Tipi Tales: Collection 1

Realistic looking Native American puppets are the stars of this delightful series featuring four cousins, their great grandparents, and creatures of the forest whom they consult for life lessons--Eagle, Buffalo, Bear, Beaver, Wolf, Sabe (a.k.a. Bigfoot), and Turtle. Sporting topnotch production values, strong moral messages, and excellent series music composed by Fred Penner and performed by Native American artists Ray St. Germaine and Shingoose, this opening collection of Tipi Tales features four stories. In the first, “Tree of Love,” cousin Elizabeth (with the help of Eagle) learns lessons about the power of words, and that while the shortest path between two points may be a straight line, the best path can be the one that takes longer to travel. “The Winner” teaches young viewers the importance of telling the truth (and defines integrity as choosing to do what is right even when no one else is looking), while “The Loser” tackles the subject of personal responsibility. Finally, in “Pudgy Bear,” Elizabeth gets frustrated trying to teach Russell and Junior yoga, before learning a lesson in patience. Full of gentle lessons and entertaining stories, Tipi Tales: Collection 1 (also available in the seven-volume series, priced at $180 on VHS and $250 on DVD) is highly recommended. Aud: K, E, P. (C. Block)