I love this show and am enjoying watching it with my elementary aged daughter. It is a happy show that teaches children how to think positively and persevere even through failures.
As to the the negative reviews... I have two children and work with elementary and preschool age students. This show does NOT contribute to gender stereotypes. There are all types of characters and personalities represented here. It is very happy and if it does include things like pink tutu's, ballerinas, ponies, and baking it is because those are things young girls like. Even among the trio of Sunny, Blair, and Rox, there are major personality differences that challenge the problematic gender stereotypes. Such as: Blair is a type A perfectionist that is the quintessential girly-girl. Rox is the cool punk that finds order in chaos type of girl. They do things in opposite ways but they show that each way is valid and it is worth while to find a way to meet in the middle to accomplish a common goal. It's good stuff.
Some of the lesson resolutions are left wanting (no real consequences for a bully's actions). But that is forgivable because the lesson's focus is on perseverance and remaining positive.
The episode I am watching right now has the girls pretending to be astronauts and adventuring into space. Definitely not a frontier they would be exploring if this was reinforcing negative stereotypes
Let's not review a show negatively for the sake of furthering radical feminist propaganda. If a little girl likes pink or ponies that is not a testimony of the power of a patriarchal society. I would put little boys in front of this show and feel like they would enjoy this show and receive social benefits from its lessons.
It reminds me of a lot of great shows from the 80's stirred into one.. think rainbow brite, strawberry shortcake, punky bruster, and lady lovely locks.
Plus in Sunny's Birthday Suprise Episode (season 1) there is a definite nod to Sailor Moon hidden as a person in the crowd at her surprise party.
Please keep in mind that this is a show that is teaching SOCIAL LESSONS. These types of lessons are paramount in early childhood education. This is one of the only shows that provides these types of lessons while not talking down to preschoolers.
