CHILDREN'S WILDLIFE VIDEOS SET TO ROAR

CAROL ANGRISANI

CULVER CITY, Calif. -- It felt like Christmas inside the Russian Tea Room in New York early this month, when Columbia TriStar Home Video here co-hosted a "holiday" luncheon to promote children's titles it is distributing for National Geographic Video. As Christmas songs played, representatives from both companies discussed "GeoKids," a series geared to children ages two to six, and "Really Wild Animals," aimed at ages four to 10.

"GeoKids" features three life-like animal characters: Bobby Bushbaby, Sunny Honeypossum and Balzac de Chameleon, along with songs, cinematography and animation. "Really Wild Animals" incorporates music videos with animal facts and cinematography. Andrew Carl Wilk, vice president of programming at National Geographic Television, Washington, said the videos make enjoyable, educational holiday gifts.

Also available from National Geographic is a predator series, and "The Great Indian Railway," which is part of National Geographic's Science and Nostalgia series. It will be available Aug. 15 for $19.95.

Three other titles also will be released Aug. 15: "Secrets of the Wild Panda," "Jane Goodall: My Life with the Chimps," and "Antarctic Wildlife Adventure." Each will be sold at a suggested retail of $19.95.