Timothy Goes to School - TV-Y
TV Rating: TV-Y
Network: Discovery Kids Cast: Austin Di Iulio, Fiona Reid, Laurie Elliott
Genre: Children, Cartoons, & Animation
Available on: 
DVD
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that the characters in this lackluster cartoon are very gender-stereotypical. Every girl wears a dress, boys are more inventive and adventurous than girls, and adults are usually assigned typical roles -- the teacher is a woman, the police officer a man.
Families can discuss why Timothy's mild difficulties and their solutions are simpler than those a child might actually experience at school. For example, when Timothy has to choose between two friends: Don't you think Timothy can be friends with both? Why can't they all play together? Questions about plot shortcomings might also start a good discussion about what makes a story work.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: KJ Dell'Antonia
TIMOTHY GOES TO SCHOOL is a simpler, less-charming version of Arthur that in no way does justice to the book (Rosemary Wells' Timothy Tales from Hilltop School) on which it's supposedly based.
Timothy himself is a raccoon whose cartoon form never achieves half the expression of the original book creation. His school friends are a largely indistinguishable band of rodents and house pets. The few who stand out do so because they've been given one strong trait (the mouse is shy, the twin dogs dumb) rather than an actual character.
The stories are harmless and mildly entertaining. Each half-hour program contains two mini-episodes in which Timothy copes with some small social or ethical dilemma. The problem is that the set up and situations are of a type usually more familiar to older children, while the problems and their resolutions are presented at the simplest and tamest level.
For example, Timothy rides a bus, goes on field trips, and makes plans for himself with friends, but all he has to do to help his friends put together a puzzle and earn a reward from the teacher is to look a little harder.
Watching Timothy Goes to School won't hurt kids, but since it's neither educational nor particularly amusing, they -- and you -- are likely to choose one of the many other options out there.
Arthur takes place in a similar setting and, like Timothy, uses varying species of small animals to replicate human diversity -- but with more complex characters and plots that address issues like money, class, sibling rivalry, and loyalty.
For the simpler social lessons Timothy provides, shows like Maisy and Rolie Polie Olie, which combine mild teaching with unusual animation and humor, will hold more lasting appeal.
Rate It!
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Social BehaviorEndeavors to teach good lessons, but they're pretty simplistic. Gender stereotypes are reinforced and characters are one-dimensional. |
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CommercialismThere are commercials before, during and after the program, sometimes for movies targeted at older kids. |
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