Pinatta's View: A Trip to the Dentist

Combining a very elaborate and deftly staged puppet show with live action footage and songs, Pinatta's View, which follows 4-year-old Emily on a trip to the dentist with her mom, features a nice interactive twist--by putting on the pretend Boggle Goggles, the audience can see what Emily sees and hear what Emily hears. Young viewers will learn about brushing and cleaning and plaque and flossing, and even though the “POV” shots through the Boggle Goggles of Emily having her teeth cleaned occasionally brought back unwanted flashbacks of scenes from Marathon Man, this video is in fact soothing and calming and should have the effect of relaxing any child who is making a first trip to the dentist. In addition, it's nice that the creators included the obligatory wait in the dentist's office as part of the video, although the interview with kids at the end of the tape about what they “liked best” about the tape seemed superfluous. Recommended, especially for those without similar fare such as A Trip to the Dentist Can Be Lots of Fun! (VL-11/00). Aud: P. (R. Ray)