The Magic School Bus Rides Again

Looking for an entertaining, educational and nostalgic TV series on DVD? Well, then the Magic School Bus Rides Again: All About Earth! is perfect for you. Although it is targeted toward a younger audience, I still found myself attentive and interested in the story lines. Each episode has a fun adventure, mixed with an enthusiastic learning experience. It reminds me of how much I liked reading the original The Magic School Bus books when I was younger.

In the four episodes on this DVD, "Pigs in the Wind," "Hides and Seeks," "The Tales Glaciers Tell," and "Tim and the Talking Trees," the characters learn about the Earth's patterns and ways of communicating and how it's important to take care of the Earth. They also learn about wind patterns, how animals camouflage, how oxygen and carbon is preserved in glaciers for thousands of years and how ecosystems communicate with each other. And they also see many sights from different time periods and places that make amazing field trips.

My favorite episode is "Hides and Seeks," especially when half of the kids get to travel to different geographic locations and study animals camouflaging to report back to the other half of the kids. We see animals in the environmental atmosphere blending in, and in contrast we see the kids in their game of hide and seek. This show is for younger audiences, but some of the concepts are explained too quickly for me to grasp and won't make sense to everyone. A few characters are pretty different from the book, which makes them unique in this TV show. The voicing of the characters is realistic and fitting for their personalities. Although there is some repetition in ideas and story lines, it isn't enough to make the show any less fun to watch. I would definitely watch this show in my free time just for fun.

One of the messages in this series is love the earth and to protect it. This inspires people to preserve the wildlife and habitats. We are also shown that you can always find fun in learning and it's easier to learn when you get an inside look and explore things on your own, instead of read about them in a textbook. Sometimes the kids in the show find themselves in a scary situation, but they are never in grave danger. Apart from some concepts being a little hard to understand this series is pretty kid friendly great for school-aged kids.

I give this DVD 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 13. Adults and teenagers may enjoy it too. Reviewed by Rosemary K., KIDS FIRST!

This is a poor remake of a classic. Voice work is disappointing, lessons are watered down. The characters are made to all be cookie cutter perfect instead of individuals. Sure different colors but their bodies are all the same and Ms. Friz is young and obnoxious. Miss the quirky wonderfulness.

Stick with the original.

I understand some people have their issues with this show but McKinnon and her energy she put in the Ms. Frizzle character is really good. I have always loved the magic school bus as a kid and as an adult I admit that I actually like this show as well. I say the kids have a good treat to watch if the adults don't mind McKinnon.

I do not understand how this can be bad, It's trying to teach children! I also really like the new Flash Animation. I watched the first two episodes the day it came out, and it turned out to be good! I watched another two episodes and it turned out to be really good! I'd give this 7 out of 10.

The Keisha and Tim I grew up with were dark skinned and black-haired. They were not mixed or fair skinned. Why the change? The educational quality of the show is ok, but this flaw stands out like a sore thumb. What gives?!