Jingle-Bell Baby

Although the opening shots of babies pawing at wrapped boxes mingled with close-ups of spinning Christmas tree ornaments seemed somewhat at odds with the occasional narrator's questions relating to colors and numbers (surely the child for whom opening gifts--not to mention simply sitting upright--presents a monumental challenge cannot be expected to be well-versed in pre-school level curriculum), I gradually threw in my Scrooge-like critical towel and accepted the fact that the scattershot audience for this holiday sampler was 6 mos. to 6 yrs. While there are, in my opinion, far too many shots of chubby cherubs sporting reindeer antler and other commercial headdress, Jingle Bell Baby is more than an assembly line of angelic faces and tax-deductible toys. The cameras take young viewers outside for snowing, sledding, and snowman building; visit a candy cane factory to observe the process of making these perennial holiday treats; and offer parent-aided instruction for making Christmas sugar cookies--all to a steady backdrop of instrumental and sung Christmas carols. Recommended. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)