Blue's Room: Fred's Birthday

Blue's Room, the companion series to the popular Nick Jr. preschool show Blue's Clues, expands the role of principal canine (and speechless) Blue, who morphs from a computer-animated pup into a talking, singing furry puppet when she enters her special titular room. “Fred's Birthday” finds Blue and pals celebrating purple friend Frederica's birthday at a party that includes playing pretend, songs and boogieing, a costumed adaptation of author Ruth Bornstein's birthday tale Little Gorilla, a vocabulary definition of “celebrate” (repeated, and accompanied by chimes à la Pee-Wee's Playhouse), and a puzzle surprise game (reminiscent of the original show's hint and discovery theme). Like its predecessor, Blue's Room is guided by imagination and interaction (Blue often addresses the viewer directly; i.e. “Will you help me?”). Also included here is the fanciful episode “The Fairy Tale Ball” (harkening back to animated Blue and ebullient owner-host Joe's clue-packed journey to the land of nursery rhymes). The DVD features a pair of bonus episodes: “Dress Up Day” and “Our Neighborhood Festival.” Recommended. Aud: P. (J. Williams-Wood)