Mustard Pancakes

Release Date: Out now

Starring: Courtney Campbell

Genre: Children's, Puppets, Musical

MPAA Rating: G

Age Recommendation: 2-7

Children's entertainer Courtney Campbell provides a light and enjoyable viewing experience with her show Mustard Pancakes. The title refers to what sounds like a disgusting concoction—mustard pancakes—but it is a treat greatly enjoyed by Courtney and her family of puppet pets. In each episode, Courtney and her pals realize an important lesson that they then emphasize through retrospective parables and an acoustic song sung by Courtney herself. Overall, the series is uplifting and educational and each episode concludes with a series of facts and lessons sure to please both child and parent.

In the first episode on the Mustard Pancakes DVD, Courtney anxiously prepares for her brother's visit. Getting ready to cook a delicious feast for her family, Courtney is deeply saddened and disappointed when her brother calls and tells her that he has to cancel. Courtney's pets and family—Mo, Tiny Tina, Mr. D, and Oogleberry the dog—decide to cook the meal that Courtney planned. Courtney is touched by her family's sentiment and effort; she experiences and notes first hand how "great it is to have good friends." Courtney then begins to reminisce about when she and her brother were children, attempting to plant and grow mashed potatoes and a fire truck, respectively. Because of the alleged possibility that fire trucks cannot be cultivated, Courtney's father gets Johnny a fire truck and surprises him with it the next morning.  Oogleberry reflects on the fact that although the family sometimes argues, they "all take care of each other, which means [their] hearts are in the right place."

The next episode follows Oogleberry Ink Dog's humiliation after being sprayed by a skunk. When Oogleberry is hesitant to come inside the house, Courtney suspects something is wrong. Oogleberry finally reveals to Courtney and the rest of his family what happened, even though most of them claim that they could smell him before he came inside. Courtney teaches Oogleberry and the rest of the clan that everyone needs help at some point, and even if someone is reluctant to ask for it, when people help each other it is "just another way of showing them that they love you."

Tongue Twister, the third episode, marks the struggle of Mr. D after he plays a trick on Mo.  He learns that playing pranks on others is not a good thing to do, and that honesty is in fact the best policy—especially with regard to excuses. The last episode is the original pilot of the series that conveys the importance of respecting other people's feelings. Oogleberry concludes at the end of the episode that nothing is more important than family.