Sofia the First
- Networks: Disney Channel, Disney Junior
- Genre: Kids' Animation
Common Sense Media says
Spunky, well-rounded princess celebrates individuality.
- Networks: Disney Channel, Disney Junior
- Genre: Kids' Animation
What parents need to know
Educational value
Positive role models
Violence & scariness
Sexy stuff
Language
Consumerism
Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Sofia the First is a TV series that follows Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess and tells the story of young Sofia, newly minted princess who's trying to adapt to her new life as a royal. Kids will love the show's spunky heroine and her amusing adventures, and parents will appreciate that the characters illustrate positive traits like loyalty, honesty, and friendship in stories well suited for their young audience. Sofia's experiences inspire viewers to celebrate their own unique qualities as she does, even when it means that she stands out in a crowd. Guest appearances by recognizable princesses like Belle and Jasmine might inspire kids' interest in Disney's other royal stories, making this series a possible gateway into other Disney offerings.
User reviews
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Kids say
What's the story?
In SOFIA THE FIRST, young Sofia (voiced by Ariel Winter) is learning the ropes now that she's an official part of the royal family. When her mother, Miranda (Sara Ramirez), married King Roland II (Travis Willingham), Sofia became a princess overnight, but the transition isn't without its ups and downs. Fortunately she has loving parents, two new stepsiblings, and a collection of woodland friends to help her find her way, not to mention surprise visits from more experienced princesses like Jasmine and Ariel. With their help, Sofia learns that being royal isn't about fancy dresses and parties; it's about being a good friend, caring for others, and always doing what's right.
Is it any good?
QUALITY
This engaging series does everything right with a talented voice cast (including guests like Eric Stonestreet, Bonnie Hunt, and Jeffrey Tambor), lively original music, sharp writing, and crisp animation that brings to life darling Sofia and a well-rounded supporting cast. The stories are inspired by coming-of-age woes young kids will understand like trying to fit in with new friends, and the messages about self image, perseverance, and compassion won't miss their mark with your younger kids.
Sofia the First improves on its popular feature-length predecessor, presenting viewers with a more complete heroine in its precocious young star who gracefully balances royal expectations with her efforts to bring her own individuality to the princess role. In so doing, she teaches her friends and kids at home about the joys of overcoming new challenges and inspires the belief that if you're true to yourself and embrace your individuality, then there's no limit to what you can do.
Families can talk about...
Families can talk about how Sofia meets her challenges. Who gives her good advice when she needs it? How does talking about her troubles with others help guide her decisions? Does she always make the right decision the first time? How does she learn from her mistakes?
How does Sofia compare to some of the grown-up Disney princesses? What are her best qualities? In what ways does she challenge stereotypes about princesses? What comes of her breaking from traditions?
Kids: What are your favorite qualities about yourself? Do they ever make you feel different from your friends? Does this ever seem like a bad thing? How would the world differ if there was more similarity in how we look and act?
TV details
| Cast: | Ariel Winter, Sara Ramirez, Travis Willingham |
| Networks: | Disney Channel, Disney Junior |
| Genre: | Kids' Animation |
| Topics: | Magic and fantasy, Princesses and fairies, Brothers and sisters, Fairy tales, Great girl role models |
| TV rating: | TV-Y |
| Available on: | Streaming |
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What other families should know
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
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Inappropriate for the targeted age-- or any age, really
I began seeing previews for Sofia The First during recorded episodes of Doc McStuffins and realized that it was going to be sandwiched between Jake and the Neverland Pirates and Doc McStuffins on Saturday mornings-- the time when my daughter has pretty unfettered access to Dinsey Junior because her grandparents are babysitting. We decided to sit down and preview it one evening (yes, with glasses of wine) and decided that it was definitely not appropriate for our 2 1/2 year old. The messages, for one, are typically Disney- girls are interested in the way they look, in whether or not others like them, in being princesses, having parties and getting dressed up. From what I have seen the girls are subtly rude/mean to or subtly disapproving of one another (insidious "mean girl" culture at its finest) and, while there is an overarching message of friendship and acceptance preached by parents, young children see the actions and words of the characters as paramount- they often do not have the sophisticated interpretation skills necessary to understand that these are examples of what NOT to do, or the attention span to follow the storyline to its conclusion. In the Royal Sleepover, for example, young children are much more likely to hear, emulate and find funny the horror of the older sister and her friends when they say, "You invited VILLAGE GIRLS????" (this was also the scene play and replayed on countless commercials for the new series) than they are to understand that the overarching message of the show is that you should be who you are and that being a village girl is ok-- especially after your best friend's older sisters give you a royal makeover.
What other families should know
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
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:)
Slow down, you guys! You have to remember Sedric.Sometimes he might scare 3 year-olds. I mean it's a superb show and very well written, but you have to consider all the options. By the way, love the show. Way better than anything they show on Disney Junior. And i'm 10.
What other families should know
Too much violence
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