Doctor in the House

After tackling the potty, Bear takes on another childhood fear: the doctor. In two episodes, Bear uses his tender touch and unflappable upbeat attitude to calm his friends when Dr. Hog visits in "A Big Blue House Call." Ojo is especially queasy about the visit, fearing the Mt. Everest of doctor visits--the dreaded shot. Through song and talking about the facts, Bear lets everyone know a checkup is full of good things for you and a shot, if necessary, only hurts for a moment. In "That Healing Feeling," Bear takes Tutter to Dr. Hog's to examine the mouse's crushed tail. Learning how the doctor's tools work, including the x-ray, calms Tutter. Whether your pre-kindergartner will be at ease at the doctor's after watching this video is unknown, but "Bear" fills a void in giving younger children calming information to counter the usual cartoon doctor high jinks. (Ages 3 to 7) --Doug Thomas