Busy World of Richard Scarry

YMA recommendation

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

Most suitable age range:

2-7

Availability

At time of viewing, seen on video.

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About the program

Year of production	1996
Classification advice
Rating	G
Consumer advice lines	None
Duration	8 minutes per story

Other information
Country of origin	Australia
Production Company	Cinar

Synopsis

Based on the picture books by children’s author Richard Scarry, this review is based on a video containing six stories which feature Scarry’s colourful and entertaining characters. The community of animal ‘kids’ is one of inclusion where everyone has a place.

Points to consider

Words of caution

There is a high level of slapstick comedy and accidental harm where characters bump into each other and get knocked over but no-one is hurt, for example:

Hilda the Hippo, doesn’t know her own strength and pushes the children too fast on the swings and roundabouts and they fall off. But when the bus gets stranded in the snow Hilda comes to the rescue and is able to lift it out.

Positive aspects

social inclusion
tolerance
self worth
community living in harmony

Questions to ask

How could Hilda have pushed the children on the swings?