So Smart! Vol. 2: All About Shapes

The elegant simplicity of a classic picture book, combined with graceful, imaginative animation, a primary palette, and the beautiful music of Handel and Tchaikovsky make this video one of the best for children 6 months to 4 years. Working with circles, squares and triangles, the producers have given each shape a personality; they multiply, change color, separate and mutate into boats, fish, faces, buildings, trees, animals, and more. Words are flashed on the screen, but you never hear them pronounced--that's for the parent to do--which encourages interaction with baby. I also liked the fact that the producers recommend watching only 10 or 15 minutes at a time, instead of making the video a mesmerizing baby-sitter. This is a well executed project that clearly reaches its objectives at an affordable price. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Also available: So Smart! Vol. 3: All About Letters. Aud: P. (E. Druda)