Jack, the Cuddly Dog

As a mom of two little ones, I have seen more than my fair share of "children's" videos, from Baby Einstein to the Wiggles to Chicken Little. It can often be difficult to gauge what is appropriate for children of different ages, lest what will actually keep them entertained.

I had the privilege last week of screening a new video called "Jack, the Cuddly Dog," created by Hello Baby Productions. It features a yellow puppy who lives in Central Park. While Jack himself is animated, must of what he interacts with is actual video. My daughters noticed a difference from other animated videos immediately. My two-year-old said "Mommy, that looks like real grass!" Although the target age of the videos is baby to two years, my five-year-old actually enjoyed watching as well.

What interested me most while watching the video with my daughters was the opportunity that it presented for us to practice identifying different colors and objects. The classical music is soothing for that time in the evening (you all know when I mean!) when the kids have been bouncing off the walls and everyone is in need of a little quiet time.

The story behind the creation of the video is particularly compelling. Jack was animated by Paul Beard, one of the animators for a favorite in our house, Blues Clues, and by award-winning filmmakers Max Reynal and Doug Morrione.  The video’s creators strove to create a new form of infant entertainment which is “emotionally intelligent.” After Beard died in a car accident at the age of 27, the filmmakers dedicated the first Jack the Cuddly Dog video to his memory.

If you are looking for a children's video that is wholesome, entertaining, and  made with your baby's attention span and curiosity in mind, you should definitely grab a copy of Jack, the Cuddly Dog.

For more information or purchase information, visit http://www.jackthecuddlydog.com/.

Tricia Meyer