Reviews (9)

a wonderful trip from home
Tasha Tudor claims that her "whole life has been a vacation". Watching this video is like taking a trip with her to a different place and time and coming back with a renewed spirit. While I also enjoy "Take Peace" - especially during the Christmas holiday season -"Take Joy" is a wonder for it's aesthetic qualities and insight into the private life of a noted illlustrator as well as a valuable reference tool for the gardener. It mirrors the same tone set in the three "coffee table" books about Tasha Tudor done by Tovah Martin, Richard W. Brown, and Tasha Tudor. This short video is artistically crafted,giving the viewer a glimpse into her private life: her kitchen, her gardens, her dollhouse and marionettes, her books and illustrations, her family history through photographs and some vintage film clips, her sense of humor, her steadfastness and her self-sufficiency.

While I have enjoyed my own copy, I have also given this video as gifts to appreciative friends.Take Joy is, indeed, a joy.

Tasha - True Artist, True Child
If you need to be refreshed, this is the video for you.Tasha Tudor is child inside artist and she succeeds in introducing a charming world to the viewer.Her garden, her art, her life philosophy is fresh and reminds us all what life is made of.It really refreshs the spirit.Oh that we all were as young and new as Ms.Tudor.If you want to give a really great gift, give this video.Itis true gold.

Simply enchanting
Over the Christmas Holiday's, I saw 'Take Joy-Magical World of Tasha Tudor' & 'Take Peace-Corgi Cottage Christmas' for the first time on cable TV. I can't begin to describe how I felt after viewing these twofilms. Miss Tasha Tudor enchanted me. Her life seemed simple, graceful andmagical. I never knew about her until I saw the films. Corgi Cottage isvision of delight, peace and harmony. It's a place I could only hope tohave someday. Thank you Ms. Tudor for enchanting us with your world ofdreams and fantasies.

Enchanting, Gifted, Charming Tasha!
Charismatic,perhaps eccentric,Tasha exhibits an extraordinary insight and interpretation of life around her that is shared with us through her wonderful illustrations and stories, written and verbal. We should allcherish life as simply and profoundly as she does at Corgi Cottage. Reallymakes you reflect on life's priorities.

Enchanting, Gifted, Charming Tasha!
Charismatic,perhaps eccentric,Tasha exhibits an extraordinary insight and interpretation of life around her that is shared with us through her wonderful illustrations and stories, written and verbal. We should allcherish life as simply and profoundly as she does at Corgi Cottage. Reallymakes you reflect on life's priorities. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Henry rules at this 3 year old's house
My son loves Henry the lizard and all of his antics. At the same time he picks up some of what the series is trying to tech him. He loves Henry sassy style and the way he and the narrator interact. It also indulges his love of animals and I don't have to worry about what gory nature scene might be coming up. ... Read more

Description

"The Birds, The Bees, And Me" is a brand new educational video for pre-teens. Each video (one version for girls and one version for boys) will replace that awkward, embarrassing, task of introducing puberty, sex and childbirth to your pre-teen child. Each video is also presented by a young adult, which children relate to more effectively. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

An excellent video!
I purchased this video because I wanted to broach the subject of sex with my son who is entering fifth grade. Many kids do start experimenting by fifth and sixth grade, and this is a perfect age to let them know what sex is all about. The video covers the topic of puberty in both boys and girls, as well sexual intercourse (term is not used). Drawings are used to show the "sensitive" topics. The video talks about sex as a means to produce babies between married couples, and the teenager giving the information describes sex in a way that seemed to promote abstinence. At the end, a doctor sums up by telling the viewer to never let anyone touch them in a way that makes them uncomfortable. Also, the video mentions repeatedly that parents are the best source of information about any further questions they may have about the topic.

I purchased The What's Happening to My Body Book for Boys with the video, which covers FAR more about sex and puberty than my son is ready for, but I'll keep it on the shelf so that he can access the information when he is ready. For now, though, the video was perfect... no controversial subjects, and not too much information. I highly recommend this video.

kids like videos!
I thought the birds and bees video was great! It was nice to have an alternative to written material. I thought the content was presented at a perfect level for 8-14 year olds-very well done!!

Great Video!
What a great tool to help facilitate one of the most important discussions you have with your children. Being the father of two boys, I know it is hard to get them to open up and ask the tough questions that you know they have! This video set the proper tone and not only answered the tough questions kids have, but helped foster the two-way discussion that is imperative--especially in this day and age!! Kudos to Mr. McCaffrey.

Wish this video had come along years ago!
What a straight-forward, non-threatening way to present this sensitive material. My children who are now in their teens even got something from viewing it. We only wish something like this was available a few years ago. My husband is a 5th grade teacher and is going to recommend the entire school district use it in the curriculum. Great Job!

"The Talk" Made Easy!
With this video, McCaffery has certainly done us parents a BIG favor. Having two boys, age 8 and 11, this video couldn't have come at a better time. With everything that children are exposed to these days it is important to educate your children the right way. This video is an excellent tool that should be used to assist us parents with "The Talk!" ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Standard Deviants, a troupe of energetic young performers whose offbeat presentations are designed to make serious academic subjects memorable, present a two-hour introduction to sociology in this video.Using a variety of skits (including an X-Files spoof), the basic concepts of the subject are presented in as lively a manner as possible.Even Dr. Ruth Westheimer appears throughout the tape, offering help with definitions and perspective on particular concepts.Various pioneers of sociology are briefly profiled and their contributions explained.Societal organizations and cultures are discussed in some depth, with the performers appearing in skits that illustrate essential concepts.The typical approach of the Standard Deviants is keep the teaching unorthodox enough that it will be memorable, and while imparting sociological knowledge, they're not afraid to put on outlandish costumes, deliver bad jokes, and toss around off-the-wall pop culture references.A fair amount of text appears on screen, but lively computer graphics and animations keep things interesting to the eye.This isn't meant to be a comprehensive course in sociology, but the material has all been approved by an academic panel, and as a review course this is cogently delivered body of material. --Robert J. McNamara ... Read more

Description

Basketball Camp 101 has been produced to help coaches, parents, and youth understand the fundamentals of basketball.This informative tape includes detailed step-by-step and slow motion demonstrations that show how to execute each technique.Also included are clearly taught drills, and common errors to watch for, that will imporve play performance.

In addition to the video tape, the booklet"Practice Schedules for Youth & Coaches" is included to aid with training. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Basketball Energy
This tape has energy. It is easy to see that coach Andersen has worked with a lot of young basketball players. My boys love the easy way this tape demonstrates the game. I give it 5 stars because it is the best. My boys and I watch it together, even I have learned from this tape. If you are looking for a tape to help develop correct skills this is it!

Extremely helpful video
Basketball Camp 101 was helpful the first day we watched it. My 5th grade daughter and I will watch sections of the tape, then talk about how the it's accomplished before going outside to practice. Coach Harry Anderson and his assistants make basic basketball easy to understand. I would have given the video five stars except for the music editing used. It's over-done and too loud in many instances: to the point where you have to guess what Coach Anderson is saying. We were looking for education, not hip hop noise.

Basketball 101 - A great family fun tool!
Basketball Camp 101 is wonderful!!! My children watch it with their friends, run outside and practice the lesson, then come in and watch more. The door is opened and closed all day with the laughing future basketball stars. The only thing I need is a big screen tv on the lawn next to the hoop. It's really fun when the older kids, and parents from the neighorhood get involved. If you have young kids looking for something to do this is a great video for your collection...and it get's them outside!

Not bad, but not great either
My daughter is 9 years old and has been playing basketball for a year. I purchased this video as a supplement to her regular practice and coaching. It must be said that there are not a lot of instructional basketball videos out there targeted at girls, so in that regard this fit the bill. And while the drills were basic enough and the instruction solid, in the end this video doesn't do a whole lot to hold viewer interest or attention. It's probably most effective for a new coach or parent without a strong basketball background who wants to work with their daughter and is seeking ideas. Also, if your kid is like mine, sometimes it really helps to hear the same thing from another source. The pace of the video is slow and the monotone voice-over repititious, but in the end -- as I said -- there isn't a lot out there to choose from. So, would I buy it again? Yes. BTW, if you're looking for a great basketball/sports movie for girls and teens, I highly recommend "Love and Basketball."

Basketball 101
I never was BAD at basketball, but I sure wasn't good, Basketball Camp 101 has shown me the keys to having a great game, and how to use them, thank you. ... Read more

Description

One thousand miles from anywhere lies a lonely outpost of coral and sea called Midway.It was here in 1942 where the U.S. and Japan fought one of the greatest naval battles of World War II that changed the course of history.And it is here again where Titanic discoverer Dr. Robert Ballard now leads a team of experts and four World War II veterans on the voyage of their lives.They're on a race against time to do the impossible: find at least one of the five downed aircraft carriers, including U.S.S. Yorktown, more than three miles underwater.Hear the heart-wrenching stories of four remarkable men and how each survived the war despite incredible odds.And join them as they pay their final respects to their fallen comrades in THE BATTLE FOR MIDWAY. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

The Battle for Midway - Excellent!
The Battle for Midway is an excellent documentary. Inter-woven in the story of the modern-day search for the sunken carriers USS Yorktown and the Japanese Kagi are the stories of veterans who lived through it and the military strategies behind one of the most important turning points of World War II. The most compelling part of the documentary for me, however, is the constant reminder of the terrible price of our freedom we enjoy today. In one day alone over 1,400 young men gave their lives in the Battle for Midway. The film does an excellent job of portraying what was asked of an extrodinary generation of young men and women from around the world. The cost was tremendous and this film is a good reminder of that and in my opinion should be mandatory viewing in high school history classes.

Excellent story of a classic naval battle
In June 1942, off a tiny island called Midway, one of the great battles of all time was fought. The battle ended in a smashing american victory. This video tells about the battle that changed the course of the second world war as welll as an expedition led by Robert Ballard in 1998 that located the U.S.S Yorktown. Includes interviews with both american and japanese survivors as well as footage of the Yorktown as she appears today. For more info on midway, get the Compainon book Return to Midway.

the quest for the U.S.S. Yorktown
Searching for the watery grave of the U.S.S. Yorktown, Robert Ballard, who discovered the Titanic as well as the Bismark, went deeper into the ocean than ever before to find the sunken aircraft carrier. Five U.S. (and four Japanese) carriers were destroyed near the outpost of Midway, and the recent footage for this expedition is contrasted with film from May and June of 1942; some of it is by director John Ford, who made two documentaries, one for the public called "The Battle of Midway", and for the families of the brave servicemen who never returned, "Torpedo Squadron", and this film includes several clips from them; they are in color, and of good quality, making it unusual WWII footage.

There are four veterans on Ballard's expedition, two from the U.S., and two from Japan, to witness the search, help pinpoint the location, and re-live their past. Over coffee and memorabilia, they "explore their own landscape of memory, and loss".
Produced and directed by Brian Breger and Peter Schnall, with music by Michael Whalen and narrated by Peter Coyote, total running time is 82 minutes.
Those who have watched the 1976 epic film "Midway", and are interested in the Pacific Theater of WWII, where some of the most tragic and dramatic events in world history took place, will find this film fascinating; it is an eerie, emotional testament to heroism, courage, and the agony of war.

Beautifully Done
National Geographic has always been known for the quality of its work in all fields, but in this particular show I believe they have gone beyond the expectations. I cannot begin to describe how happy I was to see this documentary the first time. It is divided into two sections that are intercut, one being on a ship with Dr. Ballard (Found the Titanic) looking for the Yorktown and the Japanese carriers sunk at Midway, and the other is a recreation of the actual Battle of Midway through historical footage. What is best about this particular work is it fairness to both sides. Within the historical sections of the video, it portrays both the Japanese and American sides in what I would call a fair and accurate light. No side is made up of monsters and no side is completely innocent. On the modern side of the story, it is wonderful to see the interactions between the Japanese and American veterans that are on the ship with Ballard during the search. It is an important reminder to us all that on both sides the people fighting on the ground were just that, people. They were young men fighting for their country. A particularly touching part of the episode is when the Americans join the Japanese veterans in asking the soul's of their fallen comrades to rest peacefully and offering them flowers brought from Japan. There are too many excellent points about this video to list here. I think anyone interested in World War II will love this episode.

Not So Fast
I believe this documentary should have had two parts. One part dealing strictly with the battle itself, and the second part concerning the hunt for the lost aircraft carriers.

The post-war search for the ships, in my opinion, gets "in the way" of the battle. Many facts are left out. One particular one is how the Japanese survivors of Midway were treated after they got back home. It probably was too difficult to mention those things with two Japanese sailors taking part in the search. ... Read more

Description

Welcome to the disco era!A time when everyone was feeling "groovy" in their polyester, platform shoes, and gold chains.Disco dancing is still "in".On this video, Christy Lane shows you two of the most popular line dances of the 70’s, the Night Fever Line Dance and the Bus Stop.Also included are some solo dances and the ever popular partner dances, the Street Hustle and the Latin Hustle.Geared towards ages 11 through adults, this is a must for your video collection library. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

DANCE! DANCE! DANCE!
"Loved Christy's enthusiasm. She's a great teacher. As a DJ, I need to know all these dances, even the stupid ones. It's always nice to look good doing it before you go out teaching it. Great idea to do a video so you can practice by yourself first. They should make one for the general public so they will look a little better on the dance floor!"

Sorry I missed the 70's!
"Christy is a great teacher!. Teaching with her back to the camera makes it easy to learn. Not knowing the 70's dances, this video gave me some great material to use at a 70's party. You will need a partner for the second half of the tape to do the hustle dances. I really liked the Continental Hustle. Sorry I missed the 70's!"

Not quite 40 minutes as described on the box.
Teaches 2 line dances, 4 solo dances and 2 partner dances.

Not 40 minutes as described on box.
Be forwarned: This is a 28 minute video not "Approximately 40 minutes" as described on the box. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"Old dried-out humanoids" are examined in this installment of the adventures of an alien craft's cleaning crew accidentally launched into space. After they land on an Egyptian pyramid (and then crashing down its side), Captain Rip Rayon beams aboard a treasure from a mummy's casket, thus bringing "a curse" to the cabin. In among the antics of the alien trio, some real data is doled out by their guide, a large suspended eye named Orb. She clues everyone in on mummy preparation (including kid-friendly yucky details, like the brains being broken up and extracted through the nose) and cultural background. The spaceship also visits the Inca Girl in Peru and a Siberian healer buried wearing a gold headdress, along with six horses. Throw in a camel lesson and you've got a fun video for grade school kids with just enough information to make Mom and Dad happy. --Kimberly Heinrichs ... Read more

Reviews (1)

I love this stuff
What an excellent way to learn numbers. The songs are fun and the info is spot on. Learning with the Standard Deviants is the way to go. ... Read more

Description

Finally, a fun and easy way to learn Mandarin Chinese!Mei Mei Hu uses her proven teaching techniques to introduce basic Chinese through songs, movement and repetition.Children will begin speaking and singing Chinese naturally as they watch it over and over!

Topics presented are: Numbers, Parts of the Body, Actions, Games, Greetings, Family, Names, Ages and Songs.This video is suitable for children of all ages, but especially suited to the 3-8 year-old group.

Running time: Approx. 42 min. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Your kids will love it!
My 15 month old daughter loves to watch Chinese with Mei Mei. She does not move while watching this video. Along with my older children, we all are singing with Mei Mei.

I have just ordered Play and Learn Chinese with Mei Mei Volumes 2 & 3. I eagerly await to see my daughters face when we watch them. These videos are a must have for children learning Chinese.... When purchasing this video, one must keep in mind it is developed by educators for kids. My daughter loves to watch Mei over and over again. Your children will not be disappointed.

Mei Mei is GREAT
Our now 15 month old daughter learned to use her VCR by herself just so she could watch Mei Mei over and over! She actually learned to turn it on and hit the "play" button because Mei Mei was there! She loves the songs, the games, and of course, Mei Mei herself. In fact, one of the first things that she has spoken (after Ma Ma, Da Da, etc.) is "Ai Ya Ya" (a song lyric). Our older kids watch as well and have learned most of the songs just from watching with their little sister. It's so clear that Mei Mei loves teaching young children how to speak and sing in Chinese. What a wonderful gift she has. There is now a volume 2 and 3 which we have JUST ORDERED from Mei Mei herself! Now there is personal service.

We recommend this video without reservation - GET YOURS NOW

FUN and EASY way for Kids AND their parents to learn Chinese
I bought this tape for my daughter about 3 years ago and I can honestly say that we learned faster from listening to it then from attending Chinese school for 3 years for an hour every other week!You will find yourself singing the songs and speaking basic Chinese conversation with your child in no time!The children are adorable and Mei Mei has a special way of teaching that Makes you learn it whether you are trying to or not!:) I also liked seeing Caucasian children learning to speak Mandarin. I think that has a positive impact on my girls who are Chinese with Caucasian parents.My second daughter who we just adopted in July of 01 at 14 months of age LOVES to sit and watch this tape with her 5 year old sister!She becomes mesmerized by it. In fact, it is the Only video that she will watch. We are very hopeful that Mei Mei will make a second tape so that we can continue to learn in the fun and easy manner that we enjoyed from her first video! I have seen others but I really recommend this one if you want to learn Mandarin the fun and easy way! Mei Mei has a unique way of presenting it to you and also includes an easy to follow booklet! Xie Xie , Mei Mei!Vicki Popste

We love Mei Mei!
I bought this video for my daughters who were born in China. This is our first experience with a language video, and I'm happy to say that we bought the follow-up videos as soon as they were available because Mei Mei is a very effective teacher. This is not a "glitsy" video; Mei Mei focuses on teaching the language and showing children who are her students. We learned to count to 10 very quickly and also the body parts. We love to sing the songs along with the children on the video too. I think this video is a great way to learn some basics and to get a feel for the language.

Play and Learn Chinese with Mei Mei, Volume 1
This video has become a "favorite" that is requested time and time again by my 2 granddaughters. They are now almost 3 and 5 years old but it captured and held their attention even when they were much younger. They STILL LOVE IT!! I highly recommend this video and look forward to the time there is a second one produced. We will be first in line to purchase it!! ... Read more

Description

Get both videos! Join the Standard Deviants as they take a look at the complex and confusing world of Calculus. Now students can tackle difficult calculus concepts with this easy-to-understand calculus presentation. Topics include limits, continuity, derivative and more. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Is Calc written in Swaheli?
I read my book, write all the notes my prof gives me, study everyday, but yet I have no idea what they are talking about...
SOUND FAMILAR? well i got these tapes and now i see Calc is in English, all the reviews here are right on..the tapes cover only the basics, but it gave me a good working knowledge of the most basic problems. Now I prob wont get an A from these tapes but at least ill pass now..(thats all i care about) one tip for standard deviants CALC NEEDS AT LEAST 2 MORE TAPES!! PLEASE

Calculus, or not?
This video was pretty good except for the fact that it contained the simple calculus, not the difficult calculus. Topics such as trigonometric differentiation, limits involving trigonmetric functions, trigonometric integrals, as well as some important rules for finding derivatives and antiderivatives were left out. This information that was left out is vital for getting an "A" in your calculus class. The Standard Deviants should have also included more Reimann sums; there was only one Reimann sum example!

Finally! A complex subject explained in simple terms.
I have a problem with the text books used in our Universities. They are written by professors FOR professors. This video doesn't "dumb" anything down, it just explains complex mathematical laws in a way that is easy to understand.

Its like this. After reading and re-reading and working at the typical college text book and finally understanding the concept, I am able to explain it to someone using much simpler terms. I can't tell you how many times I have heard " is that what the author was saying, why does he/she make it so difficult". Well, these videos are set up to be that guy or gal in a good study group who understands the information and can explain it in clear terms.

Bottom line, way cool. My calc class starts in the Fall, these tapes have given me a lot of confidence.

A Great Review Item
If you want to make an 'A' in your class, work lots of problems. Meanwhile this video will help you better understand what you are doing. Not to mention that when you need a review all you need to do is pop in the video and the information will all come back to you; that is if you worked the problems of course.

Decent introduction, good for review
Standard Deviants video has some errors in the video, so be aware of that when watching the video. Other than that, it was a good overall review video, but not enough to get an A in a Calculus course from watching the video alone. You will need to read the book in your class. My suggestion , take examples from the book, and then when you can't solve them, use the tape to maybe help you familiarize with steps prior that are usually overlooked in textbooks. ... Read more

Amazon.com

It's a dog's life, isn't it? That's not such a bad thing, according to Eyewitness: Dog, a visually stunning exploration of their unique world. Learn about their senses, complex social life, and inheritance from their ancestors the wolves. Their evolution from one of our worst enemies to man's best friend makes a fascinating story, one that will hold all ages rapt with attention. DK Vision knows how to make the world shine more brightly, and Eyewitness: Dog highlights our closest animal companions in a friendly, respectful manner that entertains while it informs. --Rob Lightner ... Read more

Reviews (2)

5th graders loved it!
I show "Eyewitness" videos to my fifth grade class when outside recess is cancelled, or if we eat our lunches in the classroom. This particular video, "Dog", has been requested over and over. We also like "Bear"! They are very educational and fun to watch.

A great video!
My children are great fans of the Eyewitness videos, and this one is just a wonderful as all of the others of that series that we have seen. With eye-catching effects, this video tells the viewer about dogs, what they are and where they're from. As an added bonus, this videotape contains a quick "making of" film that shows the little secrets used by the makers. This is a great video, one enjoyed by my kids (eight and eleven) and myself. We all highly recommend it to you! [Color, released in 1994, with a running time of 35 minutes.] ... Read more

Description

Our company, A.L.L. For Kids, is passionate about kids and providing them, at an early age, the tools they need to get the best start in life!

As parents and coaches, we at A.L.L. For Kids believe there is a void in the instructional sports video market.There are certainly a number of well-produced instructional videos on the market, but none that target younger children, ages 4-10.Most instructional videos are typically 50 to 90 minutes in length with advanced content that targets the more experienced player.We have worked to create a niche by introducing a kid friendly, 30-minute instructional video that teaches the basic fundamentals of the sport.We introduce the animated characters, Stinky Shoe & Coach LaRoo, as a way to keep the instruction fun, entertaining and engaging for the child.We also use live-action video via real-life kids, and their coach, to demonstrate the proper techniques of the game.

A.L.L. For Kids is committed to producing a stimulating yet amusing instructional video series aimed at teaching the skills needed to play an array of sports.Presently we have released The Fundamentals of Baseball and The Fundamentals of Soccer.Through proper sports instruction, children can learn respect, patience and the importance of good sportsmanship, each an important component to a child’s development.With an elevated sense of self-esteem, a child can be successful at home, in school and in life!

We believe this product can help young children understand that physical fitness is an important part of their life.With childhood obesity and juvenile diabetes on the rise, our series reinforces that sports and exercise can be FUN!If the child feels confident to get off the couch, go outside and give the game a try, we have accomplished one of our goals! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Jennifer Kelly, President of a Youth Baseball Group
This video is sure to help all future major leaguers get a great start learning the game of baseball. I recommend it to my new coaches as well.

The Fundamentals of Baseball with Stinky Shoe & Coach LaRoo
Purchased this video for my grandchild who is just beginning to play team sports. Explains the fundamentals clearly and simply. I particularly liked the reinforcement of the concept of good sportsmanship. Cartoon characters make the video fun to watch.

A Mom in California
Both of my kids love sports, especially baseball. Stinky Shoe has been a great way to get ready for baseball season. It teaches kids (and adults too!) the fundamentals of the game while stressing the importance of sportsmanship. I think this knowledge has given my son a boost of confidence that he has taken with him on the field. My 3 1/2 year old loves to watch Stinky Shoe too - he thinks the jokes are funny and likes the goofy animated characters. We can't wait to see Stinky Shoe Soccer. ... Read more

Amazon.com

What does a 12,000-pound whale shark eat? Anything it wants--fortunately, plankton will do nicely. National Geographic's The Sharks takes us from Australia to the Red Sea to check out these fish with attitude and the scientists who study them. Sharks' reputation as man-eaters is certainly overstated--fewer than 10 people are killed by them each year--but the daring of the researchers sometimes seems to approach lunacy. Terrific footage of divers petting "sleeping" tiger sharks, teasing great whites from within dive cages, and testing metal-mesh suits by submitting to multiple attacks are riveting and simply scream out, "Don't try this at home!" But ultimately the scientists emerge mostly unscathed, more knowledgeable, and less fearful. In fact, we see the tables turned in Japan, where commercial shark fishermen are highly efficient and turn out meat, leather, and medicine for an eager market. Hey, sharks have been around millions of years longer than we have; pick up this video and learn the seven habits of highly effective carnivores. --Rob Lightner ... Read more

Reviews (1)

10 and up?...
The box said ages 10 and up, but I would say 12 and up is more accurate. The average ten year old might feel overwhelmed. My fourth grade sister understood more than I thought she would, but she has had lessons in fractions before. The video is not as corny as I thought it would be. Kids in junior high would probably get a kick out of it. This is a good supplement or teaching aid, but maybe not the best introduction since it goes so fast (it certainly can't be used alone in teaching fractions). The fact that the video goes so fast is where it fails. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Japanese folk wisdom states that a natural calamity will strike as soon as the terror from the last one is forgotten. Eyewitness: Natural Disasters will definitely refresh your memory.

In another installment of its award-winning Eyewitness series, DK pulls out all the stops--as usual--with snappy pacing, catchy writing, ominous mood music, and clip after hair-raising clip of stock disaster footage. In a tight half-hour, Natural Disasters explores the origins and effects of every act of God imaginable, from volcanoes to tornadoes to asteroid impacts. Classic DK visuals reinforce each idea: a cute, seismograph-watching bunny illustrates a discussion on whether animals can predict disasters, while blue army men (a cold front) face off against red army men (a warm front) to show how hurricanes are born. At times, Eyewitness: Natural Disasters may overstate (avalanches are breathlessly called "the white death") and oversimplify (lava doesn't exactly shoot out of the Earth's core), but it succeeds in creating excitement and inspiring interest in some pretty fascinating phenomenon. --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Be Prepared
On a whim I grabbed this video for my four year old son at the library and within three days I would say he had watched this video fifteen times. he loves it and I now have to buy a copy for us!

Too Scary!
My Class Saw This Video But I Had A Test Lucky Me! The Other Kids Said They Would Not Be Scared Of This Video. We Did That Because Of The Fire That Happened In Alpine On Jan,2,2001. I Hate Having Nightmares That Is Why I'm Scared. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Fascinating, Incredible and yetVery Credible
The previous reviewer of this program did an excellent job explaining the program "The Mystery Of Chi". Since I can't add much to it without being redundant I'll just add a short personal reflection.

I was just watching this program for probably the 5th time and it is a moving experience and wonderful opportunity to see the ancient healing arts as still practiced in modern China. Bill Moyers and David Eisenberg are both very credible people who I think present an interesting and breathtaking journey into the various forms of practice that have Chi at their foundation.

Also, it's a wonderful opportunity for Westerners to see the people of China in a different light rather than as just a dangerous communist country. While there is no doubt that the political powers of that country can be very scary and surely could be a threat to the rest of the world, the people themselves are just like people anywhere else. They want to be happy and healthy and live their lives in peace. The essence of Chi itself and Taoism are very spiritual and that seems to permeate the people in this video (and I'm sure much of China as well).

Anyway, I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to learn more about this approach to healing and to life. Most libraries around the country probably have this available if you want to see it since the cost is prohibitive.

All Around Us Are Mysteries
"The Mystery of Chi" was filmed on location in Beijing and Shanghai and features David Eisenberg M.D., of Harvard Medical School, helping Bill Moyers to explore various aspects of traditional Chinese medicine. A specific focus of the program is on "Chi", the energy or spirit at the core of much of Chinese medicine's philosophy and practice.

The program opens with a tour of a Chinese hospital, which attempts to cure through either western medicine or eastern methods such as herbs, acupuncture, massage and meditation. The choice of eastern medicine, western medicine or a combination of both is left to the particular patient and doctors to decide.

The efficacy of Western science, as compared to the Eastern Chi energy is explored as is the possibility of placebo effect within Chi practice. A case is then made to show the basis of Chi, as much of China has already accepted it's principles. The openness of the hosts to new concepts, where they may be of help to the ends of medicine, is apparent.

The hosts move to People's Park in Shanghai to witness public displays of exercise/meditation by vast numbers of Chinese people. The beauty of the practitioners motion is evident. We meet a few Master's, who know their Chi intimately, as a focus in maximizing their personal health.

Next, we meet a Taoist calligrapher who proclaims "If we follow Yin/Yang, we will not get sick" [such statements should be taken with a grain of salt], and that we should practice a centering to attain a spiritual balance in our life [at least this advice is practical].

The program, in closing, goes back to the hospital to witness a Chi Gong or energy healing treatment. Here skepticism seems a proper response, but it may also be that we just don't have the experience with such energies in our culture, but that Chinese Masters, through their practice, do.

Either way, viewing the calming sobriety of this program is a pleasure, so it may be considered to be time well spent to those with an interest in the subject matter. ... Read more