Discovering Egypt (DVD)

Advantages: Bright, colourful, encourages creativity, cheap entrance prices, lots of activities
Disadvantages: Not in the nicest area, can be busy/messy at half term

...Looking for something to appeal to young children in London can be a bewildering experience, especially during half term as there is so much to choose from. Having a few days to spend at my mother's house in Greenwich we were eager to find something to entertain our two and a half year old but without resorting to the dreaded soft play. We decided to try out Discover in Stratford on the basis of a positive recommendation on a parenting site and a quick glance at their website. I now think this place deserves another positive recommendation from us! ***What is it?*** A 'hands on, interactive story trail' designed to encourage children to develop their imagination and creativity, especially related to reading and writing. It was set up as a charity to help and encourage children in deprived areas, but everyone is welcome. It is aimed... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: An easy watch, some comedy moments, a heart warming story and Luke Skywalking in a different light!!!
Disadvantages: The accents and a slow plot.

...The story "Walking Across Egypt" was written by Clyde Edgerton. I read the book when I was a kid and was bought the DVD (released in 2000) for Christmas two years ago. Unfortunately I've since lost the book so I can't comment on how well it was made into a film but I do enjoy watching the DVD so here's my opinion on it. Directed by Arthur Seidelman and produced by Heath McLaughlin, the film begins by following a stray dog across fields and down small country roads until he stops on the porch of Mattie Riggsby (Ellen Burstyn). Mattie an ageing woman with grown up children but no grandchildren is independent in living in a large house alone. A small scene in a funeral parlour suggests that she is planning for the inevitable and that she can't trust her spoilt children to decide the finer details of how she would like to be buried. As... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Entertaining, and lasts for 91 minutes
Disadvantages: Child can get a bit fed up!

...To start with the simple stuff, this is very well packaged. Not too busy on the front with a minimum use of colour, so it really draws the eye. It is rated as Uc, which means even babies can watch it. I originally bought this for my 3 year old daughter, but my four year old son really enjoys watching it as well. For those of you who are unaware, Pocoyo is a little boy in blue, who is incredibly curious. He has friends who help him out throughout the pprogramme, there is Pato the Duck, who is about Pocoyos age, Elle the elephant who is older than Pocoyo, Sleepy bird, who, strangely, sleeps all the time, and the Dog Loula. Loula is the only character who is an animal and acts like an animal, which can be a little strange. This Dvd is quite fun to watch with your child, it is quite amusing, especially some of the faces Pocoyo... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful