Parents' Guide to

Molly of Denali

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 5+

Alaska Native character's adventures celebrate heritage.

TV PBS Kids Kids' Animation 2019
Molly of Denali Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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age 4+

Based on 30 parent reviews

Embi
Embi Adult
June 23, 2023
age 3+

Best show ever...for kids and parents

I love this show and thankfully, my kids love it too. Molly and her friends are great role models. They are curious, kind, and respectful. I love how Molly and her friends always try to find answers to their questions, and they don't give up if they encounter an obstacle. Sometimes a little extra help is needed, and the adults in the small community are always ready to help guide Molly and friends to solving their problem or answering their question (it takes a village). The kids are often playing outside and enjoying the natural world. Molly does have her phone handy (she has a vlog), but she mainly uses it to help in her quest to answer questions and to record and share her adventures. Some reviewers have criticized the dentist episode, but I think that the episode teaches a valuable lesson - to always consider the source when presented with new infornation (or misinformation as the case may be). In the end, Molly and friends realized how important it is to go to the dentist and that it wasn't scary like the "fake" video made it out to be. This is a terrific show and I am happy every time I hear the theme song.
cowkitty
cowkitty Parent
March 18, 2022
age 5+

Watch out for the fake dentist video episode--it's weird and scary.
See all 30 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In MOLLY OF DENALI, 10-year-old Molly Mabray (voiced by Sovereign Bill) lets her curiosity guide her adventures in and around the small Alaskan town she calls home. As a modern girl with Alaska Native heritage, Molly often finds connections between her interests and the experiences of her ancestors, and along with her best friends, Tooey (Sequoia Janvier) and Trini (Vienna Leacock), she enjoys learning more about the culture of the Athabascans and other indigenous people of neighboring Alaskan regions. With the help of her parents (Ron Harris and Jules Koostachin), who run a local trading post, and the guidance of Grandpa Nat (Lorne Cardinal), Molly sets out to experience everything she can in present-day Alaska and to learn about her predecessors' way of life.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (30 ):
Kids say (13 ):

As the first US kids' TV series to cast an Indigenous lead character, this thoughtful, pleasant show is a welcome anomaly in the genre. Molly is a delightful pick to guide viewers through the culturally rich history of Alaska. A "typical" modern tween, she blogs and uses the internet as a research tool, but she's also deeply connected to and respectful of the experiences of her ancestors through her grandfather and other adults in her community. As she learns about her heritage as it relates to her own interests, Molly teaches kids about Alaska both now and in the past, paying special homage to its Native people.

Molly of Denali takes great care to ensure that its content isn't trite or narrowly focused, and the result is an exceptionally endearing series with quality content throughout. Because Molly's explorations -- and her parents' work as trading post proprietors and a local pilot -- take her away from her town often, she gets to learn about other Indigenous people and local traditions directly from them. The show's content is created in partnership with Alaska Native advisors, lending significant authenticity to Molly's experiences.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what inspires Molly's adventures. What similarities exist between her modern experiences and the way her ancestors lived? Who helps her learn about her cultural heritage? What ties does your family keep to your ancestry?

  • Which adult role models cultivate Molly's interest in her home and its people? What adults in your life go out of their way to help and nurture you? How can you act as a role model for others in a similar way?

  • Kids: How do shows like Molly of Denali help encourage curiosity about other cultures? Why is it important to understand and respect other people's experiences? How does diversity strengthen our communities?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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