Television Review: My Friends Tigger & Pooh
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this engaging preschool series
offers a twist on the classic
Winnie the Pooh tales: Christopher Robin has been
replaced by a 6-year-old girl named Darby. Purists may quibble,
but she's an endearing character who fits right in. Overall,
this is a delightful show that encourages kids to think
critically about the world around them by involving them in fun
puzzle solving. Plus, it's got upbeat songs, which kids are
sure to love.
Families can talk about how this show is similar to and
different from other versions of
Winnie the Pooh. Which characters are the same? Which
are new? Do you like the new ones better than the old ones? Why
or why not? Families can also discuss solving puzzles. Kids:
What mysteries did Darby and her friends solve in this episode?
Which clues helped them figure out the answer? How did they
work together to find the answer? Which puzzles have you had to
work out? Did you have clues that helped? How did you find
them? What did they tell you? Did someone else help you?
MY FRIENDS TIGGER & POOH follows newcomers 6-year-old Darby (voiced by Chloe Grace Moretz) and her puppy, Buster (Dee Baker), as they set off on adventures in their new home. (Pooh's traditional human pal, Christopher Robin, is nowhere to be found in this iteration.) And when there's a mystery to be solved, her new friends are quick to ask for help. Together with Pooh (Jim Cummings) and Tigger (Cummings again), Darby and Buster don their Super Sleuth costumes and set to work gathering clues.
Life in the Hundred Acre Wood is always full of fun and frolic, especially when there are new friends to share it with. And for Darby and Buster, being with friends like Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore often means helping them puzzle through the curious things that happen in their everyday lives. As the team solves mysteries, they show preschoolers the value of being inquisitive and reflective about the world around them -- as well as the benefits of teamwork. Throughout the discovery process, the characters interact directly with their young viewers, posing questions like "Can you think of where that might be?" and pausing for answers. They also encourage little ones' participation in catchy sing-along songs that quickly become familiar to regular viewers.
The series' bright, engaging animation and simple storylines are sure to capture preschoolers' attention, and parents will probably enjoy this endearing show almost as much as their kids do. And even though Christopher Robin is MIA, there's no need for long-time fans of A.A. Milne's classic characters to worry: In this case, modernization only enhances what you already love about Pooh and his pals, and the newcomers fit flawlessly into the fold.
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Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
Member Comments On...
Television Review: My Friends Tigger & Pooh
9 |
WHY was Christopher Robin changed to be a girl named Darby...? Is there any reason for this anyone has given anywhere? As a lifelong Disney fan, I find this disturbing and not a little disappointing.
4 |
My 5-year-old enjoyed watching this new Playhouse Disney show from start to finish. The episode even sparked a more in-depth conversation about sunshine and shadows. Cute, fun, and educational--wasn't not to recommend?
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