Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this engaging animated series for preschoolers -- which doesn't have any questionable content to watch out for and teaches important messages about friendship, honesty, and loyalty -- is based on Eric Rohmann's Caldecott-winning picture book of the same name. In each story, the animal friends learn that it's easier to solve problems when they work as a team and think creatively.
Families can talk about the problems Rabbit and his friends encounter and how they solve them. Kids: What question or issue did the characters face? What questions did they need to ask to get to an answer? Who helped along the way? What did they do? Why is teamwork important when you're trying to solve a problem? Have you ever needed to rely on friends for help? When? How did they help?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Emily Ashby
MY FRIEND RABBIT follows the adventures of a group of animal pals who discover that the bonds of friendship and the strength of teamwork allow them to overcome any obstacle in their path.
This preschool-oriented cartoon series is based on Eric Rohmann's Caldecott-winning book of the same name. The show's colorful animation brings his delightful animal characters to life, including team leader Rabbit (voiced by Peter Oldring); his best friend, Mouse (Robert Binsley); innovative Hazel the squirrel (Denise Oliver); and lovably naïve Thunder the rhinoceros (Jeremy Harris).
Each episode follows the friends as they encounter a challenge or puzzle that forces them to work together to find a solution. The animal pals are always willing to pitch in and help each other out, and with creative thinking and a thoughtful approach to problem solving, their teamwork always yields an answer.
In one story, for example, Rabbit is convinced that he can make the moon disappear and reappear with a snap of his fingers -- but when he tries to show Mouse how it works, the moon doesn't respond. Curious, Mouse tries it himself, only to find what seems to be the moon in a nearby pond. The friends are at a loss to explain the strange happenings until Jasper the crocodile (Milton Barnes) wanders by and explains that the moon in the pond is merely a reflection of the real one in the sky. After a few intuitive questions, Jasper also sets Rabbit's mind at ease by reminding him that the moon's disappearance probably happened when the clouds moved in front of it at the same time he snapped his fingers.
As cartoons go, this delightful series is as mild as they come. Simple, linear animation creates a peaceful viewing experience that both preschoolers and parents will enjoy. The stories move at a pace that's just right for 3- to 5-year-olds, and the dialogue verbalizes every move of the characters' problem-solving processes so kids can think critically as they follow along. Youngsters will relate to the types of issues the characters encounter and will benefit from the show's strong messages about friendship, teamwork, and learning from mistakes.
Other good choices for this age group include Little Bear, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Curious George, and Babar.
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Social BehaviorStrong lessons and positive messages center on friendship, teamwork, creative thinking, and problem solving. Characters often learn through trial and error, and mistakes are always spun as learning opportunities rather than sources of embarrassment. |
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CommercialismThe series is adapted from an award-winning book of the same name. |
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