Not all kids shows offer much for parents who are forced to endure them to get a half hour off.  But every so often you come across something with crossover appeal. In particular, I am thinking about two animated TV series: Adventure Time and Steven Universe. These shows appeal to kids 6 and up — and their parents too.  

Adventure Time is a comedy, fantasy, adventure mash-up that follows two heroes, Jake the Dog and Finn the Human, doing battle in the post-apocalyptic “Land of Ooo.”  Rebecca Sugar, an Adventure Time alumna, also created Steven Universe, an animated sci-fi adventure series. The protagonist is a little boy named Steven, half-Gem and half-human, learning to use his powers under the guidance of The Crystal Gems, a team of magical beings who defend the Earth and their home, Beach City, from nefarious threats.  

The music in these shows is delightful for kids and adults.  Just take the theme song from Steven Universe and the wonderful “Making Bacon Pancakes” from Adventure Time. Plus, both Adventure Time and Steven Universe have been adapted to graphic novel form. When kids have burned through them, there are many other books in this vein featuring magic,  adventure, and a style that will appeal to fans.

Hilo: Saving the Whole Wide World by Judd Winick

More science fiction adventure as Hilo and his posse defend the world from monsters from another dimension.

 

 

 

 

Red’s Planet by Eddie Pittman

10-year-old Red is mistakenly taken aboard a UFO that subsequently crashes, marooning her on a deserted planet with a band of misfit aliens.

 

 

 

 

Zita the Spacegirl. Book One, Far From Home by Ben Hatke

Zita must travel from planet to planet to rescue her abducted best friend.

 

 

 

 

Phoebe and Her Unicorn: A Heavenly Nostril Chronicle by Dana Simpson

Magic is applied to typical childhood burdens like bullies and piano lessons, as well as some less common ones like magic hair and candy breathing dragons. This book is the first in a series.  A warning or endorsement: it is very pink and sparkly.

 

 

 

Bee and Puppycat. Volume One by Natasha Allegri

Bee, a girl, and her roommate and partner, Puppycat (just what it sounds like) travel through space and time picking up temp work to pay the rent and buy food.

 

 

 

 

Lumberjanes. Beware the Kitten Holy by Noelle Stevenson and Grace Ellis

Five girls, Mal, Ripley, Molly, April, and Jo, spend the summer at a scout camp among strange creatures and supernatural phenomena.

 

 

 

 

Help Us! Great Warrior by Madeleine Flores

Nash, a tiny warrior girl, possesses great power and great confidence — and uses it to defend her village from villains.