"Liberty's Kids: Est. 1776" (2002) TV series 2002-2003

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Creators:

Michael Maliani
Kevin O'Donnell

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

2 September 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Adventure | Drama | Family | History | Mystery

Plot:

The American Revolutionary War is seen through the eyes of an American teenaged lad, a young English lady, and a French boy, all 3 of whom work as reporters for Benjamin Franklin.

Plot Keywords:

French | Patriot | Newspaper | Orphan | Reporter

Awards:

5 nominations

Cast

Whoopi Goldberg

...

Deborah Samson / ... (40 episodes, 2002-2003)

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

USA:TV-Y7

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Melusine Productions

Goofs:

Continuity: From August through September, the characters are in two places at the exact same time. James and Henri are present to witness LaFayette's courage at Brandywine on 11 September 1777, yet are also with General Gates' American army at Saratoga (and James is a prisoner of the British during that Saratoga episode at the same time he's able to witness Brandywine).

Quotes:

James Hiller: Moses, Moses! Help!
Moses: Ah, James not again
James Hiller: Moses, help! This is my only clean shirt.

American History the easy way

Liberty's Kids is a story of American History told as a cartoon. While the story revolves around three children (or teens, not sure what are their actual ages) acting as reporters for Ben Franklin's news reporters for the Pennsylvania Gazette, the people they interact with are the historical people from the birth of our nation. George Washington, Ben Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Br. Generals Howe, and Cornwallis are all present. This is an easy way for people to learn history. For example, I like history, but did not know the story about Delaware's Sidney Rodney. After taking my children to see the still operating printing press at the Ben Franklin Museum in Olde City Philadelphia, it was neat to see in the cartoon Sarah Phillips inking the print the same way. The cartoon does a good job at the balancing act of showing that the war was no picnic without gratuitous violence. It is safe for young kids to watch. Battles are shown, but it is the political action that is more important. Likewise, the English, (and Hessians) are not made out to be evil, but are shown as any history book would. This series is suitable for all ages.