Nick Jr. gave preschoolers across the country a taste of the new season of Go, Diego, Go! this morning with the premier of “Diego’s Wolf Pup Rescue.” If you missed it, not to worry! The episode will be featured on a new DVD and VHS release entitled “Wolf Pup Rescue,” due to hit stores Sept. 19.
In this new installment of TV’s No.1-rated preschool series, Diego is joined by his cousin, Dora the Explorer, at the animal rescue center where he and his sister, Alicia, take care of all sorts of animals. We are introduced to Mommy Maned Wolf and her litter of five pups, but one is missing! Diego and Dora have to rely on their instincts as animal rescuers, their friends Rescue Pack, Back Pack and Click the camera, as well as the audience, to help them find the wolf pup before he wanders into a patch of thorns.
Kelly Ripa and son, Michael, lent their voices to play Mommy Maned Wolf and her lost wolf pup, though you would hardly notice unless you were actively looking. Unlike other Nick Jr. shows, such as Blues Clues, that often feature celebrity voices and appearances, “Wolf Pup Rescue” gives Ripa only a handful of lines throughout the show. But then, kids wouldn’t know the difference; she’s really there for mom and dad appeal.
Being the mom of an older child, Dora the Explorer was my first introduction to this computerized world five or six years ago, and of course remains my favorite. As this was my first encounter with Diego, I was happy to see that this episode continued the connection between Go, Diego, Go! and Dora the Explorer, as Diego is a spin-off of Dora’s widely popular series. I also liked that the show introduced many different kinds of animals to children (and parents), outside of the cat/dog, cow/sheep types of animals that are usually the subject of kiddie TV. Beyond the Maned wolves, the show also introduces different species of monkeys and other animals that must be rescued on the way. It kicks up the level of education a notch and is a refreshing change from the norm.
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