| Cult of Mac

Frog and Toad faithfully adapts the classic book series [Apple TV+ review] ★★★★★

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Episode 2. Toad (voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson) and Frog (voiced by Nat Faxon) in ★★★★★
A delightful children's book series comes to life in Frog and Toad.
Image: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewNew Apple TV+ children’s show Frog and Toad, based on the classic book series by Arnold Lobel about two amphibious friends, is smartly and simply animated in the style of the Caldecott Award-winning author.

Frog and Toad is a real gem — a welcome inclusion in the Apple TV+ lineup, and an honorable adaptation of a classic.

Jane’s flights of fantasy will excite budding brainiacs [Apple TV+ review] ★★★★

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Episode 6. Mason Blomberg and Ava Louise Murchison in ★★★★
Jane and her sidekicks head off for another animal-themed adventure.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewNew Apple TV+ children’s show Jane has zoology, ecology, biology and conservation on the brain. In the series, which premiered today, a young animal lover and devotee of famous primatologist Jane Goodall goes on adventures of the mind with dozens of animal companions in a chance to better understand the natural world.

It’s a charming and informational afternoon daydream — with resources aplenty and a heart that’s in the right place.

Charming animation and solid life lessons make Eva the Owlet a winner [Apple TV+ review] ★★★

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Episode 4. Eva (voiced by Vivienne Rutherford) in ★★★
Bird's the word in new Apple TV+ animated show Eva the Owlet.
Image: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewNew Apple TV+ children’s show Eva the Owlet is a typically cute entry into the streaming service’s very respectable collection of kiddie fare. Eva and her friends, her family and her pet bat, Baxter, get into one misadventure after another in the little village of Treetopington.

The animated show, which premiered Friday, is about creative problem-solving and making room in your heart for everyone. Memorably animated and earnestly performed, this one’s an easy recommendation for kids.

If Pretzel and the Puppies doesn’t charm you, you’re probably dead [Apple TV+ review] ★★★☆☆

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Puppy Puck (voiced by Max Mitchell) in a scene from season two of ★★★☆☆
Cute pooches and wholesome lessons. What's not to like about Pretzel and the Puppies?
Image: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewPretzel and the Puppies, the adorable Apple TV+ kids’ show about a family of dachshunds and their gentle misadventures in their hometown of Muttgomery, returns for a second season today.

Created by relative newcomer Kim Howitt and veteran Steven Altiere (Scooby-Doo!, Dinotrux), this show serves up low-stakes lessons of acceptance and perseverance —  everything that needs to be reinforced during a child’s formative years. Plus, it’s got cute dogs animated with care. Nobody with a heart can say no to this charming animated series.

Pinecone & Pony will whisk kids off on whimsical adventures [Apple TV+ review] ★★★★☆

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A still from Pinecone & Pony shows the animated stars of the whimsical Apple TV+ kids show.★★★★☆
What a pair!
Image: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewMarvelous Apple TV+ children’s show Pinecone & Pony returns for an energetic second season this week. The animated show, based on the popular book by writer and cartoonist Kate Beaton, centers on a hero-in-training in a world based on Viking lore and Lord of the Rings-style fantasy.

The series continues to combine cute animation and vocal performances with good-natured social lessons. It’s a winning and whimsical escape for kids and adults should also have a very nice time indeed.

Eva the Owlet and Frog and Toad lead slate of fresh Apple TV+ kids shows

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Take off with 'Eva the Owlet' on Apple TV+
Eva the Owlet is part of a wave of fresh children's programming headed for Apple TV+.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ has a trio of new children’s shows coming this spring. There’s Eva the Owlet and Frog and Toad, plus Jane, inspired by the work of primatologist Jane Goodall.

And that’s not all. Apple’s streaming service already has many shows for children, and several of these will get new seasons soon. Apple is also bringing back A Charlie Brown Valentine in February.

Shape Island squares the circle: It’s stop-motion perfection for kids and parents [Apple TV+ review] ★★★★★

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Circle, Square and Triangle from stop-motion animation show ★★★★★
Minor problems deliver major entertainment in excellent new stop-motion animation series Shape Island. on Apple TV+.
Image: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewShape Island arrives on Apple TV+ today to teach kids about social interactions and to help them ward off the anxiety inherent in such things. Based on the critically acclaimed books by illustrator Jon Klassen and author Mac Barnett, this charming stop-motion show is as cute as it is thoughtful — a good way to make kids laugh while slyly making them learn.

This is one of the first Apple TV+ kids’ shows with enough joyous anarchy for parents as well as children.

Puppy Place teaches kids all the right lessons [Apple TV+ review] ★★★☆☆

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Puppy Place season 2 review: Puppy Place can't stop being adorable.★★★☆☆
Puppy Place can't stop being adorable.
Photo: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewPuppy Place returns to Apple TV+ this week with a second batch of adorable, low-stress hijinks centered on a family that fosters cute pooches.

The Petersons and their four-legged charges once again set out to teach us to love dogs — and ourselves in the process. The puppies are cute and plentiful, the lessons come hard and fast, and no problem is so difficult that it might stress out a child.

The show remains a pretty good afternoon time-waster for kids under 10.

Adorable Interrupting Chicken teaches kids about storytelling [Apple TV+ review] ★★★★☆

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Interrupting Chicken review Apple TV+: Interrupting Chicken puts a new spin on old fairy tales.★★★★☆
Interrupting Chicken puts a new spin on old fairy tales.
Image: Apple TV+

TV+ ReviewInterrupting Chicken, the new Apple TV+ children’s show about a family of chickens who get lost in the power of books and storytelling, is a winning combination of beautiful animation, good voice acting, and charming and warm-hearted stories.

Based on the Caldecott Medal-winning book series of the same name, written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein, it’s another solid entry in Apple’s growing catalog of kids shows.