Product Details

• Actors: Robert Guillaume, Edward James Olmos, Amy Hill, Liz Torres, Jenifer Lewis
• Writers: Daryl G. Nickens
• Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Hbo Home Video
• VHS Release Date: March 24, 1998
• Run Time: 30 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0783112955
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #281,838 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Creativity oozes from this rollicking rhymefest, an animated retelling of some well-loved classic nursery rhymes. The 30-minute rappin' romp is part of the Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child series. A star-studded cast of celebrities lend their voices, including Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Smits, and Denzel Washington. The merriment takes place in Mother Gooseberg Land, where Old King Cole reigns over the likes of Little Miss Muffet, Georgie Porgie, and the rest of the gang who take their poetic direction from the grand dame of rhyme herself, Mother Gooseberg. Yet all is not well in the land of make-believe. Seems that Mother Gooseberg wants to retire from her life of rhyme, due to a litany of complaints from the villagers. Jack is upset because of repeated head injuries from falling down the hill (he laments, "When Jill and I fall down the hill, look what happens to our medical bill"). The Crooked Man wants to straighten up, and Little Bo Peep has grown indifferent toward lost sheep. Add to that King Cole's distress when Mother Gooseberg suddenly calls a moratorium on rhyming--"For a kingdom used to rhyming in verse, the situation is growing worse!" he cries.

Kudos to the film's producers for representing several races and cultures through its animated characters. And while kids will be captivated by the fast-moving tale, adults will smile at the clever humor directed at them, such as when Humpty Dumpty proclaims his name change to "The Egg Formerly Known as Dumpty." (Ages 3 and older) --Lynn Gibson

From the back cover

Fairy tales have always been a source of family pleasure, for parents and children alike. Now, some of the best loved classics are being retold in this vibrantly original and musical animated series, Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child. Each tale features a hip, contemporary all-star cast of voices, and all-new songs the entire family will enjoy! Classic fairy tales become fresh and fun, told as if for the very first time. So share the magic and wonder with your children as we invite you to enter the wonder-filled world of...Mother Goose. What happens when Mother Gooseberg decides she's had enough of storytelling? Why, the whole town is turned upside down. Little Bo Beep hasn't lost her sheep while Mary's lamb who used to follow her everywhere has gone missing. Little Miss Muffet can't find her spider and Humpty Dumpty just won't fall down! How can Old King Cole persuade Mother Gooseberg to stay?

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New Twist On Old Stories, June 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Mother Goose: A Rappin' and a Rhymin' Fairy Tale - Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This tape took me a minute to get it but once I did, it was really, really cute. The voices of Whoppie Goldberg, Jimmy Smits & others makes it so very interesting for my kids. They love this tape. I ordered the 4 tape package & this one was in the set. This is the better deal.

3.0 out of 5 stars Waiting Happily Ever After.., June 21, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Mother Goose: A Rappin' and a Rhymin' Fairy Tale - Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This was a gift for my three year old nephew, who has a great attention span for videos. He sat through a portion of the tape, looked at me and said..."I don't get it". Neither did I at first (I wasn't exactly jumping out my seat). I think it was to many stories tied into one for a three year old. We'll shelf it for now and give it ago at four. Otherwise, the series is a wonderful twist to nursey rhymes!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best....., December 26, 2000

By 

"wjeanj" (Lorton, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mother Goose: A Rappin' and a Rhymin' Fairy Tale - Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is one of the best videos I have purchased for my child, age 2 1/2 years old. Not only does it entertain her; it teaches nursery rhymes. My husband and I enjoy it so that it's become a favorite when other adults come over. It's a must have for any child in this age of rap music. It's rap in a positive way.