New York,
NY (August
22,
2005) --
As children head back to school, the one thing on their mind is…dinosaurs! The perennially popular paleontological wonders are featured on a new DVD in the acclaimed Scholastic Video Collection: Danny and the Dinosaur…And More Friendly “Monster” Stories. And, as the leaves fall and children notice the changing seasons, they can also enjoy a collection of imaginative stories exploring the processes of nature. Bear Snores On…And More Stories to Celebrate the Seasons is the second new Scholastic Video Collection release. Both videos are due September 27, and suggested retail price for each is $14.95 (DVD) and $9.95 (VHS).
The DVD versions of these new Scholastic Video Collection releases also include a kid-friendly Auto-Play function to start the story right away, and a Read-Along option that leads kids back to the original books.
The new Scholastic Video Collection fall releases are:
DANNY AND THE DINOSAUR...AND MORE FRIENDLY “MONSTER” STORIES
Don’t be scared! These monster stories just want to have a little fun.
· Danny and the Dinosaur (by Syd Hoff) -- When Danny visits the museum, he thinks it would be nice to play with a dinosaur. Amazingly, the dinosaur is as eager to play with Danny, and they spend a whole day together.
· The Island of the Skog (By Steven Kellogg, narrated by Anthony Edwards, with Diana Canova, Steven Kellogg and Mary Beth Hurt) -- A band of mice and their leader set sail to an island inhabited by a hostile Skog with gigantic feet. But when the two parties finally meet face to face, they find they have a lot in common.
· The Beast of Monsieur Racine (By Tomi Ungerer) -- Monsieur Racine lays a trap and catches a marauder, a strange but harmless-looking beast, who has been stealing his prize pears. What happens when Monsieur Racine presents his catch to the Academy of Science throws Paris into an uproar.
Two extra bonus stories exclusive to DVD include: “Here Comes the Cat” by Frank Asch and Vladimir Vagin, and a favorite story about a caveman who thinks outside the box: “Stanley and the Dinosaurs.” Other features include read along, interactive menus, story selection and auto-play.
BEAR SNORES ON…AND MORE STORIES THAT CELEBRATE THE SEASONS
Winter, spring, summer, fall--there’s something special about every season in these classic children’s stories.
· Bear Snores On (by Karma Wilson, Illustrated by Jane Chapman) -- All winter long, Bear sleeps in his cozy lair. Surprise guests stop by to warm up, brew tea and pop corn while Bear snores on.
· Waiting for Wings (by Lois Ehlert) -- Butterflies bloom as delicately as flowers in this visually magnificent story of beginnings, middles and ends: eggs, caterpillars and finally butterflies.
· Come on, Rain! (by Karen Hesse, Illustrated by Jon J. Muth) -- Tess knows that the only thing that can fix the endless summer heat is a good, soaking rainstorm. When it finally comes, there is shouting and dancing as everything springs to life.
Two extra bonus stories exclusive to DVD include: “Snow Cat” by Dayal Kaur Khalsa and “Time of Wonder” by Robert McCloskey. Other features include read along, interactive menus, story selection and auto-play.
The Scholastic Video Collection, with 32 individual titles and several gift-ready box sets, is the perfect choice for families who want to enjoy quality storytelling and excellent production values. These expertly animated adaptations, produced by Weston Woods Studios, bringing to life classic, award-winning children’s books from the most beloved authors, are favorites with educators everywhere, and now they are available to families for home viewing. Most of the stories have only been available at schools and libraries previously. The Scholastic Video Collection provides these same high-quality productions to families at home video pricing.
Families concerned about children’s television viewing may want to tune into the Parents’ Choice website in September, to get an insider’s view of how the Scholastic Video Collection productions are adapted from the original books. Weston Woods Studios vice president Linda Lee demonstrates how well-produced video story adaptations can actually help enhance the reading experience for young children. Visit
www.parents-choice.org during the month of September to read the article, entitled: “From Page to Screen: Bringing Books to Life.”
About the Scholastic Video Collection
Launched by Scholastic Entertainment in September of 2002, the Scholastic Video Collection has gathered a fast following and garnered resounding acclaim from critics, parents and children alike for its ongoing series of true-to-the-original adaptations of classic and award winning books by renowned authors. The titles, regularly lauded in the pages of top parenting magazines, Child, Family Fun, Parenting, Scholastic Parent & Child, along with regional parenting publications, have also been honored with top awards from the leading nonprofit parenting organizations such as The Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, Parents’ Choice, the National Parenting Publications of America (NAPPA) and Kids First! All of the stories are produced in collaboration with the original authors and illustrators by Weston Woods Studios.
About Scholastic Media
Scholastic Media (SM) is the entertainment and media division of Scholastic Inc., the global children's publishing and media company. A proven leader and innovator in the children's entertainment landscape and award-winning licensor and marketer of children's properties worldwide, SM ranks as one of the foremost producers of quality, family-oriented content for all platforms including television programming, feature films, home entertainment, interactive software and the Internet.
About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology. Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys. The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs, and school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries and television networks; and the Company's Internet site,
www.scholastic.com.