#Scholastic ~ Clifford the Big Red Dog is Turning 50~!!!

February 14, 2013 will mark the 50th Birthday of Norman Bridwell's endearing creation, Clifford the Big Red Dog.

Starting September 24th, Scholastic will be kicking off celebrations with all new publishing, apps and even a live, classroom Birthday event.

Scholastic plans on publishing Bridwell's Clifford Collection which will include all six of the classic stories which were originally published between 1963 and 1977 as well as, an original letter from Bridwell and never~before~seen 1962 painting that inspired the Clifford series.

Also, a live classroom Birthday party from Sholastic's headquarters in New York City will be webcast to classrooms across the United States.  The event will feature activities that support the social, emotional, literacy and language skills that Clifford has been known to instill.

Three new Facebook apps are currently in the works which are slated to debut in November, December and January as well, new digital products are being launched in September for iOS and Android devices.  The app will have a Birthday~themed application that will also build literary skills.

A national sweepstakes for fans at scholastic.com/clifford will be launched and in December, PBS Kids will air a special broadcast premiere of Clifford's Really Big Movie.

Happy 50th Birthday Clifford~!!

DVD REVIEW: Scholastic ~ Stellaluna

Based on the beloved children's book, this fun~filled animated feature follows a spirited young fruit bat who finds friendship, love and acceptance in the most unexpected places~!!

Brimming with music, laughter, warmth and excitement, Stellaluna is sure to capture your heart~!  

When the adorable fruit bat, Stellaluna is separated from her mother, she is adopted by a family of birds, but soon finds that she just can't fit in~!  Her playmates like to sleep at night; she wants to fly.  They whistle and sing; she doesn't even have a beak~!  But just when it seems like she'll always be an outsider, Stellaluna makes an amazing discovery.

Now she'll learn to cherish the things that make her different from everyone else.  And she'll see that an open mind and open heart can lead to the greatest gifts of all.

Directed by:  William R. Kowalchuck Jr.

Written by:  Rachel Koretsky and Steven Whitestone

Studio:  Fox Video

Release Date:  July 20, 2004

Run Time:  41 minutes

Bonus Features:

On Screen Read~Along

Sing~Along Feature

5.1 Surround Sound

Stellaluna Activity Booklet

Award Winning DVD:

Parents' Choice Recommended Award

Newport Beach Film Festival Outstanding Achievement in Family Entertainment

iParenting Media Award

I am very thankful for such educating and entertaining places such as Scholastic who provide many fun and heart~warming stories for children.  I am very impressed with their video series and the children and I absolutely adored Stellaluna and her adventures on finding herself.

The message portrayed in this video is about finding oneself in a world where you don't quite fit.  Stellaluna's tale is endearing and charming to watch and the music is just wonderful to listen to as well.  

I loved the graphics, they were colourful and enriching and added a perfect blend to the overall story being shared.  My young people fell completely in love with Stellaluna and were so happy to see that everything works out for her in the end.  Great story that I am sure you young folks will thoroughly enjoy~!!

**  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **

Day 8 ~ Holiday Gift Guide ~ Scholastic Canada Storybook Treasures Read-A-Long DVD's

Scholastic Canada is one of the country's leading publishers and distributors of children's books and educational materials in both official languages.

For over 50 years Scholastic Canada has introduced young people to the joys of reading, and has enlarged their understanding of Canada and the world.

Today we continue that mission with award-winning Canadian books and outstanding classroom materials, along with related educational software.

Incorporated in 1957, Scholastic Canada Ltd. was the first of an international family of companies that now includes members in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, India and Hong Kong. All evolved from the original Scholastic company founded in 1920 by M.R. (Robbie) Robinson in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Scholastic Canada has also grown dramatically. Its impressive head office and distribution warehouse in Markham, Ontario is complemented by eleven Book Fair branches across Canada.

ARV $24.95

Storybook Treasures is #1 in Award-Winning Children's DVD Series.  Caldecott Favourites features three DVD's including over 20 stories being narrated by famous people.

In The Ezra Jack Keats Collection, children will be delighted to hear their favourite stories, such as:

The Snowy Day
Whistle For Willie
Peter's Chair
Pet Show!
A Letter To Amy
The Trip
Apt. 3



In Antarctic Antics, you will find such tales as:
In The Small, Small Pond
Bear Snores On
Bark, Georgie
Caps For Sale
The Hat
The Little Red Lighthouse
The Great Gray Bridge

In Make Way For Ducklings you will be delighted by such fables as:
The Story About Ping
The Ugly Duckling
Angus And The Ducks
Cat And Canary
Wings:  A Tale Of Two Ducklings

Each of these stories are narrated by celebrities such as John Lithgow, Laura Dern, Lynn Whitfield to name just a few.

ARV $14.95

Collect the entire library of Scholastic Storybook Treasures and read along on screen with your favorite classic children’s stories, brought vividly to life on DVD.

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS (By Clement Clark Moore, Illustrated by Ruth Sanderson, Narrated by Anthony Edwards) The stockings are hung by the chimney with care, and soon St. Nicholas will be there.
IN THE MONTH OF KISLEY (By Nina Jaffe, Illustratred by Louise August, Narrated by Theodore Bikel) A wealthy, arrogant merchant learns the true meaning of Hanukkah when he takes the family of a poor peddler to court for savoring the smell of his family’s potato pancakes.
SEVEN CANDLES FOR KWANZAA (By Andrea Davis Pinkney, Illustrated by Brian Pinkney, Narrated by Alfre Woodard) This unique holiday commemorates the strength of family ties, respect for ancestors, commitment to the growth of community, and gratitude for life’s bounties.
TOO MANY TAMALES (By Gary Soto, Illustrated by Ed Martinez, Narrated by Blancha Camacho) Maria feels very grown-up helping make Christmas dinner, until she realizes that she may have lost her mother’s ring in one of the tamales!

3 BONUS STORIES!
MAX’S CHRISTMAS (Written and Illustrated by Rosemary Wells, Narrated by Jenny Agutter & Rex Robbins) Max is told that he can’t stay up to see Santa, but he sneaks down anyway. Will Santa still come if Max is awake?
MORRIS’S DISAPPEARING BAG (Written and Illustrated by Rosemary Wells) Morris thinks his brother and sisters have better Christmas presents. But inside the last box under the tree he finds a magical gift that makes all his troubles disappear.
THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY (By Katherine Davis, Henry Oronati & Harry Simeone, Illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats, Narrated by John Jennings) Joyful drumming and glowing illustrations combine to celebrate the nativity.

Bonus Features
Spanish Version of “Too Many Tamales”

My Thoughts~!!

I thought these tales were wonderful to watch and listen.  I thought the illustrations were wonderfully depicted and entertaining to view.  I enjoyed listening to the stories being told by the celebrities and thought it was amazing that so many notable people participated in their telling.

I was impressed with the messages that most of the stories shared on The Caldecott Collection.  Each of the stories shared and supported such morals as honesty, humour and respect for oneself and for others.

The stories shared in the Christmas Collection were not ones that children would hear on a normal basis.  The stories share Christmas traditions from around the world, as well as timely favourites, such as, The Night Before Christmas. 

These stories are made for children and they are filled with heart and warmth that I am sure all children, young AND old, will enjoy~!!  These DVD's are a must have for under your tree, you and your children will surely love them~!!

 

** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! **