Joyful, Affirming ‘Stories’ for Children

“Amazing Grace and Other Stories,” a new video release from Children’s Circle, is a delight. “Amazing Grace” is Mary Hoffman’s book about a remarkable little girl who wins the title role in her class production of “Peter Pan,” despite classmates’ warnings that she doesn’t have a chance because she’s a girl and she’s black.

The joyful, affirming tale, narrated by Alfre Woodard, is complemented by the vibrant life in Caroline Binch’s illustrations.

Next is “Flossie & the Fox,” a comic tale about a clever little girl who gets the best of a sly fox. Featuring illustrator Rachel Isadora’s beautiful, sun-drenched art, the buoyant story is lovingly told by noted storyteller Patricia McKissack in the evocative language of the rural South.

The last offering, “Who’s in Rabbit’s House,” with its striking, stylized animation, is a Masai folk tale retold by Verna Aardema, about a rabbit whose well-meaning friends try to rid her house of an unwelcome visitor.

Narrated by James Earl Jones and filled with traditional African music and dance, it is presented as if it were a play performed by Masai actors in animal masks.

* Children’s Circle, 35 minutes, $14.95. (800) KIDS-VID.