DVD Review — “Nickelodeon Favorites: Happy Halloween”

Every Kind of Mom.com Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Nickelodeon Favorites: Happy Halloween
(Released August 24, 2010)

It seems that the holidays just keep getting marketed earlier and earlier every year.  No reason for Nickelodeon to get left behind!  Yesterday, August 24, 2010, Nickelodeon released a new DVD for Halloween.  Yep,  Halloween.  I know it seems a little early, considering the fact that some schools haven’t even started yet, but in reality  we have pretty much got the month of September before Halloween preparations get into full swing. So, what about this new release, Nickelodeon Favorites: Happy Halloween?  This year, you can celebrate Halloween with Dora the Explorer, Go, Diego, Go!,  Wonder Pets!, Yo Gabba Gabba, Blue’s Clues and Ni Hao, Kai-lan – all together on one DVD.  I absolutely love the collection they have put together this time, and I don’t always give the collection-type DVDs 5 stars, but this one deserves it. 

Here’s all you need to know about this adorably goulish collection of Halloween episodes:

 The positives:

• Over two hours of educational entertainment for preschoolers
• Includes episodes never before released on DVD.
• Keeps the kids entertained without scaring them
• Great for a wide range of children
• Wholesome Halloween fun!

The negatives:

• Can find any!

About the Episodes:

1. Dora the Explorer – Boo! – It’s Halloween, and Dora and Boots are out trick-or-treating when a cute Little Monster surprises them.  Dora and Boots must embark on a spooky journey to help Little Monster hurry home before the arrow on the big clock strikes 12 – and in time for a Halloween party!
2. Go Diego, Go! – Freddie the Fruit Bat Saves Halloween! – It’s Halloween! Diego, Alicia and Freddie the fruit bat are setting up trick-or-treating booths for all the animals when suddenly they hear a cry for help. Diego uses Click to try and see what animals are in trouble and finds out it’s the llamas! They were bringing goodie bags to the Rescue Center when suddenly a bridge broke.  Amigos, we’ve got to fix the bridge so that the llamas can bring the treats to our party! ¡Al rescate! 
3. Wonder Pets! – Save the Bat / Save the Acting Donkey
   Save the Bat – The Wonder Pets travel to Transylvania to help a Baby Bat who is afraid of the dark.
   Save the Acting Donkey - The Wonder Pets head to the Old Globe Theatre in England to help a Shakespearian-actor Donkey who is not prepared for his performance.
4. Yo Gabba Gabba – Halloween - It’s time for the Yo Gabba gang to dress up in outrageous costumes and take part in gathering their own private stash of candy.  “The Fall Song” celebrates the changing seasons, while the “Halloween Party Song” and “Trick-or-Treat Song” teaches shows kids what happens on Halloween. “Too Much Candy” helps showcase that eating candy in moderation is best.  Come sing along to these great tunes!
5. Blue’s Clues – What is Blue Afraid of? - Blue is scared and we play Blue’s Clues to determine what’s frightening her. As we search for clues, we investigate shadows and conceptualize what objects are making them; decipher extreme close-up photos taken by Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper; and label the source of scary sounds within a haunted house!
6. Ni Hao, Kai-lan – Ni Hao, Halloween - Trick or treat, it’s Halloween!  Kai-lan and her friends dress up to go trick or treating with YeYe. Kai-lan is a dinosaur, Tolee’s a panda, Hoho’s the Monkey King, and Rintoo is his favorite – a dragon! But just when they set out to trick or treat, Rintoo sprains his ankle and realizes that means he can’t go trick or treating. It’s up to you and Kai-lan to make things better for Rintoo, so that he can have an amazing Halloween.

Nickelodeon Favorites: Happy Halloween was released on August 24, 2010 for a suggested retail price of $16.99.  You can usually find them for less on Amazon or occasionally on sale at big box stores, so keep your eyes peeled.  This one is worth it!

(DVD Running Time:  Approximately 149 Minutes)