The series is part of the popular Where’s Waldo? franchise, which features lots of books, games, apps, etc.
Positive Messages
a lot
Contains lots of positive messages about different people and places from all over the world. The value of travel, teamwork, friendship, and problem solving are also key themes.
Positive Role Models
a lot
Waldo and Wenda are smart, open-minded critical thinkers who respect everyone they come across. Wizard Whitebeard is a little unfocused at times, but is a good mentor. Odlulu doesn’t do nice things, but she’s more selfish and insecure than evil.
Educational Value
some
The series offers some details about different countries, states, cultures, and communities. It also shows characters using critical thinking skills as they pertain to problem solving.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that the 2019 animated reboot of Where's Waldo? is an animated series based on the popular Where's Wally? books (known as Where's Waldo? in the U.S.) by Martin Handford. It combines lots of info about different countries and cultures with lessons about problem solving and teamwork, all of which are geared towards kid viewers. It also features moments where viewers can search for the iconic stripe-clad character, making it fun for viewers of all ages. The series is part of a larger Where's Waldo?franchise.
Overall a fun adventure show for younger kids. My daughter particularly loves the scenes where you can search for Waldo. The characters are refreshingly low in snark (Odlulu can have some attitude, but for a "bad guy" she's not too bad, and even frequently collaborates with Wenda and Waldo for the greater good). My one beef with the show is that, no matter where in the world Waldo and co. end up (Africa, China, South America, Scotland...) everyone sounds American. There's no attempt for characters from other countries to sound remotely authentic. It's a bit odd for a show that tries to include some educational material.
Whenever I see a reboot of a children's show, I usually don't like them as they mess up.
However, this reboot turned out to be good, unlike other reboots which have been terrible i.e. Franklin and Friends, Bob the Builder (2015), The Magic School Bus Rides Again, and Babar & The Adventures of Badou.
So I do recommend you to watch this reboot very much.
My score = 80/100
What's the Story?
WHERE'S WALDO? is an animated series based on the popular Where's Wally? books (known as Where's Waldo? in the U.S.) by Martin Handford. Waldo (Joshua Rush) and Wenda (Haley Tju) are junior members of an international wizard organization called the Worldwide Wanderer Society. As wanderers-in-training, they must earn their promotion to wizard-level by traveling to places like Beijing, China, New Mexico, U.S.A., and Istanbul, Turkey to complete missions assigned to them by their mentor, Wizard Whitebeard (Thomas Lennon). But their rival, an anti-wanderer named Odlulu (Eva Carlton), along with her ferret Arfolomew (Piotr Michael), is determined to use her magic to cause trouble wherever they go. Waldo and Wenda's international adventures get a little complicated as as result, but they work together to face each challenge as it comes.
This addition to the Where's Waldo?franchise is an entertaining and colorful reboot of the 1991 series of the same name. It shares lots of details about a range of countries and cultures that children can easily understand. Meanwhile, as Waldo and his friends travel around the world, they also demonstrate the importance of finding ways to problem solve, the value of teamwork, and the beauty of making new friends around the world. True to form, each episode also features a few "where's Waldo?" moments, during which time viewers can actively search for the junior wanderer in a scene full of iconic red and white stripes. This combination of learning and fun is appealing to kids, but chances are that it will attract Waldo fans of any age.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about some of the places Waldo and his friends visit. What makes them special or unique? If you could choose a place for Waldo to go, where would it be?
Do you like to do puzzles? What kinds are your favorites? What kind of skills does a person use when they try to find Waldo?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
