Sarah & Duck
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Whimsical series about friendship caters to kids' curiosity.
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What's the Story?
SARAH & DUCK follows the adventures of a young girl named Sarah (voiced by Tasha Lawrence) and her friend, Duck, whose exploits in and around their neighborhood are encouraged by the advice of an unseen narrator (Roger Allam). The simple storylines revolve around everyday activities like going to the park and celebrating birthdays, and the characters encounter new friends along the way, often in unexpected places.
Is It Any Good?
Sarah & Duck's animation brings to mind the style of classic storybooks, and the narrator's verbal interaction with the characters both helps move the story along at an age-appropriate pace and articulates preschoolers' natural curiosity about the characters' adventures. When there's a knock at the door, he ponders, "Who could that be?", prompting Sarah to answer it. When Duck finds an envelope with contents unknown, the narrator asks, "What are they?" -- validating young viewers' quest to know the same thing.
Another delightful aspect of the show is how it presents the exploration of new topics. All of the characters' experiences lead them to learn new things, and Sarah's often seen flipping through books or asking her own questions to solve problems that arise. Cause and effect, pre-reading skills like counting and picture identification, and sequences are more positive characteristics of this engaging series.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Sarah and Duck's relationship. How are your friendships like theirs? Do you and your friends enjoy learning new things together?
Kids: What messages does this series send about solving problems? What resources (or people) do you use when something has you stumped?
Sarah and Duck are very curious about the world around them. Families can use the topics in this show to build on ones that interest their preschoolers. Plant a garden, create artwork, bake a special treat, or brighten someone's day. What did you learn from your experience?
TV Details
- Premiere date: February 18, 2013
- Cast: Roger Allam, Tasha Lawrence
- Networks: Sprout, CBeebies
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Adventures, Friendship, Great Girl Role Models, Horses and Farm Animals, Science and Nature
- TV rating: NR
- Last updated: March 31, 2022
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