Winner: [email protected]
Did you know that The Jim Henson Company has been around for 60 years!?!? I sure did not!!
Jim Henson was a genius puppeteer, artist, inventor, screenwriter, actor, film director, and producer, and brought the world such indelible characters as Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal, Gonzo, Rowlf the Dog, Bunsen and Beaker and others, collectively known as The Muppets. He also created the Sesame Street Muppets like Ernie & Bert, Big Bird, Cookie Monster and Grover.
In addition to creating The Muppet Show and the first three Muppet feature films, Jim also conceived the awe-inspiring fantasy film The Dark Crystal; the stunning visual-effects laden live-action feature Labyrinth; the perennial favorite, Fraggle Rock; and numerous other beloved titles like Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas and The Storyteller.
We had a chance to review some of the amazing DVDs and books available right now – some of them which are PERFECT for Halloween!!!
DVD: Dinosaur Train: Buddy’s Halloween Adventure. From visiting a haunted house for a spooky party in the story “Haunted Roundhouse,” to learning about “Gourd Day” – a kind of Mesozoic Halloween in the adventure “Big Pond Pumpkin Patch,” this DVD features four spooktastic tales the entire family will enjoy!
I’ll be honest and say that my older two kids did not enjoy this as much as my younger one (she is just 7 and the older two are 8 1/2 and 11). Charlotte thought it was great fun and even though she understands about dinosaurs, it really shares some facts that she may not already know.
DVD: Doozers: Spookypalooza. It’s Spookypalooza! The Pod Squad makes the spookiest pumpkin ever – a cool “Pumpkin Doozer” made by stacking three pumpkins together. But when their new invention starts rolling all around town, the Doozers have to find a way to reign in their spooky creation! Enjoy four STEM-based adventures with the Doozers!
This was one that all of my kids enjoyed (don’t tell my oldest, but I caught her smiling through some of it). I love how they teach problem solving, team work and imagination in solving problems. The kids think they are just enjoying a movie, but they are actually learning (shhhh…don’t tell them)!!
DVD: Pajanimals: Spooky Costumes. Cowbella is nervous about trick or treating because she doesn’t like all the scary vampires and zombies she saw at a party. A trip to Storybook Land reveals that those vampires and werewolves are just costumes that the big kids wear to have fun, just like her pretty princess costume!
This was another one where my kids were a bit too old, but it was still fun for them to watch. I really liked how this video focused on helping kids learn about bedtime including the need to relax and unwind and those routines (that they may not always enjoy).
DVD: Sid the Science Kid: Sid’s Spooky Halloween. Halloween can be spooky and scientific as Sid and his friends discover how bats catch mosquitoes, why spiders are expert engineer web builders, and how skeletons make up the foundation of our bodies! Later the kids dress up to celebrate Halloween at school with Teacher Suzie!
My kids all love Sid. It is mostly because they all love science, so they are intrigued by the lessons that he teaches. They get to see science in action, learn fun new things and still get in a few smiles and giggles.
We also had a chance to review a couple of paperback books too!
The first one was Doozers Catch A Ride. In this story, everyone in the Pod Squad has a very special vehicle to help them get around Doozer Creek—everyone except Molly Bolt, so her friends decide to get together and build the perfect ride for her! When Molly Bolt takes each of their vehicles for a spin, where she realizes she wants a vehicle as unique as she is!
I loved that this book taught my daughter about being herself and realizing that she is unique and should embrace her differences. I also loved that she was actually able to read it to me (I love listening to her read …. it just warms my heart).
We also read Doozers Stick With It. In this one, the Pod Squad wants to make their neighborhood a better place, so they decide to build a new playground for everyone to enjoy! Spike invented a Super Sticking Spray to join pieces together, but when the spray turns from super sticky to super slippery, Professor Gimbal slips and falls—and gets stuck in the playground equipment!
This book helped teach problem solving. The team had a problem and had to figure out the best way to solve it. We had fund trying to figure out if something would work before the team tried it out…and again my daughter was able to read it to me!
The last item we were able to review was a hardback book (love hardback books as they last so long)!!
This book is Enchanted Sisters: Winter’s Flurry Adventure Winter. Winter loves to play with her sisters, Autumn, Spring, and Summer, but her very best friend is her pet polar bear, Flurry. He’s the perfect companion for sledding, ice skating, and all kinds of wild escapades. When Winter and Flurry find a baby arctic fox, Winter loves him immediately… which makes Flurry very jealous.. and sends him running to play with the Weeds. But these wild boys bring trouble wherever they go and Winter will need the help of all of her enchanted sisters to get him back!
My youngest daughter wants to be like her older sister and read chapter books. She was so thrilled that she got “a big kid book” where she was able to use a bookmark like her sister. It was fun for us to read a little from the book every night. We’d discuss what happened and then each evening, recall what we read the night before so we would remember where we left off. It was great for helping her to develop her reading comprehension skills (when she thought she was just reading an awesome book)!
THE GIVEAWAY:
One reader will receive a prize pack which includes the following:
DVD: Dinosaur Train: Buddy’s Halloween Adventure
DVD: Doozers: Spookypalooza
DVD: Pajanimals: Spooky Costumes
DVD: Sid the Science Kid: Sid’s Spooky Halloween
Doozers Catch A Ride
Doozers Stick With It
Enchanted Sisters: Winter’s Flurry Adventure Winter
(Retail Value: $52.93)
This contest will be open until September 30, 2015, at 11:59 p.m. EST. The winner will be chosen at random and contacted via email. The prize will be mailed to the address provided on the entry form.
Penny Pinchin’ Mom received the same prize pack. By entering this giveaway/sweepstakes, you are attesting that you have read and can comply with the Giveaway Terms & Conditions.