Recently a new kids show on Nickelodeon has grabbed the attention of my two boys.

Team Umizoomi is an animated/live action show which encourages the development of “math powers”. I have to say not only are my kids hooked, so am I.

As someone in the animation industry I’m pretty hard on kid shows. But when it comes to Team Umizoomi the artists and production staff have organized something unique. The use of live action with animation is seamless, you just except they’re all living in the same world. Like Dora the Explorer the three main characters: Geo, Milli and Bot, love to ask your kids for help. Once you’ve solved the episodes mystery you’re rewarded with the “Umi-Shake” an awesome little dance that my kids love seeing me do.

I don’t hesitate to give Team Umizoomi 4 sidekicks out of 5 (my version of stars )

My sons love this fun and exciting twist on the classic bed time tradition of counting sheep before bed.

Russel the Sheep by Rob Scotton is about Russel’s struggle  to achieve a simple goal, sleep. The book is full of giggles and laughs with adorable illustrations.  It’s also short enough to keep my 2 year old’s attention and expressful enough to keep my 1 year old wanting more.

I give this book 4 sidekicks out of 5 (my version of stars)

Nothing gets my kids more excited then the orange foot steps of DJ Lance Rock.

Yo Gabba Gabba is a brilliant kids show that airs on the Nickelodeon Channel. This is one of the best shows on television for kids. It teaches them  manners, counting, eating habits, music, and how even the weirdest of talents are  “Cool Tricks.” What puts this show high on my best T.V. show list is the fact that it keeps me (the parent) entertained.

The show features a wide variety of guests including Sugarland, Tony Hawk, Jack Black, the Ting Tings, the Shins, Biz Markie, Mark Mothersbaugh, Elijah Wood  just to name a few.

Each show has an animated sequence which is just pure brilliance. What better complement can I (a professional animator) give but I wish I worked on them.

In the Fall I had the pleasure of watching their Live Show with my kids. Just when I thought the Yo Gabba Gabba’s brand couldn’t be cooler, it did. Every kid was dancing in the aisle and every parent and grandparent was jumping up and down to the music. Talk about AWESOME! I can easily say it was the best concert I have ever been too.

I can’t say enough about the show…if you have kids or just want to be entertained…head over to Nickelodeon watch an episode, get tickets to the Live Show when it’s in your area. I promise you’ll be hooked from the opening foot steps.

I give the show 5 sidekicks out of 5.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is a childrens television show intended for preschoolers.  While not a fan of the show, my kids seem to tolerate it.

I’m a big Mickey Mouse fan but there is something that just doesn’t click with this kids TV show. Perhaps it’s because I grew up seeing Mickey and his friends drawn by hand and decided to be an animator, partly because of Silly Symphonies. The old Mickey Mouse shorts had stories which were relatable to not only kids but to grown up too. I also find that the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse show gives out strange advice.  For example, when trying to grab eggs off a shelf that is to high for tiny arms, grab a trampoline and bounce your way to the solution. Now I’m not saying that it wouldn’t be fun to try this, but if I saw my kids bouncing on a trampoline to get eggs of a shelf I think I might blow a gasket.

On a positive note, I’m blown away by the great job the modelers did creating 3d representations of the orginal characters. It’s also a pleasure to look at the colour and layout choices that were made which brings the stories to life. My kids love Toodles and I love the idea of having my kids help solve problems in each episode, even if I usually don’t think the solutions are very clever or appropriate.

While my kids like the show, it’s not one that holds their attention for long. Most of the time they stay for the opening song (preformed by They Might Be Giants) then run off to play until they hear the end song “Hot Dog!” (which by the way was the first words Mickey Mouse ever said in 1929). When this song starts playing and the characters start dancing, my boys dance along with them having a great time.

I have to give Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 3 sidekicks out of 5

The Nickjr preschool show Wow Wow Wubbzy is about a lovable little character who has a bendy tail and he likes it that way. The shows imaginative colourful adventures make me want to watch more and more. The stories are full of excitement, great animation and always have a positive message. Jodi and I only found this show a few months ago and I’m pretty sure I’ve seen each episode 10 times.

The half hour episodes contain 2 stories, perfect to keep preschoolers entertained. Between the stories you’re rewarded with an amazing, lesson learning song. While my kids aren’t as entertained by these songs as they are with the music of Yo Gabba Gabba, I have to say I’m a big fan.

This show is easily in my top two kid shows; no annoying sounds, episodes are fresh, there is great energy to keep everyone entertained and excited to watch more. The colours are vibrant and the shapes are simple but expressive.

Wubbzy with his friends Widget, and Walden promote preschoolers social skills like sharing, listening, compromise and to appreciate others. Created for ages 2-5 this show will entertain all ages.

I happily give Wow Wow Wubbzy 5 sidekicks out of 5.

I never thought when we had two boys that cleaning would be so exciting. I especially didn’t think that a new Dyson Vacuum would bring so much love to my house.  While Jodi will tell you I’m not the cleanest of guys this vacuum sure makes me want to turn it on. If you don’t believe me check out this video and see the reaction that our Dyson DC25 brings to our kids.

Jodi’s mom recently sent us the Baby BumbleBee video series to help with Morgans delayed speech. He’s 2 years old but has only about 3 words in his vocabulary.

With a desire to help, Morgan’s Gammy researched and found The Baby Bee Language series. It mixes visuals, with words sounds and repetition (and also has a sign language option).  While some of the imagery and videos are a little dated (they were all filmed in the 90′s) you can’t argue with my two boys who are hypnotized by these DVD’s. Anyone who has boys knows it’s nearly impossible to keep them seated in one place without superglue, but that’s just what this series does.

I give the Bumble Bee Language Series 4 sidekicks out of 5.

I can’t decide which one of Mo Willems’ Pigeon books is my favorite. The simple graphic nature of these books give them a great charm and energy. The curiosity and child like nature of the Pigeon is a mirror image of my kids. The desire for him to want a puppy, to stay up late, to eat a hot dog, and to even drive a bus are just the things my kids think and dream about.

I love these books and can’t recommend them enough.

5 sidekicks out of 5