|  Exactly
how you respond to this video/DVD might depend a little on how
familiar you are with the Baby Einstein series. Why? Because in
comparison to its predecessors, Baby Newton feels somewhat
commercialized. Computer animation makes its debut in the series,
as well as a shapes ditty that clearly strays from the series'
focus on classical music.
Some parents will be surprised
and irritated, but how well the adults adapt to changes in the
series' format may take second stage to how children react to the
video. It is really quite mesmerizing, and probably contains
the most practical educational value of the whole
series. If children are able to walk yet, they are most likely to
walk away from the video having learned to associate geometric
shapes with common everyday objects.
There's a rather funky number
("I Know My Shapes!") starring some happy-faced animated
crayons. The classical music used on this video is especially
lively and rousing. Circles are demonstrated with a basketball
going through a hoop, a sunflower, drops in the water, green peas,
rolling oranges -- all very creatively presented in slow motion.
The "square" segment begins with a Baby Newton puppet
sequence, a jack in the box, and some funny ducks demonstrate an
oval.
Parents who object to a slightly
more commercialized approach in a baby video might want to pass on
Baby Newton. It might be comforting to note that videos
released in the series after Baby Newton returned to the
tried-and-true format for the most. So Baby Newton seems, in
retrospect, a bit of a sore thumb. But it should be noted that now
we know the series didn't take a permanent commercialized
turn, there is really nothing left to scream about. For those
parents open to trying pretty much anything in the
designed-for-babies world of videos/DVDs, Baby Newton is a
well-made, "edutaining" piece certainly worth a try. We
actually love it.
The DVD edition features a
"play once" or "repeat play" option.
For more information, user reviews, or to buy, follow these
links:
Baby Newton
(VHS) or
Baby Newton
(DVD)
Back to Video Guide
| VHS/DVD |
Released 2002, Walt Disney
Company |
Ages 9-36 months |
|
|
Buy
Buy
