Big Bird in China

This movie does a fairly good job of introducing the Chinese to the very young viewers of America. It demonstrates that China is a beautiful place with wonderful people and a fascinating history. It shows only the beginnings of the cultural differences, which is is good in that it doesn't overwhelm the young viewers.

Children will enjoy the show again and again. There are typical Sesame Street moments throughout the show that will be familiar to American Children who watch the Sesame Street regularly. However, where Sesame Street is an hour long collection of skits and vignettes, this is an hour long story with a single plot (and less counting).

Parents will enjoy the show the first time, but then will quickly yearn for more substantial information about China, her culture, history, and her people.

When I was a kid, I used to watch my family's VHS tape of this movie constantly! It was a eye-opener for me, as my knowledge of Chinese folklore and mythology, especially of Sun Wu Kong, the Monkey King, was pretty much non-existent at the time, and I also learned how to speak and understand the same Chinese words that Big Bird does! I love the bond that grows between Big Bird and Xiao Fu over the course of the movie, and I was very pleased to learn that Caroll Spinney and the young girl who played her had stayed in touch after Mr. Spinney left to go back to America when the filming was done! The fact that the viewer gets to see and appreciate the beauty of the Chinese countryside is just icing on the cake of a very good movie!

This movie was a childhood favorite for my friend's and I. It contains a solid introduction to Chinese landmarks and culture for kids (after all, it is a kid's film).

I watched it for the first time since the 1980s recently and still enjoyed it.

For kids, it is packed with mystery, adventure, and the desire to learn other languages/cultures.

I recommend that any parent get this movie for their child. It is classy, clean, and educational-- in a fun way. Kid's love finding 'clues' in movies, and this does that in an exciting way.