** PARENTING MAGAZINE MOM-TESTED VIDEO OF THE YEAR!!! ** ** GOLD AWARD WINNER, 2003 National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA).** — ** PREFERRED CHOICE AWARD, Creative Child Magazine ** The world?s greatest art comes... more » alive in time to a fully-orchestrated score on this one-of-a-kind educational video. Stunning visual effects, live footage and traditional animation allow children to watch goldfish morph into a Matisse, and their own paintings become masterworks. The onscreen choreography actively involves young viewers in the the rhythms, textures and patterns of the art and the music, stimulating their imagination and jumpstarting their creative learning capabilities. The smallest viewers benefit from exposure to color, shapes, music and movement, while older kids learn about creativity and composition. Chinese, Japanese and African themes show art as a reflection of our world. And first-class production quality invites adults to make early learning a family affair!« less
"This is a DVD my 14 month enjoys, and I actually like to watch it too. We have almost all the Baby Einstein DVDs, which I like, but this is much more abstract. Instead of "silly" - their term - puppet shows and toys moving to music, you experience art broken down to its very basic component shapes, and your child can see how a circle is the foundation of a Van Gogh or a triange the building block of a Matisse. Many great works of art are presented for your child, and a title is provided for Mom and Dad should they not recognize the piece (which is likely at times unless you are really well versed in art). The music is not "specially performed for little ears" on synths, like Baby Einstein, but is a full orchestral performance, much better for my ears. There are also live segments with children, which my little one enjoys as much as the animated segments.The only downside is the lack of additional features. You pretty much get the main feature or a version with just art or just animation. There is also a music section, but it simply shows the title while playing and is not very stimulating. Baby Einstein's earlier productions have "flash cards" so you can practice vocabulary and reading with baby, and I wish Baby Laureate had something similar. Still, this DVD is one of my very favorites to watch with my shorty, along with the other Baby Lareaute title, Love of World Travel. We highly recommend it."
Equally enjoyable for me too!
Phil (San Diego, CA) | San Diego, CA | 06/19/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm thrilled when our two year old goes to the DVD cabinet, pulls this out and says, "I want Star!" Of all the DVDs in our library for our two year old, I prefer this one head and shoulders above the rest. In fact, I enjoy it myself. Unlike other childrens' DVDs, this is wonderful even if it's just playing in the background while the children play with blocks in the next room. The classical soundtrack is refreshing first thing in the morning. And the artwork! I'm glad that my child is being introduced to the beauty of Van Gogh and Picasso at a young age. It's very well done and the artworks chosen are appropriate and enjoyable for children, even including one from "Goodnight Moon", one of her favorite bedtime books. The only flaw might be that this is thirty minutes long. My two year old doesn't object to that, but when this DVD is over I find myself playing it again. I wish there was a 60 or 90 minute version for grown ups!"
The BEST video out there!!!!
Halle | Chicago, IL | 08/27/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I LOVE this video. My 6 month old loves it as well! She will sit and watch the entire 30 minutes without a peep. The music is fantastic and the artwork is amazing. Unlike other videos, the music isn't annoying to me. I could listen to the music over and over (which we do) while getting things done around the house while she is watching the beautiful artwork. The fact that the music and artwork presentation is choreographed so that the art hits the beats in the music is great!
This video is so much better and more appealing than the Baby Einstein videos. I don't feel like I am watching a home video of toys filmed in my basement, like I do when I watch the other baby videos out there.
I am pleased that there is a video that both my daughter and I can enjoy. Introducing her to such beautiful artwork at a young age will be much more beneficial to her than watching a toy duck being pulled across the screen. I highly recommend this video!
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A family favorite
Halle | 05/26/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Simply wonderful and different. A creative approach to learining. It "shows" the viewer how to look at art. Kid friendly but not simpering.We love it. Bought "World Travel" too. For the Love of art is still our favorite. Can't wait to see what Baby Laureat comes up with next."
Educate & Inspire Your Children!
Terri Johnes | Arlington, VA | 03/09/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I discovered this DVD through my Moms Club, and I have never been so impressed with a video. I have a 12-month-old, 4 year-old and 9 yr old, and they all love it. Sometimes I play the DVD just for the amazing classical score as lovely background music. And every time I turn it on for my kids, I find myself sitting down to watch just a bit and watching the whole thing.It is a video meant to be watched *with* your children. We talk about what we see on the screen, what's coming next, colors, shapes, animals... I suppose if you use your VCR as a babysitter and just plop kids in front of it hoping they'll be mesmerized, you should pick a mindless, noisy alternative. But if you want to expose your children to gorgeous works of art with color, texture, pattern and a rich pallete of music, educate and inspire them, this is a wonderful teaching tool. The best I've found in this medium in fact."