I love ancient stories, and stories from other cultures are no exception. African stories, i've found, are generally kinder towards women than other cultures, so i'm all for these stories. But the animation makes me want to vomit, and the voice-acting makes my head explode. Seriously, i think only dogs can hear Pula's voice. But who knows? Maybe it'll take off and they'll get some funding for an actual animation studio and some real voice actors!
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Magic Cellar
(Rated TV-Y7, Children, cartoons, & animation, Starring Motshabi Tyelele, Diane Appleby, Jacques Blignaut, Where to watch: HBO Family, 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 4, age appropriate for kids over 6; suggested age 6. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Folktales come alive in engaging African series.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 6 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 Magic Cellar
Parents need to know that this imaginative animated series exposes kids to African folktales that are acted out by a multicultural group of characters. The show celebrates the oral history that's central to African traditions and draws parallels between the tribal stories and scenarios that kids will relate to, like disputes among friends and feeling let down by a parent. Lessons in patience, generosity, fairness, and honesty are central to this worthwhile series. At least one tale includes a death, but no violence is shown on screen. Characters kiss briefly when acting out some tales.
Read our full review by Emily Ashby
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the show's messages. What lessons does it teach? Are those lessons easier -- or more fun -- to learn because of the folktale format? Families can also discuss what we can learn from the stories of our elders. Kids: What stories have your parents or grandparents told you about their lives and experiences? Could you relate to what they were saying? What lessons did they pass on to you? This series will encourage storytelling between parents and kids, as well as discussions about different cultures.
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title iffy for age 5 and give it
African tales? Awesome! Animation? Awful!
- I rate this title off for age 5 and give it
I was MAD
No problem with other episodes as I was trying on this new show for size with my six year old son. Also I understand the concept of existing folktales revamped Though I found no actual folktale based on the episode "The Devil's Trick?? And African people smoke natural tabaccos throughout history commonly? The episode portrayed a man being tricked by the Devil to smoke and then becoming ill and reduced to smoke/ashes (don't know exactly visually how to describe, read about the conclusion as I changed the channel due to my outrage) My husband and I have both sucessfully quite smoking and we have discussed the issue with our son. The real consequences of smoking are lung cancer, other diseases and unhealthy environment BUT that has nothing to do with religion or the Devil himself! This connects morality with the choice to smoke and is unfair to parents who do smoke and /or are not religious or express their faith in different ways. BAD CHOICE!
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