Planet Bonehead

K-Gr 8—Facts about endangered animals and ecosystems are presented by cartoon characters in this series. Each episode opens with the insidious plans of J. P. Rothbone and his cronies, money-hungry canines who will destroy anything that stands in the way of their get-rich-quick schemes. It's up to the Boneheads—bone-shaped characters from H.O.P.E. (Help Our Planet Earth) Headquarters—to thwart the evil plans. In Bringing Back the Bats, Rothbone's bug-zapper business is suffering because people are building bat houses. The Boneheads must stop him from using his Bat Blaster beam, but first they learn about the types of bats and how they help control the insect population, pollinate plants, and spread seeds. When Rothbone threatens to cut down all of the trees in Rescue in the Rainforest, the creatures living there and the biodiversity of that biome are discussed. When frogs in the Chilean rainforest are hurting sales of Rothbone's Colossal Condo Complex in A Future for Frogs, viewers learn about the variety of frogs and toads and metamorphosis. After a brief and silly introduction to each crisis, live-action footage, animation, and photos explain the importance of each creature and biome, the vital roles they play in the ecosystem, and why they must be saved from extinction. These vivid images are the best part of the series. "Newsflashes" add information about a specific threat to the featured creature. Each episode introduces a scientist and an organization working to save the featured animal. The videos conclude with the Boneheads saving the day, although it is sometimes not clear how, followed by an upbeat song suggesting ways kids can make a difference. Useful guides with questions and elaborate lesson plans are available at planetbonehead.com.—MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann Elementary School, Binghamton, NY