Product Details

• Actors: Ezra Jack Keats
• Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: G (General Audience)
• Studio: New Video Group
• DVD Release Date: August 26, 2003
• Run Time: 53 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0000A5A2M
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #39,173 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  Movies & TV > Kids & Family > 3-6 Years > Scholastic Storybook Treasures

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A handful of enchanting stories by Ezra Jack Keats (1916-1983) are beautifully adapted as "moving storybooks" in this treasury of tales beginning with the Caldecott Medal winner, "The Snowy Day." When Peter discovers a pristine world of white outside his window, his wondrous day unfolds with the simple pleasures of sticks, snow-laden trees, and snow angels. Peter appears in six more stories growing from a small boy in "Whistle for Willie" to adolescence in "Pet Show!" In Keats's words, "All that happens in a child's life is meaningful." His stories depict common childhood experiences such as moving and making friends, facing fears, adjusting to a new sibling, and discovering nature. Faithful to the gently paced books, Scholastic's film tribute is narrated by soothing storytellers, and accompanied by flute and guitar instrumentals. Viewers have the option of reading along with words on the screen... and don't miss the bonus featurette, a 1969 interview with the beloved author. (Ages 3 to 7) --Lynn Gibson

Product Description

THE SNOWY DAY (Adapted from the Caldecott Medal Book) One winter morning Peter wakes up to see that snow has fallen, covering everything in the city! What exciting adventures will he have on this snowy day?

WHISTLE FOR WILLIE -- Wouldn’t it be great if P

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This has been in the DVD player for months., January 30, 2005

By	pops "disgusted citizen" (midwestern United States) - See all my reviews

When I was a child, I loved "Snowy Day," the picture book about Peter, who brings a snowball inside in his coat pocket, and every other Ezra Jack Keats book my parents read to me. Other than "Pet Show" (1992), these were all produced soon after each book was written (1960's -- early '70's) and, I feel, were done very faithfully.
These pieces represent an era when producers didn't have a lot of effects to work with -- just the picture in the book, a narrator (and these narrators are all great), and music -- and couldn't count on licensed character synergies to carry a child's interest. My first video editing assignment ever was to shoot, cut, record, select music for, and edit a children's book. It's not as simple as it might seem. (I set "Where the Wild Things Are" to REM's "Perfect Circle" for the quiet bits of sailing over the sea and such, and something from Hüsker Dü's "Land Speed Record" for the wild rumpus.)
The overall mood of these pieces is very quiet, gentle, thoughtful. "Peter's Chair" would be good for discussing any new siblings that might be arriving in your house.
I believe Loretta Long, the narrator whose voice sparkles in several of these short films, went on to become Susan on Sesame Street.
I am consistently turned off by almost all children's programming. Buy this DVD.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Good, March 18, 2004

By A Customer

Some of the reviews have comments about the animation of this DVD. Keep in mind that these stories were books first (with very good illustrations). Children who have grown up with video games may not have the attention span to enjoy these stories.

I especially enjoyed the interview with the author that is included as a bonus.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good resource, February 2, 2004

By A Customer

I have used this video/dvd for my first grade classes in the school library after reading the stories to the students first. When presenting the video/dvd stories, I use the captioning option so the students can read along with the stories being presented. I have found that the classes are riveted to the stories, even though they have heard them from the librarian. To children raised in the audio/visual age, these videos/dvds work well. Could they be better and have better animation? Yes, but they are an excellent available resource.