 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Growing Up Creepie
- The Hub
- Genre: Kids' Animation
Common Sense Media says
Tween toon has dark visuals, but OK for most kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
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.
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?
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.
What families can talk about
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.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Kid, 12 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
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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AGE
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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April 9, 2008
AGE
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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AGE
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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AGE
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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AGE
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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AGE
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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AGE
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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| Topics: | magic and fantasy, book characters, friendship |
| TV rating: | TV-Y7 |
| Network: | The Hub |
| Cast: | Athena Karkanis, Julie Lemieux, Leah Cudmore |
| Genre: | Kids' Animation |
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