Baby Galileo, a young kangaroo puppet, looks toward the sky in an exploration of the awesome wonders above to discover the sun, moon, clouds, stars, and galaxies, and each of the nine planets,. This 30-minute presentation features rapidly shifting images that include real-life photography of the celestial wonders and children playing with space-themed toys, animated segments, and puppetry. A variety of excerpts from classical masterpieces like Mozart's "A Little Night Music" and Debussy's "Clair de Lune," specially arranged in primarily synthesized "music box" arrangements, as well as several popular nursery songs like "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star," accompany the imagery and ensure a stimulating, multi-sensory experience. DVD extras include a repeat-play function, discovery cards with 14 real-life photographs of celestial wonders with spoken and written titles, puppetry excerpts from the presentation, toy chest with details about pictured toys, and a DVD-ROM coloring book. (Ages 9 months to 4 years) --Tami HoriuchiPrice: $19.99
Easily attaches to headrest posts - No installation required. Adjustable clamps to fit all car models. Custom designed for the Apple iPad. Adjustable tilt for ultimate viewing experience. Great for keeping the kids entertained during those long trips.
Adults may think it's too early to teach a baby the difference between a trumpet and a bugle, but Baby Einstein: Meet the Orchestra--First Instruments entertains children with its next music installment. Relying on its tried-and-true formula of bright colors, quick-paced format, and almost no dialogue (except to repeat names and identify groups by section: brass, woodwinds, strings, and so forth), First Instruments flashes the instrument and its name on the screen, demonstrates how it sounds, and shows animated characters, puppets, babies, youth, and grown-ups all performing on (and enjoying) it. It then combines instruments for a few classical numbers. The jazzy rendition of Beethoven's "Fur Elise" is questionable (it would be nicer to teach kids appreciation for the real thing). Bonus features include instrument flash cards, several puppet shows, a featurette teaching more about music, and additional orchestral numbers. A nice diversion for your little maestro-to-be. Ages 1 year and up.--Ellen A. Kim
The Baby Einstein Company's "video board books" were designed as music-focused developmental tools to stimulate babies' brains (prompted by research proving that exposure to classical melodies can improve verbal ability, spatial intelligence, creativity, and memory in youngsters). Now the company is expanding into other art forms, including color and art. The idea remains the same--taking bold, beautiful objects (toys, puppets, nature scenes) and setting them to fun renditions of classical music (their recordings are easily the best in the crowded field of child development). A new puppet--Vincent Van Goat--introduces the six primary colors and associates them with Van Gogh's paintings--"The Starry Night" for blue, "Wheat Fields with Reaper" for yellow. The only misstep is the poetry written and read by creator Julie Aigner-Clark, which is strongly reminiscent of Dr. Seuss's My Many Colored Days.