One of the greatest advantages of being a child is lack of inhibition on the dance floor. I can’t help smiling when I watch children get down and boogie. They’re having loads of fun, and they don’t care what they look like.

The new Hip Hop Harry DVD - Move Those Feet - is all about having fun - and more: “Hip Hop Harry aims to teach kids about language, problem solving, and social skills - all while having some good, rocking fun.” Another blogger agreed: “It seeks to teach positive competitive spirit/good sportsmanship, basic “how-to” on the dance floor, and little tips like remember to drink lots of water!” A third commented: “The diverse group of boys and girls put on an amazing show of dancing and acrobatics that makes you want to get up and dance.”

Two bloggers discussed the first episode on the DVD, “which features two sisters named Savannah and Sophina who are in a big dance contest - on different teams that are competing against each other. The girls learn that it’s not necessarily about winning, but about doing the best that they can.” That episode was one little guy’s favorite: “He talked about that episode ALL DAY. And the day after that.” And another mother commented: “I really like the lesson in this one - it’s ok to try hard and want to win, and it’s ok if the other team wins as well.”

On the other hand, one blogger reported that her sons’ “…reception of Harry was lukewarm. Initially enthusiastic, they lost interest rather quickly during the DVD’s first play.” But when her younger son saw the second episode, he was hooked. She concluded: “I think the actual learning of dance moves is more appealing than the first episode storyline which is about a dance competition,” and suggested that it might be a good idea to “…re-order the episodes so that the instructional segments air before the competition segment. Just as the character Katie in You Can Dance! is initially nervous about trying hip-hop, perhaps some of the kids feel the same way at the beginning of the DVD.”

Lest parents be a bit shy about their own amateur dance moves, be assured that even “a white girl from the rural Midwest” enjoyed Hip Hop Harry. As she reported, “After watching Hip Hop Harry with my girls, my musical tastes haven’t changed but my appreciation for the moves certainly has.” She added, “…the music makes it almost impossible to just sit and watch, you WANT to get up and move.”

Likewise, the kids loved it too: “[They] were eager to show off their dance moves as well. My three year old informed me after the show was over that she was thirsty and should have a drink of water.”

Looks like both the dance moves and the lessons made a great impression on parents and kids alike!

Check out the upcoming reviews, and if you’d like to win a copy of Hip Hop Harry: Move Those Feet, leave a comment here and tell us about your kids’ dance moves. We’ll draw one winner at random!

Fri 4/4 - This Full House
Mon 4/7 - Lipstick to Crayons
Tues 4/8 - A Gaggle of Girls
Wed 4/9 - Midwestern Mommy
Mon 4/14 - Round-Up Review on PBN