Product Review

Many more treats than tricks await the young ghouls and goblins who watch this double episode from the popular Bear in the Big Blue House series. The first 20-minute show opens on Halloween day; a sea of black and orange streamers and simple cutouts set a festive tone inside Bear's busy house. Ever the gracious host, Bear welcomes viewers to join his fellow Muppet friends as they giggle their way through standard Halloween preparations: pumpkin carving, assembling a costume, dressing up. The excitement culminates when he and his buddies trick-or-treat through the forest. Next comes Thanksgiving. Bear gladly accepts his friends' offer to complete his to-do list (which includes cooking, making a centerpiece, and preparing for a Thanksgiving pageant), but the results are catastrophic. Not to worry--the ever-cheerful Bear brushes all disappointment away by reminding everyone that they should simply be thankful for each other. Wholesome subject matter, a smattering of education (vocabulary, spelling, some history), and plenty of lively singing and joyful camaraderie make these shows a hit with parents and their 2- to 5-year-old children. --Liane Thomas