DVD: Favorite Children’s Songs by Baby Genius

Let me preface this review by saying I’m generally annoyed by any children’s product by companies involving the words “genius,” or “Einstein.” I have no false expectations that sticking my child in front of any video will fatten their brains more than reading to them or even letting them play with an empty box of tampons.

That being said, when I was reading all the positive reviews of this DVD on Amazon.com, I added this to my shopping cart of DVDs to bring with us on an upcoming road trip. What can I say? Desperation and Super Saver Shipping are both very seductive.

Okay, I’m not kidding when I say that Elise and Luke are MESMERIZED by this video. The two of them. One 4 ¾ and one almost 2. Both of them will sit there and stare with their mouths slightly ajar for the whole 30 minute run time. Mind you, Luke has the attention span of an ant.

It’s a bit scary.

Could it be putting them to sleep with their eyes open in an alpha wave trance state?  (But, really, who cares??? They’re not screaming or fighting! They’re not asking me if we’re there yet!)

I’ve seen the video, and I’m not impressed. It’s basically like a campy set of kids music videos that look like I could have made it with a handheld camcorder. There are some good wholesome songs like “The Wheels on the Bus,” “The Muffin Man,” and “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”  There are some animated characters who do some cameos. The music is slighting jarring for my adult ears. For instance, in “The Wheels on the Bus,” the baby on the bus goes “Wah wah wah” in a way that is just all wrong. But, who am I to judge when both of our kids are in a happy stupor?

This DVD comes with a bonus CD with most (possibly all) songs featured on the video, plus some additional tracks. Playing the CD kind of confuses them since they’re like - what’s up with having no video accompaniment, dudes? Give me back my DVD!

But, I swear, they would watch this on repeat over and over again if allowed to. I don’t get it, but I’ve learned to stop asking questions. Also, earplugs can help.