Some friendly faces

Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood:

Going to School

Anchor Bay Entertainment

DVD and VHS: $14.98

Ages 2 to 5

www.anchorbayentertainment.com, www.fci.org

Preschool TV icon Fred Rogers lives on in a series of themed releases from “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Here, two episodes gently address school anxieties through Rogers’ one-on-one conversations with viewers and in puppet segments in “The Neighborhood of Make-Believe,” where Daniel Tiger, Prince Tuesday and the gang learn what school is all about. DVD extras include a crayon factory tour, a singalong, read-along, recipes and other activities and more. Each comes with a booklet of tips for parents.

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Thomas & Friends,

Calling All Engines

DVD: $16.99; VHS: $13.75

Ages 2 to 8

www.thomasandfriends.com

This direct-to-DVD release commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Rev. W. Awdry’s children’s stories, which spawned a children’s entertainment empire. On the Island of Sodor, home to Thomas the Tank Engine and other hard-working trains, a new airport is to be built. But Thomas and his steam engine pals are feuding with the diesel engines, a hurricane hits and the suspension bridge goes down. What to do? Along with gentle storytelling, sumptuous model train setups and some chipper songs, computer-animated, problem-solving interludes ask viewers to do a little logical thinking to “help” Thomas figure things out.

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Ralph’s World: Green

Gorilla Monster & Me

Mini Fresh Records

CD: $15; Ages 2 to 9

www.ralphsworld.com

Ralph Covert’s sixth children’s CD (due Sept. 6) is a stunner, fueled by the Chicago indie rocker’s deft, often gorgeous harmonies, his smooth and rowdy rock ‘n’ roll chops and inventive lyrics, all warmed by respect for young (and older) listeners. There’s a rambunctious outing for Ray Stevens’ novelty hit, “Gitarzan,” but it’s Covert’s own songs -- silly, celebratory, yearning and informed by childhood -- that make this CD shine. Highlights: “Old Red #7,” a look back at a wooden car and a race (“soap box silhouettes drawn in black against the dawn”); and the breathtaking “Liesl Echo,” about a shy shepherd and a girl who “planted flowers, painted rainbows, danced for hours and all the valley echoed with the sound of her laughter.”

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Dan Zanes and Friends:

All Around the Kitchen!

Festival Five Records

DVD: $15; Ages 2 to 9

www.festivalfive.com;

www.cdbaby.com

Dan Zanes, the gifted ex-Del Fuegos frontman, continues his warm and witty foray into family music with his first DVD, a terrific compilation of concert performance excerpts and quirky music videos of his CD tracks “House Party Time,” “Jump Up,” “All Around the Kitchen!” and others. Through his own sunny-spirited, well-crafted songs and traditional tunes, Zanes’ “handmade” acoustic singalongs come with a dance party vibe and a Woody Guthrie simplicity that make everyone welcome, young and old. Accompanied by top-notch musician friends, this slightly built stone rocker, with his wild hair and narrow suits, has become another unexpected family music treasure.

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The Day Jimmy’s Boa

Ate the Wash ... and More

Back to School Stories

Scholastic Video Collection

DVD: $14.95; VHS: $9.95

Ages 4 to 8

www.scholastic.com

A welcome new release in Scholastic’s collection of children’s books is brought to life by talented animators, composers and narrators. In Trinka Hakes Noble’s title tale, a series of escalating mishaps during a class trip to a farm includes a laundry-munching snake. In Cari Best’s “Shrinking Violet,” narrated by Calista Flockhart, a shy girl finds her voice at the school play, while Miriam Cohen’s “Will I Have a Friend” gently answers first-day-at-preschool anxieties. DVD extras include “The Sweater,” a Canadian classic by Roch Carrier, and James Thurber’s fable, “Many Moons.” Original music complements the telling, while the diverse animation styles stay true to each book’s illustrator.

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Aesop Goes Modern

Virtual Theatre Project

CD: $16.95;Ages 4 to 8

(877) 787-8036

www.virtualtheatreproject.com

More than two dozen of the fables attributed to Greek storyteller Aesop are given a theatrical outing with sound effects, music and actors, led by Heidi Mages as 7-year-old Asher, a modern-day boy who argues with his sister that “books do so talk.” As proof, he receives a storytelling visit by Aesop and his father. At the end of each fable, Asher determines how the moral lessons apply to his life. It’s a well-intentioned effort, weakened by writer Kim Terrell’s overly pedantic approach and, too often, wide-eyed, cloying performances by the adult actors.

-- Lynne Heffley