Jasper the Penguin
Penguin's funny adventures emphasize trying new things.
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Jasper the Penguin
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Jasper the Penguin is a collection of adventures of a young penguin in a town full of humans. His adventurous spirit and naivety about how people live makes for many humorous moments, but his ability to see the positive in every situation has great sentiments for kids. This mild series is a fun choice for parents to watch with their kids since the laughs, rooted in human norms, has broad appeal.
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What's the Story?
When a broken ice cap carries a JASPER THE PENGUIN (voiced by Rick Adams) far from home, he comes ashore in a distant human town full of unfamiliar sights and sounds. Ever curious, Jasper sets about experiencing all he can in this mystifying place and befriends a kindhearted girl named Emma. He writes home about what he learns, sending letters and small mementos from his adventures in bottles across the sea to his family.
Is It Any Good?
These simple stories put human norms in the unique perspective of the ultimate outsider. Not only are curiosities like the opera new to him, but basics like how people dress and what flavors of drinks appeal are bizarre as well. His attempts to understand it all are delightful to watch, eclipsed only by his attempts to explain the nuances of the human experience to his family.
Jasper the Penguin 's most prominent themes emphasize the good that can come of trying new things. What's more, Jasper is great at making the best of his mistakes and avoiding discouragement when he's in a fix. Learning doesn't always come in a neat and tidy package, and Jasper makes plenty of mistakes as he tries to understand humans' habits, but each one is fun for the viewing audience and teaches him something new.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how it feels to be the new person to a group. Are your kids shy? Is it easy for them to start conversations with people they don't know?
Do Jasper's experiences make you see human behavior in a different way? What common practices or habits do you think he'd find unusual in your house or among your family? Does being different necessarily make one person wrong and one right?
Kids: Do you have an adventurous spirit like Jasper's? What kinds of new experiences pique your curiosity? What other character strengths are important to learning?
TV Details
- Premiere date: January 1, 2003
- Network: Kidstream
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Adventures, Ocean Creatures
- Character Strengths: Curiosity
- TV rating: NR
- Last updated: August 23, 2022
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