Backyardigan's DVD Review - It's Great to Be a Ghost

Well, we've finally had a chance to see the new Backyardigans DVD, It's Great To Be A Ghost. Best of all, we got to see Monster Detectives, which, at this date, hasn't yet played on Nick, Jr. So, if you're wondering whether to plonk down the cash for this DVD, here's my review to help you make up your mind!

This DVD gives you four episodes. You can choose to play them all, or play just one. In the order they play, they are:

• It's Great to be a Ghost - Did you ever play at being scared when you were little, until you actually worked yourself up into being scared? In this episode, the Backyardigans pretend to be ghosts, but it's all fun and games - for a while.
• Monster Detectives - When Uniqua's ball is stolen by the Soccer Monster (Pablo), it's up to Tyrone, the Monster Detective, to help her get it back. (Interestingly, this episode is the only Backyardigans episode we've ever seen that has actually frightened my daughter. She runs out of the room and hides when it's playing.)
• The Key to the Nile - When Egypt suffers a drought it's up to self-centered Princess Tasha to find the key to restoring the Nile. But will she ever remember to thank the faithful servants who are doing all the real work?
• Pirate Treasure - Two sets of pirates (you can tell they're pirates by the way they say, "Arrr!") are looking for the same treasure on a desert island.

Each episode starts with the same opening musical number you see on television, and ends with a closing credits sequence that I thought was a little lengthy, but that my daughters didn't seem to mind at all.

I was disappointed by the Special Features. The first two special features require reading skills, which makes things difficult for parents if their children can't read. Since the Backyardigans' target audience age is 2 to 5 that's probably going to be most of us who are considering buying this DVD.

• Meet the Backyardigans - This feature presents each of the Backyardigans, one at a time. They do not move, but are presented as stiff drawings (I was reminded of paper dolls) bouncing around against the show's backyard play area. At the bottom of the screen is a description of the pictured character. There is background music (the music from the opening sequence), but no voiceover reading of the description.
  
• How to Be a Backyardigan - As with the first special feature, this one requires an ability to read or a parent with the patience to read and reread ad infinitum. Pictures of the various Backyardigans doing things from the shows are shown, with written instructions on how to be like that character. Example: Picture of Pablo playing drums. Written next to it is, Be a MUSICIAN How to be a musician like Austin: Bang your drums, Play the tuba, Say, "Let's polka!" You use the remote to move on to the next character.
• "A Pirate Says Arrr" Music Video - By far the best of the special features. Scenes from the episode are arranged pleasingly. My only quibble is that it isn't the full song from the episode and it ends a little abruptly. My girls loved it though, and asked me to replay it several times.
  
• Previews - Ads for other DVDs being released in fall 2005: Dora's Dance to the Rescue, Pirate Adventure, and Fairytale Adventure; Blue's Room Alphabet Power, Beyond Your Wildest Dreams, and It's Hug Day; My Little Pony - A Very Minty Christmas.
  

Overall, I would recommend this DVD, especially if your child can read. My girls loved it and would have watched it all day if I'd let them.