Charlie and Lola – Volumes Four and Five (2006/BBC
Video)
Picture: B- Sound: B- Extras: B- Episodes: B
Charlie and Lola – Volumes 4 and 5, continues to collect the British
produced children television series based on the books created by Lauren Child.
(The series currently plays in the
United States on the Disney Channel) Charlie
and Lola is a wonderfully imaginative series that teaches children to use
imagination in their play and learning. Produced in a style that looks like drawings
come to life, backgrounds, toys, and other objects are photos that are used to
bring the stories of the two siblings to life. Charlie and Lola themselves look like they
were drawn by children to add to the appeal of their audience. The two siblings, using their crayons and
colored pencils, can bring to life the things they draw or play in the worlds
that they create using their imaginations.
Disc Four
– Using this imaginative story telling, Charlie and Loa learn lessons in:
friendship, overcoming shyness, pronouncing big words and reading them,
cleanliness, sharing, being respectful of other people's property, being afraid
of the dark, arguing, patience and saving.
Extras include "The Bestest
In The Barn" music video and a couple out takes.
Disc Five
– Includes story/lessons in: getting a haircut, losing baby teeth, having fun
pretending, the importance of being on time, accepting who you are and the
specialness of snow (winter) and the other seasons. Extras include a Mix and Match Game. A "Funny
Little Clip" showing Charlie and Lola playing in their world of
imagination. Some outtakes and an
Interview with Creator Lauren Child are also included.
I've
found this series to be very enjoyable and entertaining. The way that they show kids to use their
imaginations is wonderful. I haven't
seen this show on American television, and I was wondering if they changed the
voices to American accents like other British produced series (Bob the Builder, Teletubbies etc...). Children might have questions for their parents
when the two siblings refer to such things as: calling arguing
"squabbling", calling cookies "biscuts" and wanting to
drink some "pink milk" (strawberry flavored milk or milkshakes). Other than this, children will love Charlie
and Lola and their imaginative world.
The
episodes are shown in their anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 widescreen format
with great quality. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo sound is equally good. Though simple, the performance is clear,
making this series a winner.
- Marc Greisinger
