A Bag of Audiovisual Treats for the Holidays

Audio

Not a Traditional Christmas. Alacazam! Records. CD: $11.98. Cassette: $9.98. (800) 541-9904. Jessica Harper’s big, pure vocals are a sheer pleasure and so is her untraditional pop, jazz and reggae approach to such traditional songs as “Children Go Where I Send Thee,” “It’s Almost Day” and “Mary Had a Baby.”

Mooey Christmas. Good Moo’s Productions. CD: $14. Cassette: $10. (800) 223-6357; (800) 541-9904. Terrific jazzy renditions of traditional and original holiday songs are served up by full-throated singer and accomplished musician Anna Moo. Notable jazz pianist Frank Sullivan’s lovely, samba-style “One World” is a memorable highlight.

A Jazz-a-Bye Christmas. proDUCKtunes. CD: $12. Cassette: $9. (800) 816-6706. These mellow, grown-up but kid-friendly jazz instrumental arrangements of “Jingle Bells,” “Jolly Old St. Nicholas,” “Away in a Manger” and other seasonal songs are perfect for quiet family times.

A Child’s Celebration of Christmas. Music for Little People. CD: $15.98. Cassette; $9.98. (800) 346-4445. An irresistible, eclectic mix of holiday songs from the ‘30s to the ‘90s sung by Stevie Wonder, Spike Jones, Pete Seeger, the Beach Boys, Chuck Berry, the Jackson 5, Run DMC, the Roches, Tish Hinajosa, Gene Autry, Art Mooney and the Singing Dogs.

Video

Mumfie’s White Christmas. BMG Video, 25 minutes. $9.98. From Britt Alcroft’s animated “Magic Adventures of Mumfie” series, an especially appealing, jaunty holiday musical starring the delightful little elephant Mumfie and his unusual pals, from a tiny flying pig to a whale ocean liner.

Richard Scarry’s Best Christmas Surprise Ever. PolyGram Video. 25 minutes. $9.95. Huckle Cat, Lowly Worm, Hilda Hippo and all the Busytown residents celebrate the holidays in three tales, notable for their simplicity and charm.

Babes in Toyland. MGM Home Entertainment, 1 hour, 14 minutes. $19.98. A colorful, imaginative animated version of the classic musical children’s tale about Jack and Jill, Bo Beep and all the Mother Goose characters. It features the voices of Christopher Plummer as wicked Barnaby and Charles Nelson Reilly as a comical Humpty Dumpty.

Toy Trains & Christmas and Toy Trains & Christmas 2. 55 minutes. $19.95 each. (800) 892-2822. New this year, two holiday releases from the “I Love Toy Trains” series. Footage of toy trains, visits with Lionel and American Flyer collectors and layout tips give this a more adult slant than other videos in the series.