Television series
Between the Lions
- Comedy
- Light-hearted
- Dip in and out
Between the Lions is a PBS literacy show that makes reading a gleeful riot. Set in a talking library run by a lion family, it teaches phonics and word recognition through rapid-fire puns, sight gags, parodies, and songs. It's for kids who need permission to think language is funny, and for parents who want literacy to stick without feeling like work.
Should you watch it?
Watch it if you grew up loving wordplay, slapstick and songs that stick in your head, and you want a children's show that treats learning to read as a game with real craft behind the jokes.
Skip it if you find puns and sight gags grating in small doses, or you want a show that moves briskly, since much of each half hour is built around repetition and set-up.
What it asks of you: Each episode runs half an hour and moves at a bouncy, deliberate pace, so you settle in for jokes that land slowly and then repeat them back to you in a song.
Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.
If you liked this
Sesame Street1970
The gold standard of educational television. It teaches letters, numbers, social-emotional skills, and language through sketch comedy, music, and genuine warmth. Proven to work for fifty years across multiple generations and cultures.
But Its format has shifted over time; early episodes are vastly different from recent ones. Modern Sesame Street is heavily focused on streaming, which changes the experience.
Schoolhouse Rock!1973
Three-minute musical lessons about grammar, history, science, and civics that burrow into your brain forever. Wildly clever writing, earworm songs, and animation that rewards repeat viewing. Kids learn without noticing.
But It's episodic and fragmented rather than serialized. The animation style and music feel distinctly of the 70s, which some find charming and others find dated.
Elinor Wonders Why2020
A joyful science show for early learners that models curiosity and critical thinking. Elinor and her friends investigate real questions about the natural world with genuine wonder. Beautiful, inclusive, and genuinely educational.
But Slower-paced than Between the Lions. It prioritizes scientific process over entertainment value, which won't appeal to kids who need constant novelty.
Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Between the Lions
The wildcard
Something you would not have found on your own.
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie2015
Both celebrate language and word patterns through playful repetition and circular storytelling. Both make kids hungry for more reading and delight in how words work.
Animated adaptation of Laura Numeroff's beloved books. The circular logic and wordplay build vocabulary naturally while the illustrations are warm and inviting. Short episodes preserve the charm of picture books for screen.
But Deliberately simple and gentle, without Between the Lions' comedic zip. Some kids need more energy and plot.
More like this (6)
Puffin Rock2015
Narrated by Chris O'Dowd with a gentle Irish lilt, this show explores nature through the eyes of curious animals. Gorgeously animated, calming without being boring, and teaches environmental awareness naturally.
But Very quiet and contemplative. It's the opposite of Between the Lions' comedic energy; some kids will find it slow.
Bluey2018
Australian gem that captures real childhood with humor, heart, and intelligence. Parents love it as much as kids do. Episodes balance silliness with genuine emotional growth and imaginative play.
But It's more about social-emotional learning than phonics or literacy. The Australian accent and cultural references may require adjustment for some viewers.
Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood2012
Teaches emotional intelligence and social skills through catchy songs, repetition, and gentle humor. Genuinely funny for adults. The pacing and structure work perfectly for preschoolers learning to navigate the world.
But Very repetitive by design, which bores older siblings. The animation is deliberately simple and static.
Octonauts2010
Adventure series that sneaks marine biology into every episode. Action-packed, beautifully designed, and packed with real facts about ocean creatures. Kids absorb science without realizing it.
But Heavy on action and adventure rather than language learning. The plot often overwhelms the educational content.
Animaniacs1993
Both weaponize silly humor and constant wordplay to make language memorable. Both treat vocabulary and phonics as comedy gold, not homework. Same DNA of humor-as-learning.
Frenetic Warner Bros. energy packed into fast-paced comedy sketches, songs, and parodies. Loaded with puns, cultural references, sarcasm, and wordplay that works for all ages. Genuinely brilliant writing that respects kids' intelligence.
But Chaotic pacing and dense jokes mean it rewards rewatch and replay. Less structured than PBS shows; younger kids may struggle to follow.
The Paper Bag Princess1992
Both use fantasy settings and absurdist humor to celebrate intelligence and self-determination. Both prove that smart and funny are for kids, not grown-ups only.
Beautifully animated adaptation of Robert Munsch's feminist fairy tale. Elizabeth rescues Prince Ronald through wit and intelligence, not magic. Clever, funny, and full of language play. A perfect complement to literacy education that also teaches values.
But It's a single 24-minute film, not an ongoing series. Older kids may find the animation style too young for them.
