| ON: Content is age-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. | |
| NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Parents need to know that the characters in this underwater-set series are a quirky group of aquatic creatures with extreme personalities, including a few who are chronically grouchy/rude and at least one who picks on and intimidates his peers. Although the main characters deal with issues that kids will easily relate to (wishing to be the team MVP and coping with a bully, for instance), and the solutions always send messages about self-image, friendship, and respect, ultimately much of the show's positive content is lost amid the oddities of the characters themselves.
SHELLDON chronicles the aquatic adventures of a young Yoka Star Shell named Shelldon and his best friends, Herman and Connie. The trio’s undersea exploits throughout their hometown of Shell Land offer plenty of opportunity for fun and games, but there’s always a lesson to be learned in their escapades as well.
Youthful sea creatures and brightly colored visuals aside, this ocean-set show is no Finding Nemo. The cast is a mish-mash of strange, exaggerated characters with over-the-top personalities, a few of whom are loud, angry, and rude. While the show does attempt to infuse the stories with kid-friendly messages about self-confidence and respect for diversity, the characters’ personas are at times so distracting that their words and actions miss the mark.
What’s more, Shelldon struggles to net a clear-cut set of viewers. The characters' highly imaginative nature gears it more for little kids than older ones, but some of the marginal content (name-calling like “dweeb” and clashes with bullies, for instance) aren’t age-appropriate for the youngest viewers.
Families can talk about how Shelldon's life compares to that of real-life kids. Kids: Can you relate to his issues with friends and family members? What problems did he have to
overcome? Who did he turn for help? What did you learn from his experiences?
Have you ever seen real-life versions of these sea creatures? How
accurate do you think the characters are? Is it important to be true to
life in animation? Why or why not?
How does this series compare to some of your favorite shows or movies? What makes something a “good” show to you? Which are your favorites?
| Topics: | adventures, friendship, ocean creatures |
| TV rating: | TV-Y7 |
| Networks: | ION, NBC, qubo |
| Genre: | Kids' Animation |