performed by Beyonce!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): What is your favorite kids' TV show and why? Be sure to leave me your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile or if you are not a blogger!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about the contest. Just leave me a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry)

3.) Add my button to your site and comment with a link where I can find it. (1 entry)

4.) Enter any of my other current giveaways and leave a comment telling me which one(s) you entered. (1 entry each)

Giveaway will end on October 27, 2009 at 11:59pm EST. U.S. residents only. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I was offered this giveaway opportunity from Genna at Grand Communications. I did not receive a product to review and was not compensated in any way for this post.