Tinga Tinga Tales
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
African folk tales feed kids' curiosity, teach good lessons.
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What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
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Tinga Tinga Tales
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What's the Story?
TINGA TINGA TALES uses Tanzanian-inspired art to bring animal-centered African folk tales to life. Stories like "Why Lizard Hides Under Rocks" and "Why Lion Roars" put a multicultural spin on the theory of evolution and illustrate interpersonal issues like the importance of sharing, having courage in the face of fear, and being humble.
Is It Any Good?
This beautifully animated series exposes kids to rich African culture through art, music, and timeless storytelling that will change the way they look at the world's animal inhabitants.
The intriguing tales were gathered from a range of African nations, and each one takes kids on a fantastical safari adventure to discover the reasons behind the natural world's diversity. Although the show is geared toward preschoolers, its stories and social messages won't be lost on older kids who tune in, and it will inspire them to think creatively about how the world got to be the way it is today.
Tinga Tinga Tales is a great introduction to multicultural arts and heritage, and its brief format (each story is only 15 minutes long) caters to parents who want to share quality entertainment with their kids in small doses. And since the stories also incorporate positive messages about personal and social responsibility, there will be plenty to discuss about how the animals' experiences relate to your kids' lives after the TV's turned of.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the lessons the animals learn in Tinga Tinga Tales. How does their behavior or attitude change? How do their friends help them recognize their negative behavior?
How are these stories different from the ones you usually hear in books or on TV? How is the artwork different? Do you like the way this show looks and sounds? Why or why not?
What aspects of the world around you do you think need explanation? What makes different animal species unique? If you could tell the story of how an animal came to look like it does today, what would you say?
How does Tinga Tinga Tales promote curiosity and empathy? Why are those important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date: February 14, 2011
- Cast: Geoffrey Curtin, Johnnie Fiori, Patrice Naiambana
- Network: Disney Channel
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Wild Animals
- Character Strengths: Curiosity, Empathy
- TV rating: TV-Y
- Last updated: February 25, 2022
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