Music Box

Adults familiar with Baby Einstein educational videos understand the concept behind the company's products. Studies show that repeated exposure to pleasant images and sounds will create greater brain capacity in wee ones, as neurons become connected in the brain's auditory cortex. (And you thought you were just playing with your child.) Here, in time for Christmas, Baby Einstein takes a holiday breather. In Baby Santa's Music Box, the stimulation is similar, yet the learning is not quite so intentional--a relief for those of us a bit intimidated with the Russian, Japanese, and French introduced in the original film. No human words are spoken here. Rather, the sights and sounds of Christmas are presented in a visual feast of whimsical, happy scenes accompanied by seasonal music. From sledding and snowmen to glowing candles and shimmering ornaments, dozens of animated and live-action settings communicate the beauty and wonder of the holiday season. Penguin puppets unwrap presents, ring bells, and toss tinsel. Santa's sleigh in a gentle snowfall segues smoothly into a playful group of Christmas-clad youngsters dancing to Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker." Kids decorate a tree, twirl in stocking caps, and careen down a sledding hill. Throughout the program, the Baby Einstein Music Box Orchestra performs soothing music from Christmas carols and classical favorites to traditional melodies from around the world. Infants and toddlers already sense the magic of Christmas. This "video board book" will help them celebrate it. --Lynn Gibson