 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Strawberry Shortcake: Growing up Dreams
- Review Date: September 3, 2011
- NR
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Friendly redhead and pals teach lessons about politeness.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this cartoon adventure teaches kids through song and example the importance of politeness, perseverance, and teamwork when making their future dreams a reality. Strawberry and her friends aspire to worthy professions like teacher, astronaut, restauranteur, and doctor, but when Peppermint Fizz tries to be the mayor of Strawberryland by being bossy and self-centered, she learns that "you can never outgrow being nice." Young viewers will be inspired to think about what they want to be when they grow up. (Kids might also be inspired to ask for Strawberry Shortcake-related products next time they see them in the store.)
What's the story?
Strawberry Shortcake (voiced by Sarah Heinke) and her friends begin imagining the myriad careers they can have when they grow up. When Ginger Snap (Samantha Triba) dreams of being an astronaut, the first rocket she builds loses control -- but when she tries and tries again, she succeeds and flies the girls to the planet Mulberrium. When she wakes up, the girls visit a career fair and start learning what it's like to be teachers, doctors, restaurant owners, and fire fighters. But Peppermint Fizz (Rebecca Noddle) only wants to be boss, and as mayor of Strawberryland, she orders everyone to build a stage, a podium, and even a statue of her in a park where they like to play. When the stage and podium burn down and a plague of berry beetles starts eating everything in their path, Peppermint Fizz learns valuable lessons in teamwork and politeness.
Is it any good?
For its target age group, STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE: GROWING UP DREAMS -- with its bright colors, simple storyline, and mostly cheerful characters -- should provide seemingly endless entertainment. The songs are catchy and filled with positive reinforcement of the story's core values: teamwork, friendship, and politeness. And the careers the girls aspire to are ambitious and varied.
Girls between 3 and 5 should be well entertained, but the relentlessly pink and girl-oriented movie may turn off boys (even though they could certainly benefit from its lessons about politeness as well). And while parents may appreciate the story's positive messages and role models, its simplicity may grow old as requests for repeated viewing inevitably arise.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what kids want to be when they grow up. Kids: What kind of jobs interest you? Why? Are there any limits to what job you can do?
Talk about how Strawberry Shortcake is marketed. Kids: Do you think watching this movie will make you want to buy stuff with Strawberry Shortcake's picture on it? Is this movie a form of advertising?
Why is it better to be nice and polite instead of bossy and selfish? Are there times when it makes sense not to be polite or nice?
If you don't do something right the first time, why is it important to try again until you get it right? When is it OK to give up?
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| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment |
| Director: | Karen Hyden |
| Cast: | Rachel Ware, Samantha Triba, Sarah Heinke |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 44 minutes |
| DVD release date: | August 30, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | NR |
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