Hi-5: Game Time, Vol. 3

Friendly, bouncy, outlandishly--though fashionably--dressed twentysomethings Jenn, Karla, Shaun, Kimee, and Curtis are Hi-5, a children's entertainment quintet that giggle and croon their way through this three-episode collection from the Discovery Kids-aired show, spun-off from the popular Australian kids series of the same name. Featuring cutesy vignettes, “songlets” (feeble ditties with excessive repetition), fanciful stories, and imaginative games, each show revolves around a broad theme and is broken down into segments featuring one or more of the Hi-5-ers. “Outside” finds Jenn practicing land surfing with her puppet Chatterbox, Karla fooling around with an invisible beach ball, and Kimee (who never realizes that her skits are consistently interfered with by furtive puppet Jup Jup) pretending to predict the weather. In addition, Shaun and Curtis compete in a fun obstacle course created from shapes, Karla makes believe she's a bowling pin, and the group acts out an inspirational story about a boy with seemingly enchanted shoes that enhance his running (discovering later that--surprise--the magic came from his self-confidence, not his shoes). Also featuring animated clips and shots of real kids at play, the other episodes here are “Rainy Day” (with plenty of weather-themed indoor games), and “Fantasy” (involving a neat-looking musical merry-go-round and book characters popping out for a visit). DVD extras include a sing-along. Recommended, overall. [Note: also newly available are Hi-5: Color Craze and Hi-5: Music Magic.] Aud: P. (J. Williams-Wood)