Parents' Guide to

The National Parks: America's Best Idea

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 7+

Breathtaking historical look at nation's favorite places.

TV PBS Educational 2009
The National Parks: America's Best Idea Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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age 7+

Based on 1 parent review

kalicwe
kalicwe Parent of 15-year-old
January 22, 2011
age 7+

Perfect for children of school age.

Wow! My 16 year old daughter was inspired to camp, become an active conservationist, and talked us into visiting Glacier National Park before the Glaciers melted! [Which we did in August 2010.] She developed an interest in some of the music used in the series, and learned to play it on her violin.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Yosemite, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, the Everglades. The names evoke visions of awesome natural splendor, but for all their fame, the tales of how they achieved their landmark standing are rarely told. THE NATIONAL PARKS: AMERICA'S BEST IDEA -- a beautiful documentary series from award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns and writer Dayton Duncan -- explores the history of America's national parks, from the controversial infancy of the unique concept in the mid-1800s to the vast modern treasure that now belongs to everyone in the United States. The stories of the land are interwoven with tales of visionaries from all walks of life who helped preserve the sites that shape our modern parks system.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

This documentary series simultaneously entertains, teaches, and inspires, offering a whole new perspective on an American institution that most of us likely take for granted. If you've never visited one of these historic sites and felt a surge of pride, you will after you see them through the eyes of the people who fought for the parks' existence and consequently added an important new chapter to U.S. history.

Once in a while a series comes along that reminds us of all the positive qualities of the media -- The National Parks is exactly that. Apart from rare instances of salty language ("hell," mostly in historic accounts), The National Parks: America's Best Idea is well suited for family viewing. Kids probably won't absorb too much besides the breathtaking scenery from, but parents, tweens, and teens may be inspired to discuss everything from politics to conservation.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the media can be used as a teaching tool. Kids: What did you learn from The National Parks: America's Best Idea? How has the media changed how we learn? In what ways does your school incorporate it in education?

  • Does this series change your view of conservation? If so, how? What responsibility do we have toward future generations when it comes to land use?

  • What aspects of our nation -- past and present -- reflect the philosophy that "all men are created equal"? How does this series illustrate the idea of democracy?

  • How does The National Parks: America's Best Idea promote curiosity? Why is this an important character strength?

TV Details

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