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Another in Warner Home Video’s inspired Peanuts re-release series, this special, which originally aired in 2006, carries an important (albeit done gently) message – especially in the current climate.  In He’s A Bully, Charlie Brown, Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang learn the valuable lesson that sometimes you have to stand up for yourself and those you care about when someone takes advantage of you.  It’s a very good and wise first step towards educating a child about the very real dangers of bullying.  This release is also tied in with National Bullying Awareness Month, which is October.

The story follows most of the Peanuts gang to summer camp, where Rerun Van Pelt (Linus and Lucy’s little brother) meets an antagonistic boy named Joe Agate.  Rerun has become determined to learn how to play marbles after finding his grandfather’s prize collection and winds up losing them when Joe Agate pretends to teach Rerun but in reality, plays him and takes them in an unfair first match.

Charlie Brown, who is history’s loveable loser, becomes angry at this and steps up to the plate by deciding to learn how to play marbles and win back Rerun’s collection from Joe.  While there is a great deal of warmth and humor, the lesson is not lost and is quite salient.  At a time when far more severe forms of bullying take place, seeing small children learn how to deal with an unpleasant adversary.  The DVD also includes the special “It Was A Short Summer, Charlie Brown” and an episode of “The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show”, which makes this all the more worth adding to your child’s (and your) collection.

RECOMMENDED (for all ages)

He’s A Bully, Charlie Brown is available now

http://peanuts.wikia.com/wiki/He’s_a_Bully,_Charlie_Brown

 

About the Author

Rob Ross

Rob Ross has been, for good, bad or indifferent, involved in the music industry for over 30 years - first as guitarist/singer/songwriter with The Punch Line, then as freelance journalist, producer and manager to working for independent and major record labels. He resides in Staten Island, New York with his wife and cats; he works out a lot, reads voraciously, loves Big Star and his orange Gretsch. Doesn't that make him neat?

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