Dr. Donna's Review

Themes & Other Things

The two related stories that make up the feature film “Grizzle-ly Adventures” will appeal especially to younger children, both boys and girls.  In each of the stories, the Care Bears use their wits to overcome Grizzle and make the point that goodness overcomes badness.  Parents should be aware that some younger children may initially act scared by the Grizzle character but most children will gain satisfaction from seeing the Care Bears (and thereby themselves!) outwit him, defuse his powers and make him seem silly in the end.

Talking Points

• Build reading skills by helping kids remember the sequence of events in the stories – what happened first, next, next and so on. 

• Ask children how they feel about Grizzle – Is he scary?  Why/why not? Grizzle is always trying to take over Care-a-Lot but he never succeeds. Do you think he’ll ever succeed?  Why/why not?
  
  
• Build understanding of character and messages by asking your kids to talk about Share, Emma and Grizzle. 
  
  
• In order to fix Wingnut, Grumpy needed a piece the size of the heart on Share’s special necklace.  Why didn’t Share want to let him use her necklace? Was Share being selfish?  How did she overcome her reluctance to share her necklace?

Activity Ideas
Have your kids draw pictures of their favorite characters from “Grizzle-ly Adventures.” Help them write the names of the characters on the pictures. Post the pictures where everyone can see them.

With your kids, make a heart necklace out of stiff paper and string. Share the heart necklace (as Share did) by cutting in half and each of you wearing your half-heart necklace.