AWN Headline News

I wrote about Tot By Me recently, but the main idea is that they create DVDs for toddlers and preschoolers where the parents are the stars. Familiarity in the faces is comforting to the children. It’s also a way to enhance familiarity with grandparents or other relatives that kids might not see very often.

But on to the giveaway. The rules are pretty simple. Just use the contact form to send me a message and include the following information:

• Name
• Your children’s names and ages
• Include the word TOTBYME anywhere in the message

The 30th person to contact me wins a gift card good for one DVD. Please make sure to provide a valid email address, otherwise I won’t be able to notify you if you’ve won.

The product is the brain child of some self proclaimed geeky dads who thought:

we knew that all children could be watching better, more meaningful video content with little or no extra effort from parents. Thus, we set out to create our patent-pending technology and family-friendly content so that parents could use the web to easily create videos that integrate family members as characters.

For more about the product, you can check out their blog. There’s also a video describing the product and the process.

Personalized Kids Videos by TotByMe.com

In this adventure, Mickey and his pals journey to the Trick-or-Treat Tower for Pete’s big Halloween Party. Many surprises await and The Sensational Six need a couple of tricks to reach the tower in time for the festivities. Also, episodes “Goofy the Great” and “Doctor Daisy, MD” capture the magical spirit of Halloween while showcasing how cooperation and teamwork go a long way in getting out of any sticky situation.

PLUS, a bonus Halloween episode with the cast of another Playhouse Disney favorite, Little Einsteins. In “A Little Einsteins Halloween,” Leo, June, Quincy, Annie and Rocket plan a night of trick-or-treating at a European castle and are joined by some spooky visitors. In true Little Einstein spirit, this Halloween adventure illustrates simple examples of teamwork, friendship and compassion, stimulating curiosity and learning along the way.

To create Disney fun in your own home and get the Halloween party started, the DVD also includes a party planning guide and special Halloween recipes from Mickey and his pals.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse’s Halloween DVD joins a list of other DVDs already available from preschool television favorites including:

• Dora the Explorer – Dora’s Halloween
• Little Bear – Halloween Stories
• Thomas and Friends Halloween Stories
• Sesame Street A Magical Halloween Adventure
• Clifford the Big Red Dog: Clifford’s Big Halloween
• 4 Halloween Stories – Franklin/Rolie Polie Olie/Maggie and the Ferocious Beast

In the episode, Dora leaves on a trip with a plain messenger bag. Along the way she meets Boots, Tico, Isa, and Benny. Eventually the group encounters Swiper for the first time.

The episode will premiere on April 7th at 9:00am.

The episode will also be available on DVD (aff link), along with 3 other episodes. The DVD will be available on April 11th.

Any parent that has Noggin is familiar with Laurie Berkner. Between the Move to the Music interstitials and Jack’s Big Music Show, I’m sure I’m not the only one that has been known to hum Victor Vito in the car. Now you can get Laurie Berkner on demand with the release of We’re the Laurie Berkner Band.

The DVD is a nice blend of the songs you’re already familiar with, such as Bumblebee and We Are the Dinosaurs, and some songs that may become new favorites. One of the new songs, Walk Along the River has quickly become a favorite in our house. The song, inspired by walks along the Hudson River, is fun, upbeat, and like so much of Laurie’s music can be enjoyed by the whole family.

While most of the songs can be seen on Noggin, the presentations are slightly different. On the DVD we seem to see and hear more of Brian Mueller (bass, vocals, husband) and Susie Lampert (keyboards, vocals). Whether it is the keyboard in the calypso styled Under a Shady Tree, or Brian taking lead vocals on O’ Susannah the versions on the DVD seem to be richer. There are also several acapella renditions that feature all 3 including the lullabye Moon Moon Moon, and Telephone.

Two things seem to set Laurie Berkner apart from many of her contemporaries. First, the band seems so normal. Brian, Laurie, and Susie all seem like people you wouldn’t be afraid to have your kids talk to. It seems like so many of the acts try and connect with kids by being downright weird – including strange costumes and hair-dos. The Berkner band manages to connect with good music and natural friendliness. Second, many of the songs don’t necessarily sound like kids songs. The intro to Bumblebee sounds like any song you’d hear. And even the songs that do sound like kids music aren’t overly sugary or simplistic. The appeal for kids is that the songs are fun. The appeal for adults is that you actually don’t mind Laurie Berkner shaping your children’s music tastes.

If you’re interested in purchasing We’re the Laurie Berkner Band, it can be found at Starbucks and other outlets. In addition to the 11 tracks, there are 3 bonus tracks and a 5 song CD included.

Also of note is that starting March 10th, the Backyardigans will begin airing regularly on Noggin. It will become a part of their daily schedule, airing at 4:30pm. That happens to be a timeslot currently occupied by Jack’s Big Music Show.

Press Release: Sesame Workshop – Press Room