The Magic School Bus Season Four drives on with manic, educational abandon

When Then Magic School Bus was originally on the air I was already out of college. In hindsight the mid 90s was a fabulous time for children’s programming. Even then I was a fan of Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, as well as, Wallace and Gromit. Both of these series I still like watching, plus it’s something that our children can watch and enjoy too. The final season of The Magic School Bus is out on DVD in a two disc collection that puts a bow on a series that was as entertaining as it was educational.

It’s interesting to compare the earlier episodes to these and see how much technology changed from the three years that the series started. The topics in season four include a couple that were cutting edge at the time, but seem quaint now. Goes Cellular and Gets Programmed are two that still resonate today; just switching out ‘digital’ for cellular and increase the size of various programs by 100X and it’s still spot on today.

The animation’s, sly, sometimes droll humor that were present in the first three series are all here. The Magic School Bus never really suffered a drop in quality. From the first season through the fourth the episodes are all educational, funny and something that every member of the family can enjoy. They also did a great job of including all of the characters and showing the kids being inclusive of those with disabilities.

Just read the titles to some of the episodes from season four, Goes to Mussel Beach, Meets Molly Cule, Makes a Stink and Gets Charged are some of those that make you laugh without even watching them. It also makes us happy that our children really want to watch this show. Sure it’s a cartoon, but it is packed with education that they can take away into their lives. They’ve learned where water goes after the bathtub (and how it got there), how electricity works, how a virus is spread and so many more lessons.

The Magic School Bus is a great series that you will not regret watching with your kids. Season Four is just out on DVD, however, if you like one, you’ll like them all and the entire series is one that kids 4-10 will enjoy watching over and over. The discs have over five hours of entertainment and can be played in English or Spanish.