Animation
The Chosen Adventures
The Chosen Adventures is not Scripture. But for those who don’t mind a little talking sheep with a lot of strong life lessons, this show might be a nice fit for your family.
One of my favorite movies growing up was The Land Before Time. Focusing on five friends (Cera, Ducky, Petrie and Spike) who came together for survival, the film was on constant repeat in my house.
That movie came out in the late 80’s. So, it’s been awhile. And as much as I’d like to pass down all my childhood favorites to my son, some may grow too outdated to capture his attention. (Sad, I know).
Good thing Disney keeps their creative wheels turning.
For a new generation of dinosaur lovers, Disney Junior has just released a new show called Gigantosaurus, based on the best-selling children’s book of the same name by Jonny Duddle. Set in prehistoric times, this sweet, animated series focuses on four little dino-darlings who roam the jungle, working together to learn about the mysterious, ginormous, Gigantosaurus. Why? Because he’s just that cool.
There’s Mazu, who’s super inquisitive; fun-and-playfulTiny; Bill, who’s naturally timid; and, of course, Rocky, the most head-strong and courageous of the group.
Together, these four pals explore and learn about their Jurassic-era jungle, even as their Disney keepers aim the dinos’ dialogue and adventures at preschoolers. Kids learn about science and its terminology, and they might even get a lesson or two that will help build their character. The diminutive dinos work on things like kindness, ingenuity, sympathy, teamwork and vulnerability, while helping their young viewers work through them, too.
It’s all done in a fun, 22-minute format that many a boy and girl will enjoy roaring along with.
(Editor’s Note: Plugged In is rarely able to watch every episode of a given series for review. As such, there’s always a chance that you might see a problem that we didn’t. If you notice content that you feel should be included in our review, send us an email at letters@pluggedin.com, or contact us via Facebook or Instagram, and be sure to let us know the episode number, title and season so that we can check it out.)
After Mazu’s friend—a nearly extinct dragonfly—is captured by bullying raptors, Mazu offers to give them a nifty weight scale if they let him go. (But Mazu will have to go get the scale from the Gigantosaurus.) Elsewhere, naturally tough Rocky has to learn to be gentle with a lost egg.
A plant tries to attack a few of the little dinosaurs, as do dangerous dino-bees. A few dinos take some tough tumbles.
One dino lies and another loses his patience (though they learn valuable lessons in the end). Another teaches a friend that even unborn babies have feelings. One dino asks his friend if he is “coco-nuts” A few mildly scary dinos make their way across the screen.
Kristin Smith joined the Plugged In team in 2017. Formerly a Spanish and English teacher, Kristin loves reading literature and eating authentic Mexican tacos. She and her husband, Eddy, love raising their children Judah and Selah. Kristin also has a deep affection for coffee, music, her dog (Cali) and cat (Aslan).
The Chosen Adventures is not Scripture. But for those who don’t mind a little talking sheep with a lot of strong life lessons, this show might be a nice fit for your family.
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