City Island

This series blends modern short form content with playfully vintage animation to achieve appealing results. It's a nice change that City Island not only takes place in an urban setting, but also thoughtfully explores what it takes to make cities function at a level that's appropriate to young children. The personification of every part of the city, from the buildings to the amusement park rides, not only makes it feel alive (quite literally), but also lends a welcoming and friendly feel to the bustling atmosphere. Each tiny episode has a simple message that's easy for kids to digest, and there are lots of interesting, multi-generational characters that bring their own value. In one episode, for example, the kids visit their grandparents' retirement home and learn to have fun without video games. Young viewers will be enthralled as characters explore some of the hallmarks of big cities, such as libraries, museums, and airports, and may be inspired to explore their own community more too.