Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23329 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-11-03
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk
The fourth DVD from the Baby Einstein folks is their most engaging product yet. Aimed at slightly older audiences (ages 1 to 4), Baby Shakespeare combines poetry with the usual mix of festive classical music, bright objects, and happy thoughts designed to stimulate young minds. This video is aimed at exposing little tykes to the language context. Twelve words (grass, tree, etc.) are explored in pictures and poem form with plenty of playful stops for kids singing their ABC's and close-ups of brightly colored toys in action. Older children can follow the poetry in a beautiful enclosed picture book of poem text and sharp outdoor photography. We even meet Baby Einstein's first host: a dragon puppet named Bard, who (along with his friends) playfully participates in the action. He deserves a repeat performance. --Doug Thomas

DVD Description
Babies' innate curiosity about all they see and hear increases on a daily basis. Before long, they begin to associate words with objects and to imitate and articulate sounds. Why not give their eyes and ears something wonderful to feast upon? Baby Shakespeare presents little ones with twelve common words that can be found within the rich context of classic poems and the beauty of nature. By combining the poetry with engaging puppet shows, funny sound effects, colourful, stimulating images and the glorious music of Ludwig van Beethoven, this exciting introduction to language provides countless opportunities for you and your baby to interact as you explore the wonderous world together.

Customer Reviews

Great for language learning -- quality poetry even an adult can listen to (over and over and over...)
There's no need to rehash here how amazing it is to watch a child's reaction to any of the Baby Eisntein range of products. Svengali never had such a reaction! My child's face lights up just hearing the first Dadadalala of the music and it's all smiles, rapture, dancing, singing along and (most importantly, talking!) from there on.

Baby Shakespeare is my son and my particular favourite of the entire range, as he had a hearing problem/glue ear for 9 months before his 2nd birthday. But even when he couldn't hear very well, he could recognize the sounds and images of the Baby Shakespeare DVD more than any other of his music and language toys or media. The rhythms of the poetry they chose for the DVD and music were so familiar to him that now that he hears normally, he is starting to talk to the puppets and sound out the words at such a fast rate, he is quickly catching up to his peers and, in some things, surpassing them (Well... mum thinks so anyway!)

Very importantly, the poetry is real, not made up just for this video; not watered down for children. They selected top quality poems from well-known poets and matched them to puppetry and drawings and animals and such.

Even now when we chase him about the room saying to him, "Custard the dragon had big sharp teeth, And spikes on top of him and scales underneath, Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose, And realio, trulio, daggers on his toes..." -- we are the best human beings breathing and treated to the hysterical giggles to prove it. Who would have thought poet Ogden Nash would make mum and dad the most popular people in the world!

I recommend this to all parents who want the rhythms of language and great poetry instilled early -- but even more to parents of kids with hearing and language difficulties. The voice on the UK version of the DVD is British, so if that is important make sure you get the UK edition. And the poems and the speaker's voice are quality and pleasant, so adults will not go mad listening to this DVD over and again.

Another Great DVD from the Baby Einstein Company
Just like all the others I have bought (Baby Mozart, Baby Van Gogh and Baby Newton) this DVD really captures my 11 month old son's attention. It is a very nice way of introducing children to poetry and he loves the puppets. The reason why I gave it four stars is because I have noticed that after about two months my son seems to get bored with these DVD's and so I have to do without the 30 minute break from watching him for about two to three weeks or until they interest him again.

Baby Shakespeare - World of Poetry
One of a brilliant collection of Baby Einstein DVDs. This has kept my sons attention from 2 months old, and is still holding his attention at 14 months. As your child grows, so does their understanding and appreciation of the humour that is displayed in the occasional clip. This DVD will certainly bring a smile to your child.
With a background music of Ludwig van Beethoven, this particular DVD concentrates on 12 common words whilst showing colourful and interesting images. A must for all age groups.