Bob the Builder

YMA recommendation

Approved as non-violent media, with caution. Accidental harm

Most suitable age range:

2-4

Availability

At time of review, screening on ABC free to air.

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About the program

Year of production	1999-ongoing
Classification advice
Rating	G
Consumer advice lines	None
Duration	10 minutes

Other information
Country of origin	UK
Production Company	HIT Entertainment PLC; HOT Animation Product

Synopsis

Construction workers Bob and Wendy and their helpful crew, featuring an assortment of friendly machines, do odd jobs around the town while trying to avoid any potentially damaging encounters with Spud, an accident prone scarecrow.

Points to consider

Words of caution

The show contains accidental harm, such as

a ball is kicked through a window which must then be repaired
someone bangs their hand with a hammer
Spud leans on a fence that he built and falls over. The tractor laughs at him.

Positive aspects

The importance of working together as a team is continuously demonstrated, as each machine has it’s own special job to do and a project can’t be finished without working together using the special skills that each one has.
The show also demonstrates the values of persistence and positive thinking. Bob often asks his team: “Can we fix it?” To which the answer is a rousing: “Yes we can!”

Questions to ask

How have Bob and his crew used teamwork to get that job done?
What do you suppose would have happened if they hadn’t?
What special things can you do to help other people?