Show Your Children All Kinds Of Role Models (NAPSA)—While most parents acknowledge that children need role models to help teach them the right thing to do, many may be surprised at where such inspiration can be found. For example: Family. No one has more influence over your youngsters than you do, which is one reason “do as I say, not as I do” is a bad idea. Show your children you are honest, thoughtful and intellectually curious—traits you hope for them to have. If you can’t quite live up to those all the time (sometimes you haveto tell the neighbors they look nice even when they don’t, for instance), explain that to your kids, too. The samegoesfor siblings and extended-family members. Friends. Because peer pres- sure can be a problem, many parents make sure they know their children’s friends and those friends’ families. The media. Pay attention when your youngsters watch TV or listen to music. If you don’t think something is appropriate, say so and tell them why. Encourage them to watch uplifting shows such as one popular and heartwarming animated adventure with a role model who also happensto be adorable. The charming DVD, “Every- one’s Hero,” was the dream project of the late actor, director and role model to many, Christopher Reeve. It tells of 10-year-old baseball fanatic Yankee Irving (voiced by newcomer Jake T. Austin), who is always the last one picked for sandlot baseball games. When Babe Ruth’s prized bat is stolen during the 1932 World Series, Children can learn what a hero really is from family, friends and the movies. however, it’s Yankee who steps up to the plate to help retrieve it for his idol. He embarks on a crosscountry journey that teaches the importance of perseverance and the true meaningoffriendship. Simply put, it’s a funny and inspirational tale of a young boy whobelieves he can make a difference if he just hangs in there despite overwhelmingodds. “Everyone’s Hero” features such Hollywood all-star sluggers as Whoopi Goldberg, William H. Macy, Rob Reiner, Raven-Symone, Forest Whitaker, Robert Wagner, Brian Dennehy and Mandy Patinkin. The Fox Home Entertainment DVDalso has a “Making Of” featurette, “Remembering Chris,” along with writer and director commentary. The animated feature has been honored with the Dove Foundation Seal of Approval and praised by critics as “sweet” (USA Today), “uplifting” (Star magazine) and “extraordinary” (New York Press).
