Baby Einstein - On the Go - Riding, Sailing and Soaring (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)my son is 18 months old and has just been allowed to start watching the baby einstein videos--he loves neighborhood animals and world animals and asks for them daily (we watch either "ducks!" or "growls!" once a day). after a trip on an airplane over thanksgiving, we decided to get On The Go for him to mix it up a little...
there are indeed good things about this video, but these good things are also encased in bad:
1. lots of different vehicles--probably too many different ones, in fact...do we need both a 'sailBOARD' AND a 'sailBOAT' in the same segment?
2. loads of BRIGHT colors--but this video has more computer images than 'real life' puppets...the opening segment with the raccoon driving the car over the bright green CG road is a bit much and feels like something from an austin powers movie
3. the music in this video has an eerie/music box quality to parts of it--the music that accompanies the spinning wheel (which has a car, a plane, a boat and a train on it) is very mellow and tinkly and then the same tune is repeated at various times throughout the video...yes, it's a classical tune BUT it's a watered down, synthesizer version and that just doesn't cut it.
4. lots of repetition--i.e., the opening sequence features an eye-level shot of a boy riding in a toy car that's pushed by a girl...you see this same footage about 5 minutes later in the 'on the land' segment.
overall, this is a decent dvd (i'm not going to bash it for all of the frontloaded garbage that you have to fast-forward through to get to the real dvd...that's too easy--but suffice it to say it is a pain)--the train segment is great and the vehicles are pretty cool (there are tons of shots of various ones, too)...unlike Neighborhood Animals or World Animals, my son did not want to watch this one straight through--and to me, that's a good thing.


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A fun-filled introduction to things that "go!'-- Introduces cars, planes, trains and more-- Exposes little ones to the concept of transportationAs little ones become increasingly mobile, their fascination with all things that move intensifies too. On the Go Riding Sailing and Soaring exposes babies to the different ways people travel -- on land, by sea, and in the air -- while it presents them with captivating real-world images, funny puppet shows, and beautiful classical music by Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart and Rossini. So whether your little one is piloting toy planes, revving up choo-choo trains or boating in the bathtub, this delightful and interactive introduction to "things that go" will transport both of you to a world of fun and discovery you can explore together!DVD Features-- Repeat play-- Language tracks (Spanish, French and English)-- Discovery cards-- Toy chest-- Let's sing together: * "The Wheels on the Bus" * "THe Bells on the Train"-- Guess what I'm drawing! / Puppet shows

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Baby Einstein - Meet the Orchestra - First Instruments (2006) Review

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(More customer reviews)To tell the truth, I was a little disappointed in the DVD. I have been waiting for it to be released, and my expectations were very high. All in all though, I do have to admit that it is a good introduction to musical instruments for small children. My son is 19 months old. He definitely enjoyed the video, and I think it will be beneficial for him as well. I'll list what I feel are the positive and negative aspects about the video below.
Good Things:
*Tons of real footage of children and adults playing instruments solo, in small groups, and in full orchestras. Scenes of marching bands were included too which is nice.
*The video was broken out logically into all of the major sections: Brass, Woodwinds, Strings, and Percussion. The piano & guitar were introduced together at the end. Both the String and Percussion section included all of the major instruments one might think of. Though, there are so many different percussion instruments that a Percussionist might disagree. :)
*Lots of puppets which my son always loves. There is nothing more fun for him than watching those silly hippos!
Not so good things:
*The brass and woodwind section left out some major instruments and included some minor ones instead. The woodwind section introduced the recorder which is RARELY (if ever?) found in an orchestra and left out the oboe which has ALWAYS been a critical instrument in the orchestra. The brass section included the bugle and left out the euphonium. This doesn't bother me as much, but it doesn't make a lot of sense.
*In many of the scenes with elementary children and junior high children, it was obvious that the kids were actors who had never held the particular instrument in their lives. Would it have been terribly difficult for them to borrow kids from real music programs who knew how to hold their instruments properly? That is the first thing you learn before ever playing your first note. Granted, the babies and toddlers don't know how to hold the instruments, but I don't have issues with that.
*Some of the music sounded obviously synthesized. When introducing what an instrument sounds like, shouldn't the real instrument be used rather than a synthesized version? I did notice this only in a few places, most obiously with the "recorder".
Here is a synopsis of the instruments introduced. It is not listed anywhere on the DVD cover.
Brass:
Trumpet
Trombone
Tuba
French Horn
Bugle
Woodwinds:
Flute
Clarinet
Saxophone
Bassoon
Recorder
Strings:
Violin
Viola
Cello
Bass
Harp
Percussion:
Drums
Xylophone
Cymbals
Timpani
Tambourine
Piano & GuitarMy husband and I have a very strong background in instrumental music, so we had very high expecations and were being very critical when evaluating this dvd. Our goal is to instill a love for music in our son from a young age, and since this DVD is for young children, I guess it is OK that it isn't 100% perfect. I do believe that this DVD will be a great for our son, and he enjoys it. Had I not had particular issues with it, I would have given it 5 stars.
Also, please note that it is definitely not for the youngest Baby Einstein audience. My son would not have enjoyed it a few months ago, and I believe he will continue to appreciate it more as he gets older.

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A playful introduction to musical instruments and their sounds!-- Exposes little ones to the sights and sounds of an orchestra-- Features children playing musical instrumentsAt 12 months, babies can identify specific sounds, and they re also starting to match the sounds they hear with the objects that make them. Meet the OrchestraTM -- First Instruments presents your little "maestro" with a playful introduction to the sights and sounds of a real orchestra -- from the clashing of cymbals to the purring of the cello and everything in between! One of the greatest joys parents experience is the first time their child sings a song or picks up a musical toy and starts to play. Music appreciation begins early, and this resoundingly entertaining program encourages musical exploration with fun puppet shows, captivating real-world images and beautiful music by Beethoven, Brahms, Joplin, Haydn, Mozart and Strauss. It s a great way for you and your little one to start off on the right note! DVD Features-- Repeat play-- Language tracks (Spanish, French and English)-- Discovery cards-- Toy chest-- Maestro's recital-- Guess the musical instrument-- Puppet shows-- About Little Einsteins (Available in French and English only)

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Baby Einstein - Baby Van Gogh - World of Colors (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)We have all of the video products of the Baby Einstein Company. This video is more similar in format to Baby Shakespeare than the Baby Mozart / Baby Bach videos. Nevertheless, I would say that Baby Van Gogh is a better attention-getter and -holder than Baby Shakespeare. The visuals are much more professional and entertaining - the main content being color and art, as opposed to poetry readings.
If you are new to the Baby Einstein Company's products, I highly recommend them over the products of the competing companies (we have a VERY extensive childern's video library). The live-action visuals are far more engaging to infants and toddlers than the computer graphics and animation of other videos. In this respect (visually), Baby Van Gogh is even more dynamic than some of the earlier Baby Einstein productions - and certainly has a bit higher production quality. For babies under 6 months, however, I would recommend Baby Mozart as the best 'starter' in the series.
As with Baby Mozart, Baby Bach and Baby Einstein, my daughter (now almost nine months) cannot get enough of this video.

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Discovering a rainbow of colors through art, music and poetry!-- Introduces babies to six basic colors-- Exposes little ones to famous Van Gogh masterpiecesFor a growing baby, the world is like one huge masterpiece just waiting to be discovered. And as babies' eyesight develops, their ability to recognize and respond to colors makes their new discoveries all the more exciting! Baby Van Gogh presents little ones with a mesmerizing introduction to six basic colors: yellow, green, orange, purple, red and blue. Creatively incorporating the paintings of Vincent Van Gogh, together with original poems, beautiful classical music and the hilarious antics of an art-loving puppet, this vibrant voyage will transport you and your baby into an interactive rainbow of sights and sounds as you explore and celebrate this colorful, captivating, ever-changing world together!DVD Features-- Repeat play-- Language tracks (Spanish, French and English)-- Discovery cards-- Puppet shows-- Toy chest

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Baby Einstein - Baby Galileo - Discovering the Sky (2003) Review

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(More customer reviews)I don't quite understand what is so horrible about Baby Galileo. Reviewers are saying how aweful it was, but are giving no explanation as to why, so I'm going to explain why it worked for me and my child.
I was extremely pleased with the Baby Galileo video. My daughter is three and a half years old and soaks in anything she sees. Although she is on the older end of the suggested ages for these videos, she still is learning from them and enjoying them. This video was a great way for her to learn the general ideas about the sky. The video opens with puppets, which are a trademark in Julie Clark's videos. There are narrations by children, and 15 different pieces of classical music ranging from Claire De Lune to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. There are several chapters in the video introducing a new concept- those being the sky, the sun, the clouds, the stars, the moon, the planets, the galaxy and space. There are real pictures and video of the sun, moon and others while they are supplemented with toys, graphics and music that go along with the sky/space theme.
I am an early childhood educator, and I see these videos as being some of the most developmentally appropriate videos out there for children to watch. The video expresses many subjects, textures, colors and most of all, beautiful classical music to soothe your child and spark their interest and attention. I'm not quite sure why these videos haven't worked for other parents, but they've been successful in my family and many others that I know. I highly recommend the Baby Einstein collection- at least try them, especially Baby Galileo.

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Twinkling stars and colorful planets -- a musical odyssey!-- Takes little ones on a musical journey-- Introduces the sun, moon and planets in our solar systemAs little ones grow, their innate sense of wonder grows too, creating an occasion for celebration with each new discovery. Baby Galileo Discovering the Sky introduces them to that remarkable canopy above us: the sun and moon, fluffy clouds, shimmering stars, colorful planets and whirling galaxies. This entertaining and inspiring look at our universe presents your baby with spectacular images, colorful toys and lovable puppets accompanied by the beautiful classical music of Mozart, Chopin, Schubert, Strauss and Tchaikovsky. You and your little one will be delighted as you explore the wonders of the solar system together! DVD Features-- Repeat play-- Language tracks (Spanish, French and English)-- Discovery cards-- Puppet shows-- Toy chest

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