Noodlebug: Animal Friends

The editors of the preschool magazines Babybug and Ladybug have produced a video based on features from their pages--from iconographic animation and live-action video to puppetry and sing-alongs (with the classic bouncing ball landing on each legibly printed syllable)--designed to stimulate brain building activities through music, movement, humor, story time, problem solving, and second-language learning. Additional segments include a fun physical game (“hop like a bunny; slither like a snake…”), good for getting toddlers off the sofa and interacting with the presentation; a matching activity and size comparison game; an introduction to Spanish vocabulary; and a discussion of the importance of sleep and naps. A closing review section tests children's memories about the games and stories, while a parent's guide on the DVD version includes notes on getting the most out of the program. While my toddler, a Babybug subscriber, was disappointed that the ongoing “Kim and Carrots” characters from the magazine weren't included, he enjoyed it nevertheless and highly recommends it for other little folks. Aud: K, P. (R. Reagan)