Adventures in Oz with Cheryl

Adventures in Oz with Cheryl is one of those high profile, high production values fitness tapes for kids that is so carried away with concept, it tends to forget what it is trying to achieve in the first place. In the opening program, Cheryl Ann Silich--a very buff, bodybuilding Dorothy (who possesses "a doctorate in biomechanics management with a subspecialization in motivation and motor skills psychology with an antagonism for overeating and self indulgence"), lands in Oz's Munchkidland where the Nice Witch has cast a spell of "lazy rain" on the inhabitants, taking away their initiative to play and exercise. While Dorothy eventually does lead viewers down the road to fitness with some catchy song and dance numbers, and, together with the Lizard of Oz (an animated reptile librarian) shares some important nutritional information, the program is repeatedly bogged down in extraneous plot and dialogue. Still, the elaborate sets and special effects may appeal to very young viewers, and with additional lessons on the importance of reading, cleaning one's room, personal hygiene, friendship, teamwork, conflict resolution, etc., spread throughout the 3-volume series (the other titles are Yellow Brick Road and The Emerald City), consider this an optional purchase. Aud: K, E, P. (R. Ray)