Dinosaur Train: Nature Trackers

PreS—K—This cute computer-animated program features Buddy, a small T.rex, and his adoptive Pteranodon family, who often take a train to visit other dinosaurs or to explore nature. In the four years since this PBS program began, young viewers have learned about many kinds of dinosaurs, and the show has since moved on to cover more than just paleontology. This DVD contains four episodes, each consisting of two brief stories, in which the little dinosaurs go stargazing, learn about plant life cycles, meet a snake, explore gardening, learn about Tyrannosaurs, learn about dinosaur characteristics, become amateur naturalists, and seek peace in nature after squabbling with each other. The animation is smooth and Pixar-like and the voices are high-pitched and very young. Each chapter is bright and cheery, with happy endings and no heavy moralizing. The diverse family of dinosaurs promotes acceptance of others and encourages children to explore the natural world safely. The bonus segments include eight short features using animation and live actors about dinosaurs presented by "Dr. Scott the paleontologist." The disc can be inserted into a computer for games and coloring pages. The combination of dinosaurs and trains should really capture preschoolers' imaginations and, hopefully, get them to pay closer attention to the natural world.—Geri Diorio, Ridgefield Library, CT