Once again, Bob the Builder does not disappoint: Building Bobland Bay has been a huge hit with bloggers and children alike. It’s not often that you find a children’s show that adults truly appreciate too, but Bob the Builder is one of those few. It’s got a catchy theme song and an even catchier message. As one mother described, her daughter “has been known to holler YES I CAN in response to any question that includes the words can you do this?”

Of course, the storyline was a hit with the kids - “they build a seaside development including a skate park, movie theatre and a lifeguard tower” - and they loved the new characters too: “Lofty, Dizzy and Tumbler get off to a rocky start, with some hurt feelings, but in the end they are able to overcome their differences and work together towards a common goal.” And as always, “Mixed in with the construction are some new machines, morals about doing the right thing, trying your hardest, and playing fair; Bob, Wendy, and his crew do a great job of mixing machines and values so kids pick up on the ideals without pounding it into their heads.”

That’s a major reason why parents love Bob the Builder - the underlying positive messages. This blogger summarized it well: “Being environmentally sensitive is just how it’s done in the world of BTB - it’s presented as a given that any interference with the earth should be done in as gentle and non-invasive a manner as possible. People need to build things - to live in, work in, play in - but they can do so in such a way that minimizes the impact of that building upon the environment. I love this message, and I love that it’s presented in such a simple, matter-of-fact way.”

Surprisingly, a couple little guys didn’t feel the same love for Bob that their older brother did.  Their mother felt sure that  this DVD “would be a great addition to our video library…But through no fault of his own, sadly, Bob didn’t make the cut. He tried, though, I’ll give him that. I offered him up each and every time a movie was being chosen. He even got played a time or two. But the interest just wasn’t there.”

But for most boys and girls, Bob the Builder is pure enjoyment. One mother of three girls screened the DVD with a little boy in attendance and was amazed at his physical reaction to it: “He totally enjoyed the DVD on a different level than my girls. Sure, he was engaged by the characters and the storylines, but he was thrilled by the different machines, jumping up and down, and pointing at them. It was a very different experience than watching with my girls who want to listen quietly so they don’t miss any of the dialog.” She went on to say that “after seeing a real live boy watch the show, I’d have to say that I’d wrap it up as a present for a boy really quickly. And maybe add some pretend tools, or real ones, too.”

So far the reviews have been glowing - check out the upcoming reviews and the round-up to see if the rest of the bloggers concur!

Tues 3/18 - Mom Reviews
Wed 3/19 - Midwestern Mommy
Thurs 3/20 - Mother Bumper
Fri 3/21 - Mayberry Mom
Mon 3/24 - Formula Fed and Flexible Parenting
Tues 3/25 - Ebony Mommy
Wed 3/26 - Round-Up Review on PBN