Videos For Children Smart, Fun, In Between

While a few teen-oriented titles (“Clueless,” “Dangerous Minds”) are making significant in-roads on the current list of best-selling videotapes, kid-vid still dominates the sell-through market.

If you’ve already picked up your copy of “Tom and Huck” or Disney’s latest straight-to-video “Aladdin” sequel, try one of these on for size:

“Cartoon Festival” (Warner Home Video, $13). These 40-minute collections of animated shorts from the National Film Board of Canada include many deserving prize winners. The first two tapes are “The Cat Came Back,” which includes the Oscar-nominated cartoon of the title, and “Cactus Swing.”

“Really Wild Animals” (Columbia TriStar Home Video, $15 apiece). Scheduled to be released later this month, this series includes “Dinosaurs and Other Creature Features,” “Monkey Business and Other Family Fun” and “Polar Prowl.”

“I Want to Be a Ballerina” (Clayton Productions, $15). At a beginner ballet class of four-year-olds, the basic five positions are taught. The 30-minute tape also includes “Nutcracker” excerpts that are intercut with rehearsals that precede the production. Information: (800) 700-8622.

“Fearless Frida & the Secret Spies” (Tapeworm Video Distributors, $25). A live-action Danish production starring nine-year-old Annette Brandt as the curiosity-driven heroine. Information: (805) 257-4904.

“Shelley Duvall’s Faerie Tale Theatre” (Cabin Fever Entertainment, $10 apiece). Bargain-priced release of a dozen of Duvall’s prize-winning made-for-cable shows.

“Dr. Seuss Sing-Along Classics” (CBS Video, $10 apiece). New to the video market this summer are three titles: “Grinch Night,” “The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat” and “Pontoffel Pock and His Magic Piano.”

“Sing ‘n’ Sign For Fun” (New Music Video, $15). Designed to help bridge the communications gap between the hearing and the hearing-impaired, Gaia Tossing’s 42-minute tape uses seven original songs to teach American Sign Language (ASL). Information: (800) 648-0755, extension 7.

“Bob McAllister’s Amazing Magic” (Warner Home Video, $13). “Kids Are People Too” creator demonstrates over two dozen tricks that rely only on everyday household items.

“The Wind in the Willows Collection” (BMG Video, $15 apiece). A pair of 52-minute tapes, “The Adventures of Mole” and “The Adventures of Toad,” based on Kenneth Graham’s stories.

“Fire Safety For Kids” (Children’s Video Development, $20). This tape uses half a dozen songs to teach children lessons on how to call for help and the importance of planning an escape route. Information: (800) 222-3998.