Handy Manny (Disney Channel)

common sense media says

Friendly handyman teaches kids about cooperation.


parents & educators say
  • 32% say there are positive messages
  • 28% say there are positive role models

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this inviting animated series for preschoolers reinforces commonly heard Spanish words and phrases and introduces viewers to a few new ones. Characters focus on helping others and always putting the community's needs before their own. Problem-solving and preparedness are frequent themes, and viewers see the negative repercussions of impatience and poor teamwork. Cultural diversity and respect for others tops off this well-rounded series.

Educational value: In addition to important lessons about working together, kids will learn Spanish words and phrases.
Positive messages: The show has strong messages about teamwork, problem solving, and a positive attitude.
Positive role models: Characters are community-minded residents of a culturally diverse town and are always respectful to each other and appreciative of individuals' special talents. The show strays from gender-specific roles, casting a knowledgeable woman as the owner of a hardware store.
Violence & scariness: Characters occasionally bump into objects or each other, but there are no injuries.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Plenty of tie-in products available.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Handy Manny

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about how Manny and his friends cooperate to overcome challenges. What special talents does each character contribute to the team? How do they resolve their differences?

  • Kids: How do you handle problems with your own friends?

  • Parents: Use repetition to reinforce the Spanish that your kids learn from the show.

What's the story?

What's the story?

HANDY MANNY introduces preschoolers to the multicultural town of Sheetrock Hills and its friendly repairman Manny Garcia (voiced by Wilmer Valderrama of That '70s Show). Together with his sometimes-feisty (but mostly eager) set of talking tools, Manny is always ready to pitch in and help his friends. Manny's repair shop is home to a diverse group of coworkers: Pat the Hammer (Tom Kenny), Turner the Screwdriver (Dee Bradley Baker), Felipe the Phillips Screwdriver (Carlos Alazraqui), Dusty the Saw (Kath Soucie), Stretch the Tape Measure (Nika Futterman), Rusty the Wrench (Fred Stoller), and Squeeze the Pliers (Futterman again). Although Manny does his best to keep the tools on task, they sometimes let their own ambitious plans lead to messy mishaps on the job. But with patience and cooperation, the group learns how to solve problems and come through for their neighbors.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Handy Manny is brimming with positive content for young viewers. Themes of teamwork, preparedness, and mutual respect are mixed with the silly comedy that preschoolers love. For example, in one episode, bickering duo Felipe and Turner ignore Manny's advice and open a glue bottle before protecting their workspace with newspaper. In their haste to start the project, they accidentally glue themselves together and -- after much stretching and snapping back together -- they learn that they have to get along to help their friends.

The show also exposes preschoolers to aspects of Latino culture. Legendary Latino band Los Lobos contributes the catchy music, and Manny uses basic Spanish terms like "hola" and "gracias" in his everyday dialogue. When he introduces less-familiar Spanish terms, Manny includes their English translations so kids can make the language connection. Colorful animation, engaging storylines, and rich characters will keep young viewers coming back for more of this engaging Disney series.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-Y
Network: Disney Channel
Cast: Dee Bradley Baker, Kath Soucie, Wilmer Valderrama
Genre: Kids' Animation
Where to watch: Disney Channel

This review was written by Emily Ashby
 
 

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What parents & educators say

3
Based on 25 parent & educator reviews:
  • 32% say there are positive messages
  • 28% say there are positive role models

Most useful reviews by all members

Dr.Pepsi
teen, 15 years old
 
Best kids show
I love this show, it's educational plus it teachs you some spanish words for instance Aqua means water, Hola means hello, grasias means thank you. Manny and the tools have great role model and gives positive messages to the audiences

alfredjohnson102
parent of 4 year old
 
Racist! Why is a mexican a construction worker!?!?!?!?!?

rosedolphin101
parent of 6 year old
 
great for children 2-6
Teaches good manners, and patience as well.It also teaches that it is good to help others out!

NMetzger
parent of 3 and 7 year old
 
Handy Manny is great! Both my 6 year old daughter and my 2 year old son love this show. The two songs that are repeated in every episode are catchy and cute. I don't mind that they are in every show. I think that the storylines are clever and encourage helping others out. The tools each have their own personality and it is fun to see them interact with each other. And as an adult, this is one that I can watch with my kids and not go crazy.

HatedNation
parent of and 3 , 3 , 5 year old
 
How Handy
Great Show for smaller children, teaching responsibility, work ethic and camaraderie. (Children may inadvertently attempt to use tools or build things)

 
This show is awesome
This is my favorite show

15zenderb
teen, 14 years old
 
Mindless Brainwashing
a good source of Spanish, but i think we all know that when little kids watch it they learn absolutely nothing from it. its also UNREALISTIC!!! ONLY FOR AGES 2-4

Bwahaha
kid, 12 years old
 
Lol
What if the evil saw gives your kids nightmares? What if the hammer pounds you in the middle of the night? What if the wrench pinches your cheeks?

MrVance
parent of 2 , 4 , 5 , and 8 year old
 
The way handy manny walks is sexual suggestive, and the way he uses his tools is as well. He is also sexually aggressive towards the hammer.

Sharper mom
parent of 5 year old
 
Great show, teaches Spanish, problem solving, and how to be a great friend.

hsm3
kid, 11 years old
 
good
good show for VERY young kids.

love78peace
teen, 15 years old
 
GREAT for little kids.
Handy Manny is great for little kids. He teaches the values of team work, sharing, cooperation and helping others. Handy Manny teaches kids new words in Spanish and has a valuble message at the end of every episode. Unlike Dora, the show won't have your kid repeating annoying phrases all day, but it will have them sharing, helping out and so on. So, this is a PERFECT show for your kid.

Chrihddjason
kid, 12 years old
 
off for any age
i know they should not do concerns and do highlights like that in real life.

daddysgirl233
kid, 12 years old
 
song drives me banana
i hate this show becouse my lil bro watckes it every morning and the catcky song stinks

travelinlite75
parent of 4 and 7 year old
 
cute show
cute, helps them learn a word or 2 in spanish, good messages, teamwork, telling the truth

fig
parent of 5 and 9 year old
 
my 4 year old loves it!
It promotes helping out friends and family. I like that it protrays all different ethnic backgrounds and that everyone can be friends, but sometimes they do it to the extreme.

my.hero.ty
parent of 4 year old
 
Awesome for my 2 year old son
This is my son's favorite cartoon. He has learned alot from this show. His manners are getting better.

MrsMckelvey
parent of 10 year old
 
Better alternative to Dora
Love the shows diversity.

mpearmai
kid, 12 years old
 
good show
This show teaches people teamwork.

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ON: Content is 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