Running time: 162 minutes
This DVD has 11 episodes of the Disney Junior favourite. The series is about Jake and his friends Izzy and Cubby who are pirates and face challenges in each episode.
Their challenges range from needing to go somewhere to retrieving something and most of all overcoming their greatest challenge of all - Captain Hook and his men.
The challenges are usually overcome using three components – Jake's sword and leadership skills, Cubby's map and Izzy's pixie dust. Jake's sword was given to him by Peter Pan, as is Izzy's pixie dust, which can be used to help them fly but must only be used in emergencies.
Each episode has a song or two and sometimes ends with a song sung by Captain Bogg and Salty, a pirate-themed band from the United States. It adds to the whole pirate theme of the show.
The formula for Jake and the Never Land Pirates is pretty much the same as that of Little Einsteins – the characters face a challenge in each episode, it needs to be overcome by teamwork, and the characters learn a lesson each time.
This DVD has the following episodes:
Peter Pan Returns – Peter Pan needs Jake, Izzy and Cubby's help to find his shadow which has gone missing.
The Elephant Surprise – Captain Hook gives the kids a “present” in the form of a hollow wooden elephant. Hook and Smee, his right hand man, are hiding inside hoping to rob the gang of their treasures.
Jake's Jungle Groove – A monkey steals Cubby's bongo drums and leads to both Jake and Hook and their friends pursuing the monkey.
The Pirate Pup – Patch, Jake and his friends' dog, goes missing and ends up on Hook's ship.
Pirate Rock – Marina the mermaid invites Jake and friends to perform at a rock concert. Hook is out to sabotage the concert.
The Sword and the Stone – Hook and Smee find a secret stone door and think there may be treasure behind it. They will need Jake's sword to unlock the door.
Jake's Home Run – Jake, Izzy and Cubby are enjoying a game of baseball and Hook steals the ball.
The Pirate Princess – Izzy tells Jake and Cubby about the Pirate Princess who was turned to gold, along with her ship, and sunk to the bottom of the ocean. The gang go in search of her.
The Rainbow Wand – Izzy finds the rainbow wand belonging to the Pirate Princess. The gang decide to go to Pirate Princess Island to return it.
Mama Hook Knows Best – Hook's mother comes for a visit and wants to go on a treasure hunt with her son.
Pixie Dust Away – It's Pixie Dust Away Day, when Izzy can use as much pixie dust as she wants to fly all day. But she trips and the pixie dust spills. The gang will need to go to another part of the island to get more pixie dust.
If you have a preschooler, get this DVD. He or she will enjoy this series and this DVD. The characters are cute and there's a nice lesson to be learnt from each episode.
Recommended. - Review by S.N.