Esme & Roy

TV review by Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media
Esme & Roy Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 3+

Caring friends help cute kid monsters conquer challenges.

HBO Kids' Animation 2018
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Parents say

age 2+

Based on 5 reviews

Kids say

age 3+

Based on 5 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

Stands out for and .

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Esme & Roy is a Sesame Workshop show about two friends who help their community by taking care of young monsters and helping them overcome challenges through mindful behavior practices. In each episode, Esme (a human girl voiced by Millie Davis) and Roy (a large furry monster voiced by Patrick McKenna) babysit for a preschool-age monster who's troubled by some kind of fear or habit. The duo helps identify the concern and express its effects before coming up with an imaginative way to explore solutions through interactive play and active techniques like breathing and self-talk. This thoughtful series has exceptional takeaways for parents and preschoolers, who can use similar practices in their own lives. With original music that emphasizes each episode's theme and pre-reading skills like counting and color identification incorporated in the stories, this series has lots to offer.

Community Reviews

Holly R.
Holly R. Adult
July 21, 2020
age 2+

Don’t Listen to The Negative Reviews

Esme and Roy is not a bad show. It is a good idea to watch it with your toddler to get the most out of it and to avoid any issues. I think that the show works where similar shows like Daniel Tiger fail. Esme and Roy are the main focus and the monsters they babysit have some sort of issue and the main characters help them calm down. Yes the monsters can be whiny like Caillou but they are NOT the main characters and their behavior is always correct each by Esme and Roy. The animation is adorable. Esme is a good role model and a person of color so bonus points there. Roy loves meatballs (just like my almost 3 year old daughter) and is also a good role model. There is one episode where Esme tries to set up a pool party for the baby monsters but ends up having trouble setting it up so Roy helps her with her own “monster meltdown “ because she gets upset and sad because she wanted to do something special for the monsters. The behavior of the monsters is never that bad and there is always a creative solution to the “monster problems”. In one episode one of the monsters named Snugs is sick and needs rest but has a hard time staying in bed so Esme and Roy make his bed more fun so he will stay put and get better. The worst thing I have ever seen is an episode where a character didn’t want to share her toys. I have never seen anything other than characters getting upset about whatever kids get upset about. I have found that by watching these shows with my daughter makes all the difference and I can help her see what the difference is between the negative behaviors and feelings and how to calm down and self soothe. I don’t think there’s anything bad if you watch it with your kids and help them sort through what is shown. I know some people don’t have the time, patience, or sanity to watch the shows with their child and if they cannot watch it with them, then they shouldn’t let them watch TV in the first place. TV can help young children as long as the parent engages with their child like I do. Anyway I agree with the reviewer for once.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Momtiredofwatchingsame3movies
Momtiredofwatchingsame3movies Adult
June 30, 2020
age 2+

Teaches kids to deals with emotions

This show is great despite what others think they know it teaches kids how to deal with sadness/frustration/angry etc. Without singing the same line over and over again like Daniel tiger. As well as teaches this lessons of emotion control and independence through play though if you don't like that idea of your toddler learn independence and to stop their temper tantrums themselves don't let them watch it.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In ESME & ROY, two best friends team up to care for their community's young monsters when their guardians are called away. Esme (voiced by Millie Davis) is an outgoing girl with a big imagination; Roy (Patrick McKenna) is a big yellow monster who's as gentle as they come. Together these caregivers use playtime to help the monster tots work through challenges like learning to be gentle with a pet and overcoming a fear of thunderstorms using mindfulness techniques that settle their emotions and calm their moods.

Is It Any Good?

They're an unusual pair, but these sweet sitters are just what the doctor ordered when it comes to helping youngsters work through their feelings. Esme and Roy engage the tots through imaginative play using costumes and props from a magical bag that transforms into whatever they need that day. Got a picky eater? Esme's restaurant might be just the thing to encourage him to try new foods. Thunderstorms strike fear in a little one? Roy's gentle example can help kids recognize the signs and practice self-calming techniques.

Esme & Roy's thoughtful approach to self-awareness and mindful behavior makes it an excellent tool for families and caretakers to use in teaching similar skills to kids. The monsters' struggles with self-control, anxiety, and adaptation to change likely will be familiar to preschoolers, and even if the specifics don't relate to your kids' experiences, the broader emotions will. As youngsters watch the characters face and conquer their challenges, they may be inspired to better address their own with some grown-up help.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about fear and anxiety, and how to overcome them. Kids: What kinds of things make you afraid? How does it feel to be scared? Do you think some of Esme and Roy's techniques for calming down could help you? Can you practice them together?

  • What examples of kindness, helpfulness, and compassion do you see in the characters' actions? Who in your life is another good role model of this kind of positive behavior? When you see negative behavior happening, how do you ensure you're not drawn into it?

  • How does imagination help Esme and Roy find creative solutions to the monster kids' problems? When we use our imagination, does it change the way we see the real world? Can it help us make it a better place? If so, how?

TV Details

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