Handy Manny Great Garage Rescue

Review

Common Sense Media says

Sweet bilingual story celebrates community and family ties.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this TV special has strong messages for kids about being helpful, doing the right thing, standing up for a good cause, and solving problems. The characters' diversity reminds kids that people fill a variety of jobs within a community and that no person's individual talents are more or less important than another's. Characters speak in both Spanish and English, so kids are exposed to common terms like "amigo" and "muy bien," along with their translations. The emotional story surrounding Ruben's loss of his family's garage will tug at some viewers' heartstrings, but kids will revel in the happy ending and walk away mindful of the story's positive lessons.

  • Educational value4
    Spanish terms and phrases and their English definitions are embedded in the dialogue, so kids will gain some familiarity with the language by listening to the characters talk. The story exposes kids to some important but lesser-known jobs within a community, including a mechanic, a handyman, and a shop owner. Positive interpersonal messages about relationships, compassion, and standing up for a good cause are integral to the story.
  • Positive messages5
    Cooperation, friendship, respect, problem solving, and perseverance are just a few of the story's positive messages to preschoolers. Neighbors pitch in for a good cause and to help one of their own, and the array of diverse characters reflects the many roles that people play in a community and the strength that comes from them combining their individual gifts. Catchy songs remind kids to do their best and always stand up for what's right. There's some strong emotion tied to the storyline, but the end result is a happy one.
  • Positive role models5
    Characters big and small have unique talents that allow them to help their neighbors, and when they can't solve a problem on their own, they ask for help from someone who can. They think creatively and value each job that's done, and when they make mistakes, they acknowledge and learn from them.
  • Violence & scariness0
    Not applicable.
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What's the story?

Handy Manny (voiced by Wilmer Valderrama) and his trusty tool friends set out for Concrete Falls to help his brother, Ruben (Freddy Rodriguez), save his garage in HANDY MANNY GREAT GARAGE RESCUE. The town's mayor (Ed O'Neill) wants to tear down the garage that Ruben and Manny's father built and erect a mini mall in its place, but Ruben, Manny, and their friends join forces to prove how much the town needs the shop's services.

Is it any good?

 

This 45-minute special will captivate preschoolers with its colorful characters and their big personalities, and the varied cast illustrates for kids how diversity strengthens a community. Just as each person has a job to do -- and each tool performs a specific task -- it's the cooperation among the many different players that culminates in a successful job. This feel-good message exists in each of Ruben and Manny's repairs, each interpersonal relationship, and of course, the overall story of working together to save Ruben's garage.

 

It's impossible not to like these delightful characters and their cooperative approach to solving problems, and there's even more cause for celebration in the story's strong messages about family heritage as it relates to Manny and Ruben's pride in their family's business and in their Hispanic culture. Even the show's songs incorporate kid-friendly themes in their lyrics, ensuring that kids won't miss out on the hearty content that this feel-good story has to offer.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about their heritage. What is your family's cultural background? How do you incorporate your heritage in your religious practices or family celebrations? How does your family's background help shape who you are?

  • Kids: How do the characters demonstrate positive qualities like friendship, dependability, and respect? How did these actions help improve their community? What can you do to help people in your own community? 

  • Kids: Do you ever feel pressure to be like everyone else? How does it make you feel? What aspects about yourself do you think set you apart from your friends? Is it hard to stand out in a group?

This review was written by Emily Ashby
Parent
January 15, 2012
AGE
2
 
Need this DVD!
Of all the Handy Manny episodes that were on TV in 2011, "The Great Garage Rescue" episode kept the attention of my 3 year old grandson whom we suspect is ADD or ADHD (doctors won't commit to anything). Where can I purchase this episode? Or put it back on TV. He has been quite difficult to get to sleep without his Handy Manny.
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This review was written by Emily Ashby
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

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