HBO Home Video, 2006; 25 min.; $12.98; http://store.hbo.com; for ages 9 to 14. The humor of this fractured folktale comes from challenging the cultural icon of Robin Hood. “Robinita Hood” is a Hispanic woman (voiced by Rosie Perez) who saves her town with her merry gang of women.

 

For more of the Happily Ever After series, check out:

Best Bang for the Buck Winner! 

How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate: Scientists and Kids Explore Global Warming, by Lynne Cherry and photojournalist Gary Braasch; Dawn Publications, 2008; $17.95; www.dawnpub.com. Authoritative and clear, this book delves into the science behind the headlines, what children have done and what young readers can do to address this global challenge.

For more environmentally conscious fun, check out:

Globe Hugger Diaper Bag

Happy Accidents, Billy Jonas, Bang a Bucket Music, 2009; $15; www.billyjonas.com; ages 6 and up.

Though it’s just about impossible to bottle the essence of a Billy Jonas live concert on CD, this album comes close! Strong vocals, hip songs, great players and terrific percussion abound on this 21-song set list. Jonas makes instruments out of recycled objects, especially percussion instruments, and his shows involve a lot of improvisation and audience participation.
 

by Howard Binkow, illustrated by Susan F. Cornelison; Thunderbolt Publishing, 2006; $15; www.wedolisten.com. Don’t know how to listen? Let Howard Wigglebottom tell you his story. He wants to help children become better listeners.

Best Bang for the Buck Winner!   

Alan Irvine, 2008; $12; www.alanirvine.com. Is there a dragon fan in your home? Someone who loves knights, quests, swords, armor, gallant deeds? This is just the thing for your would-be knight and enthusiast of all things medieval. These old tales are nicely crafted for new audiences.

 

For more firebreathing fun, check out:

 

MGM Home Entertainment, 2008; 101 min.; $22.98; www.mgm.com/dvd.php; for ages 8 to 12. High school soccer prodigy Sara Davis struggles with an overzealous sports dad, a free-spirited boyfriend and a hectic high school life. Amid these challenges, she becomes the youngest player ever selected to the U.S. National Team.

Horrid Henry, by Francesca Simon, illustrated by Tony Ross; Sourcebooks, 2009; $4.99 (paper); www.jabberwockykids.com. 

Sometimes kids just need to laugh. In these four, easy-to-read stories about mischievous Henry – not a role model – kids may laugh so hard they snort milk out their noses. Unruly Henry’s foil is his younger brother, known as Perfect Peter. In the first story he craftily sets out to surpass his brother’s perfection. Once such example is, “Henry let himself be kissed. Oh my, it was hard work being perfect.” All the while, Henry is tricking his brother into hurling a plate of spaghetti across the room: “Who would have thought being perfect would be such fun?” The stories hail from England and may remind you of Roald Dahl.
 

How’d They Build That…? Series, Marvelous Media, LLC, 2009; 50 minutes each; $8.99 each; www.marvelousmedia.net; ages 4 to 8.

 

This series takes you right into the factories where large machines are made. The excitement of watching a fire engine, school bus, or garbage truck being built and then following it into a work setting cannot be duplicated. The colorful footage and interviews with fire fighters and other workers provide attention-grabbing features for viewers.

“It’s like a field trip to the factory! A place I wish I could take my kids – or just visit by myself!” – Adult Juror and mother of children ages 5 to 8

“I really liked watching them make the fire trucks! They’re huge!”
– Child Juror, age 6
 

Hunter Douglas Duette® Architella® Honeycomb Shades with Literise® Cordless Lifting System, Hunter Douglas; approx. $190; www.hunterdouglas.com.

These shades glide up and down with the pull of a handle, instead of cumbersome cords that can look messy, get tangled and pose a safety hazard for children. The “pull” mechanism for these blinds is smooth and much easier to use than standard blinds, and the lack of dangling cords offers a cleaner look to your window treatment.

“This product seems to be well designed, sturdy and durable. Hunter Douglas is known and respected for superior quality products.”
– Safety Judge
 

Hotel for Dogs, written by Lois Duncan, read by Katherine Kellgren, Scholastic Audio, 2008; $19.95 (3 CDs); www.scholastic.com.

 

Before it was a movie, Hotel for Dogs was a book, much loved by kids growing up in the ’70s. When their father is transferred, Andi, Bruce and their family move across the country to move in with allergic Aunt Alice. It’s a difficult move, but it takes more than that to make Andi give up her love for dogs. First, there’s only one stray mutt but more and more show up until Andi is keeping nine assorted dogs in a nearby abandoned house.  

 

As the costs and responsibilities multiply, it becomes harder and harder to keep the dog hotel a secret, especially when the kids are dealing with a mean-spirited bully and adults who could shut the shelter down in a minute. Updated with cell phones and a few other details, Hotel for Dogs remains an excellent choice for families with kids ages 5-12 or so.