The Adventures of Carrot Top

Life in France during the early 1900s can be tough for a 10-year-old, especially Carrot Top, a redheaded lad who suffers mightily at the hands of his temperamental, cruel, complaining, selfish, manipulative, and just plain bad stepmother, in the first three episodes of the initial tape in the four volume series The Adventures of Carrot Top. Throughout, the stepmother serves up punishments such as "no supper until you've shined everyone's shoes," banishment to the loneliness of the shed, or locking Carrot Top in his room. "My own mother used to be so kind to me," Carrot Top laments. The first episode, "The Gold Buttons," finds Carrot Top involved in the mysterious disappearance of buttons from the uniforms of local officials. In "The Ribbon," Carrot Top searches for an appropriate gift for his friend Matilda, and in "The Silver Coin," he tries to help Matilda buy back the pet cat her father sold to a mice-plagued storekeeper. The colorful animation, nice background music, and interesting historical setting must be weighed against the overpowering image of the horrible stepmother. With so many blended families sincerely struggling to adjust in today's society, it's unfortunate that this program perpetuates the evil stepparent cliché. Still, consider this a strong optional purchase for larger collections. Aud: P. (J. McDaniel)