Why Dragonfly? What's Up With the Moon?

Looking up at the bright afternoon sky and seeing a big half-moon, Emily and Ryan wonder if something is wrong, only to be greeted by a stranger sight: a magical talking blue dragonfly named Archimedes, who shrinks the kids down to a size suitable for transporting, and then flies them to see various scientist friends who answer their questions and teach them about how the earth, sun, and moon interact. Why Dragonfly? combines live-action footage with topnotch 3D computer animation of Archimedes (who is of the eccentric-but-sweet British professor type) and illustrative models of the orbits of the earth and moon. A clever program that tries to mix adventure and education, the narrative here sometimes feel clunky, and while the kids come across well on camera, the same cannot be said for some of the scientist adults. Still, given the high production values and creativity employed to teach some rather complicated (for the suggested pre-K and up age group) astronomical concepts, this is recommended, overall. Aud: K, E, I. (E. Gieschen)