Half Magic is a children's fantasy novel written by Edward Eager. The story follows four siblings, Jane, Mark, Katherine, and Martha, as they discover a magical coin that grants them only half of what they wish for. The siblings soon realize that they need to be very specific with their wishes if they want them to come true. The children's adventures with half magic take them to different time periods and places, and they learn valuable lessons along the way. For example, Jane wishes to be queen and ends up as half a queen, which teaches her the importance of fairness. Mark wishes to be the tallest in his class but becomes only half an inch taller, teaching him the importance of being content with oneself.
In primary school, I watched the U.S. animated series Captain Planet and the Planeteeers . This series follows the adventures of five teenagers who use magic rings to save the earth from environmental degradation, pollution, deforestation and acid rain. It’s clear about its heroes — the five Planeteers and their ringleader, the superhero Captain Planet. It’s also clear about its villains: evil industrialists who sacrificed sustainability for profits. The closing credits song is a rousing call to action: " We’re the Planeteers, You can be one too, Saving our planet is the thing to do, Looting and polluting, Is not the way… "
At a time when children s television was more about selling toys than education or even entertainment, Fred Rogers devised a series that focused on soft-spoken kindness and conflict resolution. Does my switching from a petrol-fuelled to a battery-operated car really matter when our households, offices, and industries are fuelled by fossil fuel-burning power-plants.
Mark wishes to be the tallest in his class but becomes only half an inch taller, teaching him the importance of being content with oneself. The book also explores themes of friendship and family, as the siblings learn to work together to navigate their half magic. They learn that true magic comes from within and that they need to use their wishes wisely.
Top 10 Kids Shows That Were Ahead Of Their Time
VOICE OVER: Samantha Clinch WRITTEN BY: Beca Dalimonte
These kids shows were ahead of their time. For this list, we'll be looking at the best children's shows with surprisingly progressive storylines or goals. Our countdown includes "Recess," "Athur," "Braceface," and more!
Top 10 Kids Shows THat Were Ahead of Their Time
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Kids Shows That Were Ahead of Their Time.
For this list, we’ll be looking at the best children’s shows with surprisingly progressive storylines or goals.
What are some kid’s shows you loved that felt ahead of their time? Let us know in the comments!
#10: “The Proud Family” (2001-05)
Disney Channel started their original animation slate out strong with this exaggerated slice of life series about a Black suburban family. While most episodes told the day-to-day life of 14-year-old Penny Proud dealing with everything from spelling bees to internet piracy, the series would occasionally get creative to teach its viewers about Black culture and history. “I Had a Dream” puts a time travel spin on Black History Month, sending its protagonist back to the days of segregation, while “Seven Days of Kwanzaa” saw the Prouds visited by a homeless family who taught them about the importance of the title holiday. Though imperfect in its execution, the show has also been praised for its positive post-9/11 portrayal of Muslims in “Culture Shock.”
#9: “Recess” (1997-2001)
With the ring of a bell, the kids of Third Street Elementary were freed from the confines of their stuffy classrooms and unleashed into a society of their own making known as “Recess.” Although The Ashleys and Erwin sometimes stood in the way of their fun, the fourth grade protagonists often used this temporary freedom to carve out their own identities and better understand themselves and the world around them. Ironically though, the show’s most progressive scenes typically happened inside the schoolhouse. In class, Miss Grotke taught her students the truth about Thanksgiving, and urged them to question the biases of the white men who dominated history books. If only everyone could get such an honest education!
#8: “Kim Possible” (2002-07)
If you were a girl who loved action-packed shows with feminine flair, the 2000’s were a great time to grow up. Shows like “The Powerpuff Girls,” “Totally Spies!,” and “Winx Club” showed that girls could save the day just as well as the boys could. Of course, our favorite of the bunch was always “Kim Possible.” Like its contemporaries, “Kim Possible”s protagonist wasn’t afraid to be both feminine and strong, often juggling her roles as a cheerleader and a crime fighter. What set the show apart was its overarching plots, will they-won’t they romance, and occasionally feature-length adventures. It was a children’s show, but it took its characters and its audience seriously - and was all the better for it!
advertisement#7: “The Magic School Bus” (1994-97)
Whether the class was “surfing on a sound wave” or “swinging through the stars,” audiences knew they were always down for a unique adventure with Ms. Frizzle. Voiced by actress and comedian Lily Tomlin, The Friz’s field trips were as thrilling as they were educational, teaching her students (and the kids at home) about the exciting world of science. Although the scenarios in the show were often fantastical, all of the science showcased was entirely fact-based, fostering a love for the subject in its young audience. Its woman-led cast was an added bonus, subtly encouraging young girls to pursue typically male-dominated STEM fields of study and occupations.
#6: “Arthur” (1996-2022)
Understanding the people you share the Earth with is just as important as understanding the Earth itself - a fact which “Arthur'' took to heart. Having aired for twenty-five seasons, the series is the longest-running children’s animated series in US history, and it continued to break boundaries throughout that over two decade long run on PBS. It raised awareness for diseases such as diabetes, asthma, and cancer, and helped kids and parents alike better understand how to accommodate those with autism and dyslexia. As early as 2005, the show’s spin-off “Postcards from Buster” even showcased two real life lesbian parents. The episode was unfortunately banned in most US states, but that didn’t stop “Arthur” from featuring a groundbreaking gay wedding in its twenty-second season.
#5: “Captain Planet and the Planeteers” (1990-96)
This unique superhero show has a legacy that far outran its time on air. “Captain Planet and the Planeteers” taught kids how to care for their environment and encouraged them to get others to do the same. And its activism didn’t end at telling kids to pick up litter and use paper instead of plastic. The show discussed the negative effects of everything from deforestation and poaching to radiation and air pollution. In real life, the show promoted eco-friendly toys, and set up a charity foundation that continues to inspire kids to come up with solutions to environmental problems to this day.
#4: “Braceface” (2001-04)
Sharon Spitz’s mega-embarrassing electromagnetic braces served as the quirky draw to “Braceface,” but underneath that over-the-top premise was a kindhearted show about being a teen girl in the 2000’s. Topics like menstruation and divorce were dealt with in ways that simultaneously entertained and comforted the show’s young audience members, while recurring character Dion acted as an early example of gay representation on kid’s TV. For the 2000’s, the show was surprisingly progressive in a way that was always easy to digest and relate to. And it didn’t hurt that the lead role was performed by “Clueless”s Alicia Silverstone!
advertisement#3: “Adventure Time” (2010-18)
2010 was the start of a new era for Cartoon Network, one that would become most prominently associated with “Adventure Time.” The surreal fantasy series followed human boy Finn and his dog friend, Jake, on a series of largely episodic adventures, which slowly began to reveal more about the show’s world and eclectic cast of characters. From the very beginning of its run, it challenged traditional ideas of gender and sexuality, particularly through the character of Princess Bubblegum, who studied science and had a relationship with Marceline the Vampire Queen. Even Finn kissing a frog prince was treated as a norm in The Land of Ooo, teaching “Adventure Time”s young audience to embrace those that did not fit within societal norms.
#2: “Reading Rainbow” (1983-2006)
If you grew up in the 80’s, 90’s, or 2000’s, you probably watched “Reading Rainbow” at least once. Hosted by LeVar Burton, the series strove to foster a love of reading in children across America. A typical episode usually featured a celebrity guest, who would read from a children’s picture book as simplistic animations of its illustrations brought its story to life on-screen. In order to help kids better analyze and understand the literature they were reading, the show then featured tie-in segments to the episode’s focal book, exploring real life locations and stories that related to its themes. It made a big impact on us, and plenty of other kids across the nation, winning over 200 awards in its twenty-three years on air.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Bill Nye the Science Guy” (1993-99)
This Show Made Science Fun & Had a Catchy Theme Song to Boot!
“Steven Universe” (2013-19)
A Major Step Forward in LGBTQIA+ Representation in Children's Animation
“Hey Arnold!” (1996-2004)
Stories About Classism, Ageism, & Even Immigration Made Us Kinder People
“Clarissa Explains It All” (1991-94)
Nickelodeon's First Female-Fronted Series Smashed Stereotypes About Teen Girls
“Pepper Ann” (1997-2000)
Taught Us About Cultural Appropriation, Striking, & Androgyny
#1: “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” (1968-2001)
Of all the shows that have felt ahead of their time, few have felt quite as revolutionary as “Mister Rogers Neighborhood.” At a time when children’s television was more about selling toys than education or even entertainment, Fred Rogers devised a series that focused on soft-spoken kindness and conflict resolution. Beginning its run in the midst of integration, “Mister Rogers” existed at the same time as some pretty violent racist ideology. Its host challenged those ideas on-screen by having pleasant conversations with co-star François Clemmons as the pair soaked their feet in a pool together. Seemingly small, but still significant, gestures such as this made up the heart of “Mister Rogers” and changed the way we viewed kids TV forever.
2010 was the start of a new era for Cartoon Network, one that would become most prominently associated with “Adventure Time.” The surreal fantasy series followed human boy Finn and his dog friend, Jake, on a series of largely episodic adventures, which slowly began to reveal more about the show’s world and eclectic cast of characters. From the very beginning of its run, it challenged traditional ideas of gender and sexuality, particularly through the character of Princess Bubblegum, who studied science and had a relationship with Marceline the Vampire Queen. Even Finn kissing a frog prince was treated as a norm in The Land of Ooo, teaching “Adventure Time”s young audience to embrace those that did not fit within societal norms.
Through their adventures, they also learn about the consequences of their wishes and the importance of being careful with what they ask for. Overall, Half Magic is a delightful and charming book that captures the imagination of young readers. It teaches valuable lessons about the power of wishes and the importance of thinking about one's words before making a wish. Edward Eager's writing style is engaging and keeps readers hooked from start to finish. Whether you are a child or an adult, Half Magic is a must-read for anyone who loves whimsical and magical stories..
Reviews for "The Healing Properties of Half Magic Vrippie Brow"
1. Sara - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Half magic vrippie brow". The story seemed disjointed and hard to follow, with weak character development. The plot felt rushed, and I couldn't connect with any of the characters. Overall, it just fell flat for me and I would not recommend it.
2. Mike - 1 star - "Half magic vrippie brow" was a complete waste of time. The writing was poor, filled with grammatical errors and awkward sentences. The plot was underdeveloped and lacked any depth or creativity. I found myself constantly checking how many pages were left, hoping it would end soon. Avoid this book at all costs.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Half magic vrippie brow", but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The dialogue was often cheesy and unrealistic, and the characters were one-dimensional. The pacing was off, with parts that dragged on for too long and others that felt rushed. It had potential, but it didn't deliver.
4. John - 2 stars - "Half magic vrippie brow" had an interesting concept, but it was poorly executed. The writing lacked polish, with repetitive phrases and clichéd descriptions. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and unresolved. I was left feeling unsatisfied and would not recommend this book to others.
5. Amy - 1 star - I couldn't finish "Half magic vrippie brow". The writing was so choppy and confusing, I couldn't follow the story. The characters were forgettable and lacked depth. I tried to give it a chance, but it just didn't grab my attention or keep me engaged. It's definitely not a book I would recommend to anyone.