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Diane Schabo, buyer for The Learning Shop: June 2005
Dane County Kids: April 2004 Although many parents are just beginning the process of choosing a summer camp for their children, most kids are already packing their bags, ready to hit the road. While camp may not begin for several more months, there is a way to send your kids to camp today — without them leaving the comfort of your home! “Get Active” invites children to enroll at Camp Imagination, where they’ll be treated to 30 minutes of running, jumping and imaginative play. (Aren’t we always hearing how kids need more exercise?) This camp adventure is narrated by Stinky Shoe and Coach LaRoo, two hilarious cartoon characters kids will love. Two previous Stinky Shoe titles were chosen by Dr. Toy as a 2003 Top 10 Video for Children, awarded a Parent’s Choice award and endorsed by the Dove Foundation and Kids First, and “Get Active” offers more of the same high-quality, kid-centric, active entertainment. Your kids will have a blast at Camp Imagination — no bugs, no bad food, no homesickness. American Markets Newsletter: March/April 2004 "The Fundamentals of Soccer with Stinky Shoe & Coach LaRoo and The Fundamentals of Baseball with Stinky Shoe & Coach LaRoo are two award-winning DVDs that teach kids the fundamentals of these two sports with animated characters. Skills emphasized include: being a good sport, being punctual, being a good teammate and of course, the importance of practice, practice, practice. Website: www.StinkyShoe.com." Video Librarian: March/April 2004 "The latest addition to the award-winning Stinky Shoe & Coach LaRoo live-action/animated children's series is Get Active with Stinky Shoe & Coach LaRoo, a physical activity program that takes young viewers to Camp Imagination. See review of The Fundamentals of Soccer with Stinky Shoe & Coach LaRoo in Video Librarian, May 2003." Nancy R. Haworth, M.D. "It is so important for our lifetime health that we learn to enjoy exercise as children. These videos can help families and physicians as they work to make that happen. " Teacher Librarian, 30:5 Most instructional sports videos are 50 to 90 minutes in length with content geared towards experienced players, and few for those who know little or nothing about the sport, or for children under 11. The Stinky Shoe & Coach LaRoo series consists of two videos, one on the fundamentals of soccer. Cartoon characters make the films entertaining, fast-paced and engaging for young students. Real-life kids and a coach demonstrate the proper techniques of the game. In addition, the videos stress the importance of exercise, physical fitness and sportsmanship, important components to a child’s development. As reviewed by Robert D. Wilson,Director of Moccasin Community Day School in Groveland, CA. Dr. Toy 2003 These excellent videos will help your child to understand the basics of soccer and baseball. This is a great value for your young athlete. A stinky sneaker and bespectacled coach are the animated stars in the videos and they are full of humor and entertainment. Kids will learn about good health and positive attitude, exercise, listening and practicing. Also stressed in these videos is the importance of having the proper gear, playing smart and playing fair, treating teammates and opponents with respect, and having fun. Even if your child does not play the sport, they will enjoy learning more about it. For those who do play, this is an important video for them to watch. Dr. Stevanne Auerbach, Ph. D. / Dr. Toy Parenting Magazine's Parenting Picks hightlight Stinky Shoe & Coach LaRoo The month's best books, music and videos/DVDs
DiscoverSchool.com, July 2003 4 Stars The Bottom Line Product Overview Children learn valuable tips on how to play soccer and to improve their game with this entertaining and useful soccer instruction video/DVD. Live-action instruction featuring a real soccer coach and children is broken up by entertaining animated sequences featuring Stinky Shoe and Coach LaRoo. The lessons begin with the importance of warming up before both playing a game and practicing, and wearing the right equipment. A quick overview of soccer positions is given, but the focus of the video is on soccer basics, such as running, passing, and controlling the ball. Children learn which parts of the foot they should use when controlling the ball (never the toes, because they offer players little control!), how to juggle, and so forth. The children (a good mix of girls and boys) demonstrate the techniques that the coach explains. Heading, dribbling, and other basics are illustrated. Throughout the video, kids are reminded that working together and communicating with other players on the team are crucial. Children learn some basic soccer rules, such as the kinds of things that stop play because they are not permitted. The animated sequences provide a bit of a breather from the instruction and feature the silly antics and jokes of an animated shoe and coach. Of course, the video encourages children to get outside and practice the skills they learn! The main benefit of this instructional video is that viewers have the opportunity to watch, listen, and learn techniques and rules in a comfortable home setting. When children are on the field, they may not feel relaxed enough to truly absorb some of the nuances of soccer instruction. The video offers an organized overview of the game and helpful tips that children can take with them onto the field. Running time is approximately 30 minutes, and both video and DVD editions are available. The Fundamentals of Baseball, featuring the same animated hosts, is also available. Metro Parent Magazine “If you’d like your child to hit the field with some basic soccer knowledge under her belt, consider picking up Stinky Shoe & Coach LaRoo. The program features a team of kids and their coach and shows the basics of dribbling and ball control, juggling, passing and shooting – with comic relief provided by the title’s cartoon characters.” Dane County Kids “What makes the videos truly unique are the animated characters who steal the show – Stinky Shoe, a lime green hightop with crazy shoelace arms, and quirky, fun loving Coach LaRoo are guaranteed to keep kids’ attention.” KIDS FIRST! Review Adult Juror comments: “A fun introduction to soccer skills. Well produced. Explains and demonstrates techniques. Shows respect and consideration for others and good sportsmanship. Kids are active participants.” Kid Juror Comments: “Kids enjoyed learning how to play soccer. Easy to follow and understand.” “It taught me lots of soccer things that I didn't know.” “The kids are real and they are just like us.” “It was fun and I learned how to play soccer.” CNI Newspapers “Besides presenting soccer and baseball fundamentals, the videos emphasize the importance of punctuality, being a good sport and a good teammate, and practice, practice, practice.” Keith Tozer, Head Coach of the Milwaukee Wave and 2002-03 Major Indoor Soccer League Coach Of The Year: "Being involved in soccer for more than 25 years; I have found the Stinky Shoe and Coach LaRoo program to be a wonderful, fun and educational teaching tool for families with children who are beginning their soccer careers." The Milwaukee Wave Being involved in soccer for more than 25 years, I have found the "Stinky Shoe & Coach LaRoo" video to be a wonderful fun and educational teaching tool for families and children who are just beginning their soccer careers. This video really executes the two qualities that I teach everyday in my camps - having fun in a learning environment. AS POSTED ON AMAZON.COM: This summer my kids got involved in a soccer league. I grew up play baseball & football, when it came time for soccer I did not even know how many players there were per team. The instruction in this video taught my children and my wife & I how many player, the size of the field and enough basic skill to keep my kids busy all summer. My kids enjoyed Stinky Shoe and Coach Laroo and dance to the music everytime we put it on. I purchased the Baseball video today and cannot wait to see what it is all about. This video not only entertained my 6 year old daughter, but provide me with enough knowledge to help coach her team! Practicing is much more fun when you know what you are to practice! I've looked everywhere for something that would help my kids with the self confidence they need before the first Little League practice. This has helped a lot. Everything is on this DVD. Rules of the game, how to be a good sport and the importance of teamwork. The coach is friendly and gives the kids an idea of what to expect. The kids at the practice learn that they all have worthwhile capabilities. The use of animated characters really keeps them interested. There is just nothing like it available. It's great! President of a Youth Baseball Group This video is sure to help all future major leaguers get a great start learning the game of baseball. I recommend it to my new coaches as well Booklist, April 1, 2003 Animated hosts, Stinky Shoe & Coach LaRoo are the wacky hosts of this baseball instructional. Brief, slightly silly animated segments introduce each live action section featuring a baseball coach teaching the fundamentals of the game (hitting, fielding, base running, throwing) to an enthusiastic bunch of kids. As young teammates demonstrate the movements, the coach patiently breaks down each hand, foot and body position into clear steps. Good camera work, including close-ups, slow motion and stop action, makes his concise instructions easy to follow. Stressing warming up, following rules, showing good sportsmanship, practicing consistently, and having fun, this age-appropriate training program is ideal for neophyte baseball coaches, parents and kids. A companion titles introduces soccer fundamentals. --Candace Smith
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