Rope Around the World

Aimed at younger viewers, Rope Around the World, featuring champion diver-cum-jump-rope enthusiast Erin Moore (a.k.a. the Hip Hopper), combines jump rope instruction with home video footage of Moore and others jump roping round the world (Montreal, London, Paris, Tokyo, etc.). Viewers will learn basic jump roping, as well as side swing, twist, straddle jump, straddle cross, backwards jump roping, scissors jump, and more. While the instruction is very good--and the real reason to pick this up--the production looks a wee bit low-budget, the attempts at skit-like humor fall flat, and the music used for the "round the world" footage is repetitious. Still, Moore is a sincere and talented teacher and I've no doubt that her on-the-road school program (which also addresses--as does the video--general fitness and nutrition issues) is well received. If you don't already own Kids Can Jump! (VL-3/98) or Mel Aimee Chinese Jump Rope (VL-7/95), you might want to consider this one. A strong optional purchase. Aud: E, I, J, P. (R. Pitman)