- Angelina Ballerina: Angelina Follows Her Dreams
- HIT Entertainment, $15
This British import, based on the best-selling books, is one classy cartoon: Not only does it focus on ballet, but Dame Judi Dench voices the dance instructor. It's a bit more restrained, more proper, than most kiddie fare—certainly not a bad thing. In these episodes, Angelina's good form and manners follow her offstage as she joins an ice-hockey team and starts a protest to save one of her town's oldest trees.—Ages 3 to 8
- Bob the Builder: X-Treme Adventures!
- HIT Entertainment, $13
Young kids' fascination with construction equipment is undeniable. And for seven years now, Bob the Builder has been using that big mechanical hook to bring children heartwarming and encouraging lessons about friendship and teamwork. Despite this DVD's title, the action here never gets much more extreme than a kitten stuck in a tree—just about right for its target demo.—Ages 2 to 5
- Cinderella III: A Twist in Time
- Disney Home Entertainment, $30
She's always been the shining star of the Disney princess canon, but let's face it, Cinderella was never much of a role model. Sure, she was kind to animals, but without her fairy godmother, those talking mice, and a ton of good luck, she'd still be mopping floors. Well, in this surprisingly progressive made-for-DVD sequel, she becomes a true heroine, worthy of the worship of little girls (and boys) everywhere. The ever-wicked stepmother has turned back time to the moment when one of the boorish stepsisters is trying on the glass slipper. Thanks to Mommie Dearest, this time it fits, and stepsis is off to wed the prince, while Cinderella must rely on her own resourcefulness and courage to make things right again. (In other exciting developments, the prince turns out to have a personality befitting the name Charming.) Parents will appreciate the sly plot-hole acknowledgments, like the line "Do you really think there's only one girl in the whole kingdom who wears a size four-and-a-half?"—Ages 3 and up
- Clifford: Big Fun in the Sun
- Lionsgate, $13
In this repackaging of episodes from the animated PBS Kids series, Clifford (affably voiced by the late John Ritter) guides kids through many of childhood's iconic moments: a first visit to the doctor, a first camping trip. He may be an enormous, scarlet-hued canine, but Clifford's mix of wonder and trepidation about the world around him is something any child can relate to. As a bonus, this DVD comes in a kid-friendly carrying case.—Ages 2 to 6
- Go, Diego, Go!: Underwater Mystery
- Nickelodeon Home Entertainment, $17
When Nick Jr. spun off Dora the Explorer's cousin into his own series, it had another hit on its hands. That's in large part due to Diego himself, who has more charisma than any cartoon kid has a right to. Part Indiana Jones, part Dr. Dolittle, he saves animal friends from various dilemmas while imparting enlightening zoological trivia. On this DVD, Diego helps a giant fish discover its identity and escorts a baby dolphin back to its family.—Ages 2 to 6
- Harold and the Purple Crayon: Let Your Imagination Soar!
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, $13
There may be no greater champion of childhood creativity than Harold, the boy who, with a few strokes of his crayon, can craft any manner of adventure for himself. In these playful, always surprising episodes of HBO Family's animated series, the pajama-wearing doodler explores the past (on a dinosaur expedition) and the future (in various grown-up careers). The anything-can-happen atmosphere will have young viewers grabbing for their sketch pads.—Ages 2 to 6
- James Marshall's Cinderella
- Scholastic, $13
Children's-book writer Marshall is famous for retelling fairy tales with a dry, often sardonic sense of humor. Here you get animated versions of his Cinderella—complete with the prince recoiling at the sight of the stepsisters' hideous feet—and his Hansel and Gretel, narrated with wicked glee by Kathy Bates. Three bonus folktales from other authors, told in more straightforward fashion, complete the disc.—Ages 3 to 6
- The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss: The Cat's Family and Friends
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, $10
It first aired on Nickelodeon more than 10 years ago, but this World is worth rediscovering. Characters from Dr. Seuss's books—brought to life by the puppets of the Jim Henson Workshop—mingle in Seuss-land; Horton, Yertle, and the Cat in the Hat are all here. The Cat plays host, imparting lessons from his absurdist abode. Everyone, as you might expect, speaks in rhyme.—Ages 2 to 7
- Eloise in Springtime
- Starz, $15 (DVD)
At first, Eloise loves her new temporary nanny—she's young, cosmopolitan, and eager to release her 6-year-old charge from the stuffiness of the Plaza Hotel by introducing her to a Bohemian art world full of men with goatees and women with berets. But when the new governess also begins to steal the heart of Eloise's favorite hotel employee, Bill, coping with jealousy becomes a major challenge to our young heroine. —Ages 2 to 7
- Meet Pocoyo
- (NCircle, $15)
American preschoolers finally get a chance to meet the absolutely adorable cast of the European television hit, Pocoyo (the protagonist's name translates to "little me" in Spanish). The simply-shaped, brightly colored characters, set against plain white backgrounds, explore their world one item or concept at a time in light seven-minute episodes. The formula couldn't be more perfect for new-to-TV toddlers. —Ages up to 4
