Bob the Builder

I just got addicted to this show just recently, when my 3 year old nephew wanted some Bob the Builder DVD's for Christmas. I watched them just to make sure they played OK............wait.......OK, I was curious too. I thoroughly enjoyed all 3 DVD's I bought. The show isn't preachy but teaches kids the importance of teamwork and getting along. At first I wasn't sure about the "pumpkinhead character" which turned out to be Spud, but he's my favorite character now. Highly recommended for small and big kids alike. I'm not sure I want to part with these DVD';s now, maybe I'll buy my nephew something else for Christmas. No, I'm kidding.

This is a GREAT show. It shows hard work, cooperation, and teamwork to get the job done. The best part is the fact that none of the characters are emotionally needy or use manipulation tactics to get attention (example: Why won't anyone notice me, he doesn't want to be my friend, I'm not as good as you, I didn't think you liked me). They just get the job done and have a great time doing it. Even Spud, who's the laziest of them all, tries to be good.

Also, it's not as preachy as some shows. Or syruppy either. It's just good wholesome programming!

In my opinion, I think Bob and Wendy should get married! :)

And how couldn't I? This show was like a miracle waiting impatiently to happen. Bob the Builder showed in a majestic way that shows for children don't need to be corny, preachy or shallow for children to appreciate them. All characters are extremely charismatic; I seriously find it impossible to dislike any of them. The stop-motion animation is spectacularly beautiful. But most of all, I think it's the writing that truly makes the show. I don't remember seeing any story that went into a tired, obvious cliché just for the sake of being "educational". The focus is always on the diverse construction jobs - a most interesting and rich subject for children - and on topics like teamwork, cooperation and friendship. The stories are very well thought out. I have to say that several moments of the series are just plain funny, and I actually laughed out loud sometimes.

The characters aren't banal at all. With time, you can pick up some delicate intricacies and twists in their personalities that makes everything very believable. Bob himself, for example, is an extremely competent worker and a friendly guy, but he has his own moments of silliness: he built a cornet for himself once, and got so excited that he played his loud, out-of-tune ramblings all night long (either that or he was acquiring the taste for avantgarde). Other time, he found an old tambourine while cleaning a house's attic, and while playing with it, causes a tiny catastrophe; and while seeking for buried treasure with his metal detector, he broke a water pipe on farmer Pickles's field. Those small things make the series much more believable and palpable than other children's series, and in the end, you surrender and start to believe that marionettes can live a happy, joyous life in perfect harmonies with talking machines. Not everyone can create a series like that, you know.

I honestly recommend this series for everyone. And if you (or your kid) already are a fan, please, don't miss the Album. If you live in the US and are used to the Nickelodeon dubbing, you'll have to conform with the British voices (which I personally prefer). Either way, it's excellent, exciting music.

My three year old son has loved Bob the Builder and friends for almost two years. He loves anything with tools, trucks and construction equipment, and this is right at his level. He has been Bob the Builder for Halloween for two years now. He uses the tools, his Bob the Builder fan club hat, and his Bob the Builder boots when he has to "fix" things around the house. He also enjoys the games on the website. Perfect for small ones to play with little assistance. As for the show, the tales and animation are simple enough for little ones, but not too annoying for the parents, too. Now that he is a bit older, we especially enjoy the Bob movies, Knights of Can-a-Lot and A Christmas to Remember. We look forward to more from this crew.

I just wish that this show was on when I was in pre-school. The characters are cute, and so are the plots, which teach important lessons to kids. I even enjoy watching this show with my 3 year old cousins. Although it may be a little corny, it is just too cute to be annoying.