Alternative Holiday Stocking Stuffers

If kidvids or children’s audiocassettes are on your holiday shopping list, what else is there besides Disney’s wondrous “Beauty and the Beast,” the environmentally correct “FernGully” or the lush soundtrack to “Aladdin”?

Plenty. A sampling:

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, Golden Book Video, $10. Songs by Charles Strouse highlight this charming animated mini-musical version of Judith Viorst’s knowledgeable tour through the tribulations of childhood, from a lost yo-yo to a trip to the dentist to disaster at Dad’s office.

Carnival of the Animals, BFI/Bogner Entertainment Inc., $15; (818) 784-3781. A puppet version, with orchestral accompaniment, of Saint-Saens’ classic musical whimsy. In this “Carnival,” presented by puppeteer Jim Gamble with disarming simplicity, the composer is a little boy writing the piece in his room. In his imagination, a cat turns into a lion, a dog into an elephant and a tea set into a floating turtle. For ages 3 and up.

The Cat Came Back, The Dingles, The Box, The Christmas Cracker, Smarty Pants Video, $15; (216) 221-5300. These four rib-tickling packages of cartoons from the National Film Board of Canada make prime family viewing. In “The Cat Came Back,” based on the classic folk song, Mr. Johnson goes to extremes to avoid an obnoxious feline. In “The Dingles,” sweet, eccentric Doris Dingle must somehow rescue her beloved cat family from a fierce storm. “The Box,” created by Oscar winner Co Hoedeman, is a remarkably touching short about growing up, and “Christmas Cracker” shows the lengths to which a tree-trimmer will go to find the perfect tree-topper. But that’s not all: Each video is a compilation of several international award-winning cartoons, illustrated in a variety of styles.

Christmas Stories, Children’s Circle/Wood Knapp Video, $15; (800) KIDS-VID. Please do open before Christmas to enjoy this seasonal treat: “Morris’ Disappearing Bag” and “Max’s Christmas” by Rosemary Wells, Tomie de Paola’s touching “The Clown of God” and a joyful “Little Drummer Boy,” illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats, with vocals by the St. Paul Choir School.

Ezra Jack Keats Library, Children’s Circle, $15; (800) KIDS-VID. In his paint-and-collage artwork, vividly illuminated or shadowed and soft, and in the clarity of his narratives, Ezra Jack Keats made a child’s-eye view of an urban world come alive in situations as simple as a snowy day or as portentous as the arrival of a baby sister. Here are animated and iconographic versions of six Keats stories and a poignant interview with the author, who tells of finding inspiration in New York streets.

Huxley Pig, BFS Video, $15; (800) 268-3891. Rodney Peppe’s enchanting creations come to life through model animation in this series of stories about a daydreaming pig and his eccentric friends, who include Vile Vincent the vampire pig and a sandwich-loving sea monster. The miniature sets and whimsy of the tales are irresistible.

Madeline and the Gypsies, Golden Book Video, $13. Christopher Plummer narrates another sweet musical Madeline story based on Ludwig Bemelman’s French schoolgirl, who lives in Paris with 11 other girls and has all sorts of adventures. This time, fun ensues and heartstrings are tugged when Madeline and her friend Pepito are befriended by circus folk.

The Night Before Christmas, Rabbit Ears/Uni Distribution Corp., $10. Another one to open before Christmas--it’s loaded with holiday treasures, from Tom Christopher’s luminous paintings and George Winston’s piano accompaniment in “Carol of the Bells” to Meryl Streep’s narration of the title selection.

Original Tales & Tunes, Video Treasures, $15; K mart and other retail outlets. A puppet host introduces a lively potpourri of music and live-action stories for ages 2 and up. Highlights include mellow-voiced Chic Street Man singing “Listen to Your Feelings” and “Eddie Cinders,” a zany Cinderella story about a would-be basketball player and his two selfish brothers.

The Snow Queen, Lightyear Entertainment, $13; (800) 229-7867. Narrated by Sigourney Weaver, with expressive music by Jason Miles, this lovely version of the Hans Christian Andersen classic was animated in Russia, marking an unusual collaboration between American and Russian artists.

Stories From the Black Tradition, Children’s Circle, $15; (800) KIDS-VID. A variety of artistic styles, from vivid abstract designs to soft, shaded renderings of real people, illustrate five beguiling stories, including John Steptoe’s “Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters” with its Cinderella overtones, and Verna Aardema’s retelling of a humorous African tale, “Why Mosquitos Buzz in People’s Ears,” narrated by James Earl Jones.

Wee Sing in the Marvelous Musical Mansion, Price Stern Sloan, $20; (800) 421-0892. Excess sugariness is a frequent fault in the lavishly produced Wee Sing series, and that’s the case here. However, this new live-action, sing-along adventure about some kids who turn detective in a house full of talking coat racks and living music boxes is just about guaranteed to go on a preschooler’s most-requested-viewing list.

Who Made This Mess?, A&M; Records, $15. (800) 541-9904. He’s got a great band, a sly sense of humor and he enthralls both adults and children with his storytelling skills: Bill Harley does it all on this appealing video. Among the tasty offerings are a “whine-along,” “You’re in Trouble,” and a spun-out tale about two kids, new sneakers and gross swamp monsters.