Created as an animated TV series and shown on PBS, it is now available on 4 DVDs with 13 episodes and a CD-ROM with printable lesson plans, activities, and sheet music. There is also an audio-only CD available for the same age group which represents Mozart for children. Little Amadeus narrates some stories, which are interwoven with the music. This recording also features a 12-page color booklet containing character descriptions and an instrument guide.

I viewed episodes one to three and found them charming, funny and recommend them highly as a full series to parents and grandparents as a gift for the youngsters they love at any time of year. What a great way to learn about music. While I am not the biggest fan of Mozart, this is such a lively cartoon of one of the great composers of western music that even I was pulled in. The creators of this series must be congratulated for this high-quality series that does not take itself too serious. As I said, it introduces learning subtly (sneakily) to children with humor, even naughtiness now and then. After all, the Great Mozart was known for being mischievous as a child and did things his father did not always look upon with approval.

Here are some of the names of the characters aside from eight-year-old Amadeus: Archbishop Schrattenbach, the boy's parents Leopold and Anna Maria Mozart, older sister Maria Anna Mozart, and the boy's best friend, Kajetan Hagenauer. There is also the crafty, yet lovable rat, Monti, and the envious characters such as the archbishop's private secretary, Lorenzo Devillius and his nephew Lorenzo, whose musical ambitions exceed his abilities. No wonder he cared little for Amadeus.

There is just one thing that needs to be said. To get the true value from these DVDs it is recommended that youngsters are not just plunked in front of the TV set, but that an adult is present to help to explain where needed. Fun is one thing, but understanding what is happening and why is another.