Plenty of new DVDs for children — most taken from TV shows — have become available this past week:

"Bobby's World: The Nature Episodes" (Anchor Bay, 1990-98, not rated, $9.98). This is another edition of Howie Mandel's animated kids show, about a 4-year-old with an overactive imagination. Everything from singing mud puddles to the head of Elvis show up to keep children entertained .

Episodes here are "Suspects, Lies & Videotape," "Bobby's Big Move," "The Hero," "Bobby, the Musical" and "Mrs. Noogiefire."

Extras: Full frame, five episodes, handwritten "letter from Bobby," chapters.

"Blue's Room: Snacktime Playdate" (Nick Jr./Paramount, 2004, not rated, $16.99). The title episode and three more — "Blue's Wishes," "Cafe Blue" and "The Grow Show" — are on this disc, along with games for the children.

Extras: Full frame, interactive games, ad spots, trailers, chapters.

"Cyberchase: Totally Rad" (PBS Kids/Paramount, 2002, not rated, $16.99). The three episodes here are "Totally Rad," "The Borg of the Ring" and "Fortress of Attitude," as the Cybersquad navigates fantasy adventures involving skateboarding, the Totally Rad Ring of Radopolis and a booby-trapped statue.

Extras: Full frame, three episodes, interactive games, chapters.

"Baby Einstein: Baby da Vinci: From Head to Toe" (Disney, 2004, not rated, $19.99). This entry in the series helps babies and toddlers learn to identify their head, shoulders, knees, toes, etc., with live-action images, puppets and famous paintings, with classical music in the background.

Extras: Full frame, repeat play, interactive features, language options (English, Spanish, French), chapters.

"Caillou: Caillou at Play" (PBS Kids/Paramount, 2004, not rated, $16.99). Young fans of Caillou will enjoy this collection of eight episodes from the popular kids TV show.

Extras: Full frame, eight episodes, interactive games, text biographies, coloring pages, chapters.

"Boobah: Comfy Armchair" (PBS Kids/Paramount, 2004, not rated, $16.99).

"Boobah: Squeaky Socks" (PBS Kids/Paramount, 2004, not rated, $16.99). More interactive videos for small fry from the creators of "Teletubbies."

Extras: Widescreen, three episodes each, interactive game, message from creator, chapters.

"Teletubbies: Again — Again!" (PBS Kids/Paramount, 1998, not rated, $16.99). Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po skip and dance for little ones.

Extras: Full frame, two "Teletubbies Everywhere" episodes, chapters.

"Popular Mechanics for Kids: Slither & Slime and Other Yucky Things" (Koch, 2004, not rated, $14.98).

"Popular Mechanics for Kids: Radical Rockets and Other Cool Cruising Machines" (Koch, 2004, not rated, $14.98).

These live-action videos for children are explorations of the respective title subjects — things that are underground, garbage, creepy crawlers, etc., and submarines, cars, boats and spaceships. All presented in an entertaining manner, but also educational.

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Extras: Full frame, four episodes each, chapters.

"The A to Z Symphony: Music Appreciation 101 — for Kids" (Classical FUN, 2004, not rated, $19.95). Twenty-six one-minute videos set to classical melodies are designed to help kids learn about music.

Extras: Full frame, 26 tunes, interactive elements, chapters.


E-mail: hicks@desnews.com

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