- The Beatrix Potter Collection
- (BBC Video, $30)
The daintiness of Miss Potter's forest fauna paintings always gave her critter tales an aura of Victorian innocence—admit it: when you picture Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, the thought of a frilly tea set is never far behind—so it's easy to forget, that her flagship story The Tale of Peter Rabbit is essentially one big chase scene. When you see it depicted dramatically, though, you realize it comes off as a woodland version of The Fugitive. And the action continues from story to story: Mrs. Tittlemouse's home is invaded by enormous bees, Mr. Jeremy Fisher has to fend off attacks by a giant trout, and Farmer MacGregor is constantly trying to bake everyone into a pie. The way Potter's works blend adventure with comedy of manners is never more apparent than in the nearly four hours of animated escapades included in this box set. —Ages 2 to 7
- Madeline: Meet Me in Paris
- (Fox Home Entertainment, $15)
The twelve little girls in two straight lines tromp right out of Ludwig Bemelman's storybooks into these decidedly more modern tales (one has Madeline starting up her own film festival in Cannes!). Francophiles will rejoice in the sprinklings of French vocabulary and lessons in high culture (at a trip to the Louvre, Madeline learns the difference between rococo and baroque). —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
