The 2012 National Parenting Publications Awards results are in and we’ve awarded the year’s best products for children, providing busy parents with this year’s sure-bet holiday gift guide.
These Gold Award-winners have been carefully tested, evaluated-and played with-by expert judges and kid testers alike. They were chosen for their entertainment and educational value, as well as their quality and ability to withstand hours of play.
The best DVDs from the 2012 National Parenting Publications Awards that balance fun and learning for your family.
Chloe’s Closet: Super Best Friends
NCircleEntertainment, 2012; 60 min.; $9.99; ncircleentertainment.com.
Ages 2 to 7.
Smart, fun and imaginative play bring Chloe and her friendscloser when outfits in her magical closet transform them intoheroes.
Chuggington’s: Wilson and the Ice Cream Fair; TraintasticAdventures; and Brewster’s Little Helper
Anchor Bay Entertainment, 2012; 62 min.; $14.98; anchorbayentertainment.com.
Ages 3 to 6.
What better way to “train” impressionable preschoolers inresponsibility than with adorable little trains? These threeoutstanding DVDs offer lessons in teamwork, patience, payingattention, overcoming fear and self-acceptance.
Pocoyo: Fun and Games
NCircleEntertainment, 2012; 90 min.; $12.99; ncircleentertainment.com.
Ages 2 to 7.
Line-drawn characters will make children laugh out loud whilethey learn about good sportsmanship.
The Adventures of Chuck and Friends: Monster Rally
Shout! Factory/Hasbro, 2012; 110 min.; $12.99; hasbro.com. Ages 3 to 6.
Like preschoolers, Chuck the little dump truck and his vehiclefriends run into trouble sometimes.
The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!: OceanCommotion
NCircleEntertainment, 2012; 60 min.; $9.99; ncircleentertainment.com.
Ages 3 to 6.
Though storybook-traditional in his appearance, this is a newCat. Well-behaved and thoughtful, he leads kids on an innovativejourney of discovery and science in short, digestible episodes.
The Gruffalo
NCircleEntertainment, 2011; 40 min.; $9.99; ncircleentertainment.com.
Ages 3 to 6.
In a complex and beautifully produced story, a mouse uses itswits to outsmart predators. This is a greathow-to-deal-with-monsters tale for those who fear them. A bit scaryfor some of the younger folks.
WordWorld: To The Rescue
NCircleEntertainment, 2012; 60 min.; $9.99; ncircleentertainment.com.
Ages 2 to 7.
Simple story lines built around engaging word characters helpkids memorize spellings and absorb word recognition.
The Magic School Bus: Blast Off! From Sea to Space (3-DVD set);Field Trip Fun and Games (3-DVD set)
The New Video Group, 2012; 270 min.; $24.95 for each DVD set; newvideo.com. Ages 5 to 10.
Renowned for making science accessible to young minds, theEmmy-winning Magic School Bus travels to destinations no one canvisit in real life.
Worlds Together: East Africa, West Africa and Ethiopia
Master Communications, 2012; 25 minutes each; $29.95 each; asiaforkids.com. Ages 5 to
12.
This set helps parents introduce children to the nations of theworld. Maps orient the viewer to scenery so striking that itinstantly generates interest.
