Where the Wild Things Are...and 5 More Stories by Maurice Sendak

By: Paula Slade

With the holidays fast approaching and the economy still in flux, parents and caregivers are searching for value-oriented items in the realm of children’s entertainment.

From now until December 21, 2009, this column will appear twice per week with products that have been researched for quality as well as value, and that will provide the children in your life with many hours of positive and fun-filled entertainment.

Upcoming Items to be covered include DVD’s, games; dolls; miscellaneous toys; music; subscriptions and electronics.

There will be a variety of price points offered, and when possible, the “Suggested Retail Price" (SRP) that is established by the manufacturer  will be provided, allowing you to cross-compare with various online as well as stick and brick retailers. (Oftentimes, you will find many of these items below, or well below the SRP.)

As always, you are the best judge of what is appropriate for your child’s entertainment.

Today we take a look a superior collection of storybooks on DVD and highlight products from Scholastic Storybook Treasures and Weston Woods Studios.

Where the Wild Things Are...and 5 More Stories by Maurice Sendak (Scholastic Storybook Treasures)

True to Maurice Sendak's original all-time classic storybook, Where the Wild Things Are, this Scholastic Storybook Treasure will delight youngsters who may not be old enough to see the current PG film adaptation directed by Spike Jonze. Music and Narration is provided by the extraordinary Peter Schickele. Also included in this DVD are Sendak’s other classics, In the Night Kitchen, The Nutshell Kids, Alligators All Around, One Was Johnny and Chicken Soup With Rice. As a bonus, there is a segment on "Getting to Know Maurice Sendak" as well as a Spanish and French version of Where the Wild Things Are.

Run Time:54 minutes
Format: DVD/1 Disc
Price: $14.95 SRP
 

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom & Chicka Chicka 1 2 3 (Scholastic Storybook Treasures)

Fun and educational at the same time this collection combines Bill Martin, Jr.’s award-winning/ best-selling books and the animation of Lois Ehlert’s colorful illustrations plus sing-along soundtracks from Crystal Taliefero, and additional storybook classics such as: Blueberries for Sal and Emily’s First 100 Days of School.

Run Time:2 hours, 9 minutes
Format: DVD/2 Discs
Price: $19.95 SRP

The Night Before Christmas... and More Classic Holiday Titles (Scholastic Storybook Treasures) (Special Edition 2-Pack)

More than two hours of holiday themed entertainment, which includes 12 colorful animated tales from the best-loved children’s books that celebrate the winter holiday season. Stories about Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Chinese New Year and other family celebrations are narrated by such notable actors as Anthony Edwards, Jane Curtin and Christopher Lloyd. (Available for pre-order with release date December 8, 2009)

Run Time: 124 minutes
Format: DVD/2 Discs
Price: $19.95 SRP

Treasury of Classic Bedtime Stories (Scholastic Storybook Treasures)

From beloved bedtime classics such as Harold and the Purple Crayon to Curious George and Corduroy, there are 28 animated tales in this collection, which have won over 30 awards (including the prestigious Caldecott Medal.) The DVD set includes the enhanced read-along function along with celebrity narration by James Earl Jones, Mia Farrow, Laura Dern, Lynn Whitfield, Pete Seeger and Anthony Edwards.

Run Time:4 hours, 25 minutes
Format: DVD/4 Discs
Price: $29.95 SRP

Treasury of 100 Storybook Classics (Scholastic Storybook Treasures) (Thinpak)

This is an unprecedented collection of 100 children’s literature classics. These award-winning storybooks are presented on 16 DVDs, which provide nearly 20 hours of entertainment and reinforcement of literacy skills with the innovative read-along function, which highlights words as they're read, allowing children to follow the narrator. Beloved tales such as Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are to Curious George and Corduroy are narrated by celebrities such as Meryl Streep, Sarah Jessica Parker, Forest Whitaker and Cyndi Lauper. The treasury also includes a full-color activity book, 15 additional stories in Spanish, and the French version of Where the Wild Things Are.

Run Time:19 hours,6 minutes
Format: DVD/16 Discs
Price: $99.95 SRP