Search - Red Riding Hood... And More James Marshall Fairy Tale Favorites (Scholastic Video Collection) on DVD

James Marshall's witty fairy tales on DVD

Heidi Anne Heiner | SurLaLune Fairy Tales.com | 02/03/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"James Marshall wrote and illustrated many picture book adaptations of popular fairy tales for children. Scholastic and Weston Woods have converted the picture books into animation shorts that are available on DVD for the first time. This disk includes Marshall's renditions of "Red Riding Hood", "The Three Little Pigs", and "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" (a Caldecott Honor Book). Two bonus shorts are included of Stephen Kellogg's "Chicken Little" and Paul Zelinsky's "Rapunzel." James Marshall's adaptations are humorous, colorful, and far from sappy. His unique wit doesn't change the tales too much, but still makes them his own.The tales are recommended for preschool ages and up, but they are some of my favorite versions as an adult. This DVD is guaranteed to become a favorite in any household. Don't miss Marshall's original picture books either!"

Authentic retelling of tales

S. Graham | 10/13/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD provides an authentic retelling of classic folk tales for young children. One reviewer was amazed to find out that these stories include unpleasantness. Nursery tales like "The Three Little Pigs", "The Three Bears", and "Red Riding Hood" have value for young children, even though things get broken and people get gobbled up! If stories do not have a real problem and a real solution, stories are not authentic or interesting.

I wonder if the reviewer who was shocked to find these elements in a video of fairy tales could possibly have been serious. Maybe, as that reviewer suggested, these are not a good choice for a 2 year old. There's no real reason for babies to watch TV at all; it's a much better idea to read to them. I recommend this DVD for children aged 4 to 8 who have already been read the real stories."