Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gentle, informative nature series; gender clichés.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
If I Were an Animal
What's the Story?
IF I WERE AN ANIMAL is a nature documentary series that features different animals as they grow from birth to adulthood. Each episode showcases four different species, with siblings Emma (voiced by Fleur Delahunty) and her older brother Tim (Zachary Young) offering their off-screen observations and knowledge as they watch different animals grow up. From a fox named Elliott to a dragonfly named Lulu, viewers join Emma and Tim as they watch different animals make their way through various milestones in their journey to adulthood.
Is It Any Good?
This warm, gentle series is a great opportunity for viewers of all ages to watch different animals grow into adulthood in their natural habitats. As the animals develop and interact with others, If I Were an Animal uses the kids' voiceover to give each animal a name and to explain what's happening to them in very simple terms. It's not fast-paced or action-packed, but the colorful, live-action footage, coupled with the siblings' innocent banter, makes it appealing—though the boy-correcting-girl dynamic can feel a bit jarring at times. Overall, young animal lovers will likely appreciate the chance to watch and understand more about their favorite species.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the different species featured in If I Were an Animal. What are the milestones that each young animal has to reach to survive as an adult? Did any of the stages the animals go through surprise you? Are any similar to the stages of development human kids go through growing up?
If you were an animal, which one would you be? Why? What kinds of things would you have to learn to do? What are some of the challenges you'd face?
Talk about some of the various habitats these animals inhabit. How do their environments differ? What kind of scenery did you see?
How do narrators Emma and Tim show curiosity, empathy, and communication? Why are these important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 11, 2018
- Cast : Zachary Young , Fleur Delahunty
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Reality TV
- Topics : Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Curiosity , Empathy
- TV rating :
- Last updated : July 15, 2026
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