Nickelodeon Rootin’ Tootin’ Wild West features a collection of six shows from Nick Jr. – all centered around the theme of The Wild West. Well, at least a version of it that is sanitized and appropriate for a preschool audience.
Here is a list of episodes on the DVD
Bubble Guppies “The Cowgirl Parade”
Team Umizoomi “Shooting Star”
Dora The Explorer ” Pinto, The Pony Express”
The Fresh Beat Band ” Hip Hop Hoedown”
Go Diego Go “The Great Roadrunner Race”
Wonder pets “Save The Pony Express/Help The Groundhog”
It should be noted The Fresh Beat Band episode features the original Marina. This isn’t a big deal, but can be disconcerting if you’ve been watching the show as it’s being broadcast now.
Bubble Guppies features a real live cowgirl entering into the kids’ lives and get an introduction to various aspects of that life. It actually serves as the best introductory episode for this DVD. Team Umizoomi then help a little horse grow big through magical horseshoes. Yeah, that’s a bit weird, but so is most of the stuff aimed at this age group.
Dora and Boots are delivering cow cookies (see what I mean by weird) via pony express. The Fresh Beat Band tackle country music at the hoedown. Diego helps a roadrunner overcome nervousness for her first race. Finally The Wonder Pets help the Pony Express (a different horse from earlier on the DVD) and then a groundhog voiced by Mandy Patinkin.
At over 2 hours, there’s pretty good value here for the money spent. Not everything is educational, but it’s all entertaining and positive. As for my kids, there’s something on here both to appeal to every one as well as shows they simply don’t want to watch. My 5 year old son has entered into a phase where he doesn’t like Dora. My 7 year old daughter loves The Fresh Beat Band.
Some of these shows are more directly educational than others, but all are positive programs for youngsters to watch. The theme is fun and a little different from a lot of others that are available as well.
Should you pick up this DVD? That depends. Are you looking for a semi-educational DVD that runs over 2 hours? Do you have a preschooler? If the answer to those questions is “Yes,” then by all means pick up Nickelodeon Rootin’ Tootin’ Wild West.
Just try to get that Bubble Guppies theme out of your head.