Parent reviews for Strawberry Shortcake

I think Strawberry Shortcake (the character) is really nice and she's a great role model but the show itself isn't for kids younger than three. The show's basic plot is always Strawberry's friends acting bratty and obnoxious for one reason or another and then Strawberry comes in during the last three minutes and provides a moral lesson and basically tells her friends to stop acting poorly because of X,Y,Z. My daughter (2.5) LOVES the show but she's too young to understand the broad lesson so she's just left watching a bunch of bossy, feet stomping, rude characters. (Don't get me wrong, there's nice ones in there too and the characters always end up improving.) However, two year olds are complete sponges on a very simple level so when misbehavior lies at the forefront of the plot, this is the "take home," regardless of the lesson. We stopped watching it (despite my daughter's favoritism) and returned to PBS.

Strawberry Shortcake was my favorite show age 3 to kindergarten, the show and the toys were simple and sweet so I liked this before I liked Barbie. I was babysitting a 3 and 4 year old the other day and was going to die if I had to watch Frozen or Trolls again so I was nostalgic and remembered this. I was a bit disappointed, because it's very empty and full of little substitnance. Useless and fluffy, nothing to fall in love with. The art and world of sweets and fruit is better than the show. It's got no educational value and little plot. The only good things are: 1. They try to teach a positive message but do a half *ss job of it. They are usually just, oops, I hurt my friends feelings, here's how to fix it next time. But they focus most of the episode on them playing or the magical world, and the lesson gets shoved in last minute. 2. Unlike Barbies or Bratz or other shows for little girls these characters bodies are attainable and actually look like they are 6‐8. Strawberry has a 'rectangle' flat chested body shape with boot cut jeans and scruffy raggedy ann like hair. None of the characters look fabulous, they wear t shirts and overalls and have boyish bodies like kids should look. They do age up the characters around 2006 to like 10 and they look a bit more mature and stylish but still realistic and not at all like a barbie. The 2010 reboot has them with curvier bodies and supermodel shiny hair. So I reccomend the 2003 one. But it's basically uneducational and it held my little girls attention for no more than 15 minutes, I guess they got bored. There's also a classic Max and Ruby situation, how is Straberry, a seven year old, taking care of her 1 or 2 year old baby sister with no parents around? And some episodes we never see the baby, is she just stuffed in a closet when the plot doesn't need her? None of the characters are too diverse. There's two poc main characters but that's it. Strawberries friends all act the same and most are also white. There's a couple of around the world episodes where we see other races but it's meh, not what you'd call 'good representation'. The Chinese girl whines about wanting to go home because they don't have loose leaf tea in strawberryland just sugary juice. And how stereotypical, the French girl looses her pet poodle. The most interesting character is a African American or maybe from India girl named Ginger Snap who is a brilliant inventor that's ADHD. Everyone else loves fruit and candy and dreams of being a princess and follows girl stereotypes. Except for the boy. But he's mindless and other than skateboarding, does what the other girls do like tea parties just cause he wants to be included. Also, it's a show meant to sell toys and if your kid likes it and wants toys... tough luck cause unless it's ratty and used it is going to be pricey because the 2003 toys are collectibles now.

I was 2 when the second reboot and 9 for the third reboot of Strawberry Shortcake and I loved both very much. I can only remember an episode where a new character was visiting the girls in the second reboot and how they treated the problem I remember taking to as a young girl. I also loved the scented toys.

I watched one episode with my daughter and it was totally inane and devoid of substance. Would much rather have her watch one of the shows she loves that actually teach her something -- like Super Why, or Umi Zoomi .

I cannot have enough praise for this show. My 2-year-old and 5-year-old are both in love with everything to do with this, however that is the old version, from 2003. I have seen the new version and am pretty disgusted with it, but the amazing episodes from 2003-2007(?) are so worth watching. My 10-year-old also loved them from about ages 2-7, and will still (though she won't admit it) watch them with her little sisters. While the show is, naturally, rather cheesy, the message is good and it tells the stories in a good manner and isn't just all that friendship stuff you get on most little kid TV. All of the episodes are on Netflix, and I would reccomend the first two seasons. After that, the episodes can be a bit jumbly since there's new characters and continuation of plots and stuff that can be confusing. Plus, I'm not a huge fan of the characters that come on after that. All of the original characters are favourites of my little ones, and they both adore Custard the most of the pets. Really, they get so much out of this I don't even mind letting them watch several episodes in a row, which is rare for me! This is definitely a much watch for any kid 2-6, maybe even older! My newborn even likes this show, though I think it's more that she likes the music and stuff then the actual show. She is, after all, only two months old!

Great movie for little ones! My 6 year old loves it! I recommend this for everyone! Very cute!

This is a good step up from the typical preschool shows (Dora, Fresh Beat,etc). My first grader can easily identify the issues that come up (leaving people out, bullying etc) that have happened at school. Also while it is clearly showing the correct moral choice it is not as simplified as the young preschool shows like Dora. My only complaint is that the channel we have it on shows 3 commercials during the show itself. My 4 year old also watches the show but I have to be more clear with her that the bad behavior modeled is actually bad and not something that we should do. I don't believe there is a lot of age appropriate shows out there for the young elementary set, and this is a good one for girls.

I have fairly limited access to children's television fare where I live, mostly through DVD's I have been able to get hold of. So I get to know a few episodes of a few series' really, really well. Strawberry Shortcake happens to be one that I can find DVD's for here. When it comes to lessons about caring for each other and being a good friend, this show has given me something to talk about twith my daughter. I love it that you can see changes in the characters as the story progresses. Peppermint Piece (is that her name,? I hear it with an Indonesian translation, so I am never sure if I hear it correctly) learns about playing fair, or being accepting of other people's differences. Angel Cake learns that she doesn't always have to be perfect to have fun. Even Strawberry herself, who usually has it all together gets discouraged sometimes, but picks herself up and goes on. Dora the Explorer is great for a more academic focus (although admitedly sometimes annoying after a while). Backyardigans is fantastic in encouraging imagination, movement and singing. Strawberry is my pick for providing a setting where little girls learn about caring and friendship. By the way, in spite of all the commerialism around Strawberry, my daughter only has raincoat with the redhead on it. :)