Hip Hop Harry (Discovery Kids)

"When I say Hip Hop, you say Harry." About the only problem parents are going to have with HIP HOP HARRY is unconsciously repeating the show's catchy songs and rhymes (like that one) to themselves while driving, showering, or even working. Big yellow bear Harry is cool -- he raps, he dances, and he helps kids solve problems, making Hip Hop Harry a great addition to television geared toward preschoolers. Think of him as an updated Barney; Harry has the purple dinosaur's silly lovability and sweetness, but he also pops, breaks, and can rhyme just about any word.

Music and dance are popular themes in many children's TV shows, from The Wiggles to Hi-5. Hip Hop Harry does a nice job of integrating the music into the show's content, using specific situations to support different areas of development. For example, the kids are split into teams for a dance contest. They face social challenges (what if I win and my sister loses?). Also, they're working hard as they practice -- earning musical reminders to drink lots of water, warm up before activities, and rest when necessary.

Hip Hop Harry features a multi-racial cast of kid dancers and actors. They all look squeaky clean and face their challenges with a level of calmness that any parent will see right through -- but preschoolers will fall for it and be genuinely interested in how the problems are solved. And with all the dancing in each episode, it shouldn't be too hard to get kids to turn off the TV afterward and start moving around.