The Library DVD Shelf Child Development Theorists Learning ZoneXPress PO Box 1022, Owatonna, MN 55060 1571758062 .95 [URL="http://www.learningzoneexpress.com"]www.learningzoneexpress.com[/URL] 1-888-455-7003 Child Development Theorists: Freud to Erikson to Spock... and Beyond is an educational DVD offering a brief survey of how modern child development theories have changed the way that parents raise children and teachers instruct children. The major child development theories espoused by psychologists from Sigmund Freud to Abraham Maslow, B.F. Skinner, Benjamin Spock, Howard Gardener, and many more are touched upon, enhanced with historical footage and photos as well as candid footage from day care centers. Teaching materials are included in this excellent educational DVD recommended for high school classroom use. 21 minutes. From the Top at Carnegie Hall, Season 2 Christopher O'Riley, host WGBH Boston Video c/o SSA Public Relations 15260 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1730, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 9781593758394 .95 [URL="http://www.ssapr.com"]www.ssapr.com[/URL] shop.wgbh.org The second season of the Emmy-nominated public television series From the Top at Carnegie Hall continues to showcase the up-close and personal glimpses into the daily rigors of young musicians striving to the best performers they can be. Offering a tour backstage and beyond, From the Top at Carnegie Hall ranges from a bathroom that serves double duty as an acoustically satisfactory rehearsal spot in a young violinist's home; a trumpet player who enjoys performing in a jazz club known to host Tony Bennett; a marimba player who is sensitive to the rhythms around him at all times, even when doing household chores; and much more. An enthralling exploration in the demanding yet rewarding world of ambitious professional music, highly recommended. 13 episodes, 5 1/2 hours. I's Yoshiki Odaka and Nahomi Miyata, directors Viz Communications Inc. 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133 1421530112 .92 [URL="http://www.viz.com"]www.viz.com[/URL] 1-800-394-3042 I's is an anime (Japanese animated feature) combining drama and romance, complete in two episodes on a single DVD volume. The three I's in the story refer to Iori Hazuki, a beautiful high schooler on the verge of attaining a successful acting career; Ichitaka Seto, a classmate and acquaintance of Iori's who has secretly harbored a crush on her for years; and Itsuki Akaba, Ichitaka's cute friend who has recently returned from abroad. All three are on a remote island (cut off even from the range of cell phones), but will Ichitaka remember his childhood promise to Itsuki, let alone muster the courage to confess his feelings to Iori? When a gang of three murderous, sex- obsessed cutthroats on motorcycles threatens Itsuki, and rising floodwaters put Iori's life at risk, Ichitaka will need all the courage, ingenuity, determination and memories he can muster to save the lives of the women he loves! The result is an emotionally moving love story with a heart-wrenching twist, adapted from the manga by Masakazu Katsura (creator of the popular "Video Girl Ai"). This volume actually contains two DVD discs of the complete two-episode series - one DVD with a 4:3 fullscreen aspect ratio, and one DVD with a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. The audio is Japanese and English, with the option of subtitles. 120 minutes (240 minutes if one counts both discs). The Secrets: A Film by Avi Nesher Monterey Media Inc. 566 St. Charles Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360-3901 9781569944233 .95 [URL="http://www.montereymedia.com"]www.montereymedia.com[/URL] 1-800-424-2593 The Secrets: A Film by Avi Nesher is a multiple award-winning movie about Naomi, the intelligent, faithful, and devoted daughter of an orthodox rabbi who must prepare for difficult choices in her life when her mother dies and she has to marry her father's prodigy. She begs her father for a year to study at a women's religious seminary to prepare for the sacrifices she must make as a wife and mother, and is permitted to do so. She befriends a schoolmate, Michelle, and a sickly older woman, Anouk (played by Fanny Ardant), who might be guilty of a terrible crime of passion. Naomi invents a progression of rituals designed to help Anouk release her sins, a process which brings Naomi and Michelle closer together - close enough to develop a forbidden attraction. An emotionally stirring tale, highly recommended. Special features include a "behind the scenes" video with subtitled actor interviews, deleted scenes, two music videos, and a photo gallery. Rated R, 127 minutes, Hebrew with English subtitles. The Story of India with Michael Wood PBS Home Video c/o SSA Public Relations 15260 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1730, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 0793670152 .99 DVD .99 Blu-Ray [URL="http://www.ssapr.com"]www.ssapr.com[/URL] Hosted by an acclaimed historian, The Story of India with Michael Wood is a six-part DVD tour (also available in Blu-Ray format) of the incredibly rich and complex history of India, a nation populated by a diverse confluence of peoples, cultures, and environments. From the deserts of Turkmenistan to the Khyber Pass, the plains of Pakistan, the majestic Himalayas, and much more, India is a vast land and with a storied historical narrative that spans millennia. "The Sights and Sounds of India" special feature enhances this lengthy and involving documentary, highly recommended for armchair travelers as well as public library collections. 6 hours, closed captioned. The Line King Presents: The Round Up Line King Productions, LLC 411 Video Information PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953 .95 [URL="http://www.411videoinfo.com"]www.411videoinfo.com[/URL] The Line King Presents: The Round Up is a family-friendly DVD presented in "docu-story" style introducing viewers to the fun of line dancing. The "Line King" Harvis Williams sets out on his two-day mission to lead five ordinary people through the rigors and challenges of three stages of line dance training. Harvis pairs the most surprisingly unlikely line dance instructors with ordinary people off the street! Proof that one doesn't need superior coordination to enjoy line dancing to the fullest, The Line King Presents: The Round Up is an excellent addition to dance DVD libraries, in spite of (or perhaps because of) not taking itself too seriously. Arkadia DVD c/o V.I.E.W. Video (distribution) 34 East 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010 [URL="http://www.view.com"]www.view.com[/URL] Originally filmed in 1980, the Ad Lib series presents concert television programs of the best jazz, pop, and blues music artists of the modern day. It also holds the distinction of being the first music television series recorded in stereo. Two new DVDs each present two episodes of this historic series with digitally mastered audio and video, and make excellent addition to DVD libraries that celebrate great performers. "Freddie Hubbard: One of a Kind" (0803070357, .98, 76 min.) showcases renowned trumpet player Freddie Hubbard, playing songs such as "One of a Kind", "First Light", "There Is No Greater Love", and more. "Mark Murphy: Murphy's Mood" (.98, 60 min.) features the popular jazz lyricist and vocalist performing "You've Proven Your Point", "Again", "Farmer's Market", and more, while Pete & Cante Candoli present songs such as "Caravan", "Willow Weep for Me", and "Echo". Bonus features in both DVDs include biographies, and an ad lib highlights reel. Highly recommended especially for jazz enthusiasts. Acacia 8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 650, Silver Spring, MD 20910 [URL="http://www.AcaciaCatalog.com"]www.AcaciaCatalog.com[/URL] The "Weight Loss" series of fitness DVDs debuts with two user-friendly installments. "Weight Loss Pilates with Kristin McGee" (.99, 50 min.) guides the viewer through Pilates exercises meant to tone and strengthen the body, along with "cardio blasts" meant to keep one's heart rate up. "Weight Loss Cardio Sculpt with Violet Zaki" (.99, 50 min.) includes both cardio and strength training in a vigorous routine meant to fire up one's metabolism. Since successful weight loss also depends on improving the quality of one's diet, both DVDs have bonus advice and recipes from the magazine "Cooking Light". Both DVDs also have a brief bonus segment focusing on abdominal muscles, and make excellent additions to DVD workout libraries. Jeanette Jenkins: The Hollywood Trainer Jeanette Jenkins 411 Video Information PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953 .95 each [URL="http://www.411videoinfo.com"]www.411videoinfo.com[/URL] Two new exercise DVDs by multi-certified nutritionist and fitness trainer Jeanette Jenkins, known for her professional appearances on NBC's Today Show and Fox News World among other venues, are an excellent enhancement to any workout program. "Jeanette Jenkins: The Hollywood Trainer - Sexy Arms, Abs and Legs" (60 min.) lives up to its title with easy-to-follow exercises from pilates, yoga, and traditional body sculpting to help one tone muscles and improve fitness head to toe. "Jeanette Jenkins: The Hollywood Trainer - Cardio Dance" (60 min.) is a vigorous and enthusiastic workout applying 40 minutes of Latin rhythms, dance classics, and even Caribbean music, followed by 20 minutes of dancer's sculpting to stretch and tone abs, legs, and arms. Both DVDs are a fun and high-spirited way to liven up one's fitness routine. Highly recommended. Squeeze: Lower Body Challenge Tracy Effinger 411 Video Information PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953 .95 [URL="http://www.411videoinfo.com"]www.411videoinfo.com[/URL] [URL="http://www.tracyeffinger.com"]www.tracyeffinger.com[/URL] Hosted by National Academy of Sports Medicine-certified celebrity trainer Tracy Effinger, Squeeze: Lower Body Challenge continues the series of "Squeeze" exercise DVDs with a quick and effective routine designed to strengthen one's lower body with both gym-based and dance- based exercises. The only equipment recommended are one inexpensive pair of simple, hand-held dumbbells (1 to 8 pounds in weight). The chapter menu allows one to select (and repeat) individual exercises as desired, allowing one to tailor the workout to one's liking! An excellent, easy-to-use DVD and a useful supplement to any exercise regimen. 30 minutes. Pete Seeger: Live in Australia 1963 Reelin' in the Years Productions, LLC c/o Acorn Media Group 8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403 .99 [URL="http://www.acornmedia.com"]www.acornmedia.com[/URL] Pete Seeger: Live in Australia 1963 is a black-and-white DVD capturing the 1963 Melbourne concert of folk musician Pete Seeger, who at the time was blacklisted and barred from American television. In Australia he was widely beloved and gave sold-out performances. Nearly an hour of bonus footage taken from Seeger's other Australian television appearances rounds out this must-have DVD for folk lovers. Additional bonuses include a 16-page booklet with liner notes by Seeger biographer David K. Dunaway, rare photographs, and interviews Seeger gave on Australian news programs. Seeger's iconic banjo, guitar, and mellifluous voice are a treasure to listen to, in this enthusiastically recommended DVD. 105 minutes. She Fell Among Thieves Malcolm McDowell & Eileen Atkins Acorn Media Group 8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403 .99 [URL="http://www.acornmedia.com"]www.acornmedia.com[/URL] The BBC drama that launched "Mystery!" on PBS, She Fell Among Thieves is a DVD presentation in full color, featuring silver screen stars Malcolm McDowell (known for his performances in "A Clockwork Orange" and "Heroes") and Eileen Atkins (known for her performance in "Cold Mountain"). While visiting the Pyrenees on holiday in 1922, English gentleman Richard Chandos crosses paths with Vanity Fair, the nefarious Mistress of the turreted Chateau Jezreel and leader of criminals, hell-bent on pressuring her beautiful stepdaughter to marry so that she may inherit millions. Chandos must put his brains and brawn to the test to rescue the damsel in distress, but his opponent has ice water for blood and murder in her soul. An enthralling drama, highly recommended to mystery lovers as well as public library DVD collections. 78 minutes, 4:3 full screen, SDH subtitles. EDITOR'S NOTE: The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promoting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no funds from authors or publishers. Full permission is given to post any of these reviews on thematically appropriate websites, newsgroups, listserves, internet discussion groups, organizational newsletters, or to interested individuals. Please give the Midwest Book Review a credit line when doing so. The Midwest Book Review publishes the monthly book review magazines "California Bookwatch", "Internet Bookwatch", "Children's Bookwatch", "MBR Bookwatch", "Reviewer's Bookwatch", and "Small Press Bookwatch". All are available for free on the Midwest Book Review website at www (dot) midwestbookreview (dot) com Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to: James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief Midwest Book Review 278 Orchard Drive Oregon, WI 53575-1129 To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugalmuse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publisher, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number, and list price). James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief Midwest Book Review