Television Review: Shaun the Sheep
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this delightful short-form
animated series from the creator of
Wallace
and Gromit is appropriate for all ages. The animal
characters engage in some mildly naughty behavior (playing
football with a cabbage, making a mess of The Farmer's house
when he's away), but it's offset by the situational humor, and
they always set things right in the end.
Families can talk about what it takes to be a leader. Who are
some of the leaders you know? What makes them good at what they
do? What qualities are important in being an effective leader?
Have you ever been put in a position to lead? How did you feel
about that responsibility? Families who've seen the Wallace and
Gromit shorts/movies can also discuss what this series has in
common with them and how it's different.
From the creator of beloved claymation characters Wallace and Gromit comes SHAUN THE SHEEP -- a short-form animated series about a curious young sheep who delights in adventure and enjoys leading his flock into all sorts of mischief. When The Farmer's around, Shaun gives the man no reason to doubt that Shaun is just another follower of the herd. But the minute the unsuspecting man's back is turned, the resourceful young sheep is off in pursuit of fun. Often it's up to faithful sheepdog Bitzer to wrangle the flock -- and help Shaun clean up their mess -- before his owner discovers all isn't as it seems.
Shaun made his debut as the unfortunate victim of Wallace's Knit-o-matic machine in the 1995 short film A Close Shave , and his immediate popularity with fans prompted this series of shorts from creator Nick Park. The great news is that these abbreviated tales lose no ground due to their brevity -- each five-minute episode is packed with the same clever humor and endearing characters that fans have come to expect from Park's work.
While the series doesn't really offer any pointedly positive messages, parents can rest assured: Because the show makes no attempt to represent reality (Shaun walks upright, and Bitzer wears a hat and a wristwatch), kids will easily see the exaggerated humor in Shaun's mildly naughty behavior and won't be influenced to follow suit. This mini gem of a series will delight viewers of all ages, and its simplicity makes it a good option for sharing with even young kids.
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