Tools for this page
Print

Sesame Street: Abby in Wonderland

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version
    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 3; suggested age 3.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Abby chases a red rabbit into a fun fairy tale for all ages.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 3 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Abby and her friends model very nice examples of grace and courtesy. She says things like, "nice to meet you," when she meets someone and "excuse me," when she steps in front of someone. Her friends are helpful and kind, with the exception of The Grouch of Hearts, who we expect to be, well, grouchy.

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Not an issue.

  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Besides cookies and milk and fairy wands, nothing of note.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Nicely avoids the questionable elements of the original Alice in Wonderland, by using rhyme as a device to help Abby grow taller or smaller.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Sesame Street: Abby in Wonderland was written by Joly Herman

Parents need to know that this Sesame Street take on Alice in Wonderland includes some educational content and good manners. When Abby needs to grow small or tall, she does so by rhyming.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about what it means to be small and big. Do big adults forget about the small things in life, as Abby and Elmo suggest? Are little kids supposed to act like big grown-ups sometimes? Is everyone in your family just the right size?
Did this review help you decide?

Are you going to see it?

Have you seen it? Review It!

More on Sesame Street: Abby in Wonderland

What’s the Story?

Abby Cadabby thinks she wants to live in a fairy tale when she gets big. So her friend Elmo tells her the story of Alice in Wonderland, pointing to the pictures in a book as Abby drifts off into a dream. The next thing she knows, she is chasing a rabbit that looks a lot like Elmo down a rabbit hole, and the story begins to take shape. Only this time, instead of eating strange things to grow larger or smaller, Abby must create rhymes to shrink enough to get though that tiny door. There on the other side, she meets a whole slew of familiar faces, from the Counterpilar, the Cheshire Cookie Cat, the Mad Hatter, and finally The Grouch of Hearts, who has the very thing in his possession that prevents her from getting home. Or so she thinks.
Close

Is It Any Good?

"Life's not always a fairy tale ... There's not always a happy end," sing Abby and Elmo, when Abby finds herself unable to get home to her real life. But the friends who appear on her journey help to teach Abby a lesson. She begins to understand that looking forward to the day when she's bigger keeps her from noticing the beautiful little things in life, like the dewdrops on leaves, the colors in the sky, and her friends around her. Moreover, she learns that she can wake herself from a dream, which introduces an interesting concept of self control for small viewers.

Other lessons that might benefit viewers are those typical in Sesame Street productions: counting, speaking a little Spanish, exhibiting grace and courtesy, sounding out words, talking about emotions, taking responsibility for one's actions, and promoting friendship. Sometimes Abby speaks in rather a shrill voice, which might be irritating to adults within earshot, but the music is catchy and there are several clever moments in this DVD. A good choice for young fans.
Close

Movie Details

Studio: Sesame Workshop, Director: Kevin Clash
Run time: 45 minutes
Theatrical release: 9/29/2008, DVD release: 9/30/2008
MPAA Rating: NR

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

our community policy
What did you think about Sesame Street: Abby in Wonderland?

or

to post a review

Most Recent Reviews

    More Great Stuff for Your Kids

    • Now Playing

      Age 13+
      Avatar

      Avatar

      Action-heavy epic has dazzling effects, familiar story.

    • Tech Tip

      What parents need to know.YouTube and Your Kid

      What parents need to know.

    • Must-See TV

      Age 13+
      Parenthood

      Parenthood

      Quality drama charts the pros, cons of family togetherness.

    • Pick of the Week

      Bestselling Books

      Bestselling Books

      Popular new reads kids are buying today.

    • Download This

      Age 2+
      Pickin' & Grinnin': Great Folk Songs for Kids

      Pickin' & Grinnin': Great Folk Songs for Kids

      Fantastic folk favorites perfect for family road trips.

    Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
    • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
    • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
    • Post your own reviews and share them with friends
    This will never be displayed to others.
    Your email will never be displayed to others.
    Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
    A screen name protects your privacy
    (It's free!)

    Already a member? Log in
    Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
    See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
    To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!
    Set-up your account
    This will never be displayed to others.
    Your email will never be displayed to others.
    Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
    Choose a screen name
    It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
    A screen name protects your privacy
    Tell us your children's ages
    You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
    We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
    		is
    		until
    		(optional)
    		is
    		until
    		is
    		until
    		is
    		until
    		is
    		until
    		is
    		until
    Add another child

    Already a member? Log in
    Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
    See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
    We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.
    Set-up your account
    This will never be displayed to others.
    Your email will never be displayed to others.
    Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
    Tell us your children's ages
    You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
    Why we ask for this
    We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
    		is
    		until
    		is
    		until
    		is
    		until
    		is
    		until
    		is
    		until
    		is
    		until
    Add another child
    Choose a screen name
    It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
    A screen name protects your privacy
    Already a member? Log in
    Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
    See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
    Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
    I'm already a Common Sense member.
    Kids under 13 must use a screen name
    Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
    See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.