Amazon.com
This
National Geographic offering is aimed squarely at preschoolers, combining Muppet-style puppets with footage of real animals. Bobby Bush Baby, Sunny Honeypossum, and Balzac de Chameleon provide data, discussion, and laughs that will prove uproarious to 4-year-olds, such as when Bobby falls from a tree. (But don't expect any chuckles yourself; there's no adult wit lurking here.) Animal stories are told in song and rhyme, with a kid-friendly touch. For instance, footage of a harpy eagle family is personalized by naming them Helen, Harry, and Henry Harpy. The Caribbean-accented animated flamingo Francisco interjects for brief animal-themed lessons on numbers and the alphabet. This 30-minute episode focuses on birds, but includes informational interludes on hippos and leaf cutter ants, as well. Even kids who aren't particularly gaga over animals should enjoy the music and pacing of this series for sheer entertainment value. (Ages 2-5)
--Kimberly Heinrichs
