By Jane Boursaw

Early AM


  6:30 7:00 7:30 8:00
Noggin Max and Ruby Maggie and the Ferocious Beast Tiny Planets Oswald
Nick Hey Arnold! Fairly OddParents Jimmy Neutron Rugrats
Disney Bear in the Big Blue House Koala Brothers Wiggles Higglytown Heroes
PBS Pricilla's Yoga Sesame Street Cyberchase Teletubbies

  • © Noggin

    Max & Ruby

    Noggin, weekdays, 6:30am

    If every day seems like D day at your house ‑- siblings battling over toys, attention and space ‑- then your kids need a dose of this cartoon about working things out and finding a way to get along, from children's author Rosemary Wells. Despite conflicting agendas, preschool bunny Max and his seven-year-old sister, Ruby, manage to play together, go on campouts and have lots of fun.

  • ©Sesame Street Corp.

    Sesame Street

    PBS, weekdays, 7am

    Fuzzy monsters jamming with R.E.M., Robin Williams doing "Is My Shoe Alive?" and Elmo chatting up Robert De Niro. Muppets still rock, making learning hip for both kids and adults (even if those over 25 think they might go mad listening to "Sing a Song" one more time). Warm on the surface, the 'hood also packs a punch, tackling topics like grief, hurricanes and AIDS in a timeless way that inspires kids to spill their feelings.

  • © PBS

    Teletubbies

    PBS, Weekdays, 8am

    Are there secret messages in the coo-coo-ka-choo speech patterns of these colorful little blobs? There must be, or why else would kids be so mesmerized whenever they come on the screen? Nobody else understands the mystery. Parents who get weary after 153 episodes or so can always log on to the myriad Teletubbies parody Websites for more adult-centric comic relief.

Mid AM


  8 8:30 9 9:30
Noggin Oswald Connie the Cow 123 Sesame Street Maisy
Nick Rugrats Spongebob Dora the Explorer Blue's Clues
Disney Higglytown Heroes JoJo's Circus The Wiggles Stanley
PBS Cyberchase Barney Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood Barney & Friends

  • © Noggin

    Connie the Cow

    Noggin, weekdays, 8:30am

    You can't go wrong with farm animals, and Connie delivers, big-time. Exploration is the name of the game here, and your curious kids will identify with the cow that pokes her nose into everything, making friends and discovering something new every day. Young viewers get to play along and learn about their own worlds.

  • © PBS

    Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood

    PBS, weekdays, 9am

    When the lovable Mr. Rogers passed away, we all lost a friend. With his cardigan sweaters and tennis shoes, he shepherded us through childhood, and now, posthumously, he's doing the same for our children in reruns. His gentle nature is just what kids need in this chaotic world. May he always be there to guide us.

  • © PBS

    Barney & Friends

    PBS, Weekdays, 9:30am

    Yep, after 10 years, the puffy purple dragon is still a kid favorite ‑- and a parental headache. The latest episodes feature a new setting in an amusement park but still offer the same core learning and social elements. And, of course, music is still a big part of the show, with new songs (thank goodness) blended with classic Barney favorites.


Late AM


  10 10:30 11:00 11:30
Noggin Maisy Miffy Franklin Oobi
Nick Miss Spider Lazy Town The Backyardigans Dora the Explorer
Disney Rolie Polie Olie PB&J Otter Out of the Box The Wiggles
PBS Postcards from Buster Caillou The Berenstein Bears Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood

  • © Noggin

    Maisy

    Noggin, weekdays, 10am

    If you keep trying, you can do just about anything. That's the message from Maisy, the friendly mouse who's always trying something new. It's amazing what's packed into kids' shows these days: creative problem-solving, optimism, bravery and even an ethical spirit.

  • © Nickelodeon

    Lazy Town

    Nickelodeon, weekdays, 10:30am

    Are your kids turning into couch potatoes? Maybe this clever series about health and fitness will lure them outside. Eight-year-old Stephanie lives in Lazy Town, where she's caught between a health-nut superhero and the world's most slothful bad guy. This is a colorful show with a good message about staying healthy and finding balance.

  • © Noggin

    Franklin

    Noggin, weekdays, 11am

    It's always nice to come across a quiet, gentle cartoon like this. The little green turtle and his forest friends are figuring out how they fit into the world and how the world fits them ‑- just like your kids. Yeah, sometimes they lie and act bossy ‑- just like your kids ‑- but Franklin shows that there are consequences for such things and it's better to stay on the straight and narrow.

Early PM


  11:30 12 12:30 1
Noggin Oobi Dora the Explorer Play with Me Sesame Blue's Clues
Nick Dora the Explorer Blue's Clues Little Bill The Backyardigans
Disney The Wiggles The Koala Brothers Higglytown Heroes JoJo's Circus
Cartoon What's New Scooby-Doo? Tom & Jerry Baby Looney Tunes

  • © Cartoon Network

    What's New, Scooby-Doo?

    Cartoon Net, weekdays, 11:30am

    Your preschooler isn't too young for Scooby-Doo in this Cartoon Network update that brings the Mystery, Inc., crew into the 21st century, complete with cell phones, PDAs and modern tech that wasn't around during the original run. Kids might not get all of it, but sometimes it's okay for them to just chill out and enjoy a talking dog.

  • © Cartoon Network

    Tom & Jerry

    Cartoon Net, weekdays, 12pm

    Life is a game of cat and mouse, and maybe that's why kids never get tired of watching the lovable Jerry outmaneuver the determined Tom. Throw in Spike the Bulldog and his son, Tyke, and you've got a classic hit. The characters are well drawn, the scenarios are enduring and the violence ‑- getting whacked on the head with a frying pan, for instance ‑- is clearly make-believe.

  • ©Cartoon Network

    Baby Looney Tunes

    Cartoon Net, Weekdays, 1pm

    Sure, we all know Bugs, Daffy and the gang as grown-ups, but they were kids once too. Created specifically for preschoolers, this show has the babes exploring their world and inviting viewers to do the same. It's a great way to introduce a young age group to all the characters we loved ourselves.

Late PM


  3:30 4:0 4:30 5
Noggin Connie the Cow Dora the Explorer Oobi Oswald
Nick Rugrats Fairly OddParents Jimmy Neutron Spongebob
Disney Recess Lilo & Stitch Recess Kim Possible
PBS Postcards from Buster Arthur Maya & Miguel Cyberchase

  • © PBS

    Postcards from Buster

    PBS, weekdays, 3:30pm

    Who knew a cartoon character could get his own spin-off? Buster, the friendly bunny who's Arthur's best friend, hits the road when his dad, a pilot for a rock band, goes on tour. He sends home-video postcards to his friends in Elwood City. This bunny hop proves that even though we all live in different places, we're not so different.

  • © PBS

    Arthur

    PBS, weekdays, 4pm

    Dyslexia, asthma, bossy kids... that's the stuff our children deal with every day at school. But knowing how to handle it is another story. Who knew that Arthur, an eight-year-old aardvark, would be the catalyst for confronting real-life issues like these? Kids get the message ‑- that no one's perfect and things don't always turn out as expected ‑- without the moralizing.

  • © Noggin

    Oswald

    Noggin, weekdays, 5pm

    Remember that warm, fuzzy feeling you got watching your favorite cartoons? You'll get it again from this little blue octopus and his dog, Weenie. The gentle show is creative and colorful, and it also teaches problem-solving skills. It'll give you and your kids a peaceful feeling amidst the world's chaos. And here's a piece of trivia you may not know: Oswald is voiced by Fred Savage, star of The Wonder Years!

Saturday


  7 7:30 8 8:30
CBS Lazy Town Miss Spider Dora the Explorer
Nick Rocket Power Rugrats Jimmy Neutron
WB Liberty's Kids Sabrina Pokemon Mucha Lucha
Toon Disney Sabrina's Secret Life Timon & Pumbaa

  • © CBS

    Lazy Town

    CBS, 7am

    Are your kids turning into couch potatoes? Maybe this clever series about health and fitness will lure them outside. Eight-year-old Stephanie lives in Lazy Town, where she's caught between a health-nut superhero and the world's most slothful bad guy. This is a colorful show with a good message about staying healthy and finding balance.

  • ©CBS

    Dora the Explorer

    CBS, 8am

    The niña and her band of furry friends (including Boots the monkey) adventure through cool places like Crocodile Lake and Spooky Forest. The show has Dora facing various dilemmas during her travels, and kids are encouraged to play along as she waits for them to respond to her questions. All the while, the bilingual Dora teaches basic Spanish words and phrases. Muy bien.

  • © Toon Disney

    Timon & Pumbaa

    Toon Disney, 8am

    You can learn something from just about anyone ‑- even a fast-talking meerkat and his smelly warthog friend. Inspired by The Lion King, this show always ready to teach your kids something about friendship and loyalty. Timon's more of a rule breaker, while Pumbaa is honest and innocent. Colorful characters round out this classic cartoon that's great for both preschool and grade school kids.

Sunday


  7 7:30 8 8:30
Noggin Bob the Builder Tiny Planets Oswald Connie the Cow
Nick Rocket Power Rugrats Jimmy Neutron
Disney Koala Brothers The Wiggles Higglytown Heroes JoJo's Circus
PBS George Shrinks Clifford's Puppy Days Thomas and Friends Postcards from Buster

  • © Noggin

    Bob the Builder

    Noggin, weekdays, 7am

    Who'd have thought that a show about a builder would be so wildly popular with kids? And yet here it is, home improvement for the tot set. Bob and his lovable gang of friends teach all kinds of things, including important stuff like not to play with electricity. Bob's business partner, Wendy, quashes any leftover notions about women doing "men's" work.

  • © Noggin

    The Wiggles

    Noggin, 7:30am

    As a parent, you either love these four musical lads from Down Under or they annoy the heck out of you. As for kids, the Wiggles have grabbed their attention around the world. Even young babies love the group's brightly colored T-shirts and dance tunes about walking across the street and eating healthy foods. You just can't argue with their energy ‑- or their slew of CDs and '60s-inspired videos.

  • © Disney

    Higglytown Heroes

    Disney, 8am

    Just who are the heroes in your hometown? Why, it could be anyone ‑- a firefighter, zookeeper, plumber or telephone operator. Even kids can be heroes by raking leaves or picking up trash. Make a better life for yourself and your community ‑- that's the message in this thoughtful (and relevant, given our current global situation) series.

Jane Louise Boursaw writes a syndicated column, Reel Life with Jane, about movies and television. For more info, visit her Website www.reellifewithjane.com.