Family : Doors of Discovery Open in Video of ‘Monet’s Garden’ : ‘Linnea’ Video Opens Doors of Discovery

A home video version of the acclaimed children’s book “Linnea in Monet’s Garden” is a find. Created by the book’s author and illustrator, Lena Anderson and Christina Bjork, this inspired, gentle mix of simple animation and live action is more than a look at a few pretty Impressionist paintings.

As it personalizes artist Claude Monet and his art, it touches upon the passage of time, the beauty of nature. And, most important, it validates a young child’s unfettered sense of discovery.

Linnea, a little girl whose favorite painting is Monet’s “Water Lilies,” travels with her kindly old neighbor, Mr. Bloom, to Paris to visit the artist’s home and garden. Animation gives way to film footage and photographs of the Monet family, their home and grounds--the abundant flowers, Japanese bridge and lily pond. The living scenes that inspired Monet dissolve into the paintings themselves. And viewers see it all through the appreciative, wondering eyes of Linnea and the elderly Mr. Bloom.

First Run Features, $19.95, (800) 488-6652.

Not Just Peanuts: Looking for an unusual Christmas album? How about “Snoopy’s Christmas Classiks on Toys.” It doesn’t have much to do with the “Peanuts” gang--this surprise charmer is a quality, instrumental recording of holiday favorites, from “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” to “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies,” played entirely on toy instruments. Lyrics for a sing-along are included.

Lightyear Entertainment/BMG Kidz, CD: $15.98; audiocassette: $8.98. (800) 229-STORY.

‘Toon Tunes: True cartoon buffs can choose between two holiday mixes of ‘toon cynicism and sentiment. Alvin and the Chipmunks team up with guest singers Patty Loveless, Celine Dion, Gene Autry, Alan Jackson, James Ingram and the Boys Choir of Harlem in the new “A Very Merry Chipmunk” from Chipmunk Records/Epic Records/Sony Wonder (CD: $13.98, audiocassette: $9.98). And Daffy, Sylvester, Bugs, Elmer Fudd, Pepe Le Pew, Foghorn Leghorn and Taz get into the spirit--sort of--in Kid Rhino’s “Have Yourself a Looney Tunes Christmas.” (CD: $15.98, audiocassette: $10.98).

Coming Up Roses: Nevermind that other parade--on Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m., kids and parents can help build and decorate the first Kidspace Float for the seventh annual Rosebud Parade, a Dec. 10 march down Lake Avenue, starting at Kidspace Museum in Pasadena. Information: (818) 449-9144.