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Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Friends (Nick Jr., Nickelodeon)

common sense media says

Sunny Patch is crawling with inquisitive bugs.

parents & educators say
  • 50% say there are positive role models
  • 50% say there are positive messages
See all 5 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this series deals with adoption and presents an admirable model of a mixed family. The stories have a gentle, loving tone, along with good doses of humor. Parents might want to introduce their children to the books by David Kirk on which the show is based, too.

Positive messages: The show presents an admirable model of a mixed family.
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 Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Friends

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the variety of the characters in the series. Do your kids think these different kinds of bugs would be able to live together in the real world? What kinds of bugs live in your garden? Families can also talk about adoption. How do your kids feel about the idea of adoption? In addition to the book series, there are a wide range of arts and crafts projects that might be inspired by the series.

What's the story?

What's the story?
In MISS SPIDER'S SUNNY PATCH FRIENDS, the title character and her husband and children have adopted some orphan bugs of different species and set up house in a hollow tree in Sunny Patch. The community is made up of all sorts of insects and their families, including, of course, one villain -- a creepy white spider named Spiderus, who's determined to ruin everyone's fun but never quite manages to do so.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

If there are any budding entomologists in your home, they may take exception to MISS SPIDER'S SUNNY PATCH FRIENDS. After all, in the real world a mixed group of insects like the one featured in the show would probably devour each other, not live in loving harmony. But we'll allow some poetic license since Miss Spider presents such a sweet picture of buggy harmony.

The stories are simple and relevant -- about the evils of spreading rumors, the insects' winter festival, or even a nicely non-commercial episode in which everyone does good deeds in order to receive lovely dreams from the Dream Bug. Miss Spider is a pleasant if not innovative show, one which even young children will enjoy.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-Y
Network: Nick Jr.
Cast: Julie Lemieux, Scott Beaudin, Tony Jay
Genre: Kids' Animation
Where to watch: Nick Jr.
This review was written by Sarah Wenk
 
 

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What parents & educators say

3
Based on 4 parent & educator reviews:
  • 50% say there are positive role models
  • 50% say there are positive messages
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

JuliasMom
adult
 
Cute and Colorful
My daughter loves this show. Its imaginative and fun and bright and colorful which is why she likes it so much. It covers topic such as sharing, lying, listening to your parents, going to school, etc. Im sure we have seen every episode at least 6 times. The only thing I don't like about it is, the characters Ted & Ned, they are probably brothers but sometimes seem like a gay couple which of course my daughter would never pick up on. Lots of people don't know that Miss Spider's voice is Kristen Davis from Sex and the City.
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acw87
parent of 5 year old
4
 
Cute colorful show
Very bright, colorful, fun show. Not much in the educational department but it does showcase a variety of 'everyday' emotional issues kids often run into. Also shows a great family structure. My 5 year old enjoys it.
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SheenaLongland
parent of 3 year old
2
 
Son loves this show, I think its cute.
It's not very educational, but it has a lot of emotional lessons. I think its cute, my son HAS to watch it in the morning, lol. The only thing that freaks me out is the spiders with the human like faces...what is that about? Lol.
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CatLover123
kid, 12 years old
4
 
Wonderful show!
I Love this show even though im a little bit to old to be watching it :)
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Jon Lovitz
adult
3
 
Scary!!!!!!!
This show is really scary for me, but that's because I'm afraid of bugs. None of my kids like it but they are all out of the demographic audience (my youngest is 17 going on 18). If your kids like bugs, go ahead, if they don't, avoid it.
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helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)

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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
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