With these friends and others, Pete lives it up in Cat City. He goes to school, throws parties and plays guitar in a band. When things don’t go their way, Pete and his friends figure out a solution, often through song.

A wise old hound dog (Pete’s guitar teacher) narrates each episode and shares the moral succinctly at the end of each story.

Keeping Tabs on This Tabby

Most episodes (barring special holiday episodes) have two 12-minute stories. With catchy tunes, Pete and his friends learn that it is important to be your unique self, try new things, embrace optimism and live each day to its fullest.

Basically, Pete and his pals encourage young viewers to dive into life with a smile and don’t let anything get you down. For these characters, there’s always a solution. Thematically, Pete the Cat feels happy-go-lucky, focusing on overarching attitudes for life rather than specific issues.

That said, parents shouldn’t skip straight into this show with their own happy-go-lucky attitude. Sally the squirrel has two dads, and they get some short but rather flamboyant screentime in “A Very Groovy Christmas” and “Taking Care of Bobness & Sally Comes Clean.”

While Sally’s dads aren’t core to the theme of either episode, the characters treat it as a normal thing to have two dads, which might be confusing to some children who haven’t been appropriately introduced to LGBT issues. Not too groovy.

(Editor’s Note: Plugged In is rarely able to watch every episode of a given series for review. As such, there’s always a chance that you might see a problem that we didn’t. If you notice content that you feel should be included in our review, send us an email at letters@pluggedin.com, or contact us via Facebook or Instagram, and be sure to let us know the episode number, title and season so that we can check it out.)

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Donkey Hodie: Bedtime Stories was developed by PBS Kids to help get children ready for sleep. Each episode features Donkey or one of her friends as they read a bedtime story and calm their minds and bodies for sleep.

(Parents may want to note that Donkey has a rainbow-shaped pillow in her bed, though there’s nothing to indicate that this is anything more than a child’s toy.)

Each 5-6-minute episode in the series plays like a real bedtime story, showing storybook pages as Donkey reads them and complete with a lullaby. So if you’re looking for something to lull your tots to sleep, it’s not a bad option. However, since the blue light of screens can actually disrupt sleep patterns, I’d recommend using it earlier in the evening to help wind your kiddos down before they start their bedtime routines.

(Editor’s Note: Plugged In is rarely able to watch every episode of a given series for review. As such, there’s always a chance that you might see a problem that we didn’t. If you notice content that you feel should be included in our review, send us an email at letters@pluggedin.com, or contact us via Facebook or Instagram, and be sure to let us know the episode number, title and season so that we can check it out.)

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Along with her friends, Purple Panda, Duck Duck and Bob Dog, Donkey Hodie learns the value of hard work and perseverance. She discovers that it’s OK to make mistakes and that there are lessons to learn from them. And she tries her hardest to treat everyone she meets with kindness and fairness.

This PBS Kids spinoff of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood is aimed at preschoolers, teaching them social-emotional skills important for their development.

There’s the occasional mention of magic, but only in make-believe or stories. And since the show seems void of virtually any other content concerns, it’s a hee-hawesome win for families.

(Editor’s Note: Plugged In is rarely able to watch every episode of a given series for review. As such, there’s always a chance that you might see a problem that we didn’t. If you notice content that you feel should be included in our review, send us an email at letters@pluggedin.com, or contact us via Facebook or Instagram, and be sure to let us know the episode number, title and season so that we can check it out.)

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Hazel knows that these changes won’t be easy, but she’s prepared to handle them like the mature 10-year-old she thinks she is.

Unfortunately, things don’t go as well as she hopes. On her first day of school, nobody laughs at her jokes. She sits in wet paint at lunch. And then she comes home to find out that Antony’s flight got cancelled, so he won’t be able to visit until the holiday break.

Hazel’s had it. She packs her backs and prepares to run away. But that’s when she runs into her new neighbors, Wanda and Cosmo.

The pink- and green-haired duo immediately suspects that something’s up. They quickly realize that they can help Hazel—and that this kid needs them.

So, with a little magic, Wanda and Cosmo reveal their true nature to Hazel. They aren’t just retirees living next door: They’re fairies, with wands and wings and “floaty crowny things.” What’s more? They’re also godparents, and they’re prepared to make Hazel’s every wish come true.

Be Careful What You Wish For

The Fairly OddParentsgot its start on Nickelodeon back in 2001, when Wanda and Cosmo were helping a young boy named Timmy. After Timmy grew up, they helped out his cousin, Viv, as chronicled in The Fairly OddParents: Fairly Odder (which premiered on Paramount+). But now, this fairly odd couple is back on Nickelodeon in A New Wish.

Much like the previous incarnations, magic is one of the biggest concerns here. Cosmo and Wanda are from a fairy realm and, as already stated, can use magic to grant wishes. But, as Timmy, Viv and now Hazel all learn, magic isn’t necessarily all it’s cracked up to be.

Sure, the godparents can make Hazel friends with her teachers or turn her into a fly so she can fly to visit her brother. But sometimes, those wishes have unintended consequences, such as making her teachers so immature the entire school nearly fails a test or getting caught in a Venus fly trap.

The good news is that Hazel learns from these wishes gone wrong. She realizes that just because she’s mature for her age doesn’t mean she’s mature enough to be an adult. And yeah, waiting for Antony to visit may not be fun, but there are other fun things she can do to pass the time.

Parents should also note that Cosmo and Wanda, who have been married for about 10,000 years, occasionally gender bend. In the original Fairly OddParents, Timmy wishes for the couple to have a baby; due to the way that fairy reproduction works, Cosmo becomes pregnant instead of his wife, Wanda. And that gender fluidity continues in A New Wish. While playing pretend, Cosmo dresses up as a princess so that Hazel (who plays a knight) can rescue him. So it wouldn’t be surprising if similar content shows up later in the series, too.

The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish is mostly cute, animated fun with some good lessons about growing up. But the concerns noted above might keep some families at bay until their kiddos are old enough to discern fantasy from reality.

(Editor’s Note: Plugged In is rarely able to watch every episode of a given series for review. As such, there’s always a chance that you might see a problem that we didn’t. If you notice content that you feel should be included in our review, send us an email at letters@pluggedin.com, or contact us via Facebook or Instagram, and be sure to let us know the episode number, title and season so that we can check it out.)

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Milo, Lark and Lofty are 5 years old. They aren’t sure what they want to be when they grow up, but they do think it would be amazing to be explorers, hairdressers, tennis players, news reporters, dancers, chefs, cruise ship captains or just about anything else you can imagine. And the fact that Milo’s Mum and Dad run a laundry service helps keep that imagination humming.

This PBS KIDS show is incredibly formulaic. Customers come into the shop asking Milo’s parents to clean their clothes—dirtied up by their professions. Then Milo and his friends ask the family’s sentient washing machine, Suds, to loan them some outfits of that same vocation so they can test it out for themselves.

The kids learn that every job has its challenges and rewards. They learn about teamwork, honesty and the importance of making (not breaking) friendships. And while they do occasionally disagree, they also apologize and work through their differences.

When folks come into the shop to have their clothes cleaned, those adult characters are briefly seen in their underclothes (tank tops and boxer-like shorts in a pattern pertaining to their respective careers). Since the characters are all animals, this is meant to be silly, and there are no defining anatomical features to make it anything but. However, younger kiddos may try to mimic this silliness and wind up prancing around in their own underthings.

That one silly caveat aside, Milo is free of most anything parents would find concerning. It has encouraging messages about friendship. And it lets children know that all vocations have value, encouraging them to try new things.

(Editor’s Note: Plugged In is rarely able to watch every episode of a given series for review. As such, there’s always a chance that you might see a problem that we didn’t. If you notice content that you feel should be included in our review, send us an email at letters@pluggedin.com, or contact us via Facebook or Instagram, and be sure to let us know the episode number, title and season so that we can check it out.)

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Since coming to Earth (as chronicled in Sonic the Hedgehog 2), Knuckles the Echidna has been pretty busy. He accidentally helped an evil supervillain escape imprisonment, fought Sonic over the powerful Master Emerald, became friends with Sonic, helped defeat the evil supervillain, and swore to defend Earth from evil.

That last part might be easier said than done.

Knuckles is still determined to follow the echidna way and become a legendary warrior, even if that doesn’t necessarily jive with the lifestyle of his new human friends. For instance, to fulfill his mission of bringing honor to his ancestors, Knuckles decides to take on an epic quest: helping Wade Whipple, a down-on-his-luck deputy sheriff, win a bowling competition and reunite with his estranged father.

Maybe not exactly what the elders had in mind, but it’ll do.

KNUCKLE SANDWICH, ANYONE?

As one of the most popular characters from the decades-spanning Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, it’s only natural that the super-strong echidna should get his moment in the spotlight. Knuckles fits Sonic’s 2020 movie and its sequel like a giant white glove, bringing Sonic’s rival-turned-friend to life in this lighthearted, action-packed show. The series blends explosive adventure and road-trip-buddy-comedy into a fun romp for both kids and diehard fans.

If you’re familiar with the Sonic movies, you’ve got a good grasp on what to expect in terms of content here. Action scenes are filled with explosive and colorful combat that never ends in death or gruesome injury—although Knuckles may bit a bit too intent in seeking that combat out. His obsession with vengeance and glory doesn’t come from a place of evil, and it isn’t encouraged by his friends, but it’s still essential to his motivations. His desire to prove himself as a warrior gets him into some fairly sticky situations (attacking innocent construction workers, forcing a terrified mailman to fight the family dog in ritual combat … you know, the usual).

Foul language isn’t necessarily an issue, but there’s definitely some questionable dialogue being thrown around, specifically between children and adults. Wade gets a bit too competitive with his 8-year-old bowling rival, and she has no trouble throwing his insults right back at him. Knuckles also leans towards disrespect in many of his interactions with Maddie, his human mother figure, though he does eventually accept her discipline (with a fair share of grumbling). And there’s a small whiff of spirituality when Knuckles occasionally meditates to commune with his ancestors.

Despite some of the eyebrow-raising antics of its central echidna, Knuckles still boasts heartwarming themes of family, friendship, and finding a home in the most unlikely of places. Add in some explosive action and charming banter, and it’s a score both for older kids and for adults with a Sega Genesis gathering dust in the closet.

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“Being kind is never a waste of time.”

If Buns Bunny—or Superbuns, as she prefers to be called—could share only one message, it would be that one.

Using her powers of kindness (and expert balloon animal-making abilities), Superbuns supports her sister, Blossom, and all her neighborhood friends, including Kevin the hedgehog, Neville the hippo and Rhonda the bear. Using these kindness powers, Superbuns finds her friends’ lost items, celebrates their birthdays and mediates their arguments.

LUCKY RABBITS’ SHOW?

Based on Diane Kredensor’s children’s book of the same name, Peacock’s animated series Superbuns demonstrates practical ways that kids can show kindness to others. Each 21-minute episode is split into three seven-minute segments, each of which usually features a problem that Superbuns and her friends collaborate to solve.

Generally, the Superbuns episodes depict positive social interactions for young kids, and there isn’t much as far as content is concerned. However, families will want to note that Superbuns and Blossom live with their grandmothers, Meemaw and Geemaw. Although the details of the grandmothers’ relationship are not explicitly discussed, it is implied that the two are a same-sex couple.

Additionally, Superbuns and her friends spend a significant amount of their time roaming around their town without adult supervision, which sometimes causes minor moments of exaggerated peril (like riding in an out-of-control vehicle or flying through the air on a pool floaty). Occasional episodes also employ restroom humor.

Superbuns and her friends demonstrate that kindness is, indeed, a superpower, and the show teaches important lessons about including and helping others. However, with its inclusion of a same-sex couple, families may want to choose from the myriad of other children’s shows that teach the same kindness lessons.

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Dora is a 3D animated reboot of the classic children’s series. Equipped with new tech (the Map has a camera now!) but the same adventurous spirit, Dora once again sets out on her fun-filled expeditions. It’s a big world out there, after all, and there’s so much more to see.

EXPLORATION FOR THE NEXT GENERATION

Don’t be fooled by Dora’s new look; all the classic trademarks of the original series are back in this reboot. Kids are invited to engage with the show by repeating certain phrases and movements or pointing things out on the screen. The show is also faithful to its source material in that it heavily features Dora’s Hispanic heritage. She and other characters will often use Spanish phrases, then translate them for the audience. It’s a great way to introduce young kids of differing backgrounds to a new language and culture.

The best thing that Dora retains from its predecessor, however, is a dedication to clean content for young viewers. Content issues can always show up later, of course. But for now, parents can breathe easy knowing this reboot carries a solid TV-Y rating.

A minor issue worth noting is the increased presence of technology and media; Dora uses the camera in her sentient Map to take pictures, and she sings a song with Boots in which they photograph almost everything they do. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this, of course, but parents might want to be aware of larger issues this might open for their little ones down the road (social media, smartphones, etc).

There’s also the heavy encouragement of—well—exploring. Dora is always on the lookout for her next adventure, which usually involves helping out a friend or family member. However, they also involve Dora and Boots setting off alone into places that might not be the safest. They’re never in any real danger, but Dora’s enthusiasm for adventuring into strange places sans-supervision could possibly leave an impact on more impressionable young minds.

At the end of the day, Dora is a fun and faithful reboot for a new generation, retaining all the engagement and educational value of the original with catchy tunes to spare. Don’t be afraid to say hola to Dora and her friends once again.

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Bluey is a rambunctious 6-year-old Blue Heeler dog, who loves to play games and have adventures. With a little help from the “magic” of imagination, Bluey and her little sister, Bingo, climb mountains, escape dastardly crocodiles and turn into fierce lions.

Always willing to play along or help create a new game are Bluey and Bingo’s mum and dad. They keep their lively little girls in check, teaching them valuable lessons, such as the importance of sharing and using good manners.

The Season Three finale (“The Sign”) garnered a bit of controversy when one new character made a casual reference to having two moms—the first LGBT reference in the show’s long running. But other than that, along with an occasional eyeroll, some mild toilet humor and an occasional light wink toward more adult behavior, Bluey is light and clean. The two sisters sometimes get into little tiffs over the rules of their made-up games, but they always apologize in the end and find a way to make the game fun for everyone. And they can inspire young viewers and their own mums and dads to play those same games, too.

Yes, Bluey has an issue or two for parents to note and consider. But this fun, well-written show also makes me wish I was a kid again (or at least that I had some kiddos to play these games with). And it feels like a valuable tool for parents since the games that Bluey creates don’t require a lot of toys, people or even time to play. With just a little imagination, your littles can mimic the lovable dog, developing their mental, physical and emotional resilience in the process.

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You have to wonder if the Loud family surname anticipated this household.

They’re certainly not the quiet family, what with 11 children and two parents running around. And if anyone feels more cramped than the others, it’s probably Lincoln. Of all the Loud kids, he’s the only boy, surrounded entirely by sisters who all have wildly distinct personalities, prickly pet peeves and names that also start with the letter L.

Because his parents couldn’t manage a brother, Lincoln mostly relies on the help of his best friend, Clyde, to get him through each day, which makes the boy somewhat of a second son to the rest of the family.

And Lincoln appreciates the extra support. Because whether it’s preparing for the school dance or just trying to make a name for himself, he’ll need all the help he can get.

He may even learn a moral or two by the end of each of his adventures.

Living Loud

The Loud family? More like the Live family. Live action, that is.

Nickelodeon’s The Really Loud House adapts much of what you’d find in its animated predecessor (naturally named The Loud House). And, as you might expect, that comes with both good news and bad news.

On the positive side, it means we’ll continue to see episodes with positive messages and morals for children to emulate. We’ll see Lincoln learn how to get along with and love his family members—even when it’s not always the easiest task. And we’ll watch as the Loud family parents do their best to raise nearly an egg carton’s worth of kids.

However, it also means some of the content concerns cross over into live action, too. That means that we’ll continue to see LGBT content (mainly through Clyde’s two dads). Lincoln’s “goth” sister, Lucy, briefly performs a séance in an attempt to speak with “the spirits of the forgotten realm” and is otherwise into spooking her siblings. And some toilet humor crosses over, too.

Despite those issues, The Really Loud House will be relatable to anyone who grew up with siblings—be it one or 10. It doesn’t deny that there will be difficulties as personalities and desires clash, but we’re always reminded that true familial love will ultimately seek reconciliation and continue to grow us closer.

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