This is the third DVD of the award winning Wheels on the Bus children's series from Porchlight Entertainment. Available January 22, 2008, this excellent show has already earned iParenting’s Media Award and the National Parenting Center’s Seal of Approval. It certainly won the approval of my three-year-old son.
Mango's Big Dog Parade, featuring the vocal talents of The Who's Roger Daltrey as the voice of Argon the Dragon, is a charming and delightful half-hour ride all around the town. The DVD features a mix of computer animation and live-action, with an adorable cast of puppets and children. Mango the monkey and Papaya the toucan, who sounds a lot like the late Ed Wynn, take a ride on the bus to learn The Fairies’ Golden Rule: If you are nice to others, then they will be nice to you.
The songs, including the ubiquitous "Wheels on the Bus", have all the charm of a child's recital. The children, while talented performers, have a very "kids next door" quality, which makes the series very accessible and easy to watch for its target audience, children ages 1 through 5.
Mango's Big Dog Parade features a visit to a jungle bug museum, a fairy grove, a funky garage where the bus gets a tune-up, and the Big Dog Parade, a fun family parade that raises money for charities that help dogs.
Getting along and taking turns is the primary focus of the day’s adventures, with an additional lesson on procrastination provided by a little dog named Woof, who has to catch the bus because he missed his ride to the Big Dog Parade. They even manage to toss in some counting activities and health and hygiene tips.
Good luck getting the sound out of your head, though.
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