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Home Video for the HolidaysRetailers’ Picks for Kids’ DVD/Video Hits
To view fresh DVD and video products ripe for the holiday season, click here.
| “Little girls love the princess pretend ... now, they’ve released the Cinderella DVD. It’s a slam-dunk,” — Tom Damon, of Toys Unlimited |
Christmas morning has come and gone, the wrapping paper is wadded up and thrown away, the toys have been played with and now mom and dad want a break. It’s DVD time. So what are the hot sellers for this holiday season? TDmonthly Magazine contacted more than 25 retailers to find out.
There tended to be four categories of DVDs that retailers discussed: young (preschool or younger), girls, boys and family. For the younger set, these DVDs were highly touted:
“The Classical Baby DVD series is our No. 1 seller right now and I think through the holidays. It’s completely captivating and gives a fantastic introduction to the arts. It’s a ‘can’t miss’ kind of gift,” stated Wally Tomlin, manager and owner of Tomlin’s Toys in Lincoln, Neb. It was also one of the top-selling baby DVDs at Amazon.com.
“Leapfrog’s Learn to Read at the Storybook Factory is fast becoming our best preschool seller. It’s cute and really engaging,” replied Jennifer Donley, manager of the Big Kids store in Portland, Ore. Michael Zuckerman, manager of the Alexandria, Va., Barnes & Noble, found “this title is really in demand. Part of it is the LeapFrog name — parents trust it — and part of it is it’s a good DVD.”
Judy McMillan, owner of Baby Makes Three in Raleigh, N.C., thought the Preschool Prep (ToyShow) Meet the Letters DVD was the greatest. “It’s perfect for the younger kids, fun and educational. Even the smallest baby relates to it.” It was selling extremely well on Amazon.com, too.
For the girls:
“Little girls love the princess pretend, and I have a lot of Cinderella stuff that sells well. But now, they’ve released the Cinderella DVD. It’s a slam-dunk,” effused Tom Damon, co-owner of Toys Unlimited in Washington D.C. Debbie Herrington-Smith found the same success at the Toys “R” Us she assistant manages in Clifton Park, N.Y. “They’ve been selling well for little girls and moms alike. I think the holidays will only increase the sales.”
Coming upon the heels of the successful “Winx Club: The Power of Dragon Fire Vol. 1,” retailers like Jack O’Keefe, owner of the Kid Store in Alton, Kan., thought the “Winx Club: The Power of Dragon Fire Vol. 2” was going to do very well over the holidays: “There aren’t a lot of girl-active things out there, especially for the younger girls. Winx is like a secret club — all the girls of a certain age are totally tuned into it.” Doug Mallory, manager of Cool Cartoons in Chicago, Ill., explained that “Winx sells well and will continue to sell well during the holidays. It has a solid fan-base.”
And the boys:
The latest Pokémons — Pokémon Advanced Challenge Vol. 3 & 4 — were ready to sell well for the holidays. Michael Zuckerman, manager of the Alexandria, Va., Barnes & Noble explained that “Pokémon isn’t as big as it used to be, but every new product brings the faithful out of the woodwork. This Christmas, Advanced Challenge will be the one.”
And for everyone:
“The one everyone wants to see is the “Polar Express.” It’s a fantastic movie, and it’s in the spirit of the season. We’ve had so many customers ask for it; they’re going to be flying off the shelves,” explained Matt Morrison, manager of the Panama City Beach, Fla. Blockbuster Video store.
Donna Henderson added an order to her toy shop, Donna’s Delights in Aspen, Colo., for the same reason: “They are the perfect stocking stuffer. We made a point of ordering some extras.”
“Max Lucado is the pre-eminent Christian family author, and this movie, “The Christmas Child” speaks to people, especially at holiday time. There is a huge market for this, even if it’s not ‘Hollywood,'” said Marcus Lucien, co-owner of the Good Place in Salt Lake City, Utah.
“This is going to be a top seller for the holidays. It’s a good, wholesome family story, and that always does well at Christmas,” explained Ben White, owner of the Mall Rats gift shop in Denver, Colo.
What follows is more information on the products mentioned in this article:
Santa Claus does not exist. Or does he? For one doubting boy (voice of Daryl Sabara), an astonishing event occurs. Late on Christmas Eve night, he lies in bed hoping to hear the sound of reindeer bells from Santa´s sleigh, when to his surprise, a steam engine´s roar and whistle can be heard outside his window. The conductor (voice of Tom Hanks) invites him on board to take an extraordinary journey to the North Pole with many other pajama-clad children. There, he receives an extraordinary gift only those who still believe in Santa can experience. ToyDirectory Product ID#: 5556 (added 11/15/2005) . TD
MSRP: $17.99Age Range: 4 and upGender: Girls
One of the most celebrated of all the Disney classics, Cinderella is also known as one of Walt Disney´s all-time favorite films. The beloved fairy tale becomes pure Disney magic as beautiful Cinderella shares her dreams of romance and a better life with the lovable mice Gus and Jaq. When Cinderella´s cruel stepmother prevents her from attending the Royal Ball, the delightful Fairy Godmother appears! With a wave of her wondrous wand and a bouncy "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo," the Fairy Godmother transforms a simple pumpkin into a magical coach, and Cinderella´s rags into a gorgeous gown. At the ball, Cinderella falls in love with Prince Charming, but must flee before the stroke of midnight breaks the spell! Now with an all-new digital restoration, Disney´s Enhanced Home Theater Mix, and all-new games and music videos, this two-disc special edition of Cinderella is the perfect fit for everyone who believes dreams really do come true. ToyDirectory Product ID#: 5557 (added 11/15/2005) . TD
When Mr. Websley builds Storybook Factory to create talking storybooks, Leap, Lily and their friends act out "The Three Little Pigs," while Professor Quigley captures the scenes and words for the book! As narrator, Tad learns chunking and inflection and gains reading confidence. Children learn along with him, reading highlighted text that appears during the scenes. Kids can join this magical adventure and build a lifelong love of reading. ToyDirectory Product ID#: 5558 (added 11/15/2005) . TD
Gather your loved ones and share a great Max Lucado Christmas story. You´ll meet Jack, a journalist who finds himself disconnecting from the holidays, his job and, ultimately, his wife. His latest assignment takes him to Dallas, but a mysterious photograph draws him to the town of Clearwater, Texas. It is here he discovers the town´s life-sized, intricately carved nativity. As Jack delves into the mysteries surrounding the nativity and its creator, he uncovers secrets from his past, reunites with the family he never knew and returns to the love that never left him. ToyDirectory Product ID#: 5559 (added 11/15/2005) . TD
The fine arts have a universal appeal that offers an opportunity for forging intergenerational connections. Classical Baby is a three-DVD set in which each DVD focuses on a single classic art form: dance, visual art and music. Each animated program is brimming with catchy melodies, brilliant colors and fun animated animal characters that appeal to babies and toddlers, as well as famous musical pieces, revered artwork and varied dance styles that encourage adults to share their love of the arts with a special child. "The Music Show" presents musical masterpieces from artists as varied as Bach, Mozart, Villa Lobos and Bartok; "The Art Show" focuses in close on masterpieces from famous artists like Monet, Hopper and Degas; and "The Dance Show" has animated animal characters performing dances inspired by great choreographers like Balanchine, Robbins and Pilobolus. ToyDirectory Product ID#: 5560 (added 11/15/2005) . TD
MSRP: $14.98Age Range: 6 and upGender: Girls
In this second volume of the Winx series, Bloom tries to understand why the witches have stolen Stella´s solaria ring. A restricted book opens for her and she learns about the myth of the Dragon Fire. If the myth is true, there´s a power out there stronger than anything they could ever imagine. Is it in Stella´s solaria ring? Is it hidden at Alfea? Or somewhere else? As the witches try to find the Dragon Fire, they get into an epic battle with Bloom and rest of the Winx Club girls. As they´re about to destroy Musa, Bloom begins to glow with a strong and powerful light. Could it be? Is the Dragon Fire inside her? ToyDirectory Product ID#: 5561 (added 11/15/2005) . TD
Each of the latest Pokemon DVDs feature 5 episodes. In Volume 3, Cheer Pressure, Team Magma and Team Aqua are back! Up to no good, it´s up to Ash and his friends to make sure that they don´t get their hands on a precious meteorite! In Volume 4, Manectric Charge, Ash gets ready for his toughest test yet — to win a Heat Badge from Flannery, the Lavaridge Gum leader! ToyDirectory Product ID#: 5562 (added 11/15/2005) . TD
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