We usually like to encourage thinking outside the box, but this season we have to admit some of the most coveted gifts are likely to be DVD boxed sets featuring collections of movies, TV shows, and book adaptations. Here are the ones we're sure will make you the hero of the holidays.
-- Lois Alter Mark, Flicks for Kids Editor
BEST FOR PRESCHOOLERS (AGES 3-5)
ANGELINA BALLERINA: A STAR COLLECTION Not rated What's In It: Three DVDs: "In the Wings," "Rose Fairy Princess," and "Lights, Camera, Action!" Why It's a Great Gift: The little mouse who dreams of being a prima ballerina empowers young girls by showing them they can be anything they want to be. Why It's a Classic DVD Pick: Angelina is already the star of books, a TV series, and DVDs, and for her faithful fans, this set is proof that dreams really do come true.
CARE BEARS 25 YEARS OF CARING GIFT SET Not rated What's In It: Four DVDs: "Adventures in Care-a-Lot," "Festival of Fun," "Kingdom of Caring," and "Magical Adventures," plus an exclusive 25th anniversary plush toy. Why It's a Great Gift: These cuddly characters teach young children the importance of taking care of others and letting them take care of you. Why It's a Classic DVD Pick: In a high-tech, often impersonal world, it's a reminder that caring never goes out of style.
SCHOLASTIC TREASURY OF 100 STORYBOOK CLASSICS Not rated What's In It: 100 classic, award-winning storybooks on 16 DVDs Why It's a Great Gift: : The love of reading is a gift that will last a lifetime, and this impressive set makes an ideal first library. Why It's a Classic DVD Pick: This first-rate collection features works by top children's book authors and illustrators, including Maurice Sendak, H.A. Rey, Kevin Henkes, and Robert McCloskey, and the stories are read aloud by celebrities like James Earl Jones, Sarah Jessica Parker, Cyndi Lauper, and Forest Whitaker.
PEANUTS CLASSIC HOLIDAY COLLECTION Not rated What's In It: Three DVDs: "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," "A Charlie Brown Christmas," and "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" Why It's a Great Gift: Kids in this age group are old enough to understand the true meaning of the holidays and young enough to still appreciate it. Why It's a Classic DVD Pick: It's the perfect way to re-create the family tradition enjoyed by previous generations, who looked forward to watching the award-winning specials on TV every holiday season.
POPULAR MECHANICS FOR KIDS DVD SET Not rated What's In It: 24 episodes of the award-winning Discovery Kids series Why It's a Great Gift: Dealing with kid-friendly topics like roller coasters, rockets, and slime, it explores how things work and fosters creativity and curiosity through hands-on experiments. Why It's a Classic DVD Pick: By making the subject matter so much fun, it ensures a future filled with scientists.
PREHISTORIC PARK DVD SET Not rated What's In It: Half a dozen episodes of the Discovery Kids show hosted by zoologist and wildlife expert Nigel Marven. Why It's a Great Gift: Children are fascinated by dinosaurs, and this series takes them back in time for an up-close and personal look at woolly mammoths, Microraptors, and T-Rexes. Why It's a Classic DVD Pick: Dinosaurs may be extinct but these DVDs keep them alive for youngsters to learn about--and from.
GILMORE GIRLS THE COMPLETE SERIES COLLECTION Not rated What's In It: All 153 episodes of the beloved TV show. Why It's a Great Gift: The mother-daughter relationship is so real, tweens may feel like they're watching their own treasured family movies. Why It's a Classic DVD Pick: Totally modern and edgy despite its old-fashioned values, this well-written show has developed an almost cult-like following.
HARRY POTTER LIMITED EDITION DVD GIFT SET The movies are all rated PG or PG-13 What's In It: 12 discs, including 2-disc versions of all five Harry Potter movies, one additional disc of 14 interactive games, and another of all-new bonus material, plus five collectible metal bookmarks and four packs of trading cards Why It's a Great Gift: Kids are wild about Harry! They've already made his films the top-grossing motion picture franchise in history, and this is a collection they'll treasure and take with them into adulthood. Why It's a Classic DVD Pick: Author J.K. Rowling magically changed children's literature forever, and the movies are as smart and thought-provoking as the books.
JAMES BOND ULTIMATE COLLECTOR'S SET Rated PG-13 What's In It: All 21 James Bond films, plus another 21 discs of bonus material. Why It's a Great Gift: Espionage! Intrigue! Loaded cars! Good triumphing over evil! Why It's a Classic DVD Pick: When it comes to saving the world from the bad guys with style and class--and the coolest gadgets--nobody does it better than Bond.
FULL HOUSE THE COMPLETE SERIES COLLECTION Not rated What's In It: All 192 episodes of the hit TV sitcom that made Mary-Kate and Ashley famous. Why It's a Great Gift: This wholesome show celebrates family, no matter what form it takes, and shows the vital role fathers play in the lives of children. Why It's a Classic DVD Pick: Although the show ended in 1995, reruns have made it a staple in many households.
PLANET EARTH THE COMPLETE BBC SERIES Not rated What's In It: All 11 episodes of the landmark series considered by many to be the definitive nature documentary. Why It's a Great Gift: The more kids "ooh" and "ahh" over the natural beauty of our planet, the more likely they'll do whatever's necessary to preserve it. Why It's a Classic DVD Pick: Because if they don't, the gorgeous images captured in this series may not last as long as the DVD.
UNITED ARTISTS SUPER DELUXE GIFT SET Not rated What's In It: 90 classic movies from United Artists. Why It's a Great Gift: You won't have to hit the rental store on family movie night for a long time to come. Why It's a Classic DVD Pick: From West Side Story to Fiddler on the Roof, to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, this timeless collection has something for everyone.
