How an Australian animated show for preschoolers has won the hearts of children and adults
1.jpg A CARING FAMILY Bluey is an Australian animated series that focuses on a family of four anthropomorphic dogs Oh biscuits! It’s a rare phenomenon when even adults can enjoy watching a show meant for preschoolers, with most relying on a Cocomelon-esque trend of using obnoxious repetitive nursery rhymes paired with lifeless CGI monstrosities.
Fortunately, Bluey manages to break free from such a trend.
If you haven’t heard of the show, Bluey is an Australian animated series, created by Joe Brumm, that focuses on a family of four anthropomorphic dogs. The star of the show, Bluey, is a six-year-old Blue Heeler puppy with an energetic attitude and an unbridled imagination. She is accompanied by her younger sister, Bingo, a Red Heeler puppy that loves to play. They are both raised by their father Bandit, an archaeologist that enjoys playtime with his daughters, and Chili, their caring mother who works part-time for airport security. The show portrays the everyday life and experiences of a family, focusing on the perspectives and actions of two sisters, while also depicting the challenges and joys of parenting.
Through imaginative play, the show explores themes such as friendship, family dynamics, creativity, and emotional intelligence.So how did this kiddie show manage to snag the hearts of many?First, Bluey doesn’t talk down to its viewers.
Despite being a show directed toward preschoolers, its characters aren’t dumbed down to a point that they can only spew out basic words only toddlers would understand. Each character has genuinely written dialogue, with the sisters often communicating clearly with each other during their playtime about their thoughts and needs. The adults in the show don’t dismiss the children, they willingly encourage their imagination and participate in their games at times to help them navigate through their thoughts. Bandit and Chili also openly express their love for their kids without fail, no matter how exhausting it can be to parent over them at times, making it the perfect show for parents to learn from as well.
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IS THIS LOSS? Bluey tackles grief and death in one of its episodes, “Copycat”, where Bluey encounters an injured bird that passes away soon afterward Another reason for their popularity is they aren’t afraid to tackle challenging topics for children.For instance, in the episode “Copycat,” Bluey encounters an injured bird while playing a game with her father. After taking the bird to the vet, it sadly passes away, leading Bandit to explain to his daughter during the drive home that there is nothing else they could have done to save it and that the situation was out of their hands. To channel her grief, Bluey re-enacts how the day went with her sister, up until the point they bring the bird to the vet. Their mother, joining in their game of pretend, tries to change the narrative by saying the bird is now okay. Bluey refuses the alternative ending, telling her mom to stick to how it really happened and repeating what she learned from her father, that loss is okay and that sometimes there are things that are completely out of our hands. Other episodes even cover heavy issues such as mental health, anxiety, and infertility, all in a way that is appropriate for children but also relatable for adults.
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VISUALLY STUNNING The background art brings life to Bluey’s surroundings, with its bright and colorful visuals Finally, the production quality of the show is top-notch.Its visuals are bright and colorful, with background art that brings life to Bluey’s surroundings. The characters are animated in a bouncy manner, making each one engaging for the eyes to follow around. The music is playful and soft on the ears, making it a perfect accompaniment to the visuals.To catch episodes of Bluey, you can stream it on Disney+ or purchase it for download via Google Play Movies, Apple TV, or the Microsoft Store.
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