Amazon.com Delivers Kids & Family Video

KIDS & FAMILY VIDEO


Word for Word Blue's Clues New Releases for Sale Jim Henson Home Entertainment Store	Anime 301 Anime for Teenagers Hard-to-Find Disney Pre-Order Harry Potter (Book 4)! Advance Orders

WORD FOR WORD
"Oh look, a clue!" --the intrepid Steve (Steve Burns), starting the fun in "Blue's Clues." The latest video from the kids' favorite show is "Stop, Look & Listen."

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NEW RELEASES FOR SALE
"Pocahontas" (1995) (G) VHS or DVD
starring the voices of Irene Bedard, Mel Gibson, and Linda Hunt
Released right after Disney's most popular animated film, "The Lion King," the slower, ecologically correct "Pocahontas" was sure to disappoint many. The stunt casting of Mel Gibson as explorer John Smith is a definite strength, as are a few of the songs (Mel even sings one) and the film's beautiful, rugged setting. The test, though, is the true-to-life ending: Pocahontas standing brave and strong in the face of a romantic defeat but staying true to her character; a great movie moment. Includes music videos. (Ages 5 and older) Read more

"The Morph Files Volumes 1-3" (1995) (NR) VHS
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Produced in the early '90s by Aardman Animations (which would later go on to make the "Wallace and Gromit" films), "The Morph Files" is a collection of 2- to 10-minute shorts with the red Morph and his sidekick, Chaz, tooling around their desktop home. They might be trying to make a garden or simply playing around with a ball. There's a good deal of shenanigans and whimsical animation that remind one of Tim Burton's early dabbles, or Looney Tunes. Fans of "Wallace and Gromit" or the new film "Chicken Run" will want to add these dandy videos to their collection. (Ages 4 to adult)

"The Powerpuff Girls: Monkey See, Doggie Do" (1998) (NR) VHS
"The Powerpuff Girls: Bubblevicious" (1998) (NR) VHS
starring Bubbles, Blossom, and Buttercup
This trio of crime-fighting superheroines must work around kindergarten obligations in order to save the world before bedtime. Combining sharp writing and zesty animation, "The Powerpuff Girls" became one of the first original- programming hits of the Cartoon Network. Popular with everyone from 6-year-olds to college age, these girls are a hit, and now they're coming to your home. Both videos contain five episodes each.

"Pokémon: Picture Perfect (Vol. 17)" (2000) (NR) VHS or DVD
"Pokémon: Water Blast (Vol. 18)" (2000) (NR) VHS or DVD
starring Ash, Misty, Brock, and Pikachu.
Volume 17 wraps up the first televised season of the Pokémon series with an extra episode on the tape. Volume 18 has the first three episodes of the second season. The reports of Pokémon's demise as a kid's favorite are false. The second theatrical film is due in July (and will be more Americanized than the first), and the third season starts up on TV in which--get this--more than 100 new Pokémon creatures will be introduced. (Ages 4 and older)

"Geppetto" (PG) VHS Clamshell
starring Drew Carey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus; directed by Tom Moore
Disney puts a new spin on one of their all-time favorite stories, "Pinocchio." The toymaker takes center stage here after his wish is granted and his puppet becomes a little boy. Stephen Schwartz ("Godspell," "The Prince of Egypt") wrote eight appealing songs, making this a rare made-for-television musical. A bit slow, but it is a far fresher approach to the material than the live-action "The Adventures of Pinocchio" made a few years back. (Ages 5 and older) Read more

"Discover Spot" (NR) VHS Clamshell
Spot the dog leaped from the pages of Eric Hill's books to the Disney Channel some time ago, and now he has his own full-length video. The 13 animated segments (each 4.5 minutes long) feature the puppy, his parents, and pals in such everyday adventures as building a tree house, camping in the back yard, and donning costumes for a homemade theatrical production. Recent Oscar nominee Haley Joel Osment provides Spot's voice. (Ages 3 and older)

Read our list of Kids & Family videos weekly bestsellers.

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JIM HENSON HOME ENTERTAINMENT STORE
The world of Jim Henson, from "Sesame Street" and the Muppets to fantasy films, has a unique place in film entertainment. Grab your favorite furry monster and drop on by the Jim Henson Home Entertainment Store to see all the great videos and DVDs. Read more

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ANIME 301: ANIME FOR TEENAGERS
Anime films are becoming entrenched as a staple for American kids. But after the cute furball tales, what is out there for teenagers? Amazon.com contributor Charles Solomon continues his survey of anime, looking at catchy titles that are popular among the teen set, from the dramatic "Grave of the Fireflies" to the caper "The Castle of Cagliostro." Read more

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HARD-TO-FIND DISNEY
Be our guest and find some of these great Disney titles on VHS, currently on moratorium, but available from zShops as "previously viewed" and sometimes "new": "Beauty and the Beast," the only animated film ever to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar; "Fantasia," perhaps Disney's masterpiece and the best fusion of animation and music; and "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," the classic film that Disney gambled his company on, and that made feature animation a viable commercial medium.

"Beauty and the Beast"
"Fantasia"
"Snow White"

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PRE-ORDER HARRY POTTER (BOOK 4)!
"Harry Potter (Book 4)" (Ages 9 and older)
by J.K. Rowling
The fourth Harry Potter isn't set to be released until July 8, 2000, but you can place your order now. Read more

Or participate in the Book 4 buzz in our Harry Potter Store.

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ADVANCE ORDERS
Find out what is about to be released on VHS.

"Toy Story 2" (1999) (G) VHS Clamshell
starring the voices of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen
Questionably better than the original, absolutely great entertainment. Available October 17 Read more

"Dragon Tales: You Can Do It" (2000) (NR) VHS
The PBS series comes to home video. Available August 1

"The Sound of Music" (G) VHS Clamshell or DVD
starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer; directed by Robert Wise.
Everyone's favorite Austrian musical is back on VHS in a new collector's edition, and for the first time on DVD.

"Savannah Smiles" (1982) (PG) VHS or DVD
starring Bridgette Andersen and Mark Miller; directed by Pierre DeMoro.
A fan favorite since 1982 finally returns to home video.

"My Dog Skip" (1999) (PG) VHS Clamshell or DVD
starring Frankie Muniz, Kevin Bacon, and Diane Lane; directed by Jay Russell
This year's sleeper hit starring Frankie Muniz of TV's "Malcolm in the Middle."

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All titles featured are NTSC format (VHS) and Region 1 encoded (DVD).

You'll find more great videos, articles, and interviews in Amazon.com's Kids & Family Video section