Shaun the Sheep
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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 Shaun the Sheep is a delightful short-form animated series from the creator of Wallace and Gromit that's appropriate for virtually all ages. The animal characters engage in some mildly naughty behavior (playing football with a cabbage, making a mess of The Farmer's house when he's away), but it's offset by the situational humor, and they always set things right in the end.
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User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
We love Shaun! Great for all ages
My brother and sister love this show!
What's the story?
From the creator of beloved claymation characters Wallace and Gromit comes SHAUN THE SHEEP -- a short-form animated series about a curious young sheep who delights in adventure and enjoys leading his flock into all sorts of mischief. When The Farmer's around, Shaun gives the man no reason to doubt that Shaun is just another follower of the herd. But the minute the unsuspecting man's back is turned, the resourceful young sheep is off in pursuit of fun. Often it's up to faithful sheepdog Bitzer to wrangle the flock -- and help Shaun clean up their mess -- before his owner discovers all isn't as it seems.
Is it any good?
This mini gem of a series will delight viewers of all ages, and its simplicity makes it a good option for sharing with even young kids. Shaun made his debut as the unfortunate victim of Wallace's Knit-o-matic machine in the 1995 short film A Close Shave, and his immediate popularity with fans prompted this series of shorts from creator Nick Park. The great news is that these abbreviated tales lose no ground due to their brevity -- each five-minute episode is packed with the same clever humor and endearing characters that fans have come to expect from Park's work.
While the series doesn't really offer any pointedly positive messages, parents can rest assured: Because Shaun the Sheep makes no attempt to represent reality (Shaun walks upright, and Bitzer wears a hat and a wristwatch), kids will easily see the exaggerated humor in Shaun's mildly naughty behavior and won't be influenced to follow suit.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about what it takes to be a leader. Who are some of the leaders you know? What makes them good at what they do? Who is a leader in Shaun the Sheep?
What qualities are important in being an effective leader? Have you ever been put in a position to lead? How did you feel about that responsibility?
Families who've seen the Wallace and Gromit shorts/movies can also discuss what this series has in common with them and how it's different.
TV details
- Premiere date: July 8, 2007
- Cast: John Sparkes, Justin Fletcher, Kate Harbour
- Network: Disney Channel
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Horses and Farm Animals
- TV rating: TV-Y7
- Available on: DVD, Streaming
- Last updated: September 21, 2019
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
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