Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sweet sequel's friendly messages outshine product tie-ins.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Jingle and Bell's Christmas Star
What's the Story?
In JINGLE AND BELL'S CHRISTMAS STAR, happy husky pup Jingle (voiced by Thomas Stroppel) and his best friend, Andrew (Ryan Bley), make new friends when Sofia (Ami Shalabh) and her pup, Bell (Julie Reiter), move in next door. Sofia's not excited about the move that took her away from her friends and sunny Palm City just in time for a snowy Christmas in Pineville, but Andrew goes out of his way to make her feel welcome in her new home, and together the two learn about the true spirit of the holiday.
Is It Any Good?
Jingle and Bell's Christmas Star follows Hallmark Channel's well-received holiday special, Jingle All the Way, with similar animation and an equally heartwarming story that will delight fans. Andrew is a model of friendship, compassion, and thoughtfulness, and his efforts are rewarded in Sofia's eventual adjustment to her new surroundings. Even better, the fact that the story coincides with the holiday season is a great reminder to cherish the relationships with family and friends that make this time of year so special.
Jingle -- and now Bell -- are heavily marketed images in Hallmark retailers, so if your kids do fall in love with these darling huskies, they might find a similar draw to the toys and books that bear their images. Product placement aside, though, this is a sweet tale of friendship and love that celebrates the most basic Christmas joy -- spending time with those you love.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about their holiday traditions. With whom do you spend Christmas? What makes this time of year so special for your family? How do your traditions reflect your family's faith, values, and heritage?
Kids: Why does Sofia have a difficult time adjusting to her new town? How does she feel when she first moves there? How does Andrew help make her happy?
Have you seen Jingle and Bell toys or books in stores? Does seeing the characters in this story make you like them more? Who are your favorite TV or movie characters? Do you have any products with their faces on them?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 23, 2012
- Cast : Ami Shalabh , Ryan Bley , Thomas Stroppel
- Director : Chel White
- Studio : Hallmark Entertainment
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Book Characters , Animals , Friendship , Holidays
- Run time : 30 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate