Ranny's Picks for Pre-Schoolers!

One winter morning Peter wakes up to see that snow has fallen, covering everything in the city. His exciting adventures come to life in this adaptation of the perennial children's classic and Caldecott medal winner.... more

Ranny's Pick! Booklist: "...graceful animation brings to life the joyful experiences of a small boy on a snowy day."

Join the wild and funny adventures of Raven, the most powerful, and one might add, trickiest troublemaker of First Nations Folklore. He is joined by his seadfast brother, Eagle, and the mysterious Frog. Together they will learn the secret that will relea... more

Ranny's Pick! The trickster myths of the Northwest Coast form the backbone to Raven Tales, the first animated film to be done by an all Canadian aboriginal team. The characters look like those found in Northwest Coast wood carvings, and the stories echo from antiquity.

Fifteen skill-building activity songs for care givers, parents and babies. Musical tracks for sing along fun and activity guide available.... more

Ranny's Pick! I love these songs. They're so perfect for this age. Fun. Well performed. Katherine Dines is a pleasure to listen to. I could listen to this CD for a long time. When you're getting ready for that next long road trip, pack this one.

Includes:
So Smart! Colors ( see details) $14.95
So Smart! Sights and Sounds (see details) $14.95
So Smart!: Letters ( see details) $14.95
So Smart: First Words (see details) $15.98
Value = $62.92... more

Ranny's Pick! "Watching together with your new baby can help expand his or her vocabulary, especially when paired with a follow-up activity that reinforces what’s on the DVD or video. These are four of our best DVDs for teaching language skills to your baby. All have received all-star ratings from our jurors."

A series of videos that bridges the gap between the time a baby can communicate with his or her hands and the time a baby can speak. By giving parents and babies the ability to communicate without words, these videos reduce frustration and encourage rew... more

Ranny's Pick! I wish I would have known about this when my children were babies. Teaching babies sign language when they are right on the cusp of speaking is such a great way to bridge that transition, and reduces frustration for both the parent and the child. Highly recommended

Learn vocabulary with simple stories; adorable, bright, bold animation; and original music. Includes interactive games that can be played on TV with your remote control, printable Story Cards and bonus "Sleepytime" classical music CD.... more

Ranny's Pick! Combine watching this with real life experiences, please, to get the most out of it. Rather than sit your baby down in front of the DVD player, sit with her, repeat the words, and point to objects in the room that are the same as what's on the screen.

Learn vocabulary with simple stories; adorable, bright, bold animation; and original music.... more

Ranny's Pick! Combine watching this with real life experiences, please, to get the most out of it. Rather than sit your baby down in front of the DVD player, sit with her, repeat the words, and point to objects in the room that are the same as what's on the screen.

Babies and toddlers are captivated as simple shapes and moving patterns transform into familiar images, all with a live classical music soundtrack. Activity guide included. The DVD includes parent-guided interactive storybook features and printable story... more

Ranny's Pick! I agree with our jurors, "if you accompany your baby when watching this, there's no other DVD that's better." This is a perfect title to add to your early learning collection.

Pink pigs, orange tractors and green grasshoppers introduce your child to the world of colors. Original music soundtrack! Includes interactive games: build "colors" characters on your home computer, on TV, or choose a colored box and see what's inside! P... more

Ranny's Pick! OK, I confess, I'm a real So Smart fan. These are really well done DVDs, perfect for your early learner. Simple. Straightforward. Uncomplicated. And, kids really enjoy them. My grandson was a So Smart fan until he was three.

Pink pigs, orange tractors and green grasshoppers introduce your child to the world of colors. Original music soundtrack.... more

Ranny's Pick! OK, I confess, I'm a real So Smart fan. These are really well done DVDs, perfect for your early learner. Simple. Straightforward. Uncomplicated. And, kids really enjoy them. My grandson was a So Smart fan until he was three.

Learn vocabulary with simple stories; adorable, bright, bold animation; and original music. Includes interactive games that can be played on TV with your remote control, printable story cards and bonus "Sleepytime" classical music CD.... more

Ranny's Pick! Wonderfully produced. Thoughtful, sensible, and cute. I'd say this is a perfect starter DVD for young babies. Combine it with real life experiences, and it will make all the difference in the world.

Offers a bilingual learning experience in a playful, interactive and multi-sensory journey using objects found in a child's natural environment to maximize on his or her language development.... more

Ranny's Pick! This DVD takes the child on a memorable journey of a home through objects, shapes, music and sounds. All through playful and fun games, puzzles, and video flashcards that reinforce the lessons learned. The DVD also includes a phonetic card that can help a parent or caretaker pronounce the words in the video appropriately.

Soothing new education video for babies. Jack is a puppy who lives in Central Park, New York City. He explores colors, shapes, animals, flowers, mountains, trees and more. Classical music pieces are performed by an award-winning concert pianist, Cheryl T... more

Ranny's Pick! This is so cute. I'm making sure that my grandson gets to watch it.

Includes:
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, and Lots More Learning Fun (see details) $14.95
Good Night, Gorilla, And More Bedtime Stories (see details) $14.95
Harry the Dirty Dog, and More Terrific Tales (see details) $14.95
Red Riding Hood, And More James Marshall... more

Ranny's Pick! "Introduce your child to books by using DVDs to accompany your reading. It works!"

Country superstar, Randy Travis, narrates the title tale about a barnyard mutiny on Farmer Brown's farm. Cows that type? Hens that strike? Be sure to pack your funny bone for a hilarious trip to the farm. Adapted from the Caldecott Honor Book. Spanish tr... more

Ranny's Pick! A run-away favorite of our film festivals. Wonderfully animated, classic children's stories, with Randy Travis' narration. A real winner and an evergreen title for your collection. School Library Journal: “…a sure hit with the story hour.” Booklist: “…delightfully animated…. Singer Randy Travis narrates in a wonderful drawl set against background fiddle music... You couldn’t ask for a better narrator.”
ALA Notable Recordings Committee: "Background barnyard sounds and music enhance Jorge Pupo's Spanish reading....” (Spanish version)

Includes:
Yoga Kids (see details) $9.98
Finger Plays with "Miss Lori" (see details) $12.99
Nursery Tap, Hip to Toe (see details) $21.95
Value = $44.92... more

Ranny's Pick! "Get your little ones hooked on exercise early. The message here is that moving your body is fun and keeps you healthy. These are not for couch potatoes. There's something for everyone - yoga, finger play, and dancing - all wrapped up into one package."

SPANISH LANGUAGE VERSION. VHS ONLY. An inspirational tale of a plain caterpillar who longs to be more. Hermie tries to imitate other insects with no success. After each failed attempt, he asks God for guidance and the result is an amazing transformation.... more

Ranny's Pick! Hermie, in Spanish, for Spanish speaking children or those who are learning another language.

Includes:
Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type and More Fun on the Farm ( DVD) $14.95
Is Your Mama A Llama? And More Stories about Growing UP DVD) $14.95
Snowy Day, and More Ezra Jack Keats Storie (DVD) $14.95
Value = $44.85... more

Ranny's Pick! "Introduce your child to books by using DVDs to accompany your reading. It works!."

Includes:
Signing Time! Volumes 4, 5, & 6 (see details) (see details)(see details) $21.99 each
Value=$65.97... more

Ranny's Pick! "Children learn from everything they watch, whether it's good or bad. Here are two titles that teach lessons. One about behavior; one about language development."

Teaches ASL signs for family members, feelings, and things you find outside. Divided into family songs, outside songs, and feelings.... more

Ranny's Pick! I love this series. This producer has really done a fabulous job of creating DVDs that are very timely and useful. If you're aware of how teaching children sign language has a very positive affect on their language development, you'll appreciate the high quality of these programs.

Join Alex, Leah, their frog Hopkins, and Signing Time's Rachel Coleman for more "Signing Time" fun! Teaches the alphabet in American Sign Language, and introduces more than 50 signs for words corresponding to different letters. Sign and sing along with t... more

Ranny's Pick! I highly recommend the titles in this excellent series. They're great for helping kids in their language development. Bravo Two Little Hands Productions. Good work!

Join Alex, Leah, their frog Hopkins, and Signing Time's Rachel Coleman for more signing fun! Teaches ASL signs for fruits, vegetables, colors of the rainbow, and activities. Divided into segments for colors; and fruits and veggies, and activities, Inclu... more

Ranny's Pick! Excellent DVD. All of the titles in this series are great and they all got All-Star ratings from KIDS FIRST! which in itself is a miracle as our jurors are very stingy with that rating. It has to be outstanding to get one.

Includes:
Yoga Kids (see details) $9.98
Yoga Kids 2: ABC's (see details) $12.98
Yoga Kids 3: Sill to Calm (see details) $12.98
Value = $35.94... more

Ranny's Pick! "Two great yoga titles for parents who have already discovered what a great activity yoga is for their child. Save when you buy both."

These songs focus on things that are important for little people to learn and practice in their families, pre-school and day-care. There are 8 original songs, each is repeated once to minimize interruptions. The songs are fun to sing and the accompanying... more

Ranny's Pick! Highly recommended. Great selections for 2 to 7-year-olds.

Lloyd the llama is looking for his mama. "Is your mama a llama?" he asks a bat, a swan, a cow, a seal, and a kangaroo. Young children will share Lloyd's delight when the answer to his question is finally, "Yes!" With rhyme and riddle, and the perfect nar... more

Ranny's Pick! Video Librarian: “…featuring a solid musical score by the wonderful Ernest V. Troost.” School Library Journal: “The charming animation brings to life Kellogg’s illustrations, maintaining the animals’ charming personalities and his detailed backgrounds… an enjoyable addition for pre-school story hours.”

James Coffey's CD has kids hopping like kangaroos, soaring like the eagles, and enjoying diverse musical styles with his creative lyrics that take a journey through an imaginative animal kingdom.... more

Ranny's Pick! This CD is a must-pack for long car trips. You will be surprised how it crosses over many ages, from babies to 8-year-olds. And, will keep adults hopping as well.

Now you can share a fun, safe and healthy activity with your kids - one that can be enjoyed over and over again. In YogaKids, your children will learn simple yoga exercises work to strengthen their bodies and improve coordination. They'll playfully stret... more

Ranny's Pick! "Any child would love this video. It's beautiful, fun and reflects a love of yoga and children." - National Parent's Association

All-original, upbeat, interactive music for children ages three to ten by recording artist, Judy Pancoast. Features fourteen songs, including the award-winning "Swimming in Jello."... more

Ranny's Pick! "I love Judy Pancoast's music. She is right on target for this age group, hitting their funny bone in the perfect spot."

Includes:
The Big Aquarium (see details) $14.95
The Big Space Shuttle (see details) $14.95Value=$29.90... more