ADVENTURE TIME (Cartoon Network, 2010-present; ages 10 and up)

Adventure Time is the story of two friends, Finn, the human and Jake the dog, who live in the Land of Ooo. Finn is a thirteen-year-old boy who wears a hat that covers his golden hair. Jake is a magical dog that stretches and has a bit of a sarcastic streak. Along with their friend Princess Bubblegum, who rules the Candy Kingdom in the Land of Ooo, Finn and Jake find adventure and mayhem in what might be a post-apocalyptic world. This is hinted at throughout the show, but never fully explained.

Adventure Time is rated TV-PG. The show is blocked into a half-hour time frame with two 10-minute episodes comprising the bulk of the program. This animated series might be better suited for older tween viewers. The stories are simple for young viewers, but the content can be slightly darker and mature. The show does pack a lot of action, dialogue, and detail that younger viewers might not completely understand. The series has a large older young adult and adult following, partially for the ADHD-type storytelling. For the most part, the storytelling focuses on the friendship of Finn and Jake which showcases how friendship can be a positive influence in young person's life. (To see a clip from Adventure Time, click here.) —Judy Neeb