Chrysanthemum and More Kevin Henkes Stories (Scholastic Video Collection)

Director: Virginia Wilkos
Studio: New Video Group
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Scholastic videos let big folks rest their reading glasses by adapting Caldecott-winning and other worthy kids books for the small screen, with consistently impressive results. Chrysanthemum, based on Kevin Henkes's adorable stories, focuses on an agreeable mouse who adores her lengthy name until a classroom of regular students, plus the venomous Victoria, pokes fun at her for its floridness. Narrator Meryl Streep flits from valley-girlish Victoria to beloved bully-silencer Mrs. Twinkle with delightful effect. The video also contains "Owen" which is about a mouse who's approaching preschool but can't part with his blankie (Sarah Jessica Parker narrates) and "Weekend with Wendell" which bends our sympathy toward Sophie, who's tired of her two-day-long, trickster play date. The transformation from book to screen will captivate page-flipping preschoolers, and parents will pat themselves on the back for presenting this fine video. --Tammy La Gorce
Description
**All stories written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes** CHRYSANTHEMUM (Narrated by Meryl Streep; Music composed by Ernest V. Troost): Chrysanthemum thinks her name is absolutely perfect--until the kids at school make fun of her. It takes a special friend to change her classmates' minds.

OWEN (Narrated by Sarah Jessica Parker; Music composed by Ernest V. Troost): Owen isn't happy when his parents won't let him bring Fuzzy, his beloved yellow blanket, to school. Luckily, Owen's mother has the perfect solution.

A WEEKEND WITH WENDELL (Narrated by Mary Beth Hurt): Sleepovers are usually fun, but spending a weekend with Wendell is anything but fun and games. Sophie shows Wendell that, sometimes, she has to be boss too.

Amazon.com

Scholastic videos let big folks rest their reading glasses by adapting Caldecott-winning and other worthy kids books for the small screen, with consistently impressive results. Chrysanthemum, based on Kevin Henkes's adorable stories, focuses on an agreeable mouse who adores her lengthy name until a classroom of regular students, plus the venomous Victoria, pokes fun at her for its floridness. Narrator Meryl Streep flits from valley-girlish Victoria to beloved bully-silencer Mrs. Twinkle with delightful effect. The video also contains "Owen" which is about a mouse who's approaching preschool but can't part with his blankie (Sarah Jessica Parker narrates) and "Weekend with Wendell" which bends our sympathy toward Sophie, who's tired of her two-day-long, trickster play date. The transformation from book to screen will captivate page-flipping preschoolers, and parents will pat themselves on the back for presenting this fine video. --Tammy La Gorce

Description

**All stories written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes** CHRYSANTHEMUM (Narrated by Meryl Streep; Music composed by Ernest V. Troost): Chrysanthemum thinks her name is absolutely perfect--until the kids at school make fun of her. It takes a special friend to change her classmates' minds.

DVD Features: Bonus Stories "Picnic," "Monty," "The Wizard"; Read Along; Interactive Menus; Scene Selection

Customer Reviews:

True to the books.......2007-06-08

I had rented this prior to the purchase so I knew I liked it, but I really love watching this with my little one again and again. Great stories.

wow wow wow - exactly how we imagined the stories to be!.......2007-03-24

These stories are done to perfection! Having read chrysanthemum literally at least one hundred times, I had a pretty good idea of how hte story should look - and lo and behold, it has been brought to life.This is my daughter's favorite video - now we only hope they follow it up with a "lily" series!

Favorite books come to life.......2007-02-26

I'm a special ed teacher for K-1 and my students love these videos. They add a visual depth to these classic stories. Don't forget to view the extras and you can also have the words displayed as well. I find them invaluable for illuminating literature. Most stories are no more than 7-10 minutes long and so are great for getting students involved quickly. Well worth the price. Students ask for them over and over again. Get the books too and students begin to engage with the books and get excited keeping up with the video.

Loved It!.......2003-08-26

My 4 year old daughter loves all of Henkes' books so when I saw there was a DVD out there with 3 of his stories I snatched it up. Talk about a 3 time winner in our home. My daughter LOVES this DVD, it's her favorite amongst all the other scholastic videos we own and I can see why. Meryl Streep and Sarah Jessica Parker do a wonderful job narrating. I would love to see Sheila Rae the Brave, Chester's Way and any other Henkes book compiled into another DVD.

You get 6 stories: Chrysanthemum, Owen, A Weekend with Wendell (all Henkes), The Picnic, Monty and The Wizard for an hour of enjoyable stories. I highly recommend the DVD for young kids.

The best kids author.......2003-03-13

Our family has all the Kevin Henkes books, mainly because they appeal to both kids and adults. When I saw that the books were read on DVD, I purchased them without hesitation. These wonderful books are even better when narrated by the likes of Oscar winner Meryl Streep (reading "Chrysanthemum")and Golden Globe winner Sarah Jessica Parker (who narrates "Owen"). Included are a few bonus stories (not Henkes) and an option to read alond with the story (in the same format as a sing-a-long show). A wonderful idea! Also look for books like "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" and "Goodnight, Gorilla" on DVD published by the same company.

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