School Library Journal» Weston Woods

Pick of the Day: Hi! Fly Guy (DVD)

SLJ — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 13:00:20 +0000

Hi! Fly Guy. DVD. 7 min. Weston Woods. 2012. ISBN 978-0-545-47807-6. $59.95; CD with hardcover book, ISBN 978-0-545-47823-6: $29.95; CD with paperback book, ISBN 978-0-545-47822-9: $18.95; CD, ISBN 978-0-545-47806-9: $12.95.
PreS-Gr 2–Fly Guy’s adventures begin with Tedd Arnold’s Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor Book (Cartwheel, 2005), and the sweet series for beginning readers soars to new heights with this outstanding DVD version. Buzz is looking for a smart pet to take to the Amazing Pet Show, and finds one talented fly for his jar. Is it a pest or a pet? Despite the naysayers, Fly Guy proves himself to be one fine flyer and a loyal pet. MacLeod Andrews gives an energetic and varied vocal performance and the animation by Soup2Nuts is hilarious. Best of all, the accompanying music and the Fly Guy song set the scene for a completely satisfying production. Rusty Young and Jack Sundrud’s musical stylings include a sliding clarinet, a guitar, and a harmonica as they steal the show while providing a spot-on match for Fly Guy’s humor and loop-the-loop aerial act. Special effects, from burps to buzzes, further enliven the text. Children will love the DVD and the CD as read-along aids or as pure, joyful entertainment. A delightful interview with the author follows the production. A brilliant marriage of text, art, and music.–Lonna Pierce, MacArthur and Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, Binghamton, NY

Pick of the Day: Show Way (DVD)

SLJ — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 14:58:07 +0000

Show Way. DVD. 12 min. Weston Woods. 2012. ISBN 978-0-545-47811-3. 59.95. CD, ISBN 978-0-545-47810-6: $12.95; CD with hardcover book, ISBN 978-0545-47827-4: $29.95.
Gr 2-5–A Show Way was a quilt that had messages stitched into it showing the family’s journey North to freedom, offering hope and a guide for slaves in the South. That theme of “leading the way” is a thread running through Jacqueline Woodson’s carefully woven story (Putnam, 2005). Soonie’s great-grandma was only a child when she was sold away from her parents. The patchwork quilts that she pieced contained clues leading to freedom. She passed her skill and knowledge on to her daughter, and so it went—generation after generation of strong women, each adding their own piece to the patchwork of their family history. From slavery to civil rights to the author’s own daughter, viewers follow this celebration of the guiding influence that strong women can have in a family. Woodson has chosen each word with particular care, and the personal warmth shines through as she reads her own work with a smile in her voice. Hudson Talbott’s amazing multimedia illustrations joyously play on the quilt theme in wonderful spreads of both patterns and history. To see the author’s own child included in the illustrations at the end of a quilted line of strong women, her face the center of the “North Star” pattern, is heart-touching. There is also a brief interview with the author as she talks about her ancestors and the process of writing the story. This is a wonderful homage to the power of knowing your own history and being true to those who have shown you the way to follow your own dreams.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary, Federal Way, WA

Pick of the Day: Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion (DVD)

SLJ — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 13:00:05 +0000

Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion. DVD. 13 min. with tchr’s. guide. Weston Woods. 2012. ISBN 978-0-545-044753-9. $59.95; CD, ISBN 978-0-545-044758-4: $12.95; CD with hardcover book, ISBN 978-0-545-44810-9: $29.95.
PreS-Gr 1–Mo Willems’s conclusion (Balzer + Bray, 2012) to his Knuffle Bunny trilogy begins with a photographic sequence of Trixie’s growth from previous books and closes with a similar sequence chronicling Trixie’s journey of maturation. Trixie and her family take a plane to visit her grandparents, Oma and Opa, in Holland. When Trixie finally realizes that her treasured Knuffle Bunny is missing, the plane is already en route to China. At first, Trixie is devastated, but as she enjoys her trip, she envisions the delight that Knuffle Bunny is bringing to other children around the world. When it is time to head back home, Trixie discovers that her stuffed rabbit is right where she left him on the plane—in the seat pocket! The story concludes unexpectedly as Trixie gives Knuffle Bunny to a crying baby, showing just how grown up she has become. The narration features the rich vocal talents of Mo, Trixie, and Cher Willems. Mo Willems’s fabulous illustrations are animated. The production concludes with an interview with the author. A perfect ending to the series.–Amanda Schiavulli, West Orange Public Library, NJ

Pick of the Day: Edwina, the Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She Was Extinct (DVD)

SLJ — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 13:00:32 +0000

Edwina, the Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She Was Extinct. DVD. 7 min. Weston Woods. 2012. ISBN 978-0-545-37414-9. $59.59; CD: ISBN 978-0-545-37498-9: $ 12.95; CD with hardcover book, ISBN 978-0-545-44813-0: $29.95.
PreS-Gr 2–Edwina the dinosaur helps out in her community, bakes chocolate-chip cookies, and everyone loves her, except for Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie, the class know-it-all, who is positive that dinosaurs are extinct. When Reginald makes it his mission to force the townspeople to accept that fact, no one bothers to listen to him, except for Edwina. She listens patiently while Reginald explains that she simply should not exist! By the time he’s finished, Edwina is convinced, but she just doesn’t care. That’s when Reginald realizes that he doesn’t really care either, and the two of them go off to make chocolate-chip cookies. Mo Willems’s excellent story (Hyperion, 2006) is narrated with humor and passion by Mo and Cher Willems. His cartoon-style illustrations are animated and the result is spectacular. There’s also a jazzy theme song about Edwina, who is decked out in a straw hat and pearls. Be sure to have children search the pictures for appearances by Knuffle Bunny and Pigeon! The DVD also features a short segment in which Edwina and Reginald share the recipe for chocolate-chip cookies as well as a terrific interview in which Willems discusses his inspirations for Edwina and his love of animation. Children will be delighted!–Jenny Ventling, Dayton Metro Library, OH

Pick of the Day: A Sick Day for Amos McGee (DVD)

SLJ — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 13:43:41 +0000

A Sick Day for Amos McGee. DVD. 9 min. Weston Woods. 2012. ISBN 978-0-545-44751-5. $59.95; CD, ISBN 978-0-545-44756-0: $12.95; CD with hardcover book, ISBN 978-0-545-44809-3: $29.95.
PreS-Gr 1–When Amos McGee wakes up feeling under the weather and stays home from work, his animal friends at the zoo board the bus to pay Amos a visit. They spend the day cheering Amos up by playing quiet games, caring for his every need, and reading him a bedtime story so he won’t be afraid of the dark. The final frame shows a pile of animals snuggled around Amos in an attitude of comfort and friendship. Erin Stead’s gentle pencil-and-woodblock illustrations in muted colors with spots of red match the tone of Philip Stead’s Caldecott-winning story (Roaring Brook, 2010) and depict the real comfort that friendship provides. David de Vries offers perfectly paced, quiet narration to fit the sweet nature of the tale. He provides a distinct voice for Amos as well as the bus driver (the two characters given solo lines in the story). Just enough movement is added to Stead’s illustrations to hold the attention of viewers. An excellent music score is provided by Ernest Troost. This enchanting production adds a whole new level of enjoyment to this winning picture book.–Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Public Library, UT

Pick of the Day: The Red Hen (DVD)

SLJ — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 13:30:04 +0000

The Red Hen. DVD. 7 min. Weston Woods. 2012. ISBN 978-0-545-44755-3. $59.95; CD, ISBN 978-0-545-44760-7: $12.95; CD with hardcover book, ISBN 978-0-545-44812-3: $29.95.
PreS-Gr 3–In Rebecca and Ed Emberley’s wacky, modern take on the classic tale, hen finds a wonderful recipe rather than some seeds to plant and harvest. She first gathers the ingredients, then mixes, bakes, ices, and decorates her “simply splendid cake”—a three-tiered orange, purple, and red masterpiece with flourishes and stars. At each step, she asks her friends cat, rat, and frog for help, but gets the expected response or, in the frog’s case, a dismissive “Bribbit.” At one point, the narrator interjects, “She pretty much knew what was coming,” before the three lazy animals once again refuse to help, though four little blackbirds happily assist her every step of the way. When she queries, “Who will help me eat the cake?,” she declines their eager offers with, “Hmphf…I think I will eat it myself.” The bright, bold paper-cut collages pop against the white background in this animated version of the book (Roaring Brook, 2010). The little red hen, with her bright yellow comb and mismatched blue eyes, is comical, enthusiastic, and quite pleased with herself by the end of the tale. She is also featured in an added clip in which she instructs the audience on how to make “Red Hen’s Simply Splendid Cake.” A read-along option is available. Children will enjoy chiming in with the characters and predicting what they will say. A perfect addition to folk tale as well as writing units.–Barbara Auerbach, P.S. 217, Brooklyn, NY

Pick of the Day: The Other Side (DVD)

SLJ — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 13:08:19 +0000

The Other Side. DVD. 8 min. Weston Woods. 2012. ISBN 978-0-545-44754-6. $59.95; CD, ISBN 978-0-545-44759-1: $12.95; CD with hardcover book, ISBN 978-0-545-44811-6: $29.95.
K-Gr 4–Clover, an African-American girl, lives on one side of the fence. Annie, a white girl, lives on the other side. Set during segregation, this story shows how the fence divides them. Yet, each is intrigued by the other and both are drawn to test those artificial boundaries that separate and classify. Jacqueline Woodson’s deceptively simple, yet powerfully evocative story (Putnam, 2001) still has the ability to move an audience. It is supported by E. B. Lewis’s wonderful watercolor illustrations that are filled with hope and light. Viewers get the opportunity to enjoy their heart-touching details as the illustrations are scanned iconographically. The story is narrated in a young voice by Toshi Widoff-Woodson, with light original music by Toshi Reagon. In a five-minute interview, Woodson explains how she became an author and provides thoughtful insights into the issues the story addresses. This beautiful production merits a place in all libraries serving children.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary, Federal Way, WA