Blues Clues: Blues Room: Alphabet Power

In this DVD, Blue and her friends explore the alphabet, all the way from A-to-Z. The episodes on this DVD all fit that idea very well and together, it's a great package.

"Blue's Room: Alphabet Power" contains an episode of "Blue's Room" and three episodes of "Blue's Clues:"

"The Power of the Alphabet"

This is the new episode for this DVD --- a new "Blue's Room" story in which we join Blue and her playroom friends for an alphabet playdate. Of course, it's not an alphabet playdate without the alphabet and they're all there, from A-to-Z, all with little googly eyes on the top. Blue makes words with the letters and then pretends to be the words that they've made. We play Polka Dots' puzzles and receive letters to make a word. Later, a real kid joins Blue for a reading of the story "Chicka Chicka ABC" and the letters of the alphabet act out the story.

"The Alphabet Train"

Joe, Blue and all of our friends in the Blue's Clues house work together to create a train in which each of the cabs contain an item that starts with a different letter of the alphabet. "B" is blue, naturally and "J" is Joe, but we've still got a lot of letters left to go. We help out with this, even skidooing into a magnet board to find some things. As for Blue's Clues, we play the game to help Joe figure out what Blue wants to put in the very last cab of the alphabet train.

"Let's Write"

Nice one --- Joe and Blue have decided to make labels for all the different things in the house. We go around everywhere, helping them to make labels for things and also help to identify what things are based on already-existing labels. And for "Blue's Clues," we help Joe to figure out a label that Blue wants to write.

"Magenta's Messages"

Magenta goes for a day-trip to the beach and asks Joe and Blue to take care of her house. To do this, she's left us a series of messages --- both a set of instructions and individual messages to complete the different tasks. These generally include pictures and words. While all of this isn't strictly alphabet-related, it still completes the set nicely.

These last two are bonus episodes for the DVD, although unlike past releases, they're no longer buried in the Special Features section. Instead, they're in the episode selection, under More Episodes, or you can also choose to play all episodes. Notice that there are no Steve episodes this time around --- if you or your kids don't like Joe, this DVD probably isn't the way to go.

This release also has a few special features:

Doodle, Doodle, Spell

A fairly simple game in which the player is given two letters of a word and a picture and fills in the missing letter. Also includes one with four letters. If the wrong letter is put in, you get a simple Try Again screen, but if you get the right letter, then the image animates and makes some noise. Not too bad of a game, but could have been jazzed up a bit.

Nicktrition Tips for Parents

A two-page thing to read giving tips on getting kids to try healthy foods and such. I imagine this info can also be found somewhere on the Nick Jr. website.

Blue's Room Spots

Three spots featuring either song numbers or Blue with real kids. About two minutes long in total, but still a nice addition.

Previews for these other shows:

Dora the Explorer --- double-length DVD releases

Blue's Room --- other Blue's Room DVDs

Rugrats --- Tales From the Crib Christmas special

My Little Pony --- another Christmas special

My son (4) has shown little to no interest in learning letters until watching these shows. I've tried lots of different books and games but none of them were fun to him until Blue introduced him to "alphabet Power". Now he is excited about letters and reading and talks about it all the time. I highly recommend this video for any parent who wants to get their kids started on letters.

This DVd is very educational for anyone who has a pre-schooler. It has really helped my son recognize his letters. If you would like a education & fun DVD for your pre-schooler I highly recommend this DVD.