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Nature (PBS)

common sense media says

Stunning glimpses of our natural world.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that some of the widely varying content may not be suitable for small children, including images of animals being killed and catastrophic natural disasters. Programs can, however, be easily pre-screened by logging on to the show's Web site. Regular viewers will come away with a sense of the great diversity of the natural world and why it's important to protect it.

Positive messages: The series never fails to ask important questions about our natural world and the challenges our planet and its inhabitants face.
Violence & scariness: Varies widely, from none to graphic violence of animals being slaughtered.
Sexy stuff: Varies; one episode showed gorillas mating.
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 Nature

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about a wide variety of issues. Countless dinnertime conversations are all but guaranteed. For example, one episode featured the life of a rare albino gorilla and the need for conservation and protection of his species. Sample questions there could include: Why are gorillas endangered? How close is our connection to primates, and why does that matter? What does "conservation" mean? Broader questions include: Why should you care about global issues like loss of wildlife habitat, global warming, and pollution? What can you do in your own community to protect wildlife?

What's the story?

What's the story?
NATURE is one of PBS' longest-running series for good reason. Unlike other PBS science series, Nature focuses not on inventions or innovations but on the natural world itself, inviting viewers to travel all over the world with scientists and filmmakers. Subject areas including biology, geology, and meteorology are explored via beautifully filmed documentaries shot in locations most of us will never see. In presenting a comprehensive look at its subjects, Nature highlights the positive (animals' family and community life) but doesn't shy away from the ugly. Graphic images of animals being slaughtered can crop up.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Nature covers an amazing variety of topics that are fascinating, beautiful, scary, and sometimes just downright cute. While most episodes have some sort of message, it's never heavy-handed and it's always interesting, usually reinforcing the need for conservation. If you're looking for a series to enjoy along with your children, Nature is waiting for you ... and you don't need cable (or an airline ticket) to see it. But because of its occasionally graphic realism, parents may want to pre-screen episodes to make sure they're appropriate for their kids.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: PBS
Cast: George Page
Genre: Educational
Where to watch: PBS
This review was written by Robin Galguera
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

KatGirl94
teen, 17 years old
 
Very informative!
I like this show because it teaches about animals, but they add an element of comedy to the show. It is fun to watch - my brother LOVES it. My whole family does! This show has brought us together, distracted us from our problems, and allowed us to just enjoy something we do together - without us getting bored and start fighting. THUMBS UP!
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sandi96
teen, 15 years old
3
 
seriously, i used to love this show even when i was 4 years old. Its the real world and that cannot be left unaddressed. Instead of pain or scariness i saw in dead animals, I was fascinated. How did they die? Where do they come from? What brought them here? These are the kind of questions a scientist would ask. My dad was very helpful and helped me come up with hypothesizes to answer those questions. And although as a teen I love the online world, I have and will never stop being fascinated by animals.
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CelticBoy
teen, 15 years old
 
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