Enchanting Videos Bring Books to Life

Turn on the TV and curl up with a good book--home-video style.

“The Mouse and the Motorcycle” from ABC Kidtime and “The Robert McCloskey Library” from Children’s Circle joyously celebrate the art of storytelling. Both enhance the expanding treasure trove of literature-based kidvid.

“The Mouse and the Motorcycle” is the delectable Peabody Award-winning film based on Beverly Cleary’s children’s book. It was also a former ABC “Afterschool Special,” as are many offerings on the ABC Kidtime label.

Combining live action and irresistible stop-motion animation, the video is about friendship between a cocky mouse named Ralph and a lonely boy named Keith.

The two meet in a country inn when Ralph takes a header into a wastebasket while sneaking a ride on Keith’s shiny toy motorcycle. “How about lettin’ me take it for a spin in the hall?” Ralph asks, when caught. Unfazed by a talking mouse, Keith agrees and the mischief begins.

Making “vroom-vroom” sounds (accompanied by David Mansfield’s terrific boogie-woogie score), Ralph zips madly around the corridors. He sends the schnauzer in the next room into hysterics, terrorizes the cat, befuddles Keith’s mom and amuses the kindly caretaker (Ray Walston).

But when Keith gets sick, it’s biker Ralph who saves the day.

Besides Walston, the fine cast includes Mimi Kennedy and Thom Sharp as Keith’s mom and dad, John Byner, the voices of Billy Barty and Zelda Rubinstein (“Poltergeist”). Evan Richards as the voice of Ralph and Philip Waller as Keith are unbeatable.

“The Mouse and the Motorcycle.” ABC Kidtime Home Video from Strand VCI Entertainment. Running time: 41 minutes. $12.95. Information: (800) 922-3827.

Living Books: You don’t have to be familiar with the remarkable work of author/illustrator Robert McCloskey to be delighted with “The Robert McCloskey Library.” You don’t even have to be a child.

This exquisitely produced video offers filmed versions of McCloskey’s children’s books, including “Lentil,” about a boy yearning to make music; “Blueberries for Sal,” about two toddlers--bear and human--who tag along with the wrong moms; the classic “Make Way for Ducklings” and poetic “Time of Wonder,” plus “Burt Dow: Deep-Water Man,” a whale of a fish tale.

The video ends with a short segment on Caldecott-winning McCloskey himself, filmed at his Maine studio.

To call the works animated is deceptive--the camera explores the rich detail of McCloskey’s watercolor illustrations and drawings the way a reader would. The result is a living book. Animals, children, adults and nature are evoked in worlds of whimsical simplicity. Gentle narration and expressive music make the experience complete. This is a true find.

“The Robert McCloskey Library.” Children’s Circle. Running time: 55 minutes. $19.95. Information: (800) KIDS-VID.