Parents' Guide to

A Storybots Christmas

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 3+

One kid's big question leads to lots of holiday fun.

A Storybots Christmas Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

age 6+

Based on 3 parent reviews

age 8+

Horrible depiction of Santa

Way to take the magic out of Christmas with a grumpy, negative, seemingly drunk Santa....what were they thinking? We had to turn it off.

This title has:

Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
1 person found this helpful.
age 7+

Santa drowning his sorrows in cookies

Agree with the review about drunk seeming Santa. I’m no teetotaler but I didn’t like the way cookies were used the way alcohol would be as an unhealthy coping mechanism for feelings of inadequacy. Like, yes, this is a common trope in adult shows and movies but is it something we should introduce to young kids? Also really didn’t like Santa calling himself dumb. Seems to perpetuate this old approach of male fragility — don’t upset Dad (/Santa) or he’ll turn to drinking (/cookies)! Really wish we hadn’t watched this.

This title has:

Too much drinking/drugs/smoking

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3):
Kids say (2):

This dynamic and positive special highlights the importance of sharing time with loved ones during the holidays. It does so by reminding both viewers and a rather forlorn Santa Claus (played by Ed Asner) that the festive season isn't about giving big or fancy gifts, but about offering gestures of the heart and sharing cheer with each other.

A Storybots Christmas relies on the series' trademark mixture of digital animation, claymation, puppetry, and live action to tell the story. However, the lessons it offers aren't broken down quite as simply as they are in the original show. Nonetheless, children who enjoy the series will love this special and the cheerful way it delivers positive messages.

TV Details

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