Product Review

Get ready for a health lesson like never before in this trio of Arthur episodes exploring familiar, yet often misunderstood childhood maladies. In the first tale, viewers learn how blood cells fight infection after Arthur scrapes his knee as a result of a covert visit to the dump. The tetanus shot he receives is not as painful as D.W.'s valiant efforts to refrain from tattling. Asthma gets star billing in the next story when a guided tutorial of Buster's lungs finally convinces his friends that his breathing condition is not contagious. The third episode, "The Lousy Week," offers an entertaining exposé on head lice when an army of zealous nits (in combat fatigues) invades Muffy's school. It is no surprise that Arthur remains one of public television's golden nuggets, offering stories that are consistently creative and humorous while sprinkled with subtle reminders of kindness, forgiveness, honesty, and acceptance. (Ages 5 to 12) --Lynn Gibson