See more TV reviews

Harry and His Bucketful of Dinosaurs (Cartoon Network)

common sense media says

Sweet, if vapid, animated preschool fare.

parents & educators say
See all 3 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Harry is a kid who sometimes gets discouraged by being small and relatively powerless and takes comfort in the strengths of his dinosaur friends. It's a nice message, although it's not very powerfully conveyed. Some jokes are cultural references that will sail over the head of target viewers.

Positive messages: Harry's dinosaurs help him cope with being the youngest in his family and encourage good behavior (most of the time).
Violence & scariness: Not applicable.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
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 Harry and His Bucketful of Dinosaurs

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about what it's like to be the smallest and youngest in a family or any situation. Why do the dinosaurs help Harry feel better? What can Harry do to help himself?

What's the story?

What's the story?

HARRY AND HIS BUCKETFUL OF DINOSAURS, based on the books written by Ian Whybrow and illustrated by Adrian Reynolds, is sweet, innocuous fare for the 6-and-under crowd. It's not particularly clever, but it's cute, and it holds the attention of younger kids, especially those already fascinated by dinos. In every episode Harry (voiced by Andrew Chalmers), overwhelmed by the pressures of being the smallest and youngest in his family, turns to his small toy dinosaurs for comfort. If he leaps into their bucket, he enters "Dinoworld," where the dinosaurs are closer to life-sized and anything he imagines can happen.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

There are no striking lessons here and little narrative complexity. The dinosaur characters aren't particularly well delineated, and the human characters are pretty flat. But it's harmless, and if your kids enjoy it, it certainly won't hurt them to watch.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-Y
Network: Cartoon Network
Cast: Andrew Chalmers, Jamie Watson, Ron Rubin
Genre: Kids' Animation
Where to watch: Cartoon Network
This review was written by KJ Dell Antonia
 
 

Review It

 

Review Harry and His Bucketful of Dinosaurs

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

karlatate
adult
 
Love it!
I enjoy watching this show with my 3-year-old. It's great for exploring the imagination and teaching some social and behavioral skills at the same time.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (4) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (3)
anca
adult
 
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
DML
adult
 
sweet and wonderful cartoon for very young children
I teach in a child development center. The children I teach (usually twos) have always enjoyed watching these cartoons. It gets passed around to all the classrooms from twos on up. The teachers also enjoy them. The books are always a big hit too. I highly recommend them, especially if your child is into dinosaurs!
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (3)

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
Advice on the big issues
 

vote now

Will you see Harry and His Bucketful of Dinosaurs?

Won't miss it
We'll try
Change it

Already seen it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Browse more TV
About our rating system
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
Our child development rating guidelines