The verdict is in: Bob the Builder has scored another big hit with Building Bobland Bay!

What makes Bob the Builder so popular with both kids and parents?  This blogger summarized it perfectly: “I noticed the themes that are common to all of them. In general, there’s a big idea that Bob suggests breaking down into simpler steps, then everyone contributes an idea until they come up with a plan. Everyone uses their strengths, and if someone can’t do something, the others pitch in more. There’s never any belittling someone in the group for something they can’t do.“  Another mother agreed: “The brand message of problem solving, teamwork and having a good attitude run through every show.”

This same blogger also enjoyed the content itself: “I was also impressed when they constructed buildings. It was like watching someone put puzzles together. When they put together the houses, you could actually see how the pieces were going to fit together.“  But another mother questioned the scope of work that Bob and his crew had taken on: “I don’t know HOW Bob the Builder won a contract of this size, but the dude must have some serious presentation AND construction skills.”

Bob the Builder is fun for kids both big and small.  One little girl “…has requested it out of the blue, she watches it when it’s on, and she sings that song with gusto. Lots of gusto. All I have to do is sing Bob the Builder… and she’s off belting out the rest by herself.“  And one big boy “tries to act like he’s too old and cool to watch Bob, who was his former favorite, [but] he immediately jumped with interest to see this movie.“  His little brother “…was beyond thrilled to not only watch an entertaining movie but also point out each construction vehicle and tool.”

Beyond the obvious appeal of all the construction equipment, both parents and kids enjoyed the lessons woven through the episodes.   One blogger commented that her daughter “was fascinated with the loud and obnoxious cement mixer, Tumbler. She said that Tumbler was mean and so we talked about how he made others feel when he acted that way. That was great because even if it did not register this time, I like that it interested her enough to talk about it.“  Another mother agreed: “I like knowing that she is absorbing lessons about teamwork and cooperation and working together.”

The moms liked the format too. “…it was broken down into individual episodes. From a timing perspective, that made it easy to chunk kids TV time into individual episodes. From an attention and continuity perspective, that made it easy to go back to the movie later and pick up where we left off.” and the kids did also: “They enjoyed the way the episodes overlapped to tell a larger tale about the building of the town and a movie being shot there as well.“  Another mother added: “One of the things I love about Bob the Builder…is the fact that their DVD’s typically have several short episodes. And you can always use that as an incentive - “If you brush your teeth and put on jammies right now, you’ll have time to watch two episodes of Bob.”

All in all, Bob the Builder: Building Bobland Bay got thumbs up from both bloggers and their children!  Pick up a copy and check it out yourself.