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The best in educational and entertaining media for children from 6 months to 6 years.
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Great new giveaway! 
We have 3 copies of the new Teletubbies DVD Oooh! to giveaway! To win, just sign up for our Free Newsletter.
If you are already a subscriber, you are in the running! Entries close 31st August 2004. Good luck!
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Parents are the first, and most important teachers of their children, not only directly teaching, but choosing products for their children. For preschoolers, the distinction between education and entertainment is subtle. Children of this age group are learning constantly, and the more enjoyment they get from what they watch, read, listen to, or interact with, the more they will take in, and learn. This site looks at a range of resources and media aimed at that critical age before school is started, and assesses the educational and entertainment value of these products. There are also profiles of the artists, writers, and performers involved, interviews, and lots of links to help parents become more informed consumers, choosing the most appropriate products to help give their preschooler a terrific learning head-start.
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Melanie Alexander’s vocals are warm and happy, combining perfectly with the brassy trumpet, horn, trombone and more subtle percussion, guitar and piano. The music is fun, bouncy (danceable), and edifying, and the songs are written specifically with preschoolers in mind and focus on things that young children will be familiar with.
The oversize puppet characters of farmers Max and Milly and their cute animal friends - Henry the horse, Charlotte the chook, Dash the duck, Shirley the sheep, Percy the pig and Daisy the cow - and their blend of stories, music and more are appealing to the target age group, with plenty of colour, movement and variation.
This is a good blend of Australian talent and programmes (the Bananas and Hooley Dooleys are both local) with favourite overseas offerings. All appear regularly on the ABC network and will be familiar to young viewers
The notion that hydrants can come to life and perform heroic feats is sure to tickle the fancy of the middle grades portion of the target audience. Fancy Crazy Hydrants is a good choice for the 'quiet reading time' following the tumult of noon recess for middle grade youngsters when teacher reads a chapter a day.
The book offers tips for managing big behaviour problems, for starting school, dealing with sibling squabbles (this chapter is clear and simple enough for children to read themselves if they are mature enough), increasing self-esteem, dealing with nutrition and weight, and handling parental break-ups.
The singing is bright and bubbly, encouraging children to join in, and the style is varied enough to keep children listening. From rap inspired songs, to circle songs, sweet rhymes, simple rock and roll, and even a bit of Caribbean styled Calypso. 
For readers living outside of Australia the tale introduces children to animals and words not heard in every day conversation. For children living in Australia the words may not be new, but the story will offer as much appeal.
This DVD is full of warm fuzzies without soppy sentiment. It has the feel and intimacy of visiting your favourite relatives. Children will love the colourful and energetic puppets (or is it muppets?), fabulous music and the calm, caring and wise Bear.
Let’s face it--there are not many children’s programs left that you can let your children watch with the complete confidence that there is no violence or that they won't be traumatised in in some way. Let them watch Barney. They’ll enjoy it and you’ll feel like your being a responsible parent (just don’t watch it with them unless you’ve got a bucket handy!).
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