Animated Tales of the World (HBO Family)

While the quality of the episodes can be erratic, every show is a small glimpse into the history of another culture, and because unfamiliar elements aren't washed away or overly explained, a parent watching with a child will have a lot to talk about. This variety offers something new to kids who are used to joining a familiar narrative every time they turn on the television.

These small tales are challenging and invite more thought and more interaction, but they're often violent and certainly not politically correct. The kings are nearly always kings, the goal is to marry the princess or win the bag of gold, and the servants live belowstairs and the master above. But these are straightforward stories haven't been jazzed up with explosions or clever repartee and fart jokes to grab kids' attention, and yet they still do. That alone makes them worth watching.