Phonics 4 Babies: Baby's First Words

Mallory Lewis (who looks and even sounds a little like her mother, the late iconic ventriloquist children's entertainer Shari Lewis) stars in this program designed to “jumpstart” a baby's vocabulary with the help of puppets, songs, and graphics. Set in a CGI world, Phonics 4 Babies: Baby's First Words features Lewis and her main puppet Giggles—one of a variety of caterpillar-ish “Tummy Tots” characters—primarily engaged in playing two repetitious games: a “Can You See It?” matching game with a trio of real-world objects, and “Can You Do It?,” featuring real-life kids performing various activities (opening/shutting a door, hopping, etc.). Interspersed throughout are several segments and songs on the topics of saying “please,” toys, the numbers 1-4, bath time, coloring, and more, with most of Phonics 4 Babies revolving around Lewis' interaction with Giggles, which is reminiscent of Shari's relations with the inimitable Lamb Chop (although, to be honest, Mallory is not yet in the same league). Recommended, overall. Aud: K, P. (J. Williams-Wood)