Dr. Donna's Review

About the Film

This month’s Kidtoon feature presentation opens with Tiny, the star of the Little Robots cast of characters, explaining that he and his friends are going to “put on a show.” Tiny then introduces his friends, a charming group of robots who, along with the world in which they live, are made up of scrap metal and cast-off parts of machinery.
The robots work together to get the tickets printed, the posters readied and hung out for all to see, and the theater set up for the show to begin. “The show” consists of several six stories and a four interstitials, or short educational segments. Each of the stories features one of the robot characters. The first story features Noisy, the robot who is known as “the Queen of Noises” because she can identify any and all noises. Noisy has been showing off her special skill until she is challenged by sounds that she cannot identify. It turns out that Messy, the dog, was making the unusual noise. Noisy discovers this and Tiny reassures her that she is still the queen. The second story features Rusty out in the yard admiring the moon and stars. Rusty is approached by Spotty who suggests that the two of them go on an “expedition” and then sleep outside. While they are sleeping outside, the Sparky twins set up a projector to cast multi-colored lights into the sky and then they project their own shadows into the sky. This makes Rusty and Spotty scared. Tiny intervenes and divulges the twins. He tells the twins that they “went too far” and made it too scary. The twins explain what they’ve done and how they’ve done it. Then everyone plays at making shadows. The third story features Scary who has been fretting because he does special things for everybody else and wishes the others would do something for him. He tells Tiny who consults with the other robots and they all decide to build a surprise just for Scary. In order to keep it secret, they construct a wall around their work. Scary can’t stand not knowing what’s going on behind the wall. He tries and tries to find a way to get a peek behind the wall. Finally, the job is done and the robots invite him inside. They have built a playground for Scary. He loves it and invites all the other robots to share it. The fifth story features Rusty and her very special collection of “small shiny things.” Rusty is arranging her collection on the table in her house. When she turns her back, some of her small, shiny things disappear. She is confused and upset and enlists the help of Tiny and Sporty to help her solve the mystery. They discover that the Robobirds have been stealing the things and arranging a collage of “small, shiny things.” Rusty decides to give the rest of the collection to the Robobirds. The sixth story features the Sparky Twins, Sparky 1 and Sparky 2. When Scary selects Sparky 2 to be the “glamorous assistant” in his show, Sparky 1 becomes jealous. Sparky 1 interferes with their practice several times until finally they send her away. Sparky 1 decides that because no one cares about her, she will go away forever. While running away, she gets her foot caught and can’t free herself. Meanwhile Sparky 2, Tiny, Scary and Messy discover that she is missing and go searching for her. Everyone is happy when they find Sparky 1 and everyone acknowledges responsibility for the behavior that caused the situation. Scary decides that he can have two glamorous assistants and the show goes on.
The interstitial segments include songs and games that help children understand opposites, being your own best friend, why the words “please, thank you, sorry, and you’re welcome,” are magic words, and how to dance the “Stripey-do.”

About the Kids
This film’s primary appeal is to younger children, 3 to 6. Both boys and girls will enjoy this feature. The characters are unique from one another and developed with an intrinsic appeal to younger children. The themes are age appropriate and there are many lessons, both cognitive and social-emotional, embedded in the story content.

Film Content and Features
“Little Robots: The Big Show” is a charming, well-produced feature about a delightful group of characters. The themes are age appropriate and there are many lessons, both cognitive and social-emotional, embedded in the story content. The songs that convey the educational messages in the interstitials are clever and memorable. Children may leave the theater singing “I’m My Own Best Friend” after hearing it only once!

Things to Talk About
Each of the stories and each of the interstitial segments within “The Big Show” provide opportunities for important conversations with young children. Here are some suggestions:

• Play the “Noisy” game with children. Have them close their eyes and listen to noises you make by tapping on different surfaces, rubbing things together. This game helps children develop the aural acuity that is important to early reading skills.
• Play the “Opposites” game with children. You say a word. They say its opposite. This game is important as a pre-cursor to both reading and math.
• The story about Rusty and Spotty’s expedition and camping trip can be used to talk with children about sequences. Spotty was very explicit about the “order of things” for the expedition. Have children review the order of things for the expedition, i.e. first they packed up, next they walked around and around, then they set up camp. When it was time to leave they took down the camp, packed up their things, then they walked home, then they told their friends about their adventure. Helping children recall and articulate sequences of events is an important pre-cursor to critical thinking skills. The story also opens the door for a conversation about “scary things.” Rusty and Spotty were scared by the flashing lights and dancing shadows until they learned what caused them. Help children talk about times when they have been scared. Help them figure out the basis of their fear. Children can better manage fears when they talk about them.
• Scary tried several things to see over the wall. Ask children to remember what he tried and why each method didn’t work. Recalling details is an important pre-cursor to reading.
• Ask children to remember the song “I’m My Own Best Friend.” Ask them to tell you why Tiny would say that he is his own best friend. What does it mean to be your own best friend?
• The Little Robots solved the mystery of Rusty’s missing shiny things by working together. Ask the children to recall what they did to solve the mystery and who it was that took the shiny things (the Robobirds).
• The Magic Word Round-up song helps children remember that common courtesy words are important. Help them recall when to use each word. When children remember to use these important words, but sure to positively acknowledge their behavior.
• Ask children to explain why Sparky 1 felt jealous of Sparky 2. Ask them to talk about a time when they felt jealous. Say: Jealousy made Sparky 1 think that nobody cared about her anymore. How did jealousy make you feel?
• Encourage the children to: a.) Construct their own little robots out of things they find around the house; b.) Draw a picture of a robot they would like to own.