Thomas & Friends

Thomas & Friends (1984)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Unlike many animated shows, this one follows narration as much as it does actual speaking and interaction between the characters. Still a cute show for children. My nephew adores the series, and as a result has my daughter interested in just because she associates it with her cousin. Have to admit, their credits music is rather catchy. We don't see the show half as often as my nephew does, and even we know a surprisingly large part of the tune.

Wild Kratts

Wild Kratts (2010)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


This is a cute series that takes the scenes outside into nature, exploring the great outdoors and the creatures that live in the different habitats. It's a fun way for kids to learn and always has some weird twist to the story. The "creature power suits" are a little on the odd side on top of being rather unbelievable. The "villains" of course always fail when faced with the Kratts brother's creative use of "creature powers" to save the day. Despite it's wild story lines, the facts are there and it is definitely a more unique approach on learning about animals.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Charlie Brown has been a along standing classic animated series for children. It comes as little surprise then, that their Christmas special plays every year without fail, despite the series not being aired regularly on TV otherwise anymore. It's a short feature as far as Christmas specials go, but it still drives home the point about what Christmas is really meant to be about.

Peg + Cat

Peg + Cat (2013)

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


This serious has mediocre art, repetitive actions, and annoying music. In all honesty just watching one episode had me wanting to strangle the characters. Mercy didn't seem all taken with it. They did a repetitive and thorough job of explaining measuring, but I'm not sure the learning factor is worth the nuisance. Don't think this is going to be a favorite add on for possible kid's shows.

Word World

Word World (2007)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


This is a rather new and unique take on a learning program for children. They take the word for whatever character or object they want, and literally make it out of that word, so seeing the character Dog from the side spells the actual word "dog." If they want to make anything, like a bell, they have to spell it out for the letters and then it turns into that item from the word, also still spelling it just like the characters do. Very interesting and ingenious word play. Hoping this is one Mercy learns to love early on.

Barney & Friends

Barney & Friends (1992)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I remember this series being extremely annoying when it first came out and the various songs the kids would come up with focuses on killing Barney. I also recall finding this very sad as it's theme song "I Love You" is a popular children's hymn that we sing at church often. Made for very depressing memory association. Can't say that show seems any more thrilling now that it's on the children's station for my own little girl, but they do try to really focus on friendship, learning, and getting along, which are all good things. Guess we'll see if Mercy likes purple dinosaurs.

Sid the Science Kid

Sid the Science Kid (2008)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


The Jim Henson series is done in computer puppet style. As the name implies, this series focuses on basic scientific discovery and ways young children can apply them to figure things out for themselves and use the information to solve questions. A cute idea with a slightly different and more focused twist on learning, similar to the reading program's better focus.

Sesame Street

Sesame Street (1969)

My rating: 1 of 5


Even as a child I was never a big fan of this series. Regardless, it does have a lot of singing and learning in it and just about every child seems to at least know Elmo. The first episode that played on this when we turned PBS Kids on for Mercy was a Glee spoof about the word G, including g-egionals and characters dressing up like the Glee cast. It was honestly rather disturbing despite the effort to be educational and fun.

Daniel Tiger's Neighboorhood

Daniel Tiger's Neighboorhood (2012)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This series teaches a lot about how to do different things as you grow up and getting along with other types of friends. The children have to learn how to handle different surroundings, situations and emotions. This show is based off of the Neighborhood of Make-Believe from Mr. Roger's Neighborhood and is co-produced by The Fred Rogers Company (previously The Family Company).

Martha Speaks

Martha Speaks (2008)

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars


I could have seen this as a series Matt would have liked as a child. With the main character being a dog, any animal lover is likely to get a kick out of this one. Martha is very mild while also learning something new in each episode - a good variety for any child from all the usual singing and dancing that many kid programs have.

Dinosaur Train

Dinosaur Train (2009)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The first episode I saw from this had an Elvis dinosaur complete with Elvis style songs about dinosaurs and the journey they were on with the train that day. Overall it seems to be a cute series with a lot of games and songs to keep young children entertained. Not what I usually expect from Jim Henson as it's done in CG, not puppets, but the type of story and entertainment fit his style.

Super Why

Super Why (2007)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The names are beyond redundant, but it's a cute idea to teach children different ways to read and write, understanding and changing stories. Also includes some problem solving as they answer different questions and search for specific letters or parts of the story in each episode.

The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About That

The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About That (2010)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This is a cute idea and certainly a big hit with children as it features Dr. Seuss's popular character, The Cat In The Hat, and the same types of catchy rhymes and stories that are common in his books. There is a lot of repeated lines and scenes in every episode however that can make it annoyingly repetitive for the adults hearing it with their kids. The flying scene and the kids asking their mom to go with the Cat are always the same. I also have to wonder what message it sends that the mother always responds with "of course you can" and the cat always says "I know, I know you can." Parents don't always say "yes," especially to some mythical trip with a mythical character that could land them lost who knows where. The books are definitely still much better, but I have to admit to seeing the childish appeal for the younger generation.

Curious George

Curious George (1980)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Based on the book series by Margret Rey, this is an adorable series meant to be both educational and fun. This was a classic when Matt and I were kids; we're both sure Mercy will continue to love it as she understands it more and can enjoy the stories herself.

Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey (2010)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I'm pleasantly surprised by how much I'm enjoying this series. Mom brought it over for entertainment while back pain and vertigo have me laid out this week. Apparently she and dad pulled an all nighter to watch the series - something none of us have done since dad and I did our 24 run back in college. While I wouldn't rate the show that high, I am finding it far more enjoyable than I expected after her brief description of the series setting and theme. Starting just after the Titanic sinks and taking place England, the mind set and family dynamics are very different in this story than is common recently.