Some friendly faces

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood:

Going to School

Anchor Bay Entertainment

\o7DVD and VHS: $14.98

Ages 2 to 5

\f7www.anchorbayentertainment.com, www.fci.org

Preschool TV icon Fred Rogers lives on in a series of themed releases from "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood." Here, two episodes gently address school anxieties through Rogers' one-on-one conversations with viewers and in puppet segments in "The Neighborhood of Make-Believe," where Daniel Tiger, Prince Tuesday and the gang learn what school is all about. DVD extras include a crayon factory tour, a singalong, read-along, recipes and other activities and more. Each comes with a booklet of tips for parents.

*

Thomas & Friends,

Calling All Engines

\o7DVD: $16.99; VHS: $13.75

Ages 2 to 8\f7

www.thomasandfriends.com

This direct-to-DVD release commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Rev. W. Awdry's children's stories, which spawned a children's entertainment empire. On the Island of Sodor, home to Thomas the Tank Engine and other hard-working trains, a new airport is to be built. But Thomas and his steam engine pals are feuding with the diesel engines, a hurricane hits and the suspension bridge goes down. What to do? Along with gentle storytelling, sumptuous model train setups and some chipper songs, computer-animated, problem-solving interludes ask viewers to do a little logical thinking to "help" Thomas figure things out.

*

Ralph's World: Green

Gorilla Monster & Me

Mini Fresh Records

\o7CD: $15; Ages 2 to 9

\f7www.ralphsworld.com

Ralph Covert's sixth children's CD (due Sept. 6) is a stunner, fueled by the Chicago indie rocker's deft, often gorgeous harmonies, his smooth and rowdy rock 'n' roll chops and inventive lyrics, all warmed by respect for young (and older) listeners. There's a rambunctious outing for Ray Stevens' novelty hit, "Gitarzan," but it's Covert's own songs -- silly, celebratory, yearning and informed by childhood -- that make this CD shine. Highlights: "Old Red #7," a look back at a wooden car and a race ("soap box silhouettes drawn in black against the dawn"); and the breathtaking "Liesl Echo," about a shy shepherd and a girl who "planted flowers, painted rainbows, danced for hours and all the valley echoed with the sound of her laughter."

*

Dan Zanes and Friends:

All Around the Kitchen!

Festival Five Records

\o7DVD: $15; Ages 2 to 9\f7