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Growing Up Creepie (The Hub)

common sense media says

Tween toon has dark visuals, but OK for most kids.

parents & educators say
  • 83% say it's educational
  • 83% say there are positive messages
See all 11 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this animated show focuses on preteen social development from the perspective of a kid who feels and looks different than her peers (not surprising, since she's been raised by bugs). With its shades of purple and black and its sharp edges, the animation style is reminiscent of a Tim Burton film. When combined with dramatic music (including some specific tunes from horror films like Psycho), these visuals may frighten preschoolers and younger grade-schoolers. Real information about bugs is mixed in with the show's other content, but the animated insect characters also talk, crack jokes, and live as a loving family. Older kids and young tweens who aren't frightened by the show's dark visuals and talk of bugs "draining the life from victims" will get a kick out of the bug family and appreciate Creepie's struggles to fit in with her peers.

Educational value: A few real bug facts are mixed in among the characters' adventures.
Positive messages: The show's messages are to be true to yourself, not to conform, and that being unique is OK.
Positive role models: The mother who leads the household is a strong female character. The central character is female as well and also pretty self-confident.
Violence & scariness: Discussion of how bugs kill their prey: crunching limbs, leaving victims helpless, life-draining. Scenes of people running in fear. In one scene, the principal thinks the main character is going to jump to her death. The show has a somewhat dark, creepy tone overall.
Sexy stuff: Mild flirtations, coaching by friends on how to flirt (mostly stammering and blushing).
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Growing Up Creepie

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the challenges of being the new kid in school and strategies for making friends. How can kids make an effort to help others feel welcome to a new school or neighborhood?
  • What challenges does Creepie face since she looks and feels so different from her peers? How is she similar to other kids, and how do her differences make her unique and special?
  • Why is it important not to judge someone based on how they look? What should you base your impressions of people on?
  • If kids are interested in entomology, parents can help them look up more information about the bugs on the show.

What's the story?

What's the story?
No one can escape the challenges of being a tween -- including Creepie Creecher. Left on the doorstep of Dweezold Mansion as a baby, Creepie (voiced by Athena Karkanis) is raised by a praying mantis mother and vegan mosquito father and has so many brothers and sisters that they just appear as a fuzzy, buzzy swarm. Creepie starts middle school feeling different than the other kids, but also surprisingly OK with who she is and is able to make friends. Two of Creepie's brothers stand out from the swarm: a gnat and a pill bug who follow Creepie around and get into mischief. Her human friends include popular girl Chris-Alice Hollyruller (Leah Cudmore), whose father is the town exterminator and causes much conflict. Creepie also has a crush on Tarantula Boy, a freak side-show at the local carnival.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

GROWING UP CREEPIE has lots of dark, Tim Burton-esque visuals and scary organ tunes, but older grade-schoolers and tweens will recognize that both are used for dramatic effect and will be able to focus on Creepie's day-to-day challenges. In one episode, Creepie recites a Mother's Day poem about "crunching limbs" and "leaving victims helpless." Her classmates and teacher are horrified, but Creepie's mother, a sultry praying mantis named Caroleena (Julie Lemieux), explains to the principal that she's a strong female role model who speaks her mind and stops at nothing to support her family -- and it is a loving family. Creepie's dad, a pale, vampire-looking mosquito, is actually vegan -- because, of course, male mosquitoes don't drink blood. He's also very playful and affectionate with the thousands of "adopted" bug children who live in the mansion.

You won't find any fighting scenes (unlike fellow bug-themed cartoon Spider Riders) or constant flirtations (a la 6Teen) here -- just a girl making it through the ups and downs of adolescence, which is something kid viewers can definitely take a bite out of. And for kids interested in insects, the show even includes a 5-second bit of information about specific bug characters in each 15-minute segment.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-Y7
Network: The Hub
Cast: Athena Karkanis, Julie Lemieux, Leah Cudmore
Genre: Kids' Animation
Where to watch: The Hub
This review was written by Pam Gelman
 
 

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What parents & educators say

5
Based on 6 parent & educator reviews:
  • 83% say it's educational
  • 83% say there are positive messages
  • 67% say there are positive role models
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

willie08
kid, 11 years old
 
Very funny
This is a good show. Interested in learning the differct insect species. Some are gross and some are nice. I will keep watching it.+++++++
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Lizard02
parent of 7 year old
6
 
Show not creepie but great.
I thnk this show is very educatinal for kids thats why its on the Discovery Kids. I reccomend it.
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helped me decide (14) | had useful details (11) | read my mind (14)
Creepie
 
I'm Growing Up Creepie-how bout you?
I love this show. It's loaded with bug facts, and Creepie is my favorite. I may be in 8th grade, but I'll always love cartoons! ^_^
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helped me decide (12) | had useful details (11) | read my mind (13)
ryanhoyle
teen, 14 years old
2
 
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my4kids
parent of and 4 , 6 , 15 , 18 year old
4
 
its educational for lil kids...4 and up
my 4 year old thinks its a great cartoon we watch it together i enjoy this cartoon also its so cute
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FreakShow6177
adult
7
 
The Truth behind Growing Up Creepie.
I love this show (even though I don't have the channel- I watch it on Youtube) its really cute and it teaches about insects. It's about Creepie Creature, a girl that was raised by bugs (yes it gets pretty weird) the animation is cute though, and Creepie is actually a really caring person, a little dark, but she stands up for what she believes in and isn't afriad to be unique. Her parents are caring, but they still have their 'insect' instincts. Still pretty cool show for kids, not my favorite, but pretty entertaning. This show is very positive because it deals with being yourself amongst your peers. But it also stresses the importance of making friends. Young kids will learn from the information Creepie dishes out about bugs. This is a family friendly show that shouldnt scare your kids at all and should teach them a valuable lesson about self-discovery. I thnk this show is very educatinal for kids thats why its on the Discovery Kids. I reccomend it. This show is awesome.
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connielove93
educator and parent of 5 and 10 year old
6
 
Cute and Creepie family show
This show is very positive because it deals with being yourself amongst your peers. But it also stresses the importance of making friends. Young kids will learn from the information Creepie dishes out about bugs. This is a family friendly show that shouldnt scare your kids at all and should teach them a valuable lesson about self-discovery.
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helped me decide (10) | had useful details (10) | read my mind (11)
BlueSunday
teen, 15 years old
7
 
A show that is intertaning and educational
I love this show (even though I don't have the channel- I watch it on Youtube) its really cute and it teaches about insects. It's about Creepie Creature, a girl that was raised by bugs (yes it gets pretty weird) the animation is cute though, and Creepie is actually a really caring person, a little dark, but she stands up for what she believes in and isn't afriad to be unique. Her parents are caring, but they still have their 'insect' instincts. Still pretty cool show for kids, not my favorite, but pretty intertaning. Although Creepie's friend (who is a girl-name I forgot) is very annoying, her mouth is always pouty and up and she's just so sqeeky...
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Sanjay407
kid, 13 years old
2
 
I like it
This show is awesome
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TawnyLee
parent of 3 and 5 year old
2
 
Good creepy crawly edu-tainment
Both my little boys LOVE this show, and I often hear my 4 yr old telling other people about whatever "bug" fact he learned at the end, or pretending to be that creature. A little spooky here and there, if you have a sensitive child (mine are NOT). I enjoy it too, pretty interesting stuff!
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sebetai
adult
 
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helped me decide (8) | had useful details (9) | read my mind (8)

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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