Much More Than Disney Among Kid-Video Offerings

While a few teen-oriented titles ("Clueless," "Dangerous Minds") are making significant inroads on the current list of bestselling videotapes, kid-vid still dominates the sell-through market.

Along with all the bargain-priced Disney tapes that usually take top positions on Billboard's weekly lists, there's quite a collection of less ubiquitous videocassettes aimed at children. If you've already picked up your copy of "Tom and Huck" or Disney's latest straight-to-video "Aladdin" sequel, try one of these on for size:

"Cartoon Festival" (Warner Home Video, $13). These 40-minute collections of animated shorts from the National Film Board of Canada include many deserving prize winners. The first two tapes are "The Cat Came Back," which includes the Oscar-nominated cartoon of the title, and "Cactus Swing," which features the Academy Award-winning "The Sand Castle" as well as another Oscar nominee, "The Tender Tale of Cinderella Penguin."

"Really Wild Animals" (Columbia TriStar Home Video, $15 apiece). Scheduled to be released later this month, this series includes "Dinosaurs and Other Creature Features," "Monkey Business and Other Family Fun" and "Polar Prowl." Dudley Moore provides the voice of "Spin," who leads the audience on a jazzy, music-video-style wildlife tour.

"I Want to Be a Ballerina" (Clayton Productions, $15). At a beginner ballet class for 4-year-olds, the basic five positions are taught. The 30-minute tape also includes "Nutcracker" excerpts that are intercut with rehearsals that precede the production. Information: (800) 700-8622.

"Household Marching Band" (Blackboard Entertainment, $13). A half-hour tape in which children learn how to transform ordinary kitchen gadgets into musical instruments. Also part of this collection, "The You Can Video Series for Children," are a couple of cooking tapes: "Bake My Day" and "License to Cook." Information: (800) 908-2261.

"Dr. Seuss Sing-Along Classics" (CBS Video, $10 apiece). New to the video market this summer are three titles: "Grinch Night," "The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat" and "Pontoffel Pock and His Magic Piano," all of them now featuring lyrics displayed on the screen.

"Sing 'n' Sign For Fun" (New Music Video, $15). Designed to help bridge the communications gap between the hearing and the hearing-impaired, Gaia Tossing's 42-minute tape uses seven original songs to teach American Sign Language (ASL). Information: (800) 648-0755, extension 7.

"Bob McAllister's Amazing Magic" (Warner Home Video, $13). This hour-long program is hosted by the "Kids Are People Too" creator, who started his career as a magician.

"The Wind in the Willows Collection" (BMG Video, $15 apiece). A pair of 52-minute tapes, "The Adventures of Mole" and "The Adventures of Toad."

"Fire Safety For Kids" (Children's Video Development, $20). This prize-winning tape uses half a dozen songs to teach children life-saving lessons on how to call for help and the importance of planning an escape route. Information: (800) 222-3998.

Video Watch by John Hartl appears Thursdays in Scene. For more information call the Video Hotline on InfoLine, a telephone information service of The Seattle Times. Call 464-2000 from a touch-tone phone and enter category 7369. It's a free local call.