Released August 3, the newest Scholastic Storybook Treasures is The Rosemary Wells Collection Featuring Max and Ruby, a two-DVD boxed set. Like previous Storybook Treasures, there is a read-along feature that is optional. It is recommended for ages two through seven.
Noisy Nora is comprised of four stories, “Noisy Nora,” “Emily’s First 100 Days of School,” “Voyage to the Bunny Planet,” and “Reading to Your Bunny.” All of the stories feature animated versions of the Rosemary Wells stories, all populated by an assortment of friendly, anthropomorphic animals.
“Noisy Nora” is the story of a family of mice, one of whom craves a bit more attention than she is getting. That would be Nora. The story is nicely narrated by Mary Beth Hurt, and like all the stories in this set, ends happily. “Emily’s First 100 Days of School” tells the tale of Emily, a rabbit who is learning to count in school. Every number is accompanied by a two- or three-sentence story or explanation. Narrated by Diana Canova and played against the background of BNN (Bunny News Network), it’s a fun counting lesson, though the first time you watch, it seems to go on forever—it’s a short video but the countdown makes it seem longer. Happily, each number is accompanied by clever details and music.
Maggie Gyllenhaal narrates “Voyage to the Bunny Planet,” a sweet collection of three short stories about bunnies who find themselves “far beyond the moon and stars, 20 light years south of Mars” on the “gentle Bunny Planet.” The Bunny Planet is the place we all want to visit on days when everything seems to go badly. Gyllenhaal’s reading is soothing, sympathetic, and expressive, making the stories even more appealing. It should be prescribed for all children having a bad day—and perhaps adults as well.
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