Distributor: Madman Entertainment

It’s bedtime and Elmo can’t sleep. He’s not tired. He needs a drink of water. He wants a story. This gentle DVD takes us through a scenario which is instantly recognisable. Bedtime with Elmo follows the lovable red monster and his dad during their nightly ritual while cutting to other Sesame Street clips based on the same topic. See Ernie wake Bert because he can’t sleep and then promptly nod off leaving his buddy wide awake. Watch gorgeous animations about bedtime rituals in countries such as Haiti and India. At 54 minutes it may be a little long for some kids to watch before bed but a few minutes each night may become part of your bedtime routine.

Go to our giveaways page for your chance to win a DVD of Bedtime with Elmo.

Distributor: Madman Entertainment

Chowder is surely one of the oddest little shows kicking about but my kids love it. Created by C.H Greenblatt – a storyboard artist who also worked on SpongeBob SquarePants and The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy (which might explain why my kids like it as they seem to enjoy these other oddball cartoons as well) – this cartoon is based in the fictional town of Marzipan City. Here, the title character, Chowder, works as an apprentice for the Mung Daal catering Company under the monstrous chef Schnitzel. With an apprenticeship which makes the search for a left-handed screwdriver look like the company picnic Chowder is tested with missions such as preparing fruit that comes in a 500-piece puzzle. Trouble and strife with a generous helping of silliness always seems to ensue.

Chowder is probably an acquired taste – but you probably have to sample it before you’ll know if you like it.

Go to our giveaways page for your chance to win a DVD of Chowder Volume 1.

Distributor: Madman Entertainment

The orthodontically-challenged canine Best Ed and his best mate, a squirrel named Buddy, get up to plenty of madcap mayhem in this four-episode DVD. Most parents of preschoolers will be acquainted with Best Ed from its regular slot on ABC for Kids and most will concede that it keeps the littlies mesmerised with its oddball animation and the older kids amused with the peppering of fart and snot jokes. While Best Ed may not soothe parents’ nerves with his high-pitched catch-cry of “Hi buddy, I’m here to help”, the lovable klutz does seem to win kids’ hearts in his endeavour to be an even better Ed.

Distributor: Madman Entertainment

This is a wonderful tale about friends finding their way and a great movie for younger children to enjoy. The main characters -  Hammy the hamster, GP the guinea pig and Roderick the rat - meet on the river trying to find their homes. Together they embark on an adventure-filled journey to save the riverbank from the Waffle, Marmalade and Doughnut Factory which is owned by the infamous and evil Fat Cats. From getting sucked into tunnels with falling rocks, meeting new animals like Miss Much the rabbit and her friend Betty Beaver to flying in planes, driving jeeps and seeing worm periscopes - this trio have many exciting experiences on the riverbank. This is a light-hearted film which is suitable for pre-schoolers.