IT’S THE EASTER BEAGLE, CHARLIE BROWN: 25 min: Linus tries to convince everyone that the Easter Beagle will take care of everything. But his pals don’t believe him and they have too much to do! From coloring eggs to choosing new shoes, the Peanuts gang prepares for the big day. Watch out, Easter Bunny, there’s someone new in town! He has floppy ears, a funny nose and a basketful of colored eggs…and looks all too familiar to Lucy. It’s the Easter Beagle Charlie Brown! Also includes: “It’s Arbor Day Charlie Brown!”: Baseball Season and Arbor Day coincide in this eco-friendly tale of a well-meaning tree-planting scheme that goes a bit overboard. And “In Full Bloom: Peanuts at Easter”.
HALLOWEEN
FRANKENBONE (Wishbone Series): 30 min, grades 2-5: Uh-oh! Someone’s created a monster. And it’s running loose! In Oakdale, David’s science fair project wanders unleashed and out of control. Can I keep it out of trouble? Will David capture it in time for the fair?
THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW: 49 min, grades K-8: When the bumbling schoolmaster, Ichabod Crane falls in love with the wealthy Katrina, rival suitor Brom Bomes frightens the superstitious Ichabod with a spirited tale about “The Headless Horseman”.
PUMPKIN CIRCLE:THE STORY OF A GARDEN: VHS & DVD, 20 min, grades K-6: Danny Glover narrates this story about life in a pumpkin patch in this presentation of the book by George Levenson.
WISHBONE IN THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW:60 min, grades 2-5: It’s Halloween in Oakdale. Something strange is in the air and young Joe Talbot’s feeling mighty uneasy. And, it certainly doesn’t help matters that a scavenger hunt, combined with Wishbone in pursuit of a black cat, leads Joe straight to the old Murphy house. The same Murphy house where he saw a ghost several years earlier. But Joe’s not the only one seeing things. Wishbone as Ichabod crane, is stirring up some spirits of his own in Sleepy Hollow. Will our courageous canine survive an encounter with the dreaded headless horseman? Or, will he simply put his tail between his legs and run? Get ready for a full hour jam packed with plenty of Halloween tricks and puppy dog treats.
HANUKKAH
MACCABEES-THE STORY OF HANUKKAH (Animated Hero Classics Series): 30 min, grades 1-4: Journey with the Maccabees, who did more than defeat a Greek army long ago, in defending their right to worship as they believed. The valor and determination of the Maccabees lives today in the celebration of Hanukkah. This joyful Feast of Lights, in which a candle of the Menorah is lit each day for eight days, commemorates the power of faith and the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem.
‘TWAS THE NIGHT:A HOLIDAY CELEBRATION: 27 min, grades K-3: A celebration of Christmas, Hanukah, and Kwanzaa, features classic and modern-day recordings of holiday favorites including Louis Armstrong’s reading of “A Visit from St. Nicholas” and performances of “What a Wonderful World”, Bing Crosby’s “Jingle Bells”, Doris Day’s “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”, as well as Macy Gray’s “Winter Wonderland” all magically brought to life with vivid and engaging animation. These vibrant and touching segments are complemented by the voices and imagination of children who bring their own ideas of the holidays to life with endearing, enlightening and often hilarious descriptions of how they see the season.
KWANZAA
KWANZAA (Holidays for Children Series): 25 min, grades K-4: Through the rhythmic sounds of traditional West-African drums and a look into the colorful significance of the clothes and candles, young viewers are introduced to the African American family celebration of Kwanzaa. The seven principles of the Kwanzaa festival (Unity, Self-determination, Collective work, Cooperation, Purpose, Creativity and Faith in self) are explored, and an African folk tale. Unanana and the Enormous One-Tusked Elephant, vividly illustrates the idea of conflict resolution within the community. Children will be dazzled by the energy of the dance, the sounds, traditions and the colors that honor the African American family and its ancestor, and will delight in learning to create their own necklaces from beads, buttons and pasta.
‘TWAS THE NIGHT:A HOLIDAY CELEBRATION: 27 min, grades K-3: A celebration of Christmas, Hanukah, and Kwanza, features classic and modern-day recordings of holiday favorites including Louis Armstrong’s reading of “A Visit from St. Nicholas” and performances of “What a Wonderful World”, Bing Crosby’s “Jingle Bells”, Doris Day’s “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”, as well as Macy Gray’s “Winter Wonderland” all magically brought to life with vivid and engaging animation. These vibrant and touching segments are complemented by the voices and imagination of children who bring their own ideas of the holidays to life with endearing, enlightening and often hilarious descriptions of how they see the season.
MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY
DR MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY: 60 min, grades 5-8: Realizing the injustices against blacks in the South, King became a minister and daily preached against them. He was a leader in the Montgomery bus boycott and the Great March on Washington which influenced President Kennedy to propose a new civil rights bill in Congress.
MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY: 15 min, grades K-4: Two students hear a special voice that others around them do not which ultimately brings them together as they learn about the life of America’s foremost civil rights leader. In this engaging video, all students will learn about Dr. King’s contributions to the people of the United States and those living throughout the world. They will learn about King’s childhood experiences with prejudice, his ability to speak in front of others, his commitment to nonviolence, and why it is so important to follow his message of hope and peace.
MISCELLANEOUS
AMERICA’S SPECIAL DAYS SERIES: 16- 15 min lessons, grades K-3: Designed to support teachers in helping students understand and appreciate why we celebrate certain days called “holidays”. Lessons include:
CELEBRATE SERIES: 13- 15 min lessons, grades K-3: The origin and deeper meaning of holidays sometimes gets lost in the celebration, or neglected or never fully known. This series takes a close look at these special days and times. Lessons include:
Halloween
Veteran’s Day
Thanksgiving
Christmas
New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King Jr
Lincoln
Valentine’s Day
Washington
Arbor day
Memorial Day
Flag Day
Independence Day
FEBRUARY HOLIDAY STORIES: 40min: Enjoy these touching stories of honesty, strength, love, and learning. Youngsters will see what qualities make a good president, how heart-shaped candy can get anyone in the spirit, and why Groundhog Day is more than meets the eye. This four part program features: The President’s Message, George’s Journey, Valentine Candy for Sale, and Christina and the Groundhog.
NATIONAL OBSERVANCES (American History for Children Series): 25 min, grades K-4: This program explains why we celebrate Veterans’ Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Independence Day, Election Day and the history of voting in America.
POW WOW (Holidays for Children Series): 25 min, grades K-4: Many Native Americans from across the U.S. and Canada meet throughout the year at Pow Wows, gatherings where Native American culture and life are celebrated by everyone. In this program, children discover the creative traditions of Native American crafts as they make a kachina doll of their own and learn the folklore behind the dream catcher. The program also introduces the rhythmic sound of drums, celebratory songs, dances and traditional tales that weave together the fabric of Native American culture while acquainting children with the meanings behind them.
SEPTEMBER 11TH
REMEMBERING SEPTEMBER 11TH: 23 min, grades 4-6: Commemorate September 11, 2001 with this thoughtful and sensitive video that examines the tragic events of that day as well as the inspiring and heroic tributes that followed. Explore the nature of terrorism and the patriotic response exhibited in the United States following these events. Students will hear the stories of real heroes, and will listen to the thoughts and feelings of other young children as they develop a memorial to September 11th at their community center.
THANKSGIVING
THE HOBOKEN CHICKEN EMERGENCY: 60 min, grades K-5: When the Bobowicz family asked their son Arthur to pick up a turkey for Thanksgiving, they weren’t expecting him to bring home a 266 pound live chicken named Henrietta! “But she’s the best poultry bargain on earth!” he justifies in this wild and wacky comedy about Henrietta at large in the city of Hoboken.
MOLLY’S PILGRIM: 24 min, grades K-4: This program is based upon the book by Barbara Cohen. Molly, a young Russian-Jewish emigrant, learns about the first Thanksgiving while teaching her classmates about modern day pilgrims.
SQUANTO AND THE FIRST THANKSGIVING: DVD: After being captured from his beloved Pawtuxet tribe, Squanto is taken to Spain where he is sold into slavery. Years later, Squanto regains his freedom and embarks on a miraculous journey back to his homeland, where he teaches the Pilgrims how to survive the difficult early years in the Plymouth colony, culminating in the first Thanksgiving celebration.
STORIES FOR THANKSGIVING:DVD, 34 min: Includes 2 stories: Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message (8 min): Known as the Thanksgiving Address, this Native American good morning message is based on the belief that the natural world is a precious and rare gift- from the moon and the stars to the tiniest blade of grass. Narrated by Chief Jake Swamp in both English and the Mohawk language. The Pilgrims of Plimoth (26 min): The arrival of the Pilgrims in the new world is chronicled in this dramatic re-enactment of their daily activities during those first trying years in the colony they called Plimoth.
THANKSGIVING (Holidays for Children Series): 25 min, grades K-4: Thanksgiving is a time to remember how much we depend on and are thankful for the earth’s bounty. In this video about the traditional American harvest holiday, visit Plimouth Plantation and discover how and why the first Thanksgiving meal came to be. Nanticoke tribe dancers recreate the sense of excitement and wonder the Pilgrims must have felt upon the first meeting the Native Americans, and children learn an Abnaki tribe myth on the origin of corn that teaches about sharing resources. Creativity and imagination are further stimulated as children learn to make miniature Mayflower boats from walnut shells.
THANKSGIVING DAY: 5min, grades K-3: This video offers a clear introduction to the origins, traditions and customs associated with celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday.
THANKSGIVING STORIES:40 min: Thanksgiving is a holiday with many special meanings-what does it make you think of? Meet a Native American grandmother and see how her memories bring new value to the holiday. Relive the story of the first Thanksgiving, join a young turkey on his adventures, and see how a king teaches his people to be thankful. This four-part program includes: Grandmother White Loon Feather’s Thanksgiving, A Pilgrim First, Thanksgiving, and King of the Greedy.
VALENTINE’S DAY
MY FUZZY VALENTINE (WordWorld Series): DVD, 60 min: Includes two Valentine’s Day stories: My Fuzzy Valentine: When Sheep decides she wants to make a special Valentine song for her pal Bear, she runs into trouble finding just the right rhyme to finish her song. With the help of Fly, she discovers the perfect rhyme and makes Bear a Valentine song with real heart. The Love Bug: Bug wants to sign a Valentine for his favorite WordFriend, but he doesn’t know how to write his name. With lots of encouragement from Frog he learns that with a little practice he can write his name.
VALENTINE’S DAY(Holidays for Children Series): 25 min, grades K-4: From cupid to heart-shaped candy and cards, Valentine’s Day is the day for sharing tokens of caring and affection. This video explores the history behind Valentine’s Day and explains why certain traditions are associated with love and the rebirth of spring. Modern ballet dancers show how their art is used to portray different emotions and children learn how to make a floral heart centerpiece to give to someone special.
