From the creator's of Gruffalo Comes "Stick Man" on November 8

Martin Freeman (“The Hobbit,” “Sherlock”) voices Stick Man, Hugh Bonneville (“Downton Abbey”)
voices Santa, and the story is narrated by Jennifer Saunders (“Absolutely Fabulous”). Also helping bring Donaldson’s alluring and bouncy rhymes to life in this heartwarming family treasure are Rob Brydon (“The Huntsman: Winter’s War”), Sally Hawkins (“Paddington”) and Russell Tovey (“Being Human”).

In addition to featuring this charming tale, the DVD includes a behind the scenes documentary about the transformation of the delightful book into a captivating film. In this 20 minute video, viewers are treated to a look into how the design of the characters and environments came about, and the creation of the beautiful film score. The documentary also includes wonderful insights from Julia Donaldson, director Jeroen Jaspaert, composer Rene Aubry, and many others.

Jungle Book Collector's Edition Revealed for November 8 Disney Release

Get lost in the jungle with collectible packaging, spectacular 3D and new bonus features!

Beginning November 15, the collector's edition of Disney's live-action epic adventure "The Jungle Book"—Jon Favreau's stunning reimagining of Walt Disney's animated classic—will be available for your library to own just in time for the holidays. "The Jungle Book" Collector's Edition offers more than just the bare necessities with collectible packaging and a three-disc set containing the original theatrical release on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, and DVD, along with originally released bonus features and five never-before-seen extras.

The Collector's Edition provides fans with unprecedented access to "The Jungle Book" production through exciting new bonus features, including a performance of "The Bare Necessities" by Bill Murray (voice of Baloo) and jazz greats Dr. John and Kermit Ruffins, an inside look at the collaboration between director Jon Favreau and renowned composer Richard Sherman on a new version of the classic song "I Wan'na Be Like You," a fascinating feature exposing the visual effects magic behind some of the movie's most memorable moments, an early animatic of the scene where Mowgli meets Kaa, and a global celebration as Mowgli and Baloo sing "The Bare Necessities."

Anne of Greeen Gables Set for November 8 DVD Release Date

PBS Distribution announced today it is releasing “L.M. MONTGOMERY’S ANNE OF GREEN GABLES” on DVD.

“L.M. MONTGOMERY’S ANNE OF GREEN GABLES” the classic Lucy Maud Montgomery story tells the tale of Anne Shirley, a precocious young girl taken from an orphanage and placed in the care of the uptight Marilla Cuthbert and her brother, Matthew. The conservative Marilla has a profound effect on the adventurous Anne and creates a journey of learning and personal engagement that has resonated with generations since L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables was first published in 1908. The book remains an iconic work of Canadian literature and has sold more than 50 million copies worldwide and been translated into 20 languages.

“L.M. MONTGOMERY’S ANNE OF GREEN GABLES” will be available on DVD November 8, 2016. The run time of the program is approximately 90 minutes, and the SRP is $19.99. The program will also be available for digital download.  

Directed by John Kent Harrison and based on the original script by Susan Coyne, this adaptation, filmed in Canada, stars critically acclaimed, Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor Martin Sheen. Sheen – who has appeared in blockbuster films ranging from Apocalypse Now to The Amazing Spider Man, and played the President of the United States in the multi-Emmy Award winning series “The West Wing” – portrays Matthew Cuthbert, one half of the brother-sister couple who care for Anne Shirley.

Morton Schindel, Founder Of Weston Woods Studios, Dies At Age 98

Morton Schindel, founder of Weston Woods Studios, the leading provider of audiovisual materials adapted from award-winning children's books, died peacefully Saturday, August 20, 2016 at age 98.  Mr. Schindel produced more than 300 motion pictures and 450 recordings that are found in school and library collections worldwide.  His films have been translated into more than twenty languages.

Mr. Schindel found that a special filming technique was needed to faithfully transfer the artwork of children's picture books from page to screen. He developed the iconographic style of filmmaking, in which original artwork from an open book glides in front of a motion picture camera, giving the still imagery cinematic life.  By moving the pictures at deliberate, controlled speeds, the camera captures the mood and action that the illustrator conveyed on the pages of the book.

 

Born in Orange, NJ in 1918, Schindel moved to New York City after college and worked as a clerk in Stern's Department Store.  In 1941, he founded ELMOR Manufacturing Company, a machine shop, but he battled tuberculosis and in 1944-45, moved to Saranac Lake, NY to convalesce.  In 1949-50 he tried his hand at film, but the company he worked for, Teaching Films, went bankrupt and he became an independent producer.  In 1951, he was recruited to serve as Film Officer and Attaché in the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, and then returned to Connecticut in 1953 to launch Weston Woods Studios.  The company struggled in the early years, but in 1966, the federal government passed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the first school libraries were opened.  Weston Woods' sales quadrupled overnight.

 

ROALD DAHL’S THE BFG on DVD July 5

Public Media Distribution, LLC announced today that it is re-releasing “ROALD DAHL’S THE

BFG” on DVD July 5, 2016. Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s book comes to life in this classic animated feature, which debuted in 1989, about the amazing power of friendship between a little girl and a big-hearted giant.

This DVD includes the digitally restored version of the animated film along with two special features; a Never-before-seen Roald Dahl Documentary and Before/After Restoration Video. The documentary features an interview with Roald Dahl in which he talks about several of the well-known books he has written including “The BFG,” “The Witches,” and “Matilda.” In this video viewers gain insight into how some of these classics came to life.

“ROALD DAHL’S THE BFG” will be re-released on DVD July 5, 2016. The DVD run time is approximately 90 minutes and its SRP is $9.99.

"Good Dinosaur" Stampedes in on Blu-ray Combo Pack on February 23

From Pixar Animation,  the studio that recently brought you "Inside Out" comes the hilariously heartwarming tale of unlikely friendship. GOOD DINOSAUR, the perfect adventure for the whole family, stampedes to libraries on Blu-ray Combo Pack on February 23, 2016 via Disney Home Entertainment.

Extensive bonus features include the Academy Award Nominated Theatrical Short "Sanjay's Super Team," Making-of Featurettes, Deleted Scenes and More!

Lego Star Wars Returns on DVD

Your Favorite Star Wars Heroes will be back with five complete episodes that unleash the lighter ide of the Force in LEGO STAR WARS: Droid Tales. The fun begins following the victory celebration in the Ewok village on Endor, at the end of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. R2-D2 and C-3PO have gathered to regale Luke, Leia, Han, Chewbacca and the other Rebels with the tales of their adventures that led to the events of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.

An accidental kidnapping occurs while the droids are reminiscing, and suddenly you're taken on a new journey that leads to the retelling of the entire Star Wars saga, as told by R2-D2 and C-3PO! It's hilarious and playful, packed with all your favorite interlocking characters. LEGO STAR WARS: DROID TALES is intergalactic thrills for the whole family! On DVD  March 1, 2016 from Disney Home Entertainment.

New Chuggington DVD Pulls in on October 13

Cool high-speed adventure is on the way to preschoolers nationwide with the newest “Chuggington” DVD, “Chuggington: The Big Freeze”!  The latest release in the popular DVD collection from Anchor Bay Entertainment is jam-packed with six fun-filled adventures, including a never before seen holiday special episode from the top-rated Disney Junior series.  “The Big Freeze” pulls in  on October 13, 2015, just in time to help families from coast-to-coast celebrate the season, Chuggington style!

The chuggers perform one heroic rescue after another in this cool new seasonal collection of “Chuggington” adventures! When icy temperatures cause the town to run out of fuel and all diesel engines are grounded, it’s wheels-to-the-rails as Chief Jackman and his team of brave Chug Patrollers work together to find a way to the frozen docks to retrieve fuel and get the town of Chuggington moving once again. Fans can join Fletch as he tries to repair the lighthouse, chug along with Calley as she tests to become a first responder, watch as Brewster gets closer to being a Chuggineer, and more! “The Big Freeze” will help teach little chuggers nationwide important lessons about safety, responsibility and teamwork as they ride alongside their favorite friends, Wilson, Koko, Brewster, and Asher!

"If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" on DVD !

“Butterfly in the sky, I can go twice as high...” is the opening to the instantly recognizable theme song for the iconic series READING RAINBOW. PBS Distribution announced today it is releasing four episodes from READING RAINBOW on the new DVD “IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE.” Since 1983, this beloved children’s television series has been bringing stories to life.

READING RAINBOW aired on PBS from 1983-2009. Hosted by LeVar Burton (“Roots,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Perception”) for its entire 26-year run, the program encouraged a love of literature in millions of children and garnered more than 200 awards, including 26 Emmys and a Peabody Award.  

READING RAINBOW has helped children build lasting relationships with books at home and in the classroom. The four episodes and books, featured in this DVD are “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” read by Beth Howland, “Owen,” read by Matthew Broderick, “Two Old Potatoes and Me,” read by Jordan Puryear, and “Mr. George Baker,” read by Wayne Brady.

 “IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE” will be available on DVD May 12, 2015.
 The DVD run time is approximately 120 minutes and its SRP is $6.99. Additional details about the episodes included on this DVD are below.

PADDINGTON Hits Home Entertainment on April 28

Everyone’s favorite marmalade-loving little bear is ready to make a splash onto home screens when Anchor Bay Entertainment and TWC-Dimension release the critically acclaimed, heart-warming family film PADDINGTON on Blu-ray and DVD April 28, 2015. PADDINGTON.

Paddington Bear was first introduced to children in Michael Bond’s 1958 book, A Bear Called Paddington and the subsequent Paddington Bear series has sold over 35 million copies and been translated into 40 languages. For the first time, author Michael Bond has given his blessing for his beloved characters to be brought to the big screen, charming both critics and audience members alike. 

From writer-director Paul King and producer David Heyman, the film features a stellar cast with Emmy nominee Hugh Bonneville (TV’s “Downton Abbey”), Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine), Oscar nominee Julie Walters (Billy Elliot, Educating Rita), Oscar winner Jim Broadbent (Iris), Peter Capaldi (TV’s “Doctor Who,” “The Musketeers”) with Oscar winner Nicole Kidman (The Hours), and Ben Whishaw (Skyfall) as the voice of Paddington. The Rotten Tomatoes Certified Fresh film is “stuffed with family fun,” according to the Los Angeles Times, and has earned over $228 million worldwide at the box office to date.

GET READY TO BOOGIE WITH “PEG ROCKS,” A NEW MUSICAL PEG + CAT DVD

PBS Distribution announced today it is releasing seven stories from PBS KIDS’ popular PEG + CAT series on the new DVD “PEG + CAT:PEG ROCKS,” available March 3. Solving problems is even more AWESOME when music is involved! This new toe-tapping DVD features fun-filled musical escapades, including “The Girl Group Problem,” in which Peg’s girl group, the Pentagirls, has its biggest show ever, and “The Mega Mall Problem,” which features Peg and Cat searching the mall for the teens, so they can all enter the Zebra Guy dance contest!

 

Each PEG + CAT adventure features a story in which Peg and Cat encounter an unexpected challenge that requires them to use math and problem-solving skills in order to save the day. While it teaches specific math lessons, the series also emphasizes resilience and perseverance.

PBS DISTRIBUTION ACQUIRES DVD RIGHTS TO EMMY AWARD-WINNING CHILDREN’S PROGRAM WORDWORLD

PBS Distribution, the leading media distributor for the public television community, both domestically and internationally, announced the acquisition of all three seasons of the multi-award-WordWorld kids program.  The deal includes DVD rights for all 84 adventures of WordWorld.  PBS Distribution, which works with leading producers to distribute series such as Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Dinosaur Train, Peg + Cat, Arthur, Wild Kratts, and Caillou, is planning on releasing its first WordWorld DVD in 2015. 

WordWorld, which won the 2009 Daytime Emmy Award for outstanding children’s animated program, is designed to introduce, support, and foster literacy skills in children ages three to five. Young children are introduced to the colorful, vibrant world of words with the lovable, legible WordFriends – animals whose bodies are made up of the letters that spell the word they represent. In each story, the WordFriends go on adventures and face challenges that can only be resolved with the right word. That word is built letter by letter, sound by sound. Once the word is built it “morphs” to become the spelled item – C-A-K-E, becomes a cake!