This DVD set starts off with an episode called "Choosy Chuck." Chuck and his parents are given 4 tickets to a sold out exhibition about the famous trucks of all time at a museum. This means that Chuck has one extra ticket, so he gets to choose one friend to go with him. Unfortunately, Handy the tow truck, Boomer the fire truck, and Rowdy the garbage truck all want to go with him. Chuck is going to have to choose who to take. They don’t make it easy on him either! Each of them are going to go out of their way to try and prove that they are Chuck’s one best friend so he will take them, leaving Chuck in a bad position. I really like how this episode is handled from both the friends’ perspectives and Chuck's.
The second episode attempts to explain the concept of "art" to the kids (and the young audience). I’m not sure that it will really make the intended impression on the majority of the viewers, but even if it gives a few an appreciation, then the goal was accomplished. Basically Chuck meets Dahlia, a friend of his mom’s, and she tells him that his tire stack looks like art. Chuck decides that he wants to make some art for his mom to hang at the garage and he recruits his friends to help him. Chuck find out that it’s not as easy to make the art that you’re trying to, but rather you should just let the art come out of you.
The rest of the series pretty much focuses on friendship, being yourself, and having fun. Most of all, they need to learn that no matter what, things are much easier when you work together! There are several episodes that strive to make that point, but I think my favorite is "Contest Countdown." In it, there is a radio contest that gives a riddle and the first caller with the right answer in under 20 minutes will get a ride in a helicopter. Chuck is at the diner with his dad when he hears about it on the radio. He knows the answer, but the diner phone is broken. He races over to the repair shop where is mom is working and runs into Handy on the way. Handy also knows the answer and is on his way to the diner. Chuck tells him the phone is broken there, that they have to go to the repair shop. After an accident, they break the phone at the repair shop, so Chuck’s mom sends them to find a part to fix it. On the way there they run into Digger, who also knows the answer and to make things even worse, they run into Rowdy who also knows the answer. Only one of them can win, but none of them will be able to win if they can’t find a way to call in the answer!
There are many more fun episodes that are sure to entertain young children. Also on the DVD is a bonus sing-along song for your kids (or you) to enjoy. Chuck and Friends continues to be a clean, young-child friendly cartoon series that might just help your kids learn important life lessons. If you’re looking for a cartoon that your kids will enjoy without it corrupting them, you might check out The Adventures of Chuck and Friends: Bumpers Up!.
