Get into the beat

Zoe’s Dance Moves

Sony Wonder/Sesame Workshop

40 minutes. Ages 3 to 8

DVD: $14.98; VHS: $9.98

Elmo’s best friend, Zoe, the little orange Muppet monster, is wearing her tutu and is ready to pick up some dance pointers from Paula Abdul in this charming video. With the help of several professional dancers and children, who demonstrate dance forms from around the world, Abdul, playing a groovy Sesame Street dance teacher, introduces Zoe to ballet, hip-hop, and African and Asian dance. Zoe teaches Abdul a “Silly-Willy-Nilly-Dance,” and it’s all put together as a dance-along for viewers -- although the real message is how much fun it is to just get up and move to the beat of your choice.

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Piglet’s Big Movie

Walt Disney Home Entertainment

75 minutes. Ages 3 to 8

DVD: $29.99; VHS: $24.99

Nothing too scary (Pooh and Piglet narrowly escape tumbling into a waterfall; Pooh and pals are chased by a swarm of bees), familiar characters rendered in classic cel animation and a sweet spirit add up to some cozy, parent-friendly tube time for preschoolers. Extras include DVD-ROM activities, a singalong and a game to help Piglet recover his lost drawings.

-- Lynne Heffley