Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Penguin's funny adventures emphasize trying new things.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Jasper the Penguin
Parent and Kid Reviews
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 , Animals ( Ocean Creatures )
- Character Strengths : Curiosity
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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