Dance & Hop with the Doodlebops

Targeted at toddlers-to-kindergartners, this compilation from the Canadian children's series (which airs on Playhouse Disney in the U.S.) includes four episodes featuring the wacky antics of the brightly-colored, energetic, live-action musical trio the Doodlebops: Rooney, Moe, and Deedee. Each episode includes routine segments such as the “Where's Moe?” game (viewers “help” find Moe's hiding spot of the day), the chant-along Doodlebop pledge (including promises about sharing and caring), a visit from scatting manager Mazz, the “Don't Pull the Rope!” joke (which always leaves Moe soaked with water), chats with puppet friends, and a trip with Bob the bus driver to the Doodlebops' concert performance featuring a live audience. In the episodes themselves, “Tap Tap Tap” harkens back to the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale “The Red Shoes,” “Jumpin' Judy” features Mazz's cousin's addition to the Doodlebops act, “The Move Groove” finds the group trying to reach a concert by any means necessary (including rollerblade, trolley, rickshaw, and plane) after their bus breaks down, and “Wobbly Whoopsy” follows Rooney and Moe in their quest to find a great birthday present for Deedee. Combining catchy music, uplifting lyrics with positive messages, and nice location footage, DVD extras here include knock-knock jokes, four sing-along songs, and three music videos. Recommended. [Note: Rock & Bop with the Doodlebops is also newly available.] Aud: K, E, P. (J. Williams-Wood)