Miffy: The Christmas Book

For over 45 years, Dutch author Dick Bruna has delighted children with his sparsely animated chubby bunny Miffy and her friends. Using simple illustrations, bold primary colors, and sweet, unhurried voice-over narration, the five-minute title segment here briefly tells the story of the birth of Jesus. Unfortunately, for viewers who might be foolishly tempted to surmise that a video called Miffy: The Christmas Book might be a holiday-themed program, the other four short stories (also roughly five minutes each) are not even remotely about Christmas. “The Party of Auntie Alice” invites viewers to a birthday party with streamers, cake, songs and a conga line; “Through the Year with Boris Bear” is a cute romp highlighting the seasons of the year; “Circus” introduces young viewers to the surprises found under the Big Top; and “Snuffy's Puppies,” centers around three little fur-balls, illustrating how much care new puppies need. Though the primary colors seem a bit washed out here, the big blocky illustrations and slow easy pace of these universal tales will find a welcome audience with very young viewers. Recommended. Also available at the same price: Miffy at School and Tell Me a Story, Miffy! Aud: K, P. (N. Plympton)