Pequenos Planetas

A great little show that shows children a great deal about the world around them. The stories have a similar setup, Bing and Bong (the hero's) sit on their sofa and a giant catapult throws them to a different tiny planet where they have an adventure before returning back home and going to bed.

Within this basic frame work many different areas are explored. Science, nature, music, even conflict resolutions are shown among many others. These stories are never condescending but easy to follow and great for kids.

The program is cgi based with vivid backdrops and some inventive camera work. Rather than staying with the traditional side on camera angle, common to animation, the show sometimes puts in tracking or doll shots to place the kids in the middle of the action.

Go in with an open mind, sit down with your children and enjoy.

This kid's show is geared toward stimulating the senses while teaching very basic scientific principles to young children. I think it does a nice job as the music is very upbeat and techno, and unlike in so many other children's shows, it is easily tolerable and even enjoyable by the adults.

I also like the fact that this show addresses scientific principles, though simply, better than other children's shows that I have seen. Most of them hit you over the head with it, but "Tiny Planets" takes a fresh approach of having two friendly little aliens solving problems in every episode by learning about science. Examples of the lessons consist of story lines that detail changing of the seasons, how a rainbow is formed, how sound waves travel or even the importance of following a recipe (or formula) precisely to get to a desired outcome.

While there are some "ludicrous" parts of the show (as another reviewer pointed out), it is a kid's show and not meant to be presented as reality (first clue: they are little aliens in outer space flying around on a spring-controlled couch). It is computer-animation and it does stretch reality in the presentation as well as the story lines. However, my two-year-old daughter loves the show and actually tells other people what she has learned from it. And I can tolerate watching this show with her much better than many other ones that kids like to watch!

The only problem I have with the show is that the creatures that are native to the tiny planets are called "Flockers," and when a two-year old tries to say that, it can come out pretty shockingly (like a very nasty curse word). However, we just worked with her on her diction and eventually she got it very clearly. But the first time she was telling her grandparents about the flockers they were in shock for a moment or two.

All in all I highly recommend "Tiny Planets" for kids of all ages!

This program is beautifully animated and subtly addictive. I started tivoing the program on Noggin for my five year old, but soon found the whole family regularly gathering around the DVR to watch the antics of the show's heroes Bing and Bong. Not only are the characters lovable and the animation rich and complex, but each of the four or so "missions" packed in every episode has an educational theme as well. Our child can't get enough of this show.

There are many many episodes "in the can" - I've been watching daily for weeks and we've never seen the same one twice. I'm very surprised this British-American project with Sesame Street's producer isn't better known among educators and parents in the states.

Now if I could only find a Bong t-shirt!

I stumbled upon this show surfing one afternoon. Even though it is intended for a preschool age audience, I found myself recording it every day.

The show is a wonderful platform teaching children about how to deal with things from anger to the basic principles underlying science.

I wish there were more shows like this when I was a kid. I may have done better in math and science. The show does a good job of explaining simple ideas in an entertaining manner.

As animator I have a few issues with the production of the show but I can imagine the deadlines they are under to crank these out quickly. With that in mind, I'm impressed with what they are able to deliver.

Bing and Bong played a very huge part in my childhood. They are the best animated cartoon characters I've ever met in Noggin history! This is definitely the best cartoon that's ever lived on, I miss it very much.