Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Musical dog's travels turn kids on to folk tunes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
In LOMAX, a decked-out train caboose called the Melody Hound Express is home to music-loving Amy (Amy Miles) and her furry friends -- Lomax (a.k.a. "The Hound of Music") and Delta the blues-singing cat. The fun-loving trio criss-crosses the country to discover the diverse heritage of American folk music. Their travels introduce them to plenty of characters -- both human and animal -- who share their passion for song, and each day brings new tunes to sing and new friends to share them with.
Is It Any Good?
This melodic series takes a refreshingly unique approach to promoting music appreciation by focusing on traditional folk tunes. Kids will probably be familiar with some of the timeless songs -- like "She's Coming Around the Mountain" and "The Bear Went Over the Mountain" -- and the simple instruction style makes chiming in a breeze, even when the song is new to them. While the show does include samples from other musical genres, it highlights the unifying quality of folk tunes and introduces an assortment of lesser-known instruments (fiddle and banjo, for example) that complement their heritage.
But the show's ace in the hole is that kids really will love it. The colorful cast of characters -- human and puppet alike -- ensure that the info-packed episodes are fun and never feel like a lesson. The characters' enjoyment of music is infectious, and kids will absorb all the educational content just by joining in the fun. Parents may even be inspired to sing along with the recognizable tunes, too, making Lomax a great choice for family viewing.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about music. Kids: What types of music do you like? Do you have any favorite instruments or songs? How do different kinds of music make you feel? Do you like the music you hear in this show? How does it compare to the tunes in some of your other favorite shows?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 6, 2008
- Cast : Amy Miles
- Network : PBS Kids
- Genre : Educational
- Topics : Arts ( Music and Sing-Along ) , Transportation ( Trains )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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