Family values are a crucial element of the show. All 10 of the Chan kids get along well and work beautifully as a team -- sibling rivalry doesn't really exist in this series. The kids also show a lot of respect for the older generation; even though they're mystery solvers in the making, all 10 of them are well aware that their father knows best. In fact, whenever the kids try to tackle a case on their own, they usually make a wrong turn -- and in the end it's Charlie who figures things out.

The only thing to watch out for is some stereotyping, which unfortunately reflects the show's early-'70s origins (it still airs in repeats). Some of the series' villains run around wearing masks and screaming in a choppy dialect. Parents could use this as an opportunity to clarify what really constitutes Chinese cultural traditions and customs. And the music is a nice touch for kids who might not have the attention span to sit through the show's 20-minute-long mysteries.