Raven Tales

It can be a challenge to find a quick 20 minute kids show that is bearable for adults. My kids (4 and 2) love Dora and Diego, which are not horrible shows, but the repetition makes it difficult to take if they want to watch it with me (although I know kids that age love repetition).

I thoroughly enjoyed Raven Tales from the first episode we watched. I found it on Xfinity (Comcast) Kids HD On Demand under the Smithsonian category. The artwork is incredible, especially the natural landscapes, they look like impressionist paintings. The show focuses on a Native American village and appears to take place somewhere in Canada (based on the landscapes). I'm not sure if they actually mention the tribe's name. The lessons and responsibilities they teach the kids are interesting too, very applicable to young children. Lots of the focus is humans coexisting with animals and nature in a respectful way. A character called the "Great Spirit" makes several appearances and helps out the animals and children. It was a great way to have a discussion with my 4 year old about the notion of God in a non-denominational and non-preachy manner. I don't agree with or subscribe to organized religion but I am spiritual. The notion of God is difficult to convey to a small child but my 4 year old was all over it, she was very curious and we had some really good discussions based on the lessons in the show.

I highly recommend this show to parents. Almost immediately after I started watching the first episode, the high quality work (art and sound) and message was apparent. I wish it had a wider circulation as it is that much better than nearly all of the kids shows currently out there.

I'm posting likethis feels because it feels like I'm the only person in the world in love with this show and that seems to me an awful tragedy ... I realize it has been 15 years since this hit the market but I just now had a child and after discovering a feature length film based on the series (Tales of the First People) on prime I've been intent on finding more programming like it. There really isn't any, outside of the Raven Tales franchise. As the previous reviewer said, it's not only fascinating for young children (mine was 18 months when we first watched it and has been ceaselessly absorbed by it), it's absorbing for adults too. Maybe because it is so different. But I think it is also because of the creation story that is presented. It is so beautiful and thought provoking, and I imagine that once my little one is old enough it will serve as a wonderful spring board for his own cosmological ponderings. I just can't recommend this show and related media more! I wish there was more like it.