Chelsea Clinton even went to ballet school and spent her teenage years at Sidwell Friends School with little notice from the outside world. She was only one of many young ladies growing up in the White House, from Barbara and Jenna Bush to Trisha and Julie Nixon, not to mention Amy Carter.

The book recommends, for instance, that if you want to be president, you should try to be born in a log cabin. “People are crazy about log-cabin Presidents. They elected eight,” whom she names.

Sid the Science Kid
Age 4+
PBS Kids, Rated TV-Y

This show introduces kids to science basics through the eyes of a young boy named Sid, whose insatiable curiosity about the world around him leads to discoveries of all kinds.

Each day Sid and his friends tackle a new question that’s sure to resonate with their young viewers. Episodes have explored why snowmen melt, why leaves fall in autumn, and why teeth are different shapes. Under the guidance of his parents, grandmother, and caring teacher, Sid uses scientific techniques such as observation, measurement and data collection to answer his many questions.

This series fills a gap in preschool programming, which has more often tended to focus on developing kids’ readiness for reading and math. With Sid as their guide, kids will be inspired to ask questions as a means of discovering new things, and they’ll want to make observations and test their own scientific theories.

Learning aside, the show’s got plenty of music, dance, and all-around good fun. Preschoolers will enjoy Sid’s silly antics and the jokes that he and his friends make up (they’re always related to the episode’s theme). It’s so entertaining that parents might find themselves drawn to watch as well.

© 2008 Common Sense Media, a non-profit, nonpartisan organization seeking to improve the media lives of kids and families. www.commonsensemedia.org

Imagination Movers
Age 3+
Disney Channel,
Rated TV-Y

Imagination Movers is a fun-filled preschool series starring New Orleans’ popular alternative rock band of the same name.

Rich Collins, Scott Durbin, Dave Poche and Scott “Smitty” Smith are creative handymen who can’t wait to solve the “idea emergencies” that trouble them and their friends. Whether it’s managing a bad hair day or tracking down a mysterious noise inside their Idea Warehouse, the guys are always quick to respond with brainstorming sessions, creative theories, and a host of ingenious gadgets that help them solve the day’s puzzle.

The show’s basic premise — stories structured around music video-like performances — harkens back to The Wiggles’ heyday, but parents may find the Movers (whose musical influences include everything from U2 to REM) more enjoyable than their Aussie counterparts.

There are no oversized stuffed animals of any kind, though a small Warehouse Mouse will fill kids’ needs for a cuddly character. The problem-solving process encourages kids to brainstorm with the guys, who are always quick to remind viewers that there are “no bad ideas when you’re brainstorming.” Even the show’s quirky props are thoughtful and serve specific purposes, like Scott’s “wobble goggles,” which allow him to view a situation from a different perspective to better understand it.

None of this will impress kids as much as the Movers’ addictive sense of humor and quest for fun. The guys are clearly at home being their zany selves, and even parents will find it impossible to not enjoy their high-energy, expressive performances. There’s no denying their popularity among young music fans, who already appreciate their toe-tapping tunes and kid-pleasing lyrics.