Weston Woods Studios.

Weston Woods Studios

143 Main Street, Norwalk, CT 06851

www.scholastic.com/westonwoods

Weston Woods Studios is a premier producer of multimedia adaptations of picturebooks for children. Each of their selected titles are available as closed-captioned videos, DVDs, hardcover books/cassette, and hardcover book/CD editions. Their latest offerings reviewed in their DVD formats include Laurie Keller's Arnie The Doughnut (DVD666, $59.95, 17 minutes), an average doughnut made by one of the best bakeries in town, and will be consumed by Mr. Bing unless Arnie can persuade him that a doughnut can be more than just a snack! Ntozake Shange's Ellington (DVD672, $59.95, 12 minutes) is based on the author's having grown up when many of the great figures in 20th Century African-American history gathered in her family home to talk and share ideas, and even sing. Karma Wilson's Bear Snores On (DVD666, $59.95, 8 minutes) has Bear sleeping in his cozy cave in the woods. Surprise guests show up to brew tea and pop corn while Bear snores on. When the smells and the fun finally disturb his slumber, Bear wakes up to find his den full of celebrating critters! Jane Yolen's How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon? (DVD651, $59.95, 8 minutes) is narrated by the author with animation by MaGik Studio has enormous sneezes to gigantic wails, of mischievous but ailing dinosaurs carry on! The collaboration of authors Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson, enhanced with the illustrations of Lois Ehlert, Chicka Chicka 1-2-3 (DVD-669, $59.95, 6 minutes) has one hundred and one numbers racing each other up an apple tree. As the numerals pile up, bad bumblebees come a-buzzing round. Which number will save the day? Fun-filled music and vocals by Crystal Taliefero will have children singing about numbers long after those bumblebees have gone! Mordicai Gerstein's The Man Who Waled Between The Towers (DVD670, $59.95, 10 minutes) is inspired by the daredevil feat of French aerialist Philippe Petit's 1974 high wire walk between the World Trade Center towers. Jean Fritz's Will You Sign Here John Hancock? (DVD480, $59.95, 20 minutes) introduces one of the ost famous signers of the Declaration of Independence. These titles are excellent choices for any school or library collection.