Tot TV Watch

This new show H2O started a few weeks ago on Nickelodeon. The first episode was about them getting mysterious powers that turn them into mermaids whenever they come in contact with water. This, of course, can be quite problematic with water being everywhere. Now they have to deal with trying to be normal when they are not at all normal. Beyond their power of turning into mermaids they also have special control over water. One can control water as a liquid, one can turn it into steam, and the third can freeze the water.

The three main characters of the show are Emma, Cleo, and Rikki. Emma is competitive and before the incident that gave them their powers she was a swimmer. Rikki is a new girl in town, as well as a rebel and a risk taker. Both Emma and Rikki easily come to enjoy their new powers. Cleo on the other hand has trouble with them. First off, she has always had a fear of water. Thus she is hesitant at first to discover the depth of her new powers, but this changes when she finds out turtles are getting caught in nets and she could use her powers to save them.

Overall this is an interesting show that so far has them beginning to use their powers for good almost becoming underwater superheroes. I guess they could be called environmental superheroes, but that is just based on Cleo saving the one turtle in one episode so far. It certainly seems the focus is going to be another show about kids for tweens about kids trying to fit in when they are not normal and keeping the true them a secret (not really sure how this makes it a great show, as should not kids be learning to be themselves, although I guess sometimes there are extremes where you just have to keep things secret).

Johnny and the Sprites is a refreshing change of pace from the usual animated shows that grace my television. It combines live-action, puppetry, and music sure to entertain your preschooler. The full-length show premiered on Playhouse Disney earlier this year after positive viewer reactions to the five-minute shorts airing on the Disney Channel. It was recently renewed for a second season that will begin filming in the Fall of 2007.

The show follows the story of Johnny T (Tartaglia), a musician who has moved to the country to find some peace and quiet and focus on his music. What he didn’t expect to find was a portal to an enchanted world inhabited by little creatures called Sprites right in his backyard. The Sprites - Ginger, Basil, Lily, Root, and Sage - keep Johnny occupied and entertained during the day. Johnny never minds spending time with his new friends and often helps them solve their problems. Sometimes they even help Johnny solve some of his own problems.

Johnny and the Sprites learn a lot from each other during their daily festivities in Grotto’s Grove. Johnny often uses his music to teach the Sprites about things such as patience, manners, friendship, and self-esteem. Each one of the Sprites represents a component of nature such as air, earth, and water, which often leads to discoveries about nature and the environment.

Each episode of Johnny and the Sprites contains two 11-minute stories, as well as original Broadway-style music that is appealing to children and adults alike. It airs on Playhouse Disney Saturdays and Sundays (check local listings for time).

Johnny and the Sprites, Johnny T, Johnny Tartaglia, music, environment, nature, friendship, self-esteem, Playhouse Disney, Disney Channel, puppetry

It’s A Big Big World is an interesting title for a show that focuses on a single tree community. However, when you look a little closer, you see that the tree represents the world on a larger scale. The World Tree is home to a variety of animals including Snook, an energetic tree sloth who helps his friends learn about the world around them; Burdette, a Quetzal bird who is a bit of a know-it-all; Smooch and Winslow, a pair of sibling Marmosets who like to stir things up; Madge, a turtle with a map of the world on her shell; Bob, a Southern Tamandua who loves ants and likes to stir things up; Ick, the crabby catfish who lives in the water hole at the bottom of the tree; Oko, an old Howler Monkey and Tai Chi master; and Wartz, the agreeable Red-Eyed Tree Frog. Each animal has different characteristics and contributes to the tree community in their own way. Amazingly, all of the animals manage to get along and live in harmony, even with their differences.

In the World Tree, the tallest tree in the rain forest, Snook and his friends have many adventures and learn about the world using the methods of scientific investigation. It’s a Big Big World helps kids learn about animals and science through the process of discovery and promotes a better understanding of geography, environment, and community. Each episode also includes original music that features sounds from around the world. The show is produced using the patented Shadowmation, a combination of puppetry and computer generated animation. The result is a high-definition picture with very vivid colors.

After viewing the show, kids can go to the It’s A Big Big World web site to play games and find other activites that build on the ideas presented in the show.

While I will admit that the show moved a little slow for me, it does appear to accomplish its goals of teaching children ages three to six about science and the environment. When you are tired of ABC’s and 123’s, it is definitely a worthy alternative.

It’s A Big Big World can be seen on PBS Kids. Check local listings for times.

It’s A Big Big World, Shadowmation, science, environment, geography, scientific method, animals, World Tree, community, PBS Kids

Originally created by three innovative moms, Wilbur aims to encourage young kids to become more enthusiastic about books and reading. Wilbur, the main character of the show, is a young calf who uses books to find ideas and solve problems. Knowing that books have all the answers, Wilbur guides his friends Dasha the duck, Ray the rooster, and Libby the lamb through various stories to help them find the answers they are searching for. As they read the book, the pictures in the story come to life as they might in your child’s imagination. In one episode, Wilbur’s friend Dasha wants to make a pizza but doesn’t know how. Wilbur finds a storybook about a hungry troll who needs a recipe to make his favorite “Slug Slime Sandwich”. After reading the story, Dasha realizes that she needs a recipe to figure out how to make the perfect pizza.

Unlike other children’s shows focused on literacy, Wilbur demonstrates concepts such as how to read from left to right, turn pages right to left, and how you start at the top of the page and read down. Wilbur also points to the words with his hoof as he reads the story demonstrating the function of print.

The series creates a unique look with a combination of live action, puppetry and “Shadowmation” - a combination of animatronics and CG effects that allow puppets to move around in a 3-dimensional world. Each episode includes two original storybooks and music conveying the message that reading is fun.

So far I’m very impressed with what I have seen of this show. The bright colors, simple stories, and music are sure to keep any toddler’s attention while teaching them some basic concepts that they will carry with them throughout their lives.

Wilbur premieres April 16th at 11:00 a.m. during Discovery Kids “Ready, Set, Learn!” block. It will also begin airing on TLC April 23rd at 7:30 a.m.

Wilbur, Discovery Kids, Ready Set Learn!, TLC, puppets, shadowmation, animatronics, reading, preschool

Easter is coming up this weekend, so what better time is there to talk about two young bunnies?  The two bunnies I’m speaking of are Max and Ruby, a pair of siblings who are constantly at odds with each other.

Max is a 3-year-old bunny who, as most toddlers do, wants to get his way.  Whether it is playing with his trucks or putting bugs in a birthday cake, he wants what he wants when he wants it.  He is always trying to get his big sister Ruby to bend the rules just a little bit and often ends up getting in trouble.

Ruby is Max’s somewhat bossy 7-year-old sister who always seems to be in charge.  She tries to be responsible and keep Max in line, but sometimes it seems she has her own agenda.  Ruby is often frustrated by Max’s childish ways and that tends to result in quite a bit of sibling conflict.

Max and Ruby generally end up compromising and ending things on a good note.  Throughout their conflicts, they still manage to show each other a little bit of love and respect. Sometimes they even seem to enjoy each other’s company.

The draw of this show is that it shows sibling relationships in their truest form.  You could walk into any house containing 3 and 7-year-old siblings and see the same type of interactions.  However, you would also most likely see at least one parent breaking up the arguments, which seems to be missing from this show.  In fact Max and Ruby’s parents never have appeared on any episodes I have seen, although their grandmother is a regular fixture.

Max and Ruby was created by author/illustrator Rosemary Wells and is based on her Max and Ruby books.  It began airing as an animated series in 2002. 

You can see Max and Ruby on both Nick Jr. and Noggin.  Max and Ruby’s Easter Special will air on Nick Jr. Friday, April 6th, at 1:30 p.m. ET/PT. Brand new episodes will be shown the week of April 9-13 on Nick Jr. to jump start the new season.

Max and Ruby, Easter special, Rosemary Wells, siblings, relationships

Up until now I have managed to escape watching LazyTown, but for the sake of the blog I decided to record and actually watch a full episode.  To be perfectly honest, I could have gone my entire life without watching it and not missed much.  I did like the machine Pixel built that could pause, fast forward and rewind life, but Stephanie’s fake looking pink wig and the music (that reminded me of that “Barbie Girl” song) drove me a little batty.  Needless to say it won’t be seen on our TV again anytime in the near future.

LazyTown was created by Magnus Scheving, an aerobics champion and CEO of LazyTown Entertainment.  It has a very unique look which was created by a combination of CGI animation, puppets and live characters. Scheving also stars in the show as the active and health conscience superhero Sportacus.  His character spends his days trying to lead by example and show the residents of LazyTown - known for being lazy - how to live a healthy lifestyle.

Stephanie, who recently moved to LazyTown and lives with her uncle, is an optimistic young girl who has to make daily choices between a healthy alternative and taking the easy way out.  She loves LazyTown, but strives to get her new friends Ziggy, Trixie, Stingy, and Pixel outside to play and keep them more active.  She encourages the others by holding onto her motto, “There’s always a way!”  As an aspiring dancer, Stephanie really appreciates some of the fantastic moves Sportacus performs.

Robbie Rotten, the town villain, is perhaps the laziest of them all.  He spends most of his time snacking and watching TV in his underground lair.  The only time you see him outside is when he has come up with some new idea that he thinks will make his nemesis Sportacus look like a fool.  He just doesn’t understand why all the kids look up to Sportacus instead of himself.

Each day in LazyTown is a brand new adventure.  The adults may be a little lazy, but the kids are learning to give up some of their lazy habits,to Robbie Rotten’s chagrin.  All of the characters add their own splash of personality to the show to create a nice balance.

The one redeeming quality that I see in the show is that it does encourage kids to be active and promotes the idea that all kids do have the will to succeed.  They might just have to search a little to find it.

You can catch new episodes of LazyTown all week long (4/2/07-4/5/07) on Nick Jr. It also airs on Noggin. Check local listings for times.

LazyTown, Magnus Scheving, Sportacus, Stephanie, Robbie Rotten, Nick Jr., Noggin, new episodes

Sometimes I am amazed at just how oblivious I can be. In our house we tend to get stuck on watching certain shows and forget that there is such a wide variety out there. I guess when you have 500 plus channels to flip through it just becomes easier to stick with the ones you know you like. That’s why I was so surprised when a friend mentioned that her son loves to watch TLC in the mornings. I had no idea that they had children’s programming in the mornings. I have to say I’m a little embarrassed about that since I write a blog all about kids’ TV shows.

This morning I decided to flip over to TLC and see what was on. I was pleasantly surprised to catch an episode of Bigfoot Presents: Meteor and the Mighty Monster Trucks. A show about Monster trucks wouldn’t normally be my thing, but I was really impressed with it. The CGI-style animation is bright and colorful and the characters are all unique and very loveable.

Bigfoot Presents: Meteor and the Mighty Monster Trucks is basically a show about friendship and how to treat others. It revolves around Meteor and his group of young, big-wheeled friends who are striving to become monster truck heroes like those before them. In each episode, the young trucks learn about what it takes to be a monster truck and compete to see who can accomplish each obstacle the fastest. Each truck has different strengths and weaknesses and nobody wins all the time. Along the way, the friends teach viewers important lessons about sportsmanship, friendships, and feelings.

In this morning’s episode, “Sue the Rooter Truck,” a stinky, bossy, new Rooter truck named Sue joined Meteor and the group. While the other trucks played together, Sue kept to herself in the corner. Eventually the other trucks reached out to her and found out that she wasn’t really so different. She just didn’t think anybody would like her because of her smell. Once they assured her that they actually liked the smell that made her different, they all got along quite well.

If you haven’t seen Bigfoot Presents: Meteor and the Mighty Monster Trucks, I suggest you give it a try. While it doesn’t teach a foreign language or even ABC’s, it does teach some very important lessons about how to get along with others.

The newest set of Bigfoot Presents: Meteor and the Mighty Monster Trucks episodes is set to premiere April 16-20 on Discovery Kids and TLC.

Bigfoot, Meteor and the Mighty Monster Trucks, Discovery Kids, TLC, monster trucks, relationships, sportsmanship, Sue the Rooter Truck

Handy Manny, voiced by Wilmer Valderrama (Fez!), is a bilingual repairman from the friendly town of Sheetrock Hills. When somebody needs help, they call for Handy Manny and his trusty set of tools. He can fix nearly anything and in the process manages to teach viewers about problem solving and how to get along with others.

Manny’s tools are always anxious to help him out, but their unique personalities sometimes cause conflicts. When that happens, Manny has to use his problem solving skills to settle the conflict and help everyone get along.

Kelly (voiced by Nancy Truman) is a friend of Manny’s. She runs the hardware store where Manny often goes to pick up supplies. She is generally very helpful and helps Manny find just what he needs.

Mr. Lopart (voiced by Tom Kenny), who Manny frequently runs into, owns the candy store next to Manny’s workshop. He has a bit of a know-it-all attitude and often refuses Manny’s help. This tends to get him in trouble more often than not.

Handy Manny is an entertaining show that teaches preschool age kids in a fun way. While it doesn’t shove ABC’s and 123’s at them, it does teach them some great interpersonal relationship skills. Handy Manny can be seen on Playhouse Disney at 9:00 a.m. ET/PT.

Handy Manny, Playhouse Disney, Wilmer Valderrama, Nancy Truman, Tom Kenny

Manny Rivera is just an average pre-teen boy living in Miracle City, but he possesses superpowers that he’s not quite sure what to do with. With a quick spin of his mystical belt buckle, Manny transforms into the mighty El Tigre, but he just can’t decide whether he wants to become a superhero or a supervillain. Sometimes he manages to be good, but other times he really enjoys just being bad. Most of the time he is just interested in finding a new adventure for himself and his best friend Frida. Frida isn’t always a great influence though, as she often leads him down paths he would have otherwise avoided.

Manny’s father Rodolfo, once a superhero himself, is trying to steer Manny in the right direction, but he’s not always successful. Although he is semi-retired and prefers to focus on his family and 9 to 5 job, he still transforms into White Pantera and saves the day when there is a dire emergency.

Manny’s Granpapi, also known as the super villain Puma Loco, loves his grandson dearly and strives to show Manny the ropes of his villainous ways. Though he claims to be retired, he still manages to pull of an occasional heist. He never misses a chance to show Manny just how fun it is to be bad.

Overall, El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera looks like a good show. The struggle between good and evil is always present and it is interesting to see which way El Tigre will turn. Created by husband and wife team Jorge R. Gutierrez and Sandra Equihua, El Tigre is an entertaining Mexican-folk inspired cartoon. While younger viewers may enjoy the animation, it is probably best aimed toward the elementary and/or tween age range.

El Tigre premiered on March 3, 2007. You can catch new episodes on Nickelodeon Saturday mornings at 10:30 a.m./9:30 a.m. Central. The episodes will also re-air throughout the week on Nickelodeon. Check local listings for times.

El Tigre, Manny Rivera, White Pantera, Puma Loco, Nickelodeon, Jorge R. Gutierrez, Sandra Equihua

I flipped on the TV this afternoon, scrolled through the episodes recorded on the TiVo and finally settled on Dora The Explorer. When the show started playing, there was no Dora or Boots on the screen. Instead, we were treated to an episode of Rocket Power, a cartoon I had never seen before. We didn’t watch it for long because for some reason we had recorded the Spanish version and my son looked a little confused, but it was still fun to watch something new.

With my curiosity piqued, I decided to do a little bit of research and find out more about the show. Produced by Klasky Csupo, who also created The Rugrats, Rocket Power debuted on Nickelodeon in August of 1999. It revolves around four middle school aged kids from Southern California who love extreme sports. Otto Rocket, Reggie Rocket, Maurice “Twister” Rodriguez, and Samuel Dullard all have different specialties that mold together to form quite a diverse group.

Three made for TV movies were created based on the Rocket Power characters: Race Across New Zealand, Reggie’s Big (Beach) Break, and Island of Menehune. Both the made for TV movies and the animated show have featured cameos from popular sports figures such as Tony Hawk (Enter the Hawk-trix), Andy MacDonald (…Beach Break), and hockey players Jeremy Roenick, Luc Robitaille, and Martin Brodeur (Power Play).

While I didn’t get a good feel for the dialogue of the show (since the episode was in Spanish and I don’t speak Spanish) it did look entertaining. It seems to be aimed more towards the Elementary/Tween range.

If you’ve seen Rocket Power, leave a comment and let me know what you (and your kids) think of the show.

Rocket Power, Otto Rocket, Reggie Rocket, Maurice “Twister” Rodriguez, and Samuel Dullard, Nickelodeon, Klasky Csupo, Tony Hawk, Andy MacDonald, Jeremy Roenick, Luc Robitaille, Martin Brodeur

If you haven’t heard the phrase “What’s the sitch’?” then you haven’t been watching Disney’s Kim Possible. Kim Possible is a high school student and cheerleader captain by day and a crime fighter by night. Along with her crime fighting partner Ron Stoppable, Kim crosses the globe to rescue people, stop crimes, and battle supervillains. When she’s done with that, she still has to go home and finish her homework.

Kim Possible was canceled by Disney after the third season and 65 episodes, but grassroots efforts from fans of the show resulted in the show being renewed for a fourth season. The fourth season began airing on Disney on February 10, 2007.

Kim Possible, Ron Stoppable, Disney

Based on the popular picture book series by author Lucy Cousins, Maisy is a show about a young mouse who loves to explore the world. During her daily adventures, Maisy Mouse learns all about growing up. Whether on an imaginary adventure or doing everyday things like taking a bath, Maisy and her animal friends are always embarking on new discoveries.

One of the interesting features of the television show is that the characters do not speak. Instead the action is narrated by a male voice. The characters, voiced by The Umbilical Brothers (Shane Dundas and David Collins), do make various babbling noises and may speak single words from time to time.

Maisy helps viewers comprehend story structure and promotes early literacy through appreciation of language. Maisy and her friends model creative problem solving with optimism while encouraging viewers to consider and understand the importance of values such as friendship, honesty and social interaction.

While I haven’t watched a lot of Maisy, what I have seen of the show gives me nothing to complain about. It is simple, upbeat, and actually keeps my son’s attention. Some of the interstitials that have aired on Noggin have cute songs in them that tend to stick in my head all day.

Developed by Nickelodeon, Maisy currently airs twice a day on Noggin.

Maisy, Lucy Cousins, mouse, Nickelodeon, Noggin, Umbilical Brothers, Shane Dundas, David Collins, The Upside Down Show

A couple of days ago I walked into the living room just in time to hear my son yell out “Oobi!” along with the TV. Since it isn’t one of the shows he normally watches it caught me a little off guard.

So what exactly is Oobi? Oobi is a show on Noggin based on bare-hand puppets (with eyes and accessories). “Oobi” is a curious four-year-old who explores the world around him with the help of his little sister Uma, his best friend Kako, and his grandfather, Grampu.

Oobi introduces simple concepts that occur in a child’s every day life. The show explores the wonder and amazement that most children experience when they discover something new. As Oobi and his friends play, they help preschoolers build vocabulary, concepts and skills from mathematics, early literacy and logical thinking. During the breaks between each episode, the characters have interactions with real toddlers based on the theme of the show.

As with most shows there are both good and bad aspects of the show. My one big gripe about the show is the speech that is used throughout it. All of the characters on the show, including Grampu, speak in simple phrases-often leaving words out-rather than using full sentences. While it does keep things simple for the preschool aged viewers that it is aimed at, it does not model proper speech patterns. Parents of autistic children, however, find the show refreshing as they find it easier to communicate with their children in simple sentences like those used on the show.

While I don’t keep it in frequent rotation, I do allow my son to watch it occasionally because he really does seem to enjoy it. I, on the other hand, have to find some other kind of distraction while it is on.

Oobi, Noggin, preschooler, speech, autism, Uma, Kako, Grampu

Who are The Hoobs? They are the latest Jim Henson creation to make their way to US television. Aimed at 3-5 year olds, the show follows The Hoobs as they spend their days seeking answers to simple questions about the world they live in. Tula, Groove, Iver, and Roma hail from far away Hoobland. The four colorful puppets travel the world in their Hoobmobile to learn as much as they can about life on Earth. They report their findings back to Hubba Hubba Hoob, who then records it in the large Hoobopedia.

The show appears to be fairly educational. It helps children learn the process of asking a question, looking for clues to the answer, following the presented information and eventually coming to a final conclusion. It also includes a nice variety of singing and dancing which helps to keep the child’s interest.

The one factor that I personally find a little annoying is their use of the Hoob language. Some of the common words that you will hear throughout the show are: tiddlypeeps (kids), Hooby groovy, Hooble-toodle-do, and Hoobalicious.

The series was first aired in the UK in 2000 and premiered in the US, on PBS’s Sprout, on December 25, 2006.

The Hoobs, Jim Henson, PBS, Sprout

If you haven’t heard of SpongeBob Squarepants then I would guess that you’ve been living under a rock for the last few years or perhaps, under the sea. At first I just didn’t get it. Why is this yellow sponge character so popular? I still have no idea. What I do know, is that he has the ability to entertain all of the boys in my life-including my toddler, my nephews (2 and 7), and even my husband. I can’t speak much for the girls since there aren’t too many around here but my guess is they probably love him too.

It certainly isn’t the most educational show on tv, but SpongeBob and his ocean-dwelling friends do manage to get into quite a bit of mischief and, well, it’s funny. Let’s face it. We all need a little mindless entertainment sometimes, right? If you don’t believe me, just give the clip below a chance.

SpongeBob Squarepants, Nickelodeon