Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sweet spuds, happy lessons have cross-generational "a-peel."
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
SMALL POTATOES is a short-form series about four friendly spuds who sing songs about the world they love to explore. The song styles range from punk rock to reggae, and the lyrics are inspired by kids' impressions of everything from school to imagination to playing dress-up. Nate, Olaf, Chip, and Ruby share their feelings about each episode's theme, and the show incorporates the Potatoes into live-action sequences and familiar venues like famous paintings and scenes of a farm.
Is It Any Good?
If you handed your preschooler a microphone and asked her specific questions about her world, the answer would be something like the lyrical adventures of these delightful little tubers. Their unscripted observations about places, hobbies, and nature -- which inspire the songs that they sing -- are a treasure of insight into tiny minds, and with some help from you, they'll encourage your own tots to think critically about their world. What's more, the fact that the show incorporates touches of other cultures through musical styles and costumes will expand their awareness of diversity.
Small Potatoes is a fun find for preschoolers, and parents will find that they enjoy the cute little spuds as much as their kids do. In fact, since its British debut, the show has been such a hit with older viewers that it's developed a devoted fan base among teens and adults, who frequent the Potatoes' Facebook page for personalized potato likenesses of their own "Photatoes." This viral tie-in won't affect your kids as they watch the show, but you may be compelled to check out the online component yourself.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the Potatoes' songs. In what musical styles do the Potatoes sing? Which songs are your favorites? Do they use instruments in their music?
Kids: What do you learn from the Potatoes' adventures? Were some of the places they visited new to you? What did their costumes tell you about those places and the people there?
Parents can use this show to expose their preschoolers to new concepts and then follow up with field trips, books, and music that complements the theme. Kids: Of all of the places featured on this show, which would you most like to see in person?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 6, 2011
- Cast : Felix Forde , Martha Forde , Morgan Hartley
- Network : Disney Channel
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- Character Strengths : Communication , Curiosity
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2021
Did we miss something on diversity?
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