Parents' Guide to If I Were an Animal

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Common Sense Media Review

Melissa Camacho By Melissa Camacho , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 5+

Gentle reality series is charming and family-friendly.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 5+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 3+

Based on 10 parent reviews

age 18+

Based on 1 kid review

What's the Story?

IF I WERE AN ANIMAL is a reality series that features different animals as they grow from birth to adulthood. Each episode showcases four different species with Emma (Fleur Delahunty) and her older brother Tim (Zachary Young) offering their off-screen observations and commentary 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 different milestones in their journey to adulthood.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 10 ):
Kids say ( 1 ):

This 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 is happening to them in very simple terms. It's not fast-paced or action-packed, but the colorful, live-action footage, coupled with the innocent banter of the siblings, makes it appealing. No doubt that young animal lovers will appreciate the chance to watch and learn more about their favorite species.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the different types of animals featured in If I Were An Animal. What are the different milestones that each young animal has to reach to survive as an adult?

  • 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 the habitats differ? What kind of scenery did you see?

TV Details

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