Handy Manny - TV-Y
TV Rating: TV-Y
Network: Disney Channel Cast: Dee Bradley Baker, Kath Soucie, Wilmer Valderrama
Genre: Children, Cartoons, & Animation
Available on: 
DVDDownload
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this inviting animated series for preschoolers reinforces commonly heard Spanish words and phrases and introduces viewers to a few new ones. Characters focus on helping others and always put the community's needs before their own. Problem-solving and preparedness are repetitive themes, and viewers see the negative repercussions of impatience and poor teamwork. Cultural diversity and respect for others tops off this well-rounded series.
Families can talk about how Manny and his friends cooperate to overcome challenges. What special talents does each character contribute to the team? How do they resolve their differences? How do you handle problems with your friends? Parents can also use repetition to reinforce the Spanish their kids learn from the show.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Emily Ashby
HANDY MANNY introduces preschoolers to the multicultural town of Sheetrock Hills and its friendly, popular repairman, Manny Garcia (voiced by Wilmer Valderrama of That '70s Show). Together with his sometimes-feisty (but mostly eager) set of talking tools, Manny is always ready to pitch in and help his friends.
Manny's repair shop is home to his diverse group of coworkers: Pat the Hammer (Tom Kenny), Turner the Screwdriver (Dee Bradley Baker), Felipe the Phillips Screwdriver (Carlos Alazraqui), Dusty the Saw (Kath Soucie), Stretch the Tape Measure (Nika Futterman), Rusty the Wrench (Fred Stoller), and Squeeze the Pliers (Futterman again). Although Manny does his best to keep the tools on task, they sometimes let their own ambitious plans lead to messy mishaps on the job. But with patience and cooperation, the group learns how to solve problems and come through for their neighbors.
Handy Manny is brimming with positive content for young viewers. Themes of teamwork, preparedness, and mutual respect are mixed with the type of silly comedy preschoolers love. For example, in one episode, bickering duo Felipe and Turner ignore Manny's advice and open a glue bottle before protecting their work space with newspaper. In their haste to start the project, they accidentally glue themselves together and -- after much stretching and snapping back together -- must learn to get along to help their friends.
The show also exposes preschoolers to aspects of Latino culture. Legendary Latino band Los Lobos contributes to the catchy music, and Manny uses basic Spanish terms like "hola" and "gracias" repetitively in his everyday dialogue. When he introduces less-familiar Spanish terms, Manny includes their English translations so kids can make the language connection.
Colorful animation, engaging storylines, and rich characters will keep young viewers coming back for more of this engaging Disney series.
Fans will also enjoy Bob the Builder, Go, Diego, Go, and Little Einsteins.
Rate It!
| Content | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS | adults | kids | ||
Sexual Content |
 |
|
|
|
ViolenceCharacters occasionally bump into objects or each other, but there are no injuries. |
|
|
|
|
Language |
|
|
|
|
Message |
|
 |
 |
|
Social BehaviorCharacters are community-minded residents of a culturally diverse town and are always respectful to each other and appreciative of individuals' special talents. The show strays from gender-specific roles, casting a knowledgeable woman as the owner of a hardware store. Messages about teamwork and a positive attitude are strong. |
 |
 |
 |
|
Commercialism |
 |
|
|
|
Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco |
|
|
|
|
