Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dancing dynamo has positive messages for young viewers.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 19 parent reviews
Based on 16 kid reviews
Kids say the modern CGI rendition of the beloved classic series fails to capture the charm and realism of the original, disappointing many fans who cherished the storylines and character development. While younger audiences might find it entertaining, long-time viewers lament the loss of classic ballet elements and depth in storytelling, advocating for a return to the older version that they hold dear.
- animation quality
- storytelling depth
- character longing
- audience preferences
- role model concerns
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
ANGELINA BALLERINA: THE NEXT STEPS chronicles the adventures of aspiring dancer Angelina (voiced by Charlotte Spencer) as she continues her education at a new school in hopes of becoming a ballerina extraordinaire. At Camembert Academy for the Performing Arts, 8-year-old Angelina finds that this new stage of her life is full of stumbling blocks. But with the support of her new friends, the precocious little mouseling turns each challenge into a chance to learn from her mistakes and reflect on the type of person -- er, mouse -- she wants to be.
Is It Any Good?
Existing Angelina fans will pirouette for joy over this new series. Colorful computer animation gives new dimension to the young mouse, doing justice to her larger-than-life personality. The show's bright hues and modern style will appeal to today's preschoolers, and the sweet stories -- each infused with essential life lessons for young viewers -- are a seamless continuation of those from the original series.
Angelina's diverse new group of friends encourages her to step out of her comfort zone in her dance, and while it's not always easy, she learns a little something about herself and her abilities each time. Kids will walk away from these stories with a positive outlook on trying new things and chasing their dreams, and they'll acquire some basic tools for coping with troubles. Couple that with the show's strong messages about friendship, perseverance, and self-confidence, and there's a lot to like about this dynamic dancer.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about setting and achieving goals. Kids: What are some of your goals? How do you plan to work toward them? How do you feel when you encounter a setback in your plans?
Kids: How does this series compare to the books by Katharine Holabird and the original TV series? What other shows do you like that are based on books?
Families can use this show to foster kids' interest in the performing arts. Attend a play or concert in your area, and talk to your kids about it. Did you enjoy the performance? What was your favorite part?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 5, 2009
- Cast : Charlotte Spencer , Jules Dejongh , Larissa Murray
- Network : PBS Kids
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- Topics : Arts , Book Characters , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Perseverance
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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