Now Available on DVD -- Chuggington: Traintastic Adventures (Review, Giveaway and Sweepstakes)

‘Chuggington’ fans ClimB aboard for an exciting new journey With

“Traintastic adventures”

 

Full steam ahead!  Preschoolers from coast-to-coast will “honk their horns” for “Traintastic Adventures,” the newest addition to the award-winning hit “Chuggington^™” DVD series from Anchor Bay Entertainment, when it pulls into retail on August 14, 2012.  The brand-new collection of fun-filled episodes with relatable themes and positive messages will entertain young trainees as it helps them learn to ride the rails of life.

A colorful and contemporary CGI-animated TV series from Ludorum that reinforces early social readiness skills, “Chuggington” airs daily on Disney Junior, Disney Channel’s programming block for kids ages 2-7 and their families, and on the new 24-hour Disney Junior basic cable and satellite channel.

“‘Traintastic Adventures’ is action-packed with thrilling quests and important life lessons for preschoolers,” said Erin Carter, Executive Director of Brand Marketing, Anchor Bay Entertainment.  “We’re pleased to add this newest title to our library of popular ‘Chuggington’ DVDs – and to give fans of the series even more to love.”

“Traintastic Adventures” features six engaging episodes – plus a bonus Badge Quest short – filled with upbeat stories and fortified with positive messages designed to keep preschoolers on the right track as they learn and grow.  In “The Brewster Booster,” Brewster tests out the Booster, a new invention from Dr. Ling that can help make Chuggers go faster than ever.  But with his new super-speedy ability comes an important lesson in responsibility too….  And, in “Koko’s New Look,” Koko sees the pretty design that Lori painted on Zephie’s face and she wants one too!  When the two friends find themselves competing for the biggest and best design, things get out of hand and their “new look” includes spiders and a moustache!  Koko and Zephie soon learn they don’t need a new look after all – they’re both beautiful just as they are!    

Additional episodes on the new release include: “Lights, Camera, Action Chugger,” which follows Action Chugger as he comes to town to film a movie; “Wilson And The Steam Team,” where Speedy and Harrison each lead a team in a “chug of war” competition to decide who will collect rolling rock from the mine; “Stunt Brewster,” in which Brewster and Koko accompany Action Chugger to a film shoot to learn stunts and “Hodge and the Chugnav,” in which Hodge takes matters into his own “hands” and tries to fix the track lift.  Inside the DVD, young fans will find an exciting surprise: four collectible trading cards featuring their favorite Chuggers!  With a series of 22 different trading cards, preschoolers will be honking their horns for all the “Chuggington” characters.

“Chuggington” has quickly become a global sensation since its debut in September 2008 in the U.K.  The show has been licensed to more than 175 territories worldwide and has established ratings records in several key international markets, including the U.K., Germany, France and Australia.  The series made its stateside debut in January 2010.  In September, Disney Junior acquired all U.S. television rights to the property for Season Three.  Disney Channel is currently available on basic cable in more than 99 million U.S. homes.

---WIN A TRIP FOR 4 TO COLORADO SPRINGS ---

To celebrate the release of “Traintastic Adventures,” “Chuggington” fans nationwide will have the opportunity to enter a Traintastic Adventure sweepstakes.  One grand prize winner will receive a Delta Vacations trip to Colorado, including roundtrip airfare for four, car rental and hotel accommodations at a participating Delta Vacations hotel.  In addition, the grand prize winner and their family can visit the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, featuring more than 360 acres of trains, history and fun, or ride the rails on one of the most treasured scenic railroads in the U.S. through the Royal Gorge. Starting in August, fans can enter at www.chuggington.com/adventures

, where they also can participate for a chance to win weekly prizes.  More information about the promotion can be found inside each “Traintastic Adventures” DVD.  (No purchase necessary to enter.)

My Thoughts:

Savannah has been watching the Chuggington series on television and DVDs for over a year now, and get enough of these trains in training.  So, when I surprised her this past weekend with the recent release, Traintastic Adventures, you know we had to spend part of the weekend and this AM watching the 6 episodes that made up this DVD. In addition to the fun-filled DVD, Savannah also received 4 Chuggington Collector Trading Cards, which was included inside the DVD case.  She treated these trading cards like she does her stickers, like they were her prized possession. :-)   Wherever she went, both indoors and out, she took her 4 Chuggington cards with her.  And, whomever she saw, she couldn't help but show off her trading cards.  I enjoyed watching her get excited about these trading cards, as I remember I used to collect these types of cards for some of my favorite childhood shows and music bands.  My mom told me she stumbled across my NKOTB and Garbage Pail Kids cards a few days ago while cleaning out the basement.  :-)

Getting back to the DVD itself, like others I have reviewed, Savannah couldn't get enough of the episodes.  Each episode did a great job in introducing your child to valuable social skills, while teaching the importance of teamwork.  As the Chuggers embark on adventure, a problem arises that they have to work together to overcome.  They also have to accept responsibility for their actions, and in doing so, become better Chuggers.  Fans of the show will love these 6 jam-packed episodes, as well as the bonus features which include a bonus badge quest episode, coloring and activity sheets that can be printed out and shared with your children, and a Chugger Spotlight.  It was hard to say which episode Savannah enjoyed more.  But, I know that she is a huge Brewster fan, and went crazy for The Brewster Booster episode, as well as the catchy theme song.

In addition to adding this new Chuggington DVDs to our family's collection, we'll have to keep our eye out for more Chuggington collector trading cards for Savannah.  So, if you have Chuggington fans in your house, this new release with special bonus is not to be missed.  Also inside the DVD package is information on a sweepstakes where you can win a trip for 4 to Colorado Springs.

--BUY NOW--

You can pick up a copy of this new release and other Chuggington titles at Amazon.com, as well as at local retailers.

--GIVEAWAY--

One lucky reader will win a copy of Chuggington: Traintastic Adventures on DVD, in addition to an extra set of trading cards AND a very special Chuggington map (not included in the DVD)! thanks to the folks at Anchor Bay Entertainment. To enter, please complete the entries on the Rafflecopter form below.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About “Chuggington^™”

“Chuggington” is a CGI-animated series as well as a fully-immersive interactive website.  The series follows the adventures of Wilson, Brewster and Koko, trainee engines, each with their own unique personality and learning style.  The series is set in a world much like our own with cities, villages and diverse cultures and geography.  Entertainment and enjoyment are at the heart of “Chuggington,” but embedded within each story are important educational and developmental messages centered on learning and social-emotional development.  The property was conceived to seamlessly integrate television, books and interactive.  Further information is available at www.chuggington.com.

About Anchor Bay Entertainment

Anchor Bay Entertainment is the home entertainment division of Starz Media, LLC. It includes the Anchor Bay Films and Manga Entertainment brands. It distributes feature films, children’s entertainment, fitness, TV series, documentaries, anime and other filmed entertainment on DVD and Blu-ray^™ formats. Headquartered in Beverly Hills, CA, Anchor Bay Entertainment has offices in Troy, MI, as well as Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. Starz Media (www.starzmedia.com) is an operating unit of Starz, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation.

Disclosure:  I was sent a copy from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.