Actor Kline Narrates ‘Merlin’ Video

“Merlin and the Dragons,” a medieval fantasy superbly narrated by actor Kevin Kline on the award-winning Stories to Remember video series, is prime storytelling for ages 5 to 11.

Kline captures the magic in Jane Yolen’s rousing tale based on British legend, deftly bringing to life the young King Arthur, unsure of his ability to rule; Merlin as both boy and ancient, an evil noble and savage dragons.

Michael Rubini’s orchestral score adds a suspenseful touch; the simply animated characters move through beautifully rendered background drawings of depth and texture, based on illustrations by Alan Lee.

“Merlin and the Dragons.” Lightyear Entertainment/Stories to Remember. 27 minutes. $14.98. Also on audio cassette and CD. Information: (800) 229-7867.

Video Story Time: You can’t go wrong with the Children’s Circle home video animation collection for ages 3 to 8. Based on the best children’s books, each video offers a varied selection of stories, carefully animated to retain the integrity of the illustrator’s work, well-narrated and scored.

You might start with “Danny and the Dinosaur and Other Stories.” Syd Hoff’s gentle odyssey about a playful museum dinosaur who befriends a little boy joins two charmers illustrated by Roger Duvoisin: “The Camel Who Took a Walk,” a comic misadventure by Jack Tworkov about what almost happens when a tiger waits to pounce on a camel “where the shadow of the tree falls across the road,” and “The Happy Lion,” a sweet jewel by Louis Fatio about a zoo lion who strolls into town one day and wonders why no one returns his charming “bon jours.”

Wrapping it up is “The Island of the Skog,” Steven Kellogg’s delightfully drawn, rambunctious saga about a band of mice who run away from cat-and-dog oppression to find freedom and tolerance.

“Danny and the Dinosaur and Other Stories.” Children’s Circle/KIDS-VID. 35 minutes. $14.95. Information: (800) KIDS-VID.

Improv It: Like its counterpart “Kidprov” at Theatre/Theater in Hollywood, “The Magic Mirror Players” at the Third Stage in Burbank serves up engaging, child-sized professional improvisational theater.

A rotating trio of likable adult actors base comic skits and outrageous puns on audience suggestions and present a selection of Aesop’s fables. The audience is a big creative part of the show, so a certain maturity level is essential for maximum enjoyment; this one’s not for preschoolers. Ages 5 to 11 will have the most fun.

Magic Mirror Players, Third Stage Theatre, 2811 W. Magnolia Ave., Burbank, Saturdays-Sundays, noon, indefinitely. (818) 986-2278, $5.

Radio Days: “Musical Menagerie With Uncle Timothy,” the children’s radio show for ages 3 to 12 on K-WINK 670 AM, has changed from its half-hour weekend format and expanded to an hour on Sundays from 5 to 6 p.m. Hosted by Tim Arem, the show features children’s music, a family events calendar, interviews and call-ins.