Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this series strays from the basic "observation and explanation" formula typical of many other wildlife series. Hosted by a female comedian who has no animal expertise -- just plenty of curiosity -- the show's focus is on comparing many types of animal behavior to humans', with often-surprising results. The educational potential makes this a great show for families to enjoy together, but scenes of animals eating carcasses or lunging at onlookers might be too much for the littlest viewers. Be prepared to answer kids' questions about what they're seeing, including things like trapping and vaccinating wild animals.
Families can talk about animal behavior. How do different animals adapt to their surroundings? What do they eat? What are their natural defenses against predators? Did anything about the behavior included in the show surprise your kids? How are humans and animals alike? How are we different? How do experts monitor animals in the wild? Why do they do so?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Emily Ashby
Where can a girl get fashion advice in the wild? Do animals suffer the consequences of exclusive cliques like people do? Is sibling rivalry a concern among litters, packs, and gaggles as well as families?
In MS. ADVENTURE, city girl/comedian Rachel Reenstra looks to answer these and other mysteries of the wild by studying animal instincts and relating them to human behavior. Traveling the world and working with local experts, Reenstra gains first-hand knowledge about how various species gather food, communicate, procreate, and raise their young. And as she learns about critters' instinctive habits, she draws some pretty interesting comparisons to the ways humans do the same things.
In an episode about parenting, for example, Reenstra observes many different species caring for their offspring. The spectrum of tactics proves amazing, ranging from a Tasmanian devil mother whose babies remain attached to her teats long after they outgrow her marsupial pouch to black bears who let their cubs call all the shots. Watching a family of wolves, Reenstra comments that we can learn a lot from seeing how the entire pack of animals cooperates for the good of the youngsters.
While her encounters teach Reenstra -- and viewers -- plenty of fascinating facts about animal behavior and the wonders of natural instincts, it's her quips and tongue-in-cheek comparisons between animals and humans that set Ms. Adventure apart from other wildlife shows. The unique format incorporates man-on-the-street comments about each episode's topic, as well as voice-over film clips, both of which complement the similarities or differences that Reenstra is pointing out between us and our animal counterparts.
Ms. Adventure's mix of entertainment and education is family friendly, provided that your kids are old enough to handle an occasional scene of animals eating a carcass or trying to scare off onlookers by lunging or hissing at them. Even then, some kids may need explanation about what they're seeing, so have your animal behavior answers at the ready while you watch.
Fans may also enjoy Caught in the Moment, The Jeff Corwin Experience, or, for another quirky look at animals and humans, Creature Comforts.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentTalk of animal mating habits often prompts mild innuendoes about the ups and downs of dating. Some episodes highlight animals' various mating rituals. |
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ViolenceIncludes scenes of wild animals being wild. In one scene, a pack of wolves devours a deer carcass. Some animals lunge, stomp, or hiss when they feel threatened. |
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Social BehaviorThe show highlights different aspects of animal behavior, emphasizing the diversity among species and animals' natural instincts. Occasional mention is made of a species being endangered or the need for habitat preservation. |
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