Kids Archives - Plugged In https://www.pluggedin.com/blog/tv-genre/kids/ Shining a Light on the World of Popular Entertainment Tue, 04 Mar 2025 23:45:17 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://www.pluggedin.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/plugged-in-menu-icon-updated-96x96.png Kids Archives - Plugged In https://www.pluggedin.com/blog/tv-genre/kids/ 32 32 Hot Wheels Let’s Race https://www.pluggedin.com/tv-reviews/hot-wheels-lets-race/ Tue, 04 Mar 2025 23:45:16 +0000 https://www.pluggedin.com/?post_type=tv-reviews&p=31247 Hot Wheels Let’s Race emphasizes teamwork, kindness and mind-blowing races for the little thrill seekers in your family.

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Maximum speed. Insane stunts. Full-throttle contests.

This is what you must prepare yourself for when you’re selected to train under Dash Wheeler, the ultimate racing champ.

But training with the Dash Wheeler to become a real life Hot Wheels Racer isn’t something that just anybody can do. You must be selected.

The team this year at the exclusive Hot Wheels camp—composed of the lucky few who have been selected—consists of cooperative Coop; easy-going Mac; brainstorming Spark; clever Brights and competitive Axle (along with his right-hand man, Sidecar).

Members of this bright, competitive, talented bunch must race one another, build high-quality tracks and solve plenty of problems. Last season, it was all about the glory of receiving the most Flame Badges and becoming Camp Champ—which Coop won. But this time, the scores have been reset, the stakes have been raised and it’s anyone’s race. But all of them—win or lose—will go home with important skills, lessons and new friends.

And that includes new racer Cruise. She’s the daughter of the antagonistic (but ultimately silly) Professor Rearview, who has tried and failed multiple times to wreck Hot Wheels City with his ridiculous inventions. Cruise and her dad are determined to beat the young racers and destroy Hot Wheels City forever. But as Coop and Co. learn about teamwork and friendship, they also learn what it means to be a good sport—and that means offering young Cruise kindness instead of taunting.

Yes, winning is important here. But the only real motto here is to never give up.

Racing in Real Life

If you were into Hot Wheels growing up (or if you’re still into them), you’re going to smile at Netflix’s latest original series, Hot Wheels Let’s Race.

This TV-Y animated series, co-produced by Mattel, is aimed at preschool and early elementary-aged kiddos who really love building Hot Wheels tracks and racing cars around for hours.

There are, quite appropriately, bright colors, twisty, mind-bending tracks that appear out of thin air, flame-admitting boosters and allllll of the Hot Wheels vehicles that you can possibly imagine.

With each 20-ish minute episode, the racers get to choose a new car with which to race and then they’re off, learning how to work together, solve problems and truly understand that perseverance and friendship are more important than winning. (Although winning is always fun too.)

This show has a few snarky attitudes and the occasional joke that borders on potty humor. But overall, it’s filled with lessons on cooperation, kindness and integrity—along with pulse-pounding music and enough stunts to satisfy the little thrill seekers in your home.

(Editor’s Note: Plugged In is rarely able to watch every episode of a given series for review. As such, there’s always a chance that you might see a problem that we didn’t. If you notice content that you feel should be included in our review, send us an email at letters@pluggedin.com, or contact us via Facebook or Instagram, and be sure to let us know the episode number, title and season so that we can check it out.)

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Dead Sea Squirrels https://www.pluggedin.com/tv-reviews/dead-sea-squirrels/ Fri, 14 Feb 2025 13:00:00 +0000 https://www.pluggedin.com/?post_type=tv-reviews&p=33984 Some 2,000-year-old squirrels offer some great lessons about both the Bible and life in this clever new Minno series.

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When Dr. Gomez went to Israel to participate in an archaeological dig, he probably had some pretty good predictions of what he would uncover: old coins, pottery, maybe some armor. What he didn’t expect to find was two perfectly preserved squirrels.

Well, technically Dr. Gomez’s son, Michael, found the squirrels. But considering squirrels weren’t native to the archaic Middle East, it’s still a rather impressive discovery. But then the squirrels reanimate, revealing that not only are they not dead, but they can speak English, too.

Merle and Pearl, the squirrels, explain that they were vacationing in the Roman province of Judea about two millennia ago when they made the mistake of swimming in the Dead Sea. The saline waters dehydrated the rodents, freezing them in time until Michael found them.

Merle and Pearl take on the task of mentoring young Michael and his friends, sharing stories from their adventures in Judea—stories about Jesus, the Apostle Paul and other disciples.

Unfortunately, Michael and his family aren’t the only ones who know about Merle and Pearl. A mysterious man in sunglasses is doing everything he can to kidnap the nut-hoarding mammals. And the Gomez family will do whatever it takes to make sure that doesn’t happen.

Let’s Crack This Acorn Open

Based on the book series by Mike Nawrocki, Dead Sea Squirrels is the latest offering from the kid-focused, Christian streaming service Minno. Each episode features a character (usually Michael or Merle) getting into some sort of trouble or hardship because of his or her bad choices. But then they’re reminded of stories from the Bible (usually narrated by Pearl) to help them find the right way to proceed.

It’s sort of like VeggieTales, which makes sense since Nawrocki co-created that series, too. But the series’ mysterious B-plot helps engage kids more, since they’ll no doubt want to return regularly to find out what’s happening to Merle and Pearl.

Dead Sea Squirrels comes with the occasional moment of peril. There are some odd inclusions that older audiences will catch (a girl wearing a hijab attends Michael’s school, for instance). The Gomez family’s cat (and a few other creatures) repeatedly tries to eat Merle and Pearl. And Michael and his friends sometimes push boundaries more than they should.

However, bad behaviors are always corrected—used to teach viewers a lesson, not encourage mischief. Parents can count on nice, subtle messages about the importance of family, friends and good manners. And catchy songs tell Bible stories and reinforce Christian values, which is something many a parent can celebrate.

(Editor’s Note: Plugged In is rarely able to watch every episode of a given series for review. As such, there’s always a chance that you might see a problem that we didn’t. If you notice content that you feel should be included in our review, send us an email at letters@pluggedin.com, or contact us via Facebook or Instagram, and be sure to let us know the episode number, title and season so that we can check it out.)

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Goldie https://www.pluggedin.com/tv-reviews/goldie/ Fri, 14 Feb 2025 08:30:00 +0000 https://www.pluggedin.com/?post_type=tv-reviews&p=33963 Goldie’s about a very, very big girl. The show’s heart is pretty big, too, while its problems are refreshingly tiny.

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Goldie is a big girl. And I mean big.

She towers over trees. She looms over houses. She and King Kong could borrow each other’s clothes (if Kong wore any). And if she has a good cry? Well, the hamlet of Boysenburg has plenty of extra canoes on hand if it comes to that.

But a little flooding is a small price to pay for having such a big—and kind—neighbor.

Tall Tales

Goldie’s backstory is not that complicated. She just kind of arrived. A stork just dropped baby Goldie into a tree one day, and there she was. Raised by a bird named Romeo and somehow given a giant set of clothes, Goldie is now one of Boysenburg’s most noticeable residents. And they’re happy to have her.

“Even though our flood-management and construction bills have been through the roof, we’re glad you chose Boysenburg as your home,” the town’s mayor says.

And he means it. In fact, most everyone in town loves Goldie. Well, everyone except for the grouchy antique dealer, Mrs. Petunia. And even she admits that the girl has her uses.

No one is happier to have Goldie around than her two comparatively short compadres. Teeny and Petey think the world of Goldie, even though her massive size and sensitive disposition can make playdates a little tricky. When Goldie decided to get a really special gift for Teeny, for instance, she brought Teeny a yeti. (Note: Yetis and parties don’t mix well.)

But even if Goldie might make an (inherently) big mistake now and then, her heart’s always right on point. As Teeny says, Goldie’s the type of girl who’ll move mountains for you. Literally. “They really do look better over there,” Teeny says.

Heart of Gold

Apple TV+’s Goldie may star a big girl. But its problems—at least to this point—are very, very tiny.

Sure, the mayor wears a pink bowtie, which some will take as a sign of his romantic inclinations. Yes, the town of Boysenburg is routinely destroyed, which surely must result in astronomical property taxes. And really, never invite yetis to parties.

But those amount to the smallest of quibbles in a show that sports a heart as big as Goldie’s own.

Goldie cares about everyone she sees. And they care about her. Those who are alarmed by just how big she is are soon won over by Goldie’s kindness and creativity. “I know I’m a little different,” she explains to some visitors. “But that doesn’t mean you need to treat me any differently.” (This message of acceptance is underlined with her friends, as well: Petey’s in a wheelchair.)

Goldie even comes with a wonderful message about adoption. After all, the whole town adopted Goldie as its own—and it couldn’t be happier about it. 

Moreover, Goldie isn’t just one of those sweet, sentimental shows that might teach great lessons to your kids but make adults roll their eyes. It’s fun, too: It comes with some of the whimsy we might find in, say, The Fairly OddParents, but with fewer problems and more soul.

Of course, all this could change. Goldie does not have a long track record as of this writing, and if it runs for several seasons, new problems could crop up.

But at this point, I hope it does run for several seasons. Goldie’s the type of show that I’d like to see more of.

(Editor’s Note: Plugged In is rarely able to watch every episode of a given series for review. As such, there’s always a chance that you might see a problem that we didn’t. If you notice content that you feel should be included in our review, send us an email at letters@pluggedin.com, or contact us via Facebook or Instagram, and be sure to let us know the episode number, title and season so that we can check it out. )

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Goosebumps: The Vanishing https://www.pluggedin.com/tv-reviews/goosebumps-the-vanishing/ Fri, 17 Jan 2025 15:46:38 +0000 https://www.pluggedin.com/?post_type=tv-reviews&p=33715 A few darker elements raise this adaptation from the kid-friendly tone of its source material to a TV-14 rating.

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When five teenagers took a dare to spend the night in an abandoned research facility, they had no idea the place would turn out to be haunted. Clearly, they’d never read a Goosebumps novel.

Naturally, this dare ended in tragedy. A boy named Matty was mysteriously killed by an unseen supernatural being, and his younger brother, Anthony–unable to explain what he saw–described the event as a freak accident. No one knows what really happened, and no one is very keen to find out.

Fast-forward 30 years, and Anthony has teenagers of his own. Twins Devin and Cece live with their mom, Anthony’s ex-wife, but they’ve come to spend the summer with their dad in his hometown of Brooklyn. And wouldn’t you know it: The local kids present the newcomers with a very familiar dare.

And so that supernatural being awakes again, and Devin and Cece have the chance to put a decades-old family mystery to rest.

That is, if whatever got their uncle doesn’t catch them first.

THINGS THAT GO ‘BUMP’ IN THE NIGHT

R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps novels enthralled a generation of tweens with toned-down horror and paranormal adventure. The series was such a smash hit that it spawned a franchise of video games, movies, spin-off books…and, of course, a recent TV adaptation.

Goosebumps: The Vanishing is the second season in an anthology series inspired by Stine’s stories. At some points, the adaptation stays true to the tone of its source material: horror-comedy with a dash of kid-friendly frights. For the most part, however, ‘kid-friendly’ falls a bit to the wayside.

The Vanishing is a bit more “cool TikTok teen” than “Scholastic book fair” (the Sabrina Carpenter and Travis Scott needle drops make that fairly obvious). Devin and Cece are typical TV 17-year-olds who get embarrassed by their lame dad and laugh when he makes them waffles. Devin’s entire motivation for checking out the research facility is, naturally, to impress a girl.

A few of the frights are above the grade-school demographic, too. You won’t be on the edge of your seat or hiding under a blanket for the entirety of The Vanishing, but there are a few jump scares and images that could be disturbing for younger viewers. There’s a general uneasy atmosphere in several scenes, and you might find yourself thinking: “What’s around that corner? Why is it so quiet? Did anybody hear that—AH!” And, of course, the show’s baked-in supernatural elements will give many a parent pause.

No, Goosebumps: The Vanishing is no Poltergeist or Scream, but it’s not entirely kid-appropriate, either. A few darker elements raise this adaptation beyond its source material and well into the TV-14 rating.

(Editor’s Note: Plugged In is rarely able to watch every episode of a given series for review. As such, there’s always a chance that you might see a problem that we didn’t. If you notice content that you feel should be included in our review, send us an email at letters@pluggedin.com, or contact us via Facebook or Instagram, and be sure to let us know the episode number, title and season so that we can check it out.)

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Wonder Pets: In the City https://www.pluggedin.com/tv-reviews/wonder-pet-in-the-city/ Thu, 19 Dec 2024 19:20:17 +0000 https://www.pluggedin.com/?post_type=tv-reviews&p=33493 Wonder Pets: In the City brings back a beloved franchise with new characters and (as of yet) no content issues to worry about.

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Something new and old alike is flying onto Apple TV+.

Unbelievable!

That’s right: It’s the Wonder Pets—albeit not quite as you might remember them. The original series, which ended in 2016, is relaunching with a new cast of school critters focused on helping other animals in trouble.

There’s Izzy the guinea pig, Zuri the bunny and Tate the snake. And just like the first team of Wonder Pets, these three seem like normal animals. But the moment the walkie-phone buzzes, they burst into action, ready to rescue any animal who calls for their aid.

They’ll rescue a porcupine who’s stuck in a tree. They’ll save a runaway chicken egg. And they’ll do a whole lot more—all while singing the whole time.

But it’s not the rescuing that takes center stage in Wonder Pets. Because just before each adventure, the trio will learn a valuable lesson—one that’ll ultimately help them save the day later on. In one episode, they work through calming their emotions. In another, they teach a bear cub the importance of a good night’s sleep. In a third, they coach a salmon to continue swimming upstream despite the difficulty.

The best part of all? There was nary a content issue encountered during our viewing of the Apple TV+ show—unless you’re upset that the original trio are nowhere to be seen. Nor did we see even a hint of content or socially progressive messaging, thus far, at least.

And that may be a wonder indeed.

(Editor’s Note: Plugged In is rarely able to watch every episode of a given series for review. As such, there’s always a chance that you might see a problem that we didn’t. If you notice content that you feel should be included in our review, send us an email at letters@pluggedin.com, or contact us via Facebook or Instagram, and be sure to let us know the episode number, title and season so that we can check it out.)

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Star Wars: Skeleton Crew https://www.pluggedin.com/tv-reviews/star-wars-skeleton-crew/ Fri, 13 Dec 2024 20:12:35 +0000 https://www.pluggedin.com/?post_type=tv-reviews&p=33342 Disney+’s ‘Skeleton Crew’ has some problems, but overall it’s a return to form, when the galaxy far, far away was relatively safe for the family.

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The kids didn’t mean to steal a starship.

Strictly speaking, the starship kinda stole them.

Oh, sure, they found the thing in a place they weren’t supposed to be and well after they should’ve been home eating dinner. But one thing led to another, and wouldn’t you know it, the spacecraft lifted off, kids in tow, and immediately flew into hyperspace.

Now the children are lost in space aboard what seems like a pirate ship, with only a cantankerous droid (SM-33) and an untrustworthy adult to help them.

And that untrustworthy adult? He might not be very helpful at all.

Don’t Touch Anything

The adult introduces himself as Jod Na Nawood. And Wim, the excitable kid who found the spaceship in the first place, is sure the guy’s a Jedi. He can make things float! He can send guards scurrying the other way!

But Fern, Wim’s frienemy who somehow is now the ship’s captain, thinks “Jod” is as much a Jedi as the critter who lives in SM-33’s eye socket. He’s up to something. She’s sure of it.

And a little suspicion might be called for. See, the four kids (Fern, Wim, the calculating KB and the blue-skinned Neel) come from At Attin. And that’s pretty intriguing, even if the children don’t realize it. For the kids, At Attin’s just about as pleasantly milquetoast a planet as can be found. All their parents work as analysts. Safety droids make sure everyone does what they’re supposed to do.

Boring.

But here’s the thing: The rest of the galaxy has assumed for years that At Attin was nothing more than a myth—like El Dorado or Shangri-La. And like those mysterious earthly realms, At Attin is supposedly home to an unimaginable treasure.

Jod—or whatever his name is—could use a spot of treasure. Who couldn’t? The kids just want to go home. For now, their paths align nicely. But for how long?

A Reasonably Positive Force

Disney+ has had, shall we say, an uneven history with its Star Wars shows. The Mandalorian and Andor? Pretty great. The Book of Boba Fett? Not so much.

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew has its issues, which we’ll get into. But as a straight-up show, it’s a blast.

If Andor gave us a political, shades-of-gray drama that showed us how rich and layered a Star Wars drama can be, Skeleton Crew is just flat-out fun. It’s been called Goonies in space, and honestly, that feels just about right. The first episode feels like something pulled straight out of Steven Spielberg’s bag, had the director lived in a galaxy far, far away. If Andor is Star Wars for adults, Skeleton Crew is made, gleefully, for kids. Or for kids at heart.

But that said, parents need to be mindful of some potential issues that also snuck on board.

As is the case with most Star Wars stories, viewers will be exposed to plenty of violence. None of it is particularly bloody or gory, of course, but quite a few characters (humans and humanish-creatures) get beaten up and knocked out. The threat of danger and death lurks around the dark side of every planet, it seems.

We should also note that KB apparently has two worried moms—though, given they’re halfway across the galaxy from our main players, they seem to be rather tertiary characters. We hear the occasional profanity. The Force is a powerful, potent element. Bodily functions can mess the mix, too. And, of course, our pre-pubescent heroes would’ve been safe at home had they just listened to their parents.

We certainly can’t minimize any of those issues. And yes, it’s still early in the show’s run. But compared to the grim, grimy galaxy of Andor or the murky, problematic environs of The Acolyte, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew feels like a welcome, if relative, return to form.

(Editor’s Note: Plugged In is rarely able to watch every episode of a given series for review. As such, there’s always a chance that you might see a problem that we didn’t. If you notice content that you feel should be included in our review, send us an email at letters@pluggedin.com, or contact us via Facebook or Instagram, and be sure to let us know the episode number, title and season so that we can check it out. )

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Dream Productions https://www.pluggedin.com/tv-reviews/dream-productions/ Fri, 13 Dec 2024 18:07:16 +0000 https://www.pluggedin.com/?post_type=tv-reviews&p=33450 ‘Dream Productions’ comes with a few issues. But if parents keep an eye open for them, they can mostly rest easy.

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Paula Persimmon is a legend in Riley’s mind—even though the 12-year-old doesn’t know she exists.

Let’s back up a little. Paula works in the Dream Productions studios in the noggin of one Riley Anderson, whom we’ve met before in the Inside Out movies. When Riley goes to sleep, Paula gets to work, directing some of the girl’s most memorable, literally life-changing dreams. Her career really took off with the classic Farewell, My Paci, a dream so powerful that it convinced a very young Riley to spit out her pacifier for good.

“That dream changed the world,” says Joy, one of Riley’s emotions.

But while Paula was the toast of Dream Productions in Riley’s younger years, she hasn’t had a hit for a while. And the head of the studio, Jean Dewberry, wants Paula and the rest of the Dream Productions directors to get with the times … or else.

Tweenage Wasteland

“Tweens want drama!” Jean thunders at a tense staff meeting. “They want to be taken seriously. They’re practically grown-ups! So we’re going to up our game by tapping into what preteens are all about.”

And just what, exactly, are preteens all about? Not about the dreamy cupcakes and glitter that Paula built her career on. But Janelle, Paula’s longtime and longsuffering assistant director, just might have the pulse of what makes Riley’s sleeping heart beat. Jean makes turns her into a full-fledged director.

That’s great for Janelle, but not so great for Paula: Janelle wasn’t just a capable second fiddle, but a de facto BFF. And the guy tapped to be Paula’s new assistant director? The ever-so-pretentious Xeni, who cut his teeth as a “professional daydream maker.”

“You night dreamers will never understand art,” Xeni sniffs on their first meeting.

But the two had better learn to work together, and fast. Jean’s not known for her patience. And with Riley’s very first school dance on the horizon—a dance that Riley has ever-so-many conflicted opinions about—she needs some good, cathartic dreams to help her work through her emotions.

But, as Paula well knows, they have to be the right sort of dreams. It’s not like they just happen of their own accord, right?

Sweet Dreams

On the Inside Out timeline, Dream Productions fits snugly between the two movies—exploring 12-year-old Riley’s psyche after the Andersons’ traumatic move to San Francisco (in Inside Out) but before she hits adolescence and is introduced to a raft of new emotions (in Inside Out 2).

My own emotional reaction to Pixar’s first television series? Tempered joy.

Dream Productions doesn’t rise to the level of the Inside Out films—movies that I consider to be among Pixar’s best. And it comes with a few small-but-important cautions.

First, you’ll hear a few misuses of God’s name and a bit of bathroom humor throughout the series. (An interview with one of Riley’s most popular dream-time stars is punctuated by a series of censor-y bleeps, too.) We learn that Riley’s also thinking (and dreaming) about what the future might bring: Could it be a nose ring? A tattoo? Riley’s pondering the possibilities. And, of course, tween-level romance is definitely on the table, and Riley’s dreams feature a new star: “Canadian boyfriend.”

“I would die for you!” Canadian boyfriend says. Often.

But outside of those dramatic, Twilight-esque exclamations, the “romance” here is pretty mild. The closest we see of anything overtly physical consists of dream Riley riding with Canadian boyfriend aboard a moose (of course), her arms wrapped around his middle and her face resting lightly on his back.

And while Dream Productions doesn’t have the emotional heft of the Inside Out films—and perhaps pushes ever-so-slightly into more problematic territory—the show delivers some nice messages about teamwork and resilience. It’s fun, sweet and mostly clean. And it won’t put parents to sleep, either. Indeed, it’s a show that many families could watch—and enjoy—together.

Dream Productions comes with a few minor caveats thus far, sure. But it’s hardly a nightmare. And if parents keep one eye open for the show’s few issues, they can rest relatively easy with this one.

(Editor’s Note: Plugged In is rarely able to watch every episode of a given series for review. As such, there’s always a chance that you might see a problem that we didn’t. If you notice content that you feel should be included in our review, send us an email at letters@pluggedin.com, or contact us via Facebook or Instagram, and be sure to let us know the episode number, title and season so that we can check it out. )

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Carl the Collector https://www.pluggedin.com/tv-reviews/carl-the-collector/ Fri, 06 Dec 2024 23:14:14 +0000 https://www.pluggedin.com/?post_type=tv-reviews&p=33399 This heartwarming cartoon shows that not all kids see the world the same way, and that’s a good thing!

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Carl the Collector is a very aptly named kid. From bouncy balls to stuffed animals to lint, there’s nothing this upbeat raccoon won’t hoard.

But if there’s one thing Carl loves even more than his collections, it’s enjoying them with his friends. Sheldon, Rocket and twins Nico and Arugula can’t get enough of Carl’s treasures.

And with all the adventures awaiting the kids of Fuzzytown, you never know when those treasures might come in handy…

WHOOSITS AND WHATSITS GALORE

A causal viewer of Carl the Collector might just see an anthropomorphic raccoon with a sharp eye for detail and a fascination with random stuff. But if you pay closer attention, you’ll find that there’s more going on here than meets the eye.

Carl is actually autistic, which causes him to notice things that others don’t and focus like a laser on his interests. His neurodivergence isn’t a banner headline in every episode, but it gives some context to his collecting habits.

Carl’s autism means he sees the world a bit differently than those around him, but as Carl the Collector shows, that isn’t a bad thing. “Sometimes a neurodivergent person is going to have a unique take on something that others can learn from,” series creator Zachariah O’Hara said in an interview with CNN. Carl invents ways to deal with his growing plushie collection that neither his mom nor his friends would have ever considered. He’s able to tell identical twins Nico and Arugula apart by noticing tiny details that other people miss.

This wholesome cartoonis a great way for children like Carl to see themselves on screen. And it’s also an opportunity for other kids to learn that not everyone thinks exactly like they do. Empathy is at the heart of Carl the Collector, and who can argue with that?

Not everything the series sets out to normalize is so admirable, however. Carl’s mother and father are divorced, and while they seem to be on good terms, parents might want to be prepared for that to result in some tricky questions (“Why don’t Carl’s mom and dad live together? Why does Carl spend weekends with just his dad?”).

Carl the Collector is heartwarming, has great lessons about empathy and friendship, and is just ridiculously cute (Carl’s voice actor, 10-year-old Kai Barham, will tug at your heartstrings with every line). However, parents should be aware that it might result in complicated conversations, some on topics that they might want to avoid for now.

(Editor’s Note: Plugged In is rarely able to watch every episode of a given series for review. As such, there’s always a chance that you might see a problem that we didn’t. If you notice content that you feel should be included in our review, send us an email at letters@pluggedin.com, or contact us via Facebook or Instagram, and be sure to let us know the episode number, title and season so that we can check it out.)

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Max and the Midknights https://www.pluggedin.com/tv-reviews/max-and-the-midknights/ Tue, 05 Nov 2024 16:27:08 +0000 https://www.pluggedin.com/?post_type=tv-reviews&p=33105 Max and the Midknights doesn’t charge into battle in rusted armor, but it might appreciate a little polish.

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“Why be what someone else wants you to be when you can be who you are?” asks Uncle Budrick.

Max agrees. That’s why she’d like to become a knight rather than becoming a troubadour like Budrick. It’s also why she’s somewhat excited when their horse runs away with their traveling wagon, forcing them into the nearby Byjovia for supplies. After all, Byjovia’s where people train to be knights under the kind King Conrad.

But Byjovia is far different from how Budrick remembers it in the days of his youth. It’s dirty. People fight over scraps of rat jerky. Guards arrest anyone who complains—and any complaint usually means the death penalty.

It turns out that some time ago, King Conrad and his valiant knights left to fight a dragon and perished in the attempt. That left the throne vacant for his far smellier brother, now-King Gastley, to usurp. And King Gastley’s the kind of guy who throws shoeless orphans in the dungeon because they can’t afford shoes.

In fact, he throws her uncle in jail not long after they arrive in town.

Well, Max is indignant. Someone should do something about this cruel king.

Someone … like an aspiring knight.

A Knight in Dusty Armor

Those who were upset about the removal of Big Nate from Paramount+ might have a new show they can watch—provided they have access to Nickelodeon or Hulu.

Max and the Midknights is the latest animated release based on the work on Lincoln Pierce, the author best known for his Big Nate book series. This time, we focus on Max, a young girl living in medieval times who aspires to be a knight.

The character was designed to have a “gender neutral” look. And according to the author, this was an intentional choice to encourage his young male audience to root for a female protagonist and to focus more on her aspirations of being a knight rather than focusing on her gender. In that respect, parents can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the character isn’t meant to be any sort of political statement on gender fluidity. However, related to this point, it should be noted that the voice actress behind the character identifies as nonbinary.

Regarding the actual content in the show, so far, there’s not much that’ll raise concerns. The animated violence is more in line with cartoons: When monsters are stabbed, we don’t see any blood. And even though a man dies, he’s killed offscreen. As for other issues, magic exists in this world, and good and evil characters alike use it to fight for their own causes.

In other words, Max and the Midknights doesn’t charge into battle in rusted armor, but it might appreciate a little polish.

(Editor’s Note: Plugged In is rarely able to watch every episode of a given series for review. As such, there’s always a chance that you might see a problem that we didn’t. If you notice content that you feel should be included in our review, send us an email at letters@pluggedin.com, or contact us via Facebook or Instagram, and be sure to let us know the episode number, title and season so that we can check it out.)

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Dino Dex https://www.pluggedin.com/tv-reviews/dino-dex/ Wed, 23 Oct 2024 20:38:27 +0000 https://www.pluggedin.com/?post_type=tv-reviews&p=32982 Dinosaurs walk among us—well, depending on who you ask. And as for Dino Dex? He’s going to tell us all about them.

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When John Hammond built Jurassic Park, he spared no expense in bringing dinosaurs back to life for all to see.

He could’ve saved a lot of money by just spending some time with Dex.

Through the magic of his Dino Field Guide, this 9-year-old “paleontologist in training” can see dinosaurs. They live among us, and Dex uses the unique power of his guide to study the beasts and learn all he can about them.

Teaching Old Dinos New Tricks

In Dex’s first adventure, he examines the bone structure of birds to discern what a T. rex may have actually looked like—including its fat content, size and whether it had feathers. And in other episodes, Dex wonders if dinosaurs could regrow their tails or whether velociraptors hunted alone or in packs.

Dino Dex is a continuation of the Nick Jr. and YouTube series Dino Dan and Dino Dana, the latter of whom appears in this current iteration as Dex’s half-sister. And despite Dex’s speculation about what dinosaurs may have looked like or how they may have acted, parents won’t need to speculate about content issues here.

The youngest of children might be frightened by the CGI dinosaurs, which stomp around the screen, and some theories (including references to evolution) may be presented as fact.

But problematic content in the show is otherwise extinct.

(Editor’s Note: Plugged In is rarely able to watch every episode of a given series for review. As such, there’s always a chance that you might see a problem that we didn’t. If you notice content that you feel should be included in our review, send us an email at letters@pluggedin.com, or contact us via Facebook or Instagram, and be sure to let us know the episode number, title and season so that we can check it out.)

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