The Wonder Pets! - TV-Y
TV Rating: TV-Y
Network: Nickelodeon Cast: Matthew Black, Teala Dunn, Scarlett Sperduto
Genre: Children, Cartoons, & Animation
Available on: 
DVDDownload
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this very kid-friendly show is about being part of a team, gaining confidence, and using responsive communication (the original musical compositions feature communication through song, like a mini-opera). It will help preschoolers and kindergartners learn more about working cooperatively with others.
Families can talk about the characters' ability to stick with a challenge without becoming frustrated, to work together as a team, and, along the way, to share funny experiences with friends. Specific animals featured in the episodes, such as a baby dolphin caught in a net, may spark discussion about the challenges these animals face in the wild and how humans are intervening to support (or hinder) their survival.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Pam Gelman
THE WONDER PETS! is a wonderful addition to the television show line-up for preschoolers and kindergartners. Linny the guinea pig, Ming-Ming the duckling, and Tuck the turtle are classroom pets who, after the last child has left for the day, answer a tin-can call from a baby animal in distress somewhere in the world. They instantly fly, hop, or crawl into action by flying off to the rescue in their Flyboat (made from scattered playroom toys).
The main characters are loveably appealing and communicate via song, using real young children's voices. Award-winning composers have developed musical accompaniments that perfectly match the ups and downs of each adventure. The music also matches the culture of the area explored; in one episode, a hula dance is played at a luau after the Wonder Pets rescue a baby dolphin from a fishing net in the Pacific.
Even though Linny, Ming-Ming, and Tuck are animals who sing opera and fly in a toy boat, they are very relatable for young viewers. First off, thanks to the preschoolers who provide their voices, they sound like real kids. Ming-Ming even has the common challenge with her "r" sound-out: "This is seewrious." Also, by using photo-puppetry, the animators manipulated photographs of animals to give the characters realistic visuals.
A word of caution: A few moments during the rescue missions may frighten younger viewers. In one episode, for example, Ming-Ming is threatened by an oncoming meteor while saving a chimp in space. But Ming-Ming's confidence -- and her friends' quick assistance -- will be inspiring, and in the end, everyone is safe.
More precocious preschoolers and some kindergartners may find the fuzzy softness of these three pets, and the show in general, too young for their taste. Too bad, because The Wonder Pets!, which combines adventure, an exemplary model of teamwork in action, and interesting information about different animals in our world, is a brilliant addition to the world of children's television.
If kids like The Wonder Pets!, check out It's a Big Big World, Go, Diego, Go, and Postcards from Buster for more adventures.
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