Some of my most treasured memories have been spending time reading with my boys. Although they are older now, they still love to go back and re-read the classic board and picture books from their childhood, such as Goodnight Moon, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Years ago, I found the most amazing video series that I fondly remember watching together as a family. It was the Scholastic Storybook Treasures Series, that has since continued to release additional familiar and beloved titles from award-winning and classic children’s stories. What is so great about these videos, is that they bring many our most cherished books to life. They are narrated by an all star celebrity cast including: Sharon Stone, Sarah Jessica Parker, James Earl Jones and many more. These videos are produced by Weston Woods, and the original artwork is animated or slightly animated to suggest movement, causing excellent books to become spectacular movies. If you are looking for the perfect holiday gift, I highly recommend any of the Scholastic Storybook DVD’s. If you can’t decide which ones to buy, perhaps you should consider the Scholastic Treasury of 100 Storybook Classics, 16 DVD Disc Set ($109.95). In addition to the wonderful stories, great artwork, and narration, each video is a fantastic value. Within each DVD, there are additional bonus features and stories that my children loved. Each video is carefully crafted based on a particular author or theme that binds each DVD together.
Due to the enormous popularity of these videos, a second Treasury has recently been released, The Treasury of 100 Storybook Classic Volume 2 ($99.95). This 17 disc set features 100 award-winning and classic children’s stories are faithfully adapted and brought to rich life. From Goodnight Moon and the beloved adventures of Corduroy to Red Riding Hood, this colossal set features nearly 20 hours of quality entertainment which together have won more than 115 awards including the prestigious Caldecott Medal and Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children’s Video. Packed with celebrity narration from stars such as Zach Braff, Abigail Breslin, Stockard Channing, Mia Farrow, Cyndi Lauper, John Lithgow, and many others. These videos feature Scholastic’s innovative read-along function that highlights words as they are read, supporting early literacy skills. Along with additional fun and mind-stimulating activities, interviews with authors and illustrators, as well as 9 stories in Spanish. The 17 Titles in the treasury include:
Disc 1 – Goodnight Moon
Disc 2 – Corduroy
Disc 3 – Good Night, Gorilla
Disc 4 – The Wheels on the Bus
Disc 5 – There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
Disc 6 – Is Your Mama a Llama?
Disc 7 – Giggle Giggle Quack
Disc 8 – The Hans Christian Andersen Collection
Disc 9 – The James Marshall Fairytale Collection
Disc 10 – He s Got the Whole World in His Hands
Disc 11 – Antarctic Antics
Disc 12 – The Teacher From the Black Lagoon
Disc 13 – Miss Nelson Has a Field Day
Disc 14 – Crazy Hair Day
Disc 15 – So You Want to Be President?
Disc 16 – The Night Before Christmas
Disc 17 – A Very Brave Witch
In addition, Scholastic has also released The Wheels on the Bus Sing-Along Travel Kit ($24.95), designed for kids ages 3-9, and is sure to keep your children thoroughly entertained for hours. This kit was awarded a prestigious 2010 NAPPA Gold Award, and features two musical DVDs featuring 15 animated literary classics, a CD with 13 sing-along songs, a 34-page activity booklet loaded with games and activities to support early math and reading skills, crayons, and helpful travel tips for parents. Everything is packaged in a colorful and portable travel case, turning the set into a fun-filled, go-anywhere mini-suitcase. Here are the 15 stories that are included:
1. The Wheels on the Bus
2. There Was an old lady Who swallowed a Fly
3. This land is Your land
4. Frog Went A-Courtin’
5. Over in the Meadow
6. Giraffes Can’t Dance
7. Dem Bones
8. The Chinese violin
9. Changes, Changes
10. Musical Max
11. Joseph Had a little overcoat
12. Bugs! Bugs! Bugs!
13. All the Colors of the Earth
14. Keeping House
15. Hush little Baby
You can find a huge selection of Scholastic gift ideas here. The Treasury of 100 Storybook Classics and the Scholastic Storybook Treasures DVD’s are a must have, and should be on everyone’s holiday list for 2010! (Reviewed by Meredith Fire-Hess)
