 Noggin's delightful animated series CONNIE THE COW follows the daily adventures of a sweet little cow who lives on a farm with her nurturing parents, Mollie and Bill. Connie is ever so curious about the world around her and spends much of her time exploring nature and talking to the other animals she encounters about her questions and discoveries. She also loves to play with her friends Patch the puppy, Wally the bird, and Grouch the fox. As she goes through her day, Connie is usually presented with a challenge or dilemma that she must solve -- whether it's learning how to count so she can play hide-and-seek, or helping two butterflies learn how to tell a rainstorm is coming so they can take shelter and avoid getting stuck in the mud. Connie's always eager to help others, and she always learns something valuable during each adventure -- either about nature (such as the purpose of an animal's tail) or proper behavior (such as the importance of telling the truth). At the end of each segment (there are three segments per 30-minute episode), Connie asks viewers to help her with a task, such as spotting an animal with specific colors. These tasks are meant to introduce children to basic scientific concepts and encourage them to use their observation skills by classifying, comparing, naming, and describing the things they see on the screen. If viewers aren't immediately drawn in by Connie and friends' charming accent, they'll surely be captivated by the cartoon's pastiche of vibrant colors and dazzling, imaginative designs that adorn the animals and insects. There's so much to look at in every scene, whether it's a wonderfully weird, patterned bug crawling up a tree or the gorgeously artistic scenery. Connie herself is infinitely likable, with her insatiable curiosity and cheerful disposition. She and her friends show a zest for life that's contagious -- they make something as simple as jumping into a cool pond on a hot day seem like a full-body treatment at a luxurious spa. And their way of expressing joy is irresistibly cute -- Patch, for example, turns upside down and wiggles his toes when he's happy, while Connie jumps straight up in the air as her feet fly in all directions. The tasks at the end of each segment also involve colorful depictions of animals, plants, and insects, which gets kids excited to learn about nature. Overall, Connie the Cow gets straight A's for visual entertainment and educational value and for inspiring preschoolers to be curious about all the wonderful things that surround them. Pinky Dinky Doo and Miffy and Friends are two other great examples of interactive series that entertain with fun stories and colorful animation while teaching important concepts and practical skills. | 
