Baby Tudor (4 DVD series)

 

Picture: C+     Sound: B-     Extras: C     Programs: B-

 

 

The Baby Tudor series is a visual orientation DVDs meant for children from “3 months to 3 years old” and covers the Alphabet, Counting, Four Seasons, and Cars, Trucks, Trains, Planes.  The discs are each divided into three sections.  The First Steps section is for the earliest age, followed by Next Steps for nine months and older.  That leaves Interactive Flashcards for parents and teachers to use to help teach the basic material further.

 

Lasting 45 minutes each, the programs are rich with visual information and just long enough to be thorough.  The simplicity of it all took me off guard at first, then I adjusted and realized how well this really worked.  Many have complained that material for this age group has been inferior, limited or watered-down, but this is on the mark and an extremely welcome addition to DVD in a field that needs all the content it can get: developmental programming for babies and young children.

 

The 1.33 x 1 image mixes child-friendly computer generated animation with live action video footage cut in and is a pleasant mix throughout.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo has Pro Logic surround, but it works well in both that and regular 2.0 mode.  The Flashcards are extras technically, so we are counting them separately, though they are key to the whole series.  Highly recommended.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo