Manny et ses Outils

My first thought also was that Bob the Builder (our favorite) was definitely a big inspiration for this show. And on top of that they took a cue from the success of popular Spanish/English bilingual shows, such as Diego. However true that may be, my boys love construction themes and tools (how cute is a hammer named Pat & a screwdriver named Felipe?), and I like watching them learn some Spanish too. They took to this show right away and ask to watch it all the time! I think it's pretty cute and tolerable for adult viewers, which is more than I can say for most of the other shows aimed at kids. The episodes stick to a predictable pattern, it's upbeat and delivers some good messages. Although it may not be the most original program ever, it's enjoyable children's programming all the same!

I remember when this show first premiered on Playhouse Disney (now called Disney Junior) in 2006. At the time, and also a little bit now, I found it to be one of the most charming cartoons ever. A lot of people have compared it to Bob the Builder and have said that this is a rip off. Not only do I disagree with that statement, but I personally think that this is better than Bob the Builder. Handy Manny teaches preschoolers how to be honest, you should include others, everyone is different, and to ask for help if you really need it. Bob the Builder taught friendship and teamwork. Well, that's all fine and good but the lessons Handy Manny teaches seem much more fleshed out. On top of that, the characters of Handy Manny are much more three dimensional than the characters of Bob the Builder. Their personality traits are present and some of them start out a certain way and then go through a story arc that changes them. Bob the Builder was boring compared to the colorful and three dimensional world of Handy Manny.

Manny is a repairman with a toolbox full of talking tools, all of which are cleverly named: for example, the measuring tape is Stretch, the hammer is Pat. Together Manny and his tools take on a variety of jobs, which always require thinking through possible ways of getting them done. In one episode, they're trying to help a lady get a new oven into her house, but it's too big for the door, so they have to try to find some other way to get it into the house.

Manny is a Latino, and speaks a mixture of English and Spanish, as do some of the other characters on the show; only one of his tools has a Latino accent -- Felipe, the phillips screwdriver. When other characters greet them, they typically say, "Hola, Manny. Hello, Tools."

My 4-year-old daughter loves this show. She enjoys learning what the different tools are and what they do.

I say the show is okay, but the popularity had dropped since 2006. To me this show is not that bad, but It could of been better...

My husband, my 4 year old, my 2 year old, and me...We all love it! Our boys are into repairing things, but we didn't like how Bob the Builder often whined....since we don't like reinforcing something they do enough naturally without cartoon characters reinforcing it. :) Manny has a great attitude. We love that Mr. Lowpart's cat has a comb- over as well. :) So funny! Manny is humble, genuinely interested in others (more than just another repair job), has a positive attitude and great work ethic. His tools have such fun names and the music is catchy. We're all singing the songs around the house these days. My two year old gets up and dances when the song comes on. My 4 yr old talks about Manny and his tools and some of the other characters throughout the day. We were in the van last week and he was talking about Mr. Lowpart and his cat. I couldn't remember the cat's name, but my son reminded me that it's Fluffy. :) Great show that we all look forward to when we can tune in! :) ...Coming back to add that we recently noticed a theme in the shows. Every tool is useful...just for different jobs. It teaches turn taking...sometimes it's someone else's turn to help with a job, but we're all working together. Love this! Also my 4 yr old has learned to distinguish whether "Felipe" or "Turner" is needed just by looking at screws. :) He is constantly wanting to work with my husband now on projects around the house. LOVES going to the hardware store now. :)