[.ca] Barney: Let's Play School (Full Screen)

Amazon.com Essential Video:
Like perky Kathie Lee Gifford, Barney, the ubiquitous magical purple dinosaur, can elicit violent hatred and fierce loyalty. You're likely to get the latter from the average toddler, weaned on the inexplicably popular (to some) PBS series. Parents may want to first teach their children the original classic songs before they're invariably introduced to Barney and his lyric-altering renditions. (By now countless children think "This Old Man" is the "Barney I Love You" song.) This 50-minute video, never seen on television, focuses on Baby Bop (Barney's yellow baby dino friend), envious and curious about school. Barney and friends Ashley, Hannah, Robert, and Jeff offer to play school, with Baby Bop as teacher. Their songs include the Barney versions of "The Alphabet Song," "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe," "The Itsy Bitsy Spider," "Where Is Thumbkin?", and more. Let's Play School! offers a gentle introduction to toddlers curious about preschool and may waylay any apprehensions. With its emphasis on how school is both fun and educational it also entices its youngest audience by showing that Ashley, Hannah, Robert, and Jeff (who are about 8 or 9) represent those awe-inspiring older kids. They like school. Therefore, it can't be that bad. And neither is this video's ultimate message. --N.F. Mendoza

Additional Features:
Believe it or not, Barney leads the way in becoming the first kid franchise to offer much more on the DVD than a VHS edition. In addition to the 50-minute show, the DVD offers a bevy of other features. There's a sing-along of six favorite Barney songs with lyrics, a read-along of a 32-page "book" (ABC Animals) that can be read by either Barney or the viewer, and an audio songbook of seven songs. The DVD-ROM section (Windows only) includes five games: connecting the dots, a painting game, and three memory games. The interactive games are quite simple; a 6-year-old computer buff will hardly be challenged. The child able to read the book and the lyrics of one part of the disc will be too old for the games if they have any other, more powerful computer games at home. But for the young ones who are into Barney, this disc is a perfect introduction to the DVD and DVD-ROM arenas. It also contains a Spanish soundtrack and--get this--16 previews of other Barney videos. --Doug Thomas

What Titus Andronicus was to Shakespeare...:
this flaccid entry is to the legend that is Barney. There is little trace of Thematic coherency. Barney somehow seems to believe that just because he is purple and cute, and has a a pacifying effect upon children, that he can ride roughshod over the principles of Aristotlean drama. If, perchance, Barney had every deemed it worthy of his oh-so-fought-after time to take a look at the Poetics, he might have learned that just stringling together a bunch of episodes does not a drama make. Plot? Character? Action? Two words of advice for the wordsmiths who crafted this leaden lump: Don Quixote.

This one is really good!:
reasons to buy this DVD 1. Educational 2. Original (no repeat songs from other Barney DVD's) 3. The kids are still kids (No teenagers singing "Where is Thumbkin") 4. Bright, bubbly and brilliant Worth every cent

Mesmerized my 20 mo. old!:
As the mother of a very active 20 month old boy I highly recommend this video. While teaching the values of reading, counting and learning in general, this program provides a colorful and fun background for the subject of going to school. My son will watch nearly the entire 50 minutes and always begs to watch the "I love you" song over and over. If you're looking for which Barney movie to buy, your child should love this one!

Great DVD:
My kids have several Barney movies, but this one is the best of all. Very educational. The kids love it!

Brilliant:
I think this is one of Barney's best works. Highly recommended for ages 2+ because some topics require conceptual understanding. Many things are portrayed here : colours, alphabets, shapes & all in a very catchy, unforgettable manner. My 2 yr old is extremely good with his colours & shapes due to this (now he is 3) & also loves reading books. There is emphasis on reading & a children's story (Little Red Riding Hood) is re-enacted flawlessly. The kids are mostly natural & don't over-act much. I find myself watching & enjoying with my son too. The DVD has other menu options such a book read aloud by Barney which captivates my son. I don't think I've seen him blink as few times as when watching this DVD! Excellent & definitely worth many watches!!