TVOntario is trying its hand at DVD retailing with help from distributor Mongrel Media. The Ontario educaster said Thursday that a new partnership with Mongrel has put its Get Ready For School DVD on the shelves of Canadian retailers including Chapters Indigo, Walmart and HMV.

The disc is a repackaging of a 6 x 12 series of shorts that debuted on TVO last fall, preparing young children for their first day of school. (‘How do I make a friend? What if I get hungry, or have to use the bathroom?’) The series also streams on the tvokids.com site, and features characters from its in-house show Gisele’s Big Backyard.

The move marks TVO’s first foray into commercial DVD sales, and follows its recent efforts to embrace digital media.

‘This is an exciting test for TVO on several fronts,’ said CEO Lisa de Wilde in a statement. ‘It not only allows us to pilot a retail distribution vehicle, it opens up access to another new revenue stream. ‘

The DVD retails for about $10. It is also available at Best Buy/Future Shop, Loblaw Superstores and Toys ‘R’ Us.