Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas

You can’t make a Christmas special for an animated character without invoking either A Christmas Carol or It’s a Wonderful Life. Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas manages to invoke a little of both. The Man in the Yellow Hat can’t understand George’s Christmas list, and he becomes convinced that a better monkey-parent would give George all the understanding he needs. His visits to alternative pasts and presents show George in the hands of other adults in the series, and, of course, George is best off exactly where he is. This Christmas special adds music to the usual PBS show, making it more like the movie and adding an even more holiday-ish touch. The usual science aspect of the program has been diluted for the sake of the story, but the hourlong DVD still held the attention of kids from 3 to 8 in my house—George’s broad age appeal as always been one of his strengths.

Fear Factor: (Nothing scary here.)
Heart: (George and The Man in the Yellow Hat are obviously perfect for each other.)
Attitude: (Not on PBS Kids!)
Psst: I know, he’s a monkey—but sometimes I wish Curious George would get just a little punished for, say, knocking over 30 Christmas trees.
If you like this: How about Merry Christmas, Curious George? Call me retro, but I still like the books.