Stranger Safety

Produced by Julie Clark (founder of the Baby Einstein Company) and John Walsh (America's Most Wanted), this cheery title features “Safe Side Superchick,” a daffy and engaging host who points out the difference between people who are “don't knows” (strangers) and “kinda knows” (coaches, etc.), and wears color-coded shirts depending on what's going on in the scene—green for okay, yellow for caution, red for danger. “Hot Tips” for kids are interspersed throughout to reinforce lessons, which include: keep your adult close by, don't open the front door by yourself, and know who your parents give you permission to be with in the case of an emergency. Importantly, the host also demonstrates—with humor—that even a boy with a black belt in karate isn't big or strong enough to take on an adult. The only weakness here is the ”safe circle” that children are encouraged to imagine around themselves (which could be confusing or disturbing to literal-minded young viewers if “don't knows” get in their space at a festival or a crowded mall). Aside from this small quibble, this is highly recommended. Aud: K, E, P. (R. Reagan)