Three random episodes make up this first DVD venture for the popular prekindergarten sources from Jim Henson Productions. In "Mouse Party," it's Tutter's birthday, and Bear and his friends are preparing a surprise party fo... more »r him. In "Bear's Birthday Bash," Bear's plans to relax on his birthday are quickly foiled when his friends plan an ambitious party for him instead. Bear and the gang learn all about frittering away one's troubles in "Dancin' the Day Away." Because music is a particular strength of the series, the inclusion of six sing-along songs is a nice bonus. (Ages 2-5) --Doug Thomas« less
"This review is intended for those who are not familiar with "Bear", and are curious as to what it's about. Growing up with Sesame Street and The Muppet Show, I wanted my child to experience and hopefully enjoy Jim Henson's creations as much as I did. Thankfully, my 2 year old's all-time favorite shows include "Between the Lions" on PBS and "Bear in the Big Blue House" on Playhouse Disney."Bear in the Big Blue House" is an enlightening show surrounding a cast of characters who live in the big blue house. The main character is Bear, a lovable and cuddly character with a soft voice and a big heart who interacts not only with the other characters, but with the audience as well. One of my child's most favorite parts of the show is when Bear "sniffs" the screen, trying to figure out what the child smells like. Even though I found it sort of odd the first time I saw this happen, my child became overjoyed and giggled in delight, pointing to the screen while Bear "sniffed" her. Whatever Bear smells typically initiates the topic of the day (i.e. frosting on a cake would initiate the topic of birthdays). Other characters in the show include Tutter, a crazed mouse who typically is the comic relief; Ojo, a confident yet shy cub with an incredible imagination; Treelo, the youngest of the bunch; Pip and Pop, a lively duo of otters who are always getting into something. In every show, you will also find Shadow (a joyful character who always sings a song or story illustrated with the lost art of shadow puppetry) and Luna (the moon which Bear always ends his day with)."Bear" is not like the Wiggles (which my child also enjoys) or Barney, over-saturated with songs and having little conversation. Instead, each episode of "Bear" is a story in itself with a beginning, middle, and end. Yes, there are songs (might I add the music in "Bear" is incredible compared to other shows) and games within the show. However, all lead toward the "topic" of the day, and I appreciate and encourage that. "Bear in the Big Blue House" gets my two thumbs up!"
WE LOVE BEAR IN CA! A MUST HAVE FOR YOUR BEAR FAN
Debra Munar | 04/07/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"We love bear in our house and especially on the DVD format. It is the only way to go with kids movies. The added features the DVD verion offers makes it worth the few extra dollars. It has sing a longs and 3 story selections which make it great when you are trying to make a squirmy toddler sit still. Quick and easy and totally cute. My son love the "birthday song" and we had to play it over and over and over again. A good buy with three great episodes."
Excellent, entertaining DVD for toddlers
Carey Schumacher | Chula Vista, ca United States | 04/18/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"My 17-month-old LOVES this DVD. It's packed with DVD extras like a great menu system, sing-a-longs, and more. He loves dancing to the great songs. The songs are not bee-boppee Barney-like, so my husband can actually be in the room and tolerate the songs and video."
This is one of the most entertaining Bear Videos
KNSudha | Saratoga, CA USA | 08/30/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Two of the episodes feature the Bear Cha Cha, and of course the favorite -- Happy Happy Happy Birthday. This has been my son's favorite show from 9 months on, and has only recently been supplanted by Kipper, Bob the Builder, and Barney now that he is 2 years old. The mouse party is a shorter version of the stage show we watched last year when he was 14 months. We have several other Bear DVDs too, but this one is his favorite because of all the fun party songs to sing and dance along with. Rub-A-Dub-Dub everybody in the tub is also a great song. The DVD has sing alongs, and a nice menu from where you can choose to play any single episode of the three fabulous 1/2 hour episodes included. Bear is always gentle, considerate, and not frightening usually even to the youngest of viewers, though when Pip and Pop arrive on the scene it can get loud and noisy. I could let him watch this show alone, by himself if I wanted to -- couldn't say the same about Sesame Street or Thomas the Tank Engine etc which are much more scary."
Partying with Bear is a blast!
KNSudha | 08/11/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"We love Bear in our house! The songs are catchy and cute, and the lessons our toddler learns are invaluable. This particular DVD is one big party. Two of the episodes are about birthday parties - what little kid doesn't like a birthday party? The third episode is a dance-fest. Our toddler loves to dance and sing along, and could watch this episode over and over and over again!"