Common Sense Selections

Common Sense recognizes outstanding entertainment with an official seal for quality and impact. Common Sense Selections include age-appropriate media with the potential to spark family conversations, entertain families of all kinds, and have a positive, lasting effect on society.

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Recent Honorees

TV

Tiny Time Travel

age 5+

Witty friends use communication skills to solve problems.

Network: PBS Kids (2024)

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Ghostlight movie poster: Keith Kupferer hugs Katherine Mallen Kupferer

MOVIE

Ghostlight

age 15+

Compassionate drama about grief, theater; strong language.

In Theaters (Release Year: 2024)

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WondLa TV show poster - A teen shines a light toward the camera.

TV

WondLa

age 8+

Lively sci-fi series has lots of mystery, some violence.

Network: Apple TV+ (2024)

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Black Barbie movie poster: The top of a Barbie's head.

MOVIE

Black Barbie: A Documentary

age 13+

Detailed docu shows dolls' broad and positive impact.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2024)

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The Yellow Bus book cover: Diverse schoolkids enter a bright yellow bus against a gray penciled background

BOOK

The Yellow Bus

age 3+

Gentle tale celebrates one school bus' lifetime of service.

By: Loren Long (2024)

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She Rises Up movie poster: Woman in green garb holding a black bag walks away in the desert

MOVIE

She Rises Up

age 10+

Women battle poverty in inspiring docu; violence, language.

In Theaters (Release Year: 2024)

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Thelma Movie Poster: A needlepoint-decorated image of June Squibb on a scooter, wearing sunglasses

MOVIE

Thelma

age 12+

Heartwarming action film counters stereotypes; language.

In Theaters (Release Year: 2024)

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Our Pool book cover: Small figures of children in colorful swimsuits floating in a turquoise blue swimming pool

BOOK

Our Pool

age 4+

A joyful ode to summer, swimming, family, and community.

By: Lucy Ruth Cummins (2023)

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The Big Bakeover: Nancy Birtwhistle smiles with her arms crossed in front of a bakery wall being demoed

TV

The Big Bakeover

age 8+

Pro baker helps struggling bakery owners in solid series.

Network: CW (2024)

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Disney Jr.'s Ariel TV Show Poster: Ariel, a Black kid mermaid, swims underwater with Flounder and Sebastian

TV

Disney Jr.'s Ariel

age 2+

Fresh take on beloved mermaid will delight littlest viewers.

Network: Disney Junior , Disney+ (2024)

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My Daddy Is a Cowboy book cover: Afro-Latina girl smiles, kneeling in front of a horse; her father is on a horse behind her

BOOK

My Daddy Is a Cowboy

age 4+

Dazzling story of father-daughter's early morning ride.

By: Stephanie Seales (2024)

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Summer Is Here book cover: A young Black girl with a natural, braided hairstyle looks up to the sky while blowing bubbles

BOOK

Summer Is Here

age 3+

A celebration of the warmest season, and the joy it holds.

By: Renée Watson (2024)

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They Built Me for Freedom book cover: Black children of different skin tones happily run in a park on a sunny day.

BOOK

They Built Me for Freedom: The Story of Juneteenth and Houston's Emancipation Park

age 4+

Stunning Juneteenth book celebrates freedom, unity, and joy.

By: Tonya Duncan Ellis (2024)

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Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot movie poster: Nika King and Demetrius Grosse's foreheads touch in an embrace

MOVIE

Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot

age 13+

Emotional drama about fostering kids has intense moments.

In Theaters (Release Year: 2024)

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Daisy and her cat Napoleon crouch amongst colorful plants with a giant wave and a water horse behind her

BOOK

The City Beyond the Sea: Greenwild, Book 2

age 9+

Exciting, well-rounded eco-fantasy with some animal peril.

By: Pari Thomson (2024)

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Ultraman: Rising movie poster: Characters face off.

MOVIE

Ultraman: Rising

age 10+

Beloved animated character learns life lessons; some peril.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2024)

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Erased: WWII's Heroes of Color TV show poster: Close-up of a Black soldier looking straight ahead.

TV

Erased: WWII's Heroes of Color

age 13+

Docuseries centers Black soldiers, harsh realities of war.

Network: NatGeo (2024)

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The Real Red Tails TV show poster: A red drawing of a fighter plane on antique paper

TV

The Real Red Tails

age 13+

Documentary about Tuskegee Airmen is poignant, educational.

Network: NatGeo (2024)

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Life After Whale book cover: A blue whale is seen under the blue ocean water with the sun shining above

BOOK

Life After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall

age 7+

Grand story of blue whale death and new life it supports.

By: Lynn Brunelle (2024)

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Big City Greens The Movie: Spacecation poster: Cricket Green and his family enter outer space, wearing space suits.

TV

Big City Greens the Movie: Spacecation

age 7+

Light scares as quirky Green family takes cosmic road trip.

Network: Disney Channel , Disney+ (2024)

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