children's video & dvd review

blue's clues: magenta comes over 

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Product Overview
Blue's Clues shows are some of the most delightful preschool programs around. Steve, the live-action host, has tremendous childlike charm. He invites young viewers to find his spotted dog Blue and, later, Blue's pawprints on a search for 3 clues that will help solve the mystery of the day! Equipped with his "handy dandy notebook" and help from a myriad of objects-come-to-life (such as Slippery Soap, Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper, and Mailbox), Steve ends his quest for clues on the Thinking Chair, asking the audience for help solving the mystery at hand. Steve invites preschoolers to interact by talking directly "to" them, asking lots of questions, and, generally, playing "dumb" — a clever way of building confidence and encouraging kids to participate. Children love this series! It is always educational, invites interaction, and helps kids learn how to solve problems.

This video runs for approximately 50 minutes and contains 2 episodes. Graphics are fresh and bright, as always, with a seamless and fun combination of animation and live-action.

Excitement is in the air in the first episode because Blue's lovable pink friend Magenta is coming over for a play date. This sparks the mystery: What are Blue and Magenta going to do today? During their search for clues marked by Blue's pawprints, viewers participate in other problem-solving games. Shovel and Pail need help finding their friends, and this requires determining which footprints will lead Blue and Steve to each animal. Later, Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper want to make race car snacks out of food items like carrots, celery, crackers, and green peas. As always, they want to choose opposites — and kids will help determine the opposite of "shortest", "biggest", and "bumpiest".

In Episode 2, kids will try to determine what Blue wants to do with her drawing. The search for clues brings lots of fun and games. Kids help figure out the correct order of steps to make muffins, and decide which pieces of clothing Felt Friend should put on first. Steve and Blue's friends are always ready to help, and in this episode, Mailbox is delighted to discover that he is a clue!

Magenta Comes Over is designed to promote thinking skills like: visual perception, categorization, classification, identification, process, order and sequence, and deduction.

You may be interested in the following reviews of Blue's Clues software:

• Blue's Treasure Hunt
• Blue's 123 Time Activities
• Blue's ABC Time Activities

Dollar Value
It sells for $9.95 US, and is well worth the investment.

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