Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (Disney Channel)

MICKEY MOUSE CLUBHOUSE, a new addition to the Disney Channel's preschooler-oriented Playhouse Disney programming block, brings together six classic characters -- Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Pluto -- for a lively half-hour of learning, music, and fun. Brought to life with eye-popping 3-D computer-generated animation, Mickey and his pals invite young viewers to interact and play games with them as they solve stimulating challenges built around a particular theme.

The series' unique mix of elements is a can't-miss recipe: Take some of the world's most beloved animated characters, and have them talk directly to viewers and engage them in activities. Throw in a magical, fanciful, shape-shifting clubhouse; an exciting adventure; some elements of time-tested fairy tales; and a few modern, computer-generated gadgets to keep the show current. Add a dash of CGI, with its vibrant colors and characters that look as if they might jump off the screen at any moment, and kids are sure to be hooked.

What's really great is that, in addition to the dazzling visuals, the series keeps the viewer's brain engaged almost continually -- there's always something to count, find, identify, or compare. Mickey is constantly in your face (in a good way) -- asking questions, acknowledging viewers' answers, cheering them on, and giving kudos for a job well done. He and his pals make each journey so much fun that preschoolers will forget they're actually working their brain.