Happily Ever After Collection: Fairy Tales For Every Child (Mother Goose/Pinocchio/The Pied Piper/The Golden Goose)

Amazon.com

The award-winning HBO series Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child provides updated cartoon versions of the classics that will hold your kids' attention without banging them on the head with themes. Four half-hour tales are included, each with a bevy of well-known vocal talent. A very sweet version of Pinocchio features a star-studded voice cast, including Will Smith, Chris Rock, Charles S. Dutton, and Della Reese. Although this may make the take sound strictly African American, the spin is decidedly multicultural. Geppetto becomes "George" and Pinocchio, being "chips of pine and oak off the old block" is called "Pinoak." The big spin is on Pinocchio's insect friend, who in this version is a termite named "Woody," played with a rascally style well suited to Chris Rock. For Mother Goose Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Smits, and Denzel Washington lend voice as the merriment takes place in Mother Gooseberg Land, where Old King Cole reigns over the likes of Little Miss Muffet, Georgie Porgie, and the rest of the gang who take their poetic direction from the grand dame of rhyme herself, Mother Gooseberg. Creativity oozes from this rollicking rhyme fest, an animated retelling of some well-loved classic nursery rhymes. A simple chore of chopping trees turns into a life lesson for a trio of peasant brothers in this fresh take on The Golden Goose. Drexel, Axel, and Simpleton are three strapping boys who live with their father and mother in a small kingdom. When father sends the older sons to clear the forest, they encounter a wizard--dressed as a beggar--who asks them for some food. Woven throughout this simple tale are subtle messages of the benefits of faith and kindness in everyday living, best understood by children ages 4 and older. The seductive music that the Pied Piper played to woo the children of Hamelin was jazz. At least, that's the take in retelling as old tales mix with new world vision. Here, the selfish King of Hamelin (Samuel L. Jackson) loves to dismiss all politics so he can count his money. Unfortunately, the rat problem becomes so severe that plans must be put into action. When a smooth, jazz-playing stranger (Wesley Snipes) wanders into town proclaiming that he can address the problem, the city council is ready to give him riches.

Description

Fairy tales have always been a source of family pleasure, for parents and children alike. Now, some of the best-loved classics are being re-told in this vibrantly original and musical animated series, Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales For Every Child. Each tale features a hip, contemporary all-star cast of voices and all-new songs the entire family will enjoy! Classic fairy tales become fresh and fun, told as if for the very first time. So share the magic and wonder with your children as we invite you to enter the wonder-filled world of Happily Ever After.

Customer Reviews:

Forr all children of every color!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2007-08-09

These are wonderful stories being retold in a way every child can relate to the chacters. It's so refreshing to see characters of all nationalities being represented. My children watch these dvd's over and over. You can also watch this series on HBO Family "Happily Ever After" in the mornings.

A Tad Cynical - Maybe / Maybe NOT.......2005-08-31

This CD was bought for my two year old grandson - I reviewed it to make sure it would be acceptable to his parents. . . it may not be . . . for although the look of the characters and the delivery of the tales have changed a great deal, the greed, corruption, cheating and misrepresentation are still within!

It's worth a look see though. But tell me . . . do you think the Pied Piper could be an MJ? After all, he did reap his payment by whisking the children off to a neverland of sweets and play for all their days . . . .

An animated retelling of some well-loved classics.................2004-08-30

The HBO series Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child provides updated cartoon versions of the classics that is guaranteed to hold any child's attention. The spin is multicultural with new songs that the family can enjoy.

Four half-hour tales are included with a multitude of well-known vocal talent ....

1. Mother Goose- instead is Mother Gooseberg features a voice cast, including Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Smits, and Denzel Washington
2. The Golden Goose...from chopping a tree valuable lessons of faith, and kindness in everyday living are learned
3. The Pied Piper- Seductively handles his problems with smooth playing Jazz
4. Pinocchio- instead is Pinoak (based on the wood he's made from) features a voice cast, including Will Smith, Chris Rock, Charles S. Dutton, and Della Reese.

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