Travels with the dino pals
“The Land Before Time:
Journey to Big Water”
Universal Studios Home Video
DVD: $24.98; VHS: $19.98
For the family
www.landbeforetime.com
Littlefoot the apatosaurus and the rest of the “Land Before Time” kid dinosaur pals return in the ninth release of this deservedly successful, cut-above animated series. This time around, Littlefoot befriends a perky opthalmosaurus named Mo after the dolphin-like dinosaur is washed into the Great Valley lake by a tremendous flood. Littlefoot and friends help Mo return to the “Big Water” -- the ocean -- despite the unwelcome attentions of a giant “sharp tooth swimmer” and a land-altering “earth shake.”
The perils may be too intense for the smallest viewers if Mom and Dad aren’t nearby for comfort. But fun, friendship and gentle caring are what this series is all about, and bouncy humor and happy endings are guaranteed.
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“Raffi’s Christmas Album:
A Collection of Christmas
Songs for Children”
Rounder Records
CD: $15.98; cassette: $10.98;
LP vinyl: $8.99
Ages 1 to 8
www.rounder.com
A standout, digitally remastered reissue of Raffi’s seasonal mix of contemporary and traditional songs sung with the beloved Canadian singer’s trademark mellow amiability. Less familiar tunes such as “On Christmas Morning” and Roger Miller’s “Old Toy Trains” are as sing-along friendly as “Frosty the Snowman” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
-- Lynne Heffley