Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days

This celebration of the 40th anniversary of the longest-running children's television series in U.S. history is a combination video scrapbook and greatest-hits compilation featuring snippets from every season. Ernie sings “Rubber Ducky” and Kermit croons “It's Not Easy Being Green”; viewers see an orange Oscar the Grouch (he went green later); and Alistair Cookie (Monster) introduces Monsterpiece Theatre's production of “Me, Claudius”—all in the first half-hour. Over a dozen musical guests are featured, from Diana Ross and James Taylor to Destiny's Child and Alicia Keys. Pop culture flashbacks—R2D2 and C3PO help Big Bird to count, The Fonz teaches us the difference between “on” and “off”—place the show in its various unmistakable eras. Touchstone moments are revived, including the day the grown-ups finally see the Snuffleupagus, the marriage of Maria and Luis and the birth of their daughter, and, most touchingly, the discussion with Big Bird about the death of Mr. Hooper (after real-life actor Will Lee passed away). And closer to the present, we see the first appearances of current Muppet favorites Elmo and Abby Cadabby. The nostalgia factor is irresistible for adults, and the playful, gentle educational approach of the skits is perfect for children of any generation, making this one of the few children's DVDs that parents may enjoy as much as (if not more than) their kids. The two-disc set also includes a half-hour of behind-the-scenes footage and interviews, an optional pop-up trivia track, and more. Highly recommended. Aud: P. (S. Axmaker)