Parents' Guide to Nature Cat: A Nature Carol

Filled with wit and dry humor along with some ridiculously catchy songs, this is a rendition of Dickens' A Christmas Carol that actually manages to stand out from the crowd. Nature Cat: A Nature Carol has a cast of all the usual suspects, including Tiny Tim and an adorable Scratchit family of mice plus three Christmas ghosts bumbling their way through their respective roles (kids will laugh every time one of them gets cut off just before giving Nature Cat the answer to all his problems). The message of focusing on giving instead of receiving is nicely delivered in a way that's silly instead of preachy. Where this special really goes above and beyond, though, is with its theme of environmental conservationism. Not only does Nature Cat learn to think of others, he also learns to think about the natural world surrounding him and the animals that call it home.

Viewers familiar with Nature Cat already know that what initially seems like a frenetic show that may be too much for some kids soon reveals itself to have a refreshingly wholesome message plus lots of opportunities to learn through humor. But don't get the wrong idea, this is a show adults will enjoy too. A whole host of SNL alumnus lead their voices to the series (including Kate McKinnon, Taran Killam, Bobby Moynihan, and Chris Parnell) and the jokes are every bit as quick and wry as you would expect from a cast of that caliber. It's truly a special the whole family will enjoy -- just be prepared for some tough questions from the kids about the carbon footprint of your holiday decor once it's over.