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They’ve already battled the wicked witch (and helped the environment, too) while following the .nightsandweekends.com/articles/12/NW1200087.php>Berry Brick Road. Now Strawberry Shortcake and her sweet-scented friends return to learn some valuable new lessons in three all-new, computer-animated adventures in Bloomin’ Berry Garden.
Taken from the new Strawberry Shortcake TV series, Berry Bitty Adventures, these three short stories take kids to Berry Bitty City, where a pint-sized Strawberry Shortcake (voiced by Anna Cummer) and her friends run their own businesses as bakers and gardeners and fashion designers.
Each story is filled with mystery and adventure, whether the characters are puzzling over a new recipe, competing in a prestigious flower-growing contest, concocting a new perfume, or scrambling to meet an important deadline. And young girls will be inspired by the characters’ strength and ingenuity—by their ability to handle tough situations, run businesses, and solve problems while still being good neighbors and good friends.
But there are other valuable lessons to be learned, too, as the girls repeatedly find that they need to trust in themselves and their friends and be thoughtful and considerate toward others as they go about their daily business. In the first episode, Blueberry Muffin (Britt McKillip) thinks it must be her fault when she plants daisy seeds and ends up with corn—and when the corn grows out of control, the girls have to improvise and work together to keep their town safe from giant ears of corn. In the second, Lemon Meringue (Andrea Libman) discovers that the violets she’s been growing for the annual Flower Festival have gone missing—and she eventually learns that jumping to conclusions about others only ends in hurt feelings. And, in the third episode, Raspberry Torte (Ingrid Nilson) discovers the hard way that differences are good—and that every member of the community has an important job to do.
Unlike the rather long-winded Berry Brick Road, the three episodes included in Bloomin’ Berry Garden are shorter and more concise. And while each one teaches kids some kind of valuable life lesson, their messages never feel forced or overdone. Instead, they’re just simple and sweet, with fun-filled adventures to illustrate a point.
Meanwhile, though the computer-generated animation isn’t exactly Pixar-quality, it’s bright and colorful—and it’s nicely complemented by the colorful personalities of the lovable characters. Strawberry Shortcake is the kind-hearted leader of the group, offering up her advice while sharing fresh-baked muffins. But the others have their own personalities—from fashionista Raspberry Torte to the cute little Berrykins, who work the gardens and make the jam.
Little girls are sure to love the adorably light-hearted adventures of Strawberry Shortcake and her friends in Bloomin’ Berry Garden, while parents will appreciate the sweet stories—and the important lessons and values that they teach. And that makes it bloomin’ great DVD pick.
