Curiosity Quest

Gr 3—8—Curiosity Quest is a syndicated television show where an enthusiastic male host goes on adventures to answer questions that children send to him. In this episode, two girls ask how guide dogs are trained and perform their work. To find out, the host visits the Guide Dogs for the Blind National Headquarters in California and interviews employees, volunteers, and people who have been matched with dogs. These interviews are informative and interesting. The program has a lot of energy, from the rock music soundtrack to the bounciness of the host to the cartoon graphics scattered throughout. The crisp and colorful video features adorable puppies, images of people working with dogs, and tracking shots from the dogs' eye levels. The segments on raising puppies, training the dogs, and working with a dog once you've been matched are interspersed with "man-on-the-street" interviews that are filmed for laughs, showing how little the "average person" knows about the topic. Also mixed in are some "Fun Facts"—brief video interjections with lively graphics and a cheerful kid providing some information about the topic. The host's inquisitiveness and energy keep things moving. Students will come away with a nice overview of how guide dogs are trained and how they work hard to broaden their partners' worlds.—Geri Diorio The Ridgefield Library, CT