'Travel with Kids: Costa Rica' Recommended by Video Librarian

The Janson Media DVD Travel With Kids: Costa Rica was recommended in a recent review by Video Librarian. Produced by Equator Creative Media and filmed in High Definition, Travel With Kids is an entertaining yet practical travel adventure program featuring two real life kid brothers and their parents traveling to well-known and off-the-tourist track destinations. As usually is the case with the Travel with Kids series, the vivid footage and helpful travel tips of the Costa Rica episode tempted the reviewer to gather the family up for an impromptu trip of their own.

A standout in the Travel With Kids series, this program made me want to gather up the family and immediately book a flight to what looks like a lush wonderland of natural beauty and adventure. Here, the Roberts family (mom, dad, and two young sons) land in Costa Rica—a country famous for its eco-tourism, where the percentage of rainforest is actually on the rise—and enjoy the experience of a lifetime, with plenty of kid-pleasing fun. The Roberts stay in a hotel within lava-spittin" distance of an active volcano—where seismic booms provide part of the evening"s entertainment—so viewers witness beautiful nighttime footage of lava flows from atop the crater (and watch computer displays monitoring the movement of the earth that accompanies the regular eruptions and resulting tremors). The foursome takes off on a rafting expedition, along the way spying sleeping bats, a sloth climbing a tree, and the so-called Jesus Lizard (named for its ability to walk on water), and even engage (carefully) in play with poison dart frogs! The family also enjoys museum visits (bats and spiders are a highlight), ride a zip-line high above the forest, and experience the simple pleasures of making and eating a traditional Costa Rican meal of tortillas (from scratch), beans, and rice. DVD extras include a bloopers reel, a trip planner, family travel tips and resources, and a section titled &'Costa Rica at Home,&' with information on language, crafts, and recipes. Highly recommended. Aud: P. (C. Block)

Join the Roberts family as they explore the nature paradise of Costa Rica in the award-winning series Travel With Kids. Costa Rica"s motto is Pura Vida, Pure Life, and eco-travel is a big draw for the country. Immerse in Costa Rica"s incredible cloud forest preserves, discover gigantic volcanic formations and stroll deserted beaches all the while enjoying Costa Rica"s love of adventure. Spot sloths inching along three branches while rafting the whitewater. Hear the booming Arenal Volcano through various lava-tastic explosions. Watch howler monkeys swinging through the branches next to speedy zip lines. Get lost in the misty cloud cover at Monte Verde and explore the rainforest at night. Kids will enjoy the antics of the Roberts" boys while parents will appreciate practical family travel advice from the parents.

Video Librarian is the video review magazine for public, school, academic, and special libraries, as well as video fans who are interested in a wider variety of titles than what"s found in the average video store. Written by staff, librarians, teachers, and film critics, Video Librarian offers over 225 critical reviews per issue, alerting readers to upcoming new releases of special-interest, documentary, and video movie titles.