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Scholastic Video Collection: The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash (NR, 2005)

common sense media says

A mixed bag, but mostly delightful.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is another terrific offering from Scholastic, consisting of stories very loosely grouped around the theme "back to school." A couple of the stories are too long and slow, but the rest are top notch.

Positive messages: Kids misbehaving in various ways.
Violence & scariness: Not applicable.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Scholastic Video Collection: The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the themes in these stories, such as school, friendship, imagination, and the magic of childhood

What's the story?

What's the story?
SCHOLASTIC VIDEO COLLECTION: THE DAY JIMMY'S BOA ATE THE WASH features stories about kids and their experiences in school. In the titular story, Jimmy and his class take a field trip to a farm and things get out of hand when Jimmy's pet snake gets loose. In "Shrinking Violet," a very shy girl lands a major part in the school play. And a little guy heads off to his first day of school and gets scared he won't make any friends in "Will I Have a Friend?"

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
The stories on this collection run the gamut from absolutely delightful to overlong and dull. "Shrinking Violet," while imparting a valuable lesson about overcoming shyness, is very long and very slow, and the animation is particularly uninspired. At the other end of the spectrum is "The Sweater," a reminiscence of a French- Canadian childhood and the crucial importance of wearing the right hockey sweater. It's a pure delight. There's also a charming rendition of James Thurber's "Man Moons."

Some of the stories are geared for older kids, but everything in them is accessible to anyone. Families who watch together can use the stories as starting points for discussions of school, friendship, imagination, and the magic of childhood.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Scholastic
Director: Syd Hoff
Cast: Karma Wilson
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 46 minutes
Theatrical release: June 12, 2005
DVD release: June 26, 2005
MPAA Rating: NR
MPAA explanation: not rated
This review was written by Sarah Wenk
 
 

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J-Gillian
adult
 
Age appropriate 2-4.
I love Scholastics DVDs that are based on popular childrens books (go to the library). Instead of the rampant commercialism of Disney characters, kids are introduced to book characters that don't appear on cereal boxes and toothbrushes.
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