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The Hoobs

(Rated TV-Y, Educational, Starring Julie Westwood, Donald Austen, Brian Herring, Where to watch: Sprout)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 3; suggested age 3.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Cheerful, curious series overdoes the "Hoob-ese."

Why We Rated This on for Ages 3 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The show is educational on a level simple enough for preschoolers. It encourages creative thinking, problem solving, and teamwork.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Not an issue.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Hoobs

Parents need to know that this British import from The Jim Henson Company engages preschoolers with colorful puppets and fun music and encourages their curiosity about all kinds of topics. In each episode, the characters -- who hail from far-away Hoobland -- seek answers to simple questions about the world. Through their own investigative work and input from kids (or "tiddlypeeps," as the Hoobs call them), they find answers to their queries and celebrate their discoveries with song and dance. While parents will love the show's educational qualities for their kids' sake, they may find the Hoob-iquitous language nuances ("Hooby groovy," "Hooble-toodle-do," and so on) a bit too nerve-grating for their own liking.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the discovery process the Hoobs use in each episode. What question did the Hoobs want to answer? How did they start to collect clues to the answer? What did they do when they hit a dead end? How did the kids help the Hoobs? Would your kids have helped them differently? Parents can ask kids what questions they would like to investigate with the Hoobs and can explore the subjects with them.

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Great Program

    I think this show is great. Of all of the things on TV for my little ones this one show is very entertaining and educational. It takes a vey creative mind to put together something for children and adults, there are so many "educational" shows that aim at flashy lights and sounds to attract the little ones attention. They lack substance or are way to annoying to anyone over 4. The Hoobs are in the great Henson tradition of Grover, Fraggles and early Sesame Street. Fun programming the parents and child can enjoy together. I only wish more shows like this were made.

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 3.0

    Need a Dictionary to Understand

    The concept and idea behind The Hoob is on target and excellent. However, the Hoobs have thier own language that is completely make believe and requires a special dictionary to understand what they are saying. I enjoy the catchy songs and bright colors, but the language issue is a problem for me. As parents and educators we strive to teach correct communication and language to our children and students. To have a completely different language that has no bases in reality is irresponsible and unfair.

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