The Scrambled States of America and More Stories By Laurie Keller is a four-feature disc of educational stories designed to teach your child about geography, manners, and dental hygiene. True, those topics are a bit disconnected, but author Laurie Keller is the common thread, having written the four children’s books from which the lessons are gleaned.
The first two cartoons correspond with the disc’s main title, examining geography by giving personalities to each of the states. In “The Scrambled States of America”, the 50 titular protagonists get a little antsy and long for a change of scenery, so they all agree to switch spots in the country. I think it should be pointed out that a state like California which sits on a fault line is getting a considerably better deal than others. “The Scrambled States of America Talent Show” sees the states demonstrating factoids about themselves in creative ways.
The two non-geographic pieces are “Do Unto Otters (A Book About Manners)”, laying out proper conduct to get along with others that would make State Farm Insurance proud, and “Open Wide: Tooth School Inside” does for teeth what the first two features did for states. While it teaches your kids what incisors and bicuspids are, the take home message, and probably more important, are the directives for brushing and flossing.
The features are narrated by Jon Carroll, David de Vries, Diana Canova, and comedian and actor Michael McKean.
DVD Bonus Features Laurie Keller gives an interview about her work; a “follow the bouncing ball” option lets kids learn to read as they watch, and a music video about teeth helps to bolster the lesson of the final feature.
"The Scrambled States of America and More Stories By Laurie Keller" is on sale May 24, 2011 and is not rated. Animation, Children & Family, Education. Written by Laurie Keller. Starring David De Vries, Michael McKean, Jon Carroll, Diana Canova.
