What parents need to know
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this tween-themed show follows a very driven young teen who produces her own public access show. Tweens will learn neat do-it-yourself (DIY) crafting techniques that may inspire them to "reduce, re-use, and recycle" by turning everyday objects like old CDs and bits of fabric into funky art and accessories. Lessons in friendship and family also come into play, making this an informative and engaging choice for the tween set.
What's the story?
CAKE centers on a creative teenager named -- surprise! -- Cake (Christa B. Allen), whose passions are crafting and producing her own public access TV show, Cake TV. Using her grandmother's vintage Airstream trailer as her studio, Cake and her three closest friends -- Benjamin (Keegan McFadden), Miracle (Anna Maria Perez de Tagle), and Amy (Emily Rose Everhard ) -- produce and star in the show-within-a-show. In each episode, a simple storyline in the kids' \"real\" lives inspires them to teach Cake TV viewers how to turn ordinary items into cool accessories with a personal touch. Cake's motto pretty much sums up the show's main theme: \"You can't buy individuality, but you can make it!\"
Is it any good?
By combining the tech-savvy interests of today's tweens with their concerns about the environment, Cake really speaks to its audience. Plus, encouraging kids to re-use ordinary items educates them about consumer waste (learning to use what you already have is a lesson that can't be taught early enough) and gives them a creative outlet.
Overall, Cake offers a fresh, innovative take on modern tween life -- with the added benefit of craft ideas that inspire kids to look at objects with a different perspective. If your tweens want to try out some of the ideas, make sure they're supervised, particularly if tools like glue guns and Exacto knives come into play. But other than that, rest assured that Cake is a great kids' show that has a lot to offer creatively, socially, and environmentally.
Families can talk about...
Families can talk about the innovative projects featured on the show. Can you think of any creative ideas that could turn old items into something useful? What can you do as a family to rethink the way you use objects? Why is it important to reduce the amount of consumer waste? How is waste affecting the environment?