Movie Review: See How They Grow video series
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What Parents Should Know
This is an excellent educational opportunity for kids
curious about the natural world, and it's told in a fresh,
engaging style. Sixes, sevens and eights will respond well to
the up-close look at familiar animals growing up, but the video
series is too simplistic for older kids. Simple animal biology
is clearly demonstrated with relevant vocabulary and
animation.
Parents may want to use the series as a teaching tool, and take their kids on nature walks to see if they can spot any of the animals they've just seen.
Common Sense Media Review
Irresistibly cute, this video series' critters will
entertain kids with their witty commentary about growing up.
The up-close photography makes kids feel like they're at the
water's edge. The bright visuals and animation will appeal to
curious naturalists, while the quaint, story-like approach of
this series keeps it fun. A dragonfly, bat, tiger and other
baby animals share their experiences and discoveries in this
gentle, "picture book" look into the natural world. Expert
photography, animation, and a catchy theme song combine to
teach and entertain young children. They'll learn about the
stages of each animal's life as each one tells its story.
In Pond Animals, four babies tell the story of their lives, from birth to adulthood in their own childlike monologue. A duckling, tadpole, salamander, and dragonfly excitedly recount their experiences as they happen. Brief animated segments demonstrate the growth of each creature, followed by live-action sequences at key life stages and during quirky but fun moments.
Highlights include a downy duckling talking about growing up among brothers and sisters, struggling to break out of the egg, learning to swim, and exploring the pond. In the frog segment, underwater photography captures a tadpole emerging, developing into a fully-grown frog, and even meeting a swimming mouse.
In Insects and Spiders, children will see these creepy creatures in a new light. Kids watch insects enter the lifecycle, learn some new vocabulary, and experience a unique point of view. The bugs' childlike narration is simple and effective, appropriate for the ages between six and eight, when children realize other people's experiences are different from their own. But young viewers will also find points of view they know only to well: A young spider wonders aloud if "...I'll ever be able to build a web like that. Well, I'll have to practice." Kids who find the process of growing up daunting will empathize with him.
In this series: Pond Animals, Tree Animals, Forest Animals, Insects and Spiders, Jungle Animals, and Pets.
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