I stumbled across our first Little Bear video at the hospital when my son had just turned one, and he's loved it since (he's 3 now)! It's so simple, sweet, calm, fun and silly, inspiring friendly, loving, imaginative and adventurous ideas. I can't overstate how clean and feel-good wholesome the stories and interactions are between all the characters... and how gently simple(but not patronizing, empty, sappy or baby-ish)and subtle the "lessons" or examples are. Impressive. Charming. Sweet. Perfect. There are a very few episodes that have been scary for my son...Father Bear's encounter with the angry wind, a "monster" story around the camp fire, and a couple of others. I think it's fine for there to be some that are outside of our comfort zone...we'll grow into them.
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Little Bear
(Rated TV-Y, Children, cartoons, & animation, Starring Tara Strong, Kristin Fairlie, Janet-Laine Green, Where to watch: Noggin, DVD)
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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?
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Common Sense says
Gentle, age-appropriate viewing for preschoolers.
updated 07.04.08
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 3 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Sexy stuff:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Little Bear
Parents need to know that this series is gentle, conscientious, and family-oriented. The pace is perfect for young viewers, and the plot is appropriately concise. Though the educational content is sparse, the characters' utter involvement with nature is a welcome variance from the computer-and-robot themes that dominate so many cartoons for children. Reading Homelund's book and comparing it with the TV series might be a way to delve further into this idyllic realm.
Read our full review by Joly Herman
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about what it would be like to play outside all the time like Little Bear and his friends do. What would life be like without television, video games, and computers?
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Our Members Say
See all 20 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
I rate this title on for age 2 and give itLovely series for very young, endearingly sweet for anyone!
- I rate this title on for age 3 and give it
Relaxing
This is probably my favorite of all the shows my daughter watches. It is soothing, morally enlightening, friendly, and entertaining. After every episode my daughter is in such a great mood, haha. Its almost like a secret weapon...
- Lives in PennsylvaniaI rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
overall very appropriate and cute. buuuut....
there are some perilous moments - like when Little Bear and Owl imagine they are fishing on the high seas and catch an enormous, ferocious whale with gigantic teeth who threatens to eat them (yikes!!!), and the episode with the dragon which sent my 2 and 4 year olds shreaking from the room. Little Bear is the first show my children have ever seen. We have avoided media 100% with them - until now, and Little Bear has been a great choice, but parents show preview each episode for frightening content. Otherwise, it is brilliant. I only mention this because I haven't seen anyone else say anything about it, and I wish I had had a warning. Don't hesitate to allow little ones to watch it, just get familiar with the content first.
- Lives inI rate this title on for age 2 and give it
A+++ for toddlers & pre-schoolers
My son has been watching this show since he was 2 (now just turned 4) and he still looks forward to it. Now my daughter who is almost 2 loves it as well. It is one of those gentle & quiet kind of shows that gets my kids in the settle down mode. There is absolutely nothing to worry about when they watch this show. If anything, it coaxed my son into learning all the names of the characters and made him ask questions. All good stuff for ages 2 to 4.
- Lives in IndianaI rate this title on for age 2 and give it
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