Hi-5

This is a show that parents can watch with their kids that gets them both dancing, singing and learning! The skits help children ages 2-8 learn numbers, math, problem-solving, learn words and music and shapes. Its almost like a whole day of preschool in a 20 minute show that you will not be able to tear your kids away from. Plus, the songs are not annoying (compared to Barney or even the Wiggles) so even you will be singing them all day as well! Check out the show on TLC and Discovery, during their "Ready Set Learn" programming block, and be sure to pick up your copies of the 3 DVD or VHS released early August, and the CD that will be released in early September. Go to hi5america.com for more info.

It's a quagmire of freakyness. All the bright colors and singing and imaginative play is, I agree, good for a kid. I don't care for the puppets, but there aren't many of them. But as someone who can't tolerate the campy prancing of the average Broadway musical, I find it hard to handle. There seems to be a belief in entertainment that if everyone likes a thing, they'll like it better with songs, no matter how cheesy. I suppose this is somewhat true of children, but it is as usual carried too far even in their shows.

So kids will like it up to a certain age, not sure which age because my 10-year-old complains about how corny it is and then sits and watches it. But for adults, at least those who tend to watch the Macy's parade without the Broadway prance samples, it's rough... but easy to handle than Barney.

My 5 year old son absolutely loves this show. Part of the reason he loves it is that there are boys and girls playing and singing together. The only down side of a great show is when you can't find any merchandise. I would love a CD of these fun songs (which I enjoy and find myself singing) but I can't find one with THIS group of performers. (Apparently there is and Australian group that does the same show and puts out the CDs) I hope they are able to keep this talented group together for a while. I would definitely buy tickets if they ever went on tour.

I have a 2 1/2 year old daughter and she loves Hi-5 and so do I. In fact, we recently went to a HI-5 concert and listening to an hour and a half of their songs showed me just how much vocabulary my daughter has learned from listening to this group. I started catching phrases in the songs that I heard my daughter saying on a daily basis.

This wonderful group manages to sneak learning in during the fun of singing and dancing. Each of the 5 characters teach different sorts of things -- shapes, problem solving, music, vocabulary and movement and they do a great job of it. I recommend them to any parent with toddlers. If they come to your city, I also recommend getting tickets to their concert. It's worth it.

At first this show just seems like another long song and dance kid show. But it brings you in, not in that "I am learning something" vibe. More in you want to see what is coming next. It doesn't hurt that the female Hi 5's are all very pretty and not overly done up.

The production of this show is also great and minimal at the same time. For a butterfly they would keep one of the hi5's in their normal clothes plus a pair of wings. Same with the bee's and Grasshoppers.

This show may someday be a big hit, but it has along way to go before people start buying hi5 merchandise or going to the mall shows. I for one wont be surprised when the kids start wanting to do such things, this show seems to deserve it.

Oh and it also was genius to create a purple trouble making purple Octopus...