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Bedtime Stories (NR, 1998)

common sense media says

Toddler-aimed DVD is gentle as a lullaby.

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that kids will likely giggle and empathize with the sleep-defiant characters in this video. Parents plagued by potty talk may be slightly annoyed when Baby Bear announces he needs to "wee" in "I'm Not Sleepy." Sound effects accompany his visit to the bathroom. In "Little Princess' Bedtime," the main character hops out of a tree in her nightgown, which flops over her head. She's not wearing underwear, but there are no graphic images. Families who watch this video may want to use it as a teaching to tool to help their little ones eventually fall asleep, the way the cuddling characters do.

Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence & scariness: Not applicable.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Parents plagued by potty talk may be slightly annoyed when Baby Bear
announces he needs to "wee" in "I'm Not Sleepy." Sound effects
accompany his visit to the bathroom.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Bedtime Stories

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the importance of getting to bed on time and getting enough sleep. Also, are there things parents and kids can do to make the process of getting to bed easier for everyone in the family?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Sometimes getting to sleep requires heroic measures. Produced by Time-Life Kids and featuring an excellent soundtrack and talented narrators, this cute collection of eight animated children's tales may help kids (and parents) have an easier time. Children will join little animal friends who struggle with getting ready for bed and falling asleep. (This collection is not designed to be viewed in a single setting, and indeed, the repetitiveness of the themes make episodic viewing most appropriate.)

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Children will find the little animal friends amusing and endearing.The opening stories, "Dad! I Can't Sleep" and "Bedtime Story," are the most clever on the video. "Get Into Bed," "Go To Sleep," "Little Princess' Bedtime," and "Sleep Tight" are enjoyable, but all teach very similar lessons about the importance of rest. Seventh in the collection, "I'm Not Sleepy," will captivate few kids. It's an attempt to identify children's tactics to avoid bed, but the uninteresting story rambles to no real end.

 

In the last cartoon, "Goodnight Everyone," a small boy's wild imagination brings his toys, his toothpaste, and even the moon to life as he tells them goodnight. This charming cartoon will bring a smile (and hopefully a yawn) to their faces.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Hogeschool Sint-Lukas Brussel
Director: Kaat Beels
Cast: Katelijne Damen, Pieter Embrechts, Sara de Roo
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 44 minutes
Theatrical release: April 15, 1998
DVD release: April 27, 1999
MPAA Rating: NR
This review was written by Daniel Thorne
 
 

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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