The Backyardigans

This is a great show for preschoolers and young children. My daughter (4) loves it. She gets up and dances along with the characters every day! There is music, imagination and action in every episode. The animation is pretty neat; very colorful and the adventures the characters have are just like any that my daughter (or I at her age) would have. There is one in a jungle and another on a pirate ship. I love how the characters are all different but share similar characteristics. It shows children how other children can be very different but you are all the same inside. The dancing is fun too. The characters show different dance moves and how to build on them until you are doing a disco move or a shag move, etc. All around a very good show!

I like the fact that the characters poke fun at stuff. It is mostly music. And, whaddya mean "older kids and adults are not likely to be as enthralled"? Me, my 16-year-old brother, my parents, and my little bro LOVE this show!!! (and the pink thing is NOT an alien. It is a Uniqua, a made-up species of animal. It's just like a spork weisel.)

This show is an absolute delight. I wish they had TV like this when I was a pre-schooler.

The format is simple. Five young animals playing in their backyard start to imagine some adventure. The landscape morphs to match their fantasy world. The characters alternately explore and take time out for a little song and dance. The music is quite unlike typical shrill children's music. It is can range from baroque to doo wap. The child actors do an exceptionally good, but clearly child-like job, of the harmonies and counterpoint. They do a simple little dance. It invites participation. The lyrics are great fun, with strained rhymes. The original, clever, simple and upbeat music is what makes the show.

The 3D computer animation is smooth, sharp and clear with rich juicy colours. Real children play the characters, with plausible pleasant voices, not the silly squeaking usually used to entertain children.

The characters are invariably polite and kind to each other. Each adventure has a subtle morality tale. The story does not beat the kids over the head with moralising.

I confess. I am 58 years old, and I love this show. I feel silly watching a show for preschoolers, but it puts such a smile on my face, I tell myself "What the heck."

5 computer animated animal characters go on musical adventures in their backyards. Each episode has a theme, such as the kids being pirates, vikings, jungle explorers, and arctic adventurers. Usually it is 4 of the 5 main characters, and each episode ends with the imaginary setting morphing back into the backyard with the kids retiring to one's home for juice and a snack.

What sets this show above most is the remarkable musical and singing component. These kids can sing (especially tasha). Each episode varies in creativity, but the music and singing are consistently first rate. The shows are essentially 25 minute mini -musicals and the musical themes are fun, like the 50's, swing, jazz, and pop.

Parents with preschoolers who have had their fill of the same old purple stuff will find this dramatically refreshing. It is always a plus when a children's program is equally enjoyable by adults.

I hope they keep producing these for a long while.

WE love the Backyardigans! It is such a cute show with all the singing and dancing and education all in one, what a great idea. And the animation is the best, the colors are so bold and really keep your child's attention. My child's favorite in the show is Tasha! I have a 2 year old and my friend has a 2 year old as well and we were watching the show together and every time Tasha sang our two toddlers got up and danced like no one was watching! I think that is such a wonderful thing! Keep it coming and whoever sings for Tasha, keep her coming! What a great voice!!! Sincerely, Gina Carmen---We love you singing Tasha!! Your the best!!! Oh, the kids that had me send this are Brandon, Nicholas, Jackson, Mason and Jake