“Max & Ruby” is a fantastic, fun and enjoyable TV series for the children and the family.  “Max & Ruby: Bunny Tales” focuses on a theme of fairytales and if you have a toddler, this is one of the best animated series out there for the children. Definitely recommended!
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DVD TITLE: Max & Ruby: Bunny Tales
DURATION: 4 Episodes (each episode has 3 mini-episodes) – 98 Minutes
DVD INFORMATION: Full Screen, Dolby Digital – English Stereo
COMPANY: Nickelodeon/Paramount
RATED: NOT RATED
RELEASE DATE: January 11, 2011
Created by Rosemary Wells
Directed by Jamie Whitney and Steven Boeckler
Written by Shelley Hoffman, Robert Pincombe, Rosemary Wells, Patrick Granleese, Kate Barris and James Backshall
Executive Producer: Scotty Dyer, Michael Hirsch, Tina Peel
Producer: Tracy Leach
Music by Geoff Bennett
Edited by Jamie Ebata
Casting by Karen Goora
Featuring the voices of:
Samantha Morton as Ruby
Billy Rosemberg as Max
Julie Lemieux as Louise
Kay Hawtrey as Grandma
Follow these bunny siblings and their take on popular fairytales in Max & Ruby: BunnyTales. In such episodes as Emperor’s Max’s New Suit, Ruby’s Real Cinderella, and Max and the Three Little Bunnies, Max is still up to his usual antics as Ruby tries to maintain order and follow the rules.
“Max and Ruby” is an enjoyable, fun, animated children’s series that can easily be appreciated by young and old. I mean this is in true sincerity as I have had the opportunity to watch this series when my son was 1-years-old and then most recently as my son was hooked on the series once again at age 7.
The children’s animated series was created by author/illustrator Rosemary Wells who based the series on her two daughters and the experiences they had with friends and in school. The series debuted in 2002 (the pilot was shown on TV back in 2001 on Noggin) and continues to air with a total of four seasons being shown on Nick Jr. and Nickelodeon.
“Max and Ruby” revolves around seven-year-old Ruby and her younger three year-old brother Max. Typically, the stories revolve around Ruby working on a project and Max somehow trying to get her attention (or cause a disturbance) and easily distracting her. But somehow, whenever Ruby gets into a jam, her younger brother ends up helping her out in some form.
Unlike the children’s Nick Jr. titles that try to help in the educational development of children like “Blue’s Clues”, “Dora the Explorer”, etc., “Max & Ruby” is a safe children’s animated show with a positive storyline. And in each episode of “Max & Ruby”, there are three mini-episodes included.
With the latest DVD release of “Max & Ruby” on DVD, the latest theme is fairytales with “Max & Ruby: Bunny Tales”.
The episodes featured on this DVD are:
- The Princess and the Marbles, Emperor Max’s New Suit, Max and the Three Little Bunnies – In this episode, Prince Max and Queen Grandma use marbles to figure out if Ruby is a true princess. For the second episode, Max needs to try a suit but he doesn’t want to. So, Ruby tells him a story about Emperor Max. In the third and final episode, which of the three little bunnies has a house that can keep out the Big Bad Wolf?
- Ruby’s Real Cinderella, Ruby’s Hoola Hoop, Max and the Martians – Ruby and Louise are playing Cinderella, problem is that Max also wants to play. For the second episode, Ruby has a hard time learning hoola hoop. The third episode features Ruby and the Bunny Scouts looking for planets and stars.
- Max’s Castle, Bunny Hopscotch, Max’s Grasshopper – In the first episode, Max has a funny way to help Ruby and Louise build the perfect fairytale castle, the second episode features Ruby and Max learning to play hopscotch and the third and final game features Max’s grasshopper friend Hoppy.
- Ruby’s Water Lily, Max Saves the Parade, Super Max’s Cape – Ruby wants to perfect her synchronized swimming routine but Max wants to swim too. In the second episode, Max and Roger’s parade float preparations get in Ruby and Louise’s way and the final episode features Ruby trying to keep baby Huffington happy.
VIDEO & AUDIO:
“Max & Ruby: Bunny Tales” is presented in full screen and for the most part, vibrant, colorful and well-animated. The backgrounds feature artistic/oil painted backgrounds with plenty of detail while Max & Ruby and friends are animated. Although the characters are not shaded, the detailed background compliments the character animation.
Audio is presented in Dolby Digital (English Stereo). The series is front channel driven and testing this DVD on a receiver, regular TV and on computer, the dialogue is clear and understandable.
As for subtitles, there are no subtitles but the series does feature closed-captions.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
“Max & Ruby: Bunny Tales” does not come with any special features.
With Christmas around the corner and in some areas, that means…snow time! What better for the children than a children’s DVD that deals with winter in “Max & Ruby: Everbunny Loves Winter!”.
If there was one children’s show that I literally watched my son grow up to, it would be “Max & Ruby”.
Nickelodeon (and Noggin) had various shows for children in the early-2000’s from “Dora the Explorer” and “Blue’s Clues” but there was something about “Max & Ruby” that captured my son’s attention and even seven years later, upon reviewing the DVD “Max & Ruby: Bunny Tales”, although he doesn’t watch the children’s shows these days snce he’s now seven, when he sees Max and Ruby come on, sometimes he’ll sit back and watch.
These are entertaining, fun, safe and a positive children’s cartoons. And it’s a pretty cool series that show the differences between brother and sister but also Ruby, the older sister meeting compromises with her brother Max.
It’s important to note that the series is not educational in the sense when compared to “Blue’s Clues”, “Go Diego Go!”, “Dora the Explorer” or “Yo Gabba Gabba!”. There is no host and the characters do not speak to the audience. It’s typically a cartoon that has a positive storyline and it helps that these episodes are short, easy to follow and for the most part, are safe and enjoyable.
As for the DVD, you do get four episodes (12 mini-episodes total) but I am surprised that this is another Nickelodeon DVD with no special features. There are games, printables, activities and more on Nickjr.com but it would be nice if Nickelodeon can include some of these features ala DVD-Rom.
But overall, “Max & Ruby: Bunny Tales” is a enjoyable DVD for the children. If you are a parent looking for a perfect and safe children’s DVD for your toddler, look no further, “Max & Ruby” is definitely recommended!