Harold and the Purple Crayon: The Complete Series

HBO's thoroughly enchanting, Emmy award-winning animated series draws on Crockett Johnson's cherished children's picture books for inspiration. Van Dyke Parks' whimsical music and Sharon Stone's warm narration set the stage for each of Harold's bedtime adventures--13 in all--collected here, in which Harold's purple crayon transports him from his bedroom and away "from the long straight path" to explore wondrous landscapes in which anything is possible. In "Harold's Walk on the Wild Side," the little waif experiences life as one of a menagerie of animals; in "Future Clock," he tries out several grownup professions; and "Fly Away Home" finds him achieving big things, even though he's as small as a bug. One of the most moving episodes is "I Remember Goldie," a sensitive and reassuring story in which Harold comes to terms with the death of his beloved goldfish. Harold's purple majesty is faithfully rendered here in the gentle spirit of Johnson's books, and while Harold may not say much, his ceaselessly inventive pictures are worth a thousand words. Highly recommended. Aud: P. (D. Liebenson)