Just launched: free lifetime premium for the first 1,000 members to activate their account.

Log in Start free

Grandpa's Drum

Very good

Recommended age Unlock

Co-watching from age 2

Balanced

Exact score locked

Watch on

Prime Video

PBS Kids

Save

Grandpa's Drum

See the exact scores

The review is yours to read. Create a free account to reveal the exact SlowScreen score and every pillar score.

Create free account

This program is well-balanced. It remains mostly easy to follow and process. It is a good fit for the recommended age. The pacing is moderate. The story remains easy for a child to follow. The sound is soft and supportive. The visuals are calm and well-organized.

One clear central question drives the whole episode: where is Grandpa's drum, and how can Molly bring it back? Events build sequentially from finding the photo, to spotting clues (mountains, water tower, train tracks, town letters), to traveling to Tiritchik, to meeting the elder and returning home for the concert. Cause and effect are explicit throughout, with Molly stating 'If he has his drum back, his songs might come back, too.' Information density rises somewhat during the boarding school explanation, which packs historical context into a short stretch, but the rest of the story stays focused on one concrete goal.

Interactions are warm and respectful between Molly, Tooey, her parents, Grandpa Nat, and the elder Shyahtsoo, with adults treating children as capable partners. When Grandpa shares his sadness about losing his songs, Molly responds with empathy ('I'm so sorry that happened to you'), and her mother explicitly reframes the difficult history ('things have changed since then. We honor our traditions'). The boarding school flashback carries genuine sadness, but it is named, contextualized, and followed by recovery in the next scenes, including the joyful drumming finale. Emotional transitions are gradual rather than abrupt, and no character is mocked or shamed.

Molly drives the entire investigation herself, declaring 'We'll get Grandpa's drum back' and then methodically working through the puzzle. The child sees a complete problem-solving arc: noticing the photo, extracting visual clues (mountains, water tower, train tracks, partial town name), comparing to images on a computer, asking a parent for help with transport, then interviewing people in the new town until the right person is found. Setbacks are shown ('Finding her was a lot harder than we thought'), and Molly adjusts her approach by looking harder rather than giving up. The solution unfolds in many concrete, imitable steps that model genuine research and persistence.

Language is purposeful and clear, with Molly narrating her own thinking and characters using full sentences in calm exchanges. Vocabulary stretches a little for a five-year-old with words like 'forbidden', 'traditions', 'ancestors', and 'boarding school', but each is grounded in immediate context. Alaska Native words such as 'Mahsi'choo' (thank you) and 'Shchada'a' (grandpa) are woven in naturally without being explained didactically, exposing children to another language respectfully. Dialogue is mostly informational or relational rather than filler exclamations, and speech is consistently clear and well-paced.

The episode is rooted in real life: real geography (Alaska), real cultural history, real research skills (looking at photos, identifying landmarks, asking community members), and a closing live-action segment in which actual Alaska Native children sing, drum, and reflect on their ancestors. Activities have practical meaning, from investigating clues to performing at a community show, and most are imitable in daily life. Social dynamics are highly recognizable: a grandchild trying to help a grandparent, friends collaborating, an elder welcoming visitors, and a community gathering for a performance. The story also gently introduces children to indigenous heritage and the value of preserving traditions.

More information

This episode centers an Alaska Native family and community, with Indigenous characters, language, and traditions at the heart of the story rather than as background detail. Molly leads the investigation while her grandfather, an elder neighbor, and a male friend all carry meaningful parts, and a live-action closing segment features real Alaska Native children speaking about their own songs and ancestors. Roles are spread across genders and generations, with girls and women holding emotional and narrative weight alongside the men. The story also engages directly with the boarding school history that suppressed Native language and song, treating that history with honesty and care.

This episode is grounded firmly in everyday Alaskan life and real cultural history. Molly and her friend Tooey solve a real-world puzzle using clues from a photograph, with no magical elements driving the story. There is no villain figure; the difficulty comes from a historical injustice (boarding schools that forbade Native songs), framed with care and resolution. The realism is age-appropriate, though the historical theme adds emotional weight for the youngest viewers in this age band.

This episode stands out as genuinely engaging for adult co-viewers. It weaves a heartfelt mystery plot with serious historical content about Native American boarding schools and cultural suppression, delivered through warm performances and authentic Alaska Native music. Production values are polished throughout, including a closing live-action documentary segment with real children in Fairbanks. Parents in the room have plenty to think about and listen to.

Themes

Family

Molly works to help her grandfather Nat reclaim something he lost, with her parents supporting the journey.

Different cultures

The episode centers on Alaska Native songs, drumming, and traditions passed across generations.

Investigation

Central

Molly identifies mountains, water tower, train tracks, and partial town letters to locate Tiritchik.

Intergenerational

Recurring

Molly bridges her grandpa, the elder Shyahtsoo, and herself through the story of the drum.

Resilience

Recurring

Grandpa Nat reclaims his songs after decades of silence following boarding school suppression.

Friendship

Tooey accompanies Molly on the entire quest and helps her think through clues.

Kindness

Molly devotes the whole episode to a selfless quest to find and return Grandpa's lost drum so his songs will come back to him.

Activities

Looking at photos

Molly studies an old black-and-white photograph for visual clues.

Interviewing

Molly and Tooey ask townspeople if they recognize the girl in the photo.

Music

Grandpa Nat and Molly perform a traditional song with drum at the community show.

Putting on a show

The episode opens with Molly and Tooey designing a poster and looking for headbands for a performance.

Using computer

Molly searches images of Alaskan mountains and towns on a laptop.

Traveling

Molly's dad drives the children to Tiritchik.

Emotions

Curiosity

Molly says 'Wait a minute, I think I know' when she spots the photo.

Sadness

Grandpa Nat sighs and says he no longer sings because he gave his drum away.

Determination

Molly declares 'We'll get Grandpa's drum back' and follows through.

Pride

The elder explains that Grandpa was 'proud of his family' and loved their traditions.

Joy

Molly and Tooey cheer and laugh after spotting the woman who matches the photo.

Love

Molly tells her grandpa 'I'm just glad we could find it for you' when his songs do not return immediately.

Behaviour

Problem solving

Molly systematically extracts visual clues from a photograph to identify a town.

Asking questions

Molly and Tooey ask people in Tiritchik whether they know the woman from the photo.

Helping

Molly travels to a new town specifically to recover her grandfather's drum.

Perseverance

After hours of unsuccessful asking, Molly keeps looking until she spots the woman.

Performing

Molly, Grandpa Nat, and the children sing and drum together at the community show.

Empathy

Molly listens quietly as the elder explains the boarding school history and says 'I'm so sorry that happened'.

Social lessons

Cultural heritage

Children at the end describe learning their ancestors' songs and feeling connected to them while dancing.

Respect for elders

Molly addresses her grandfather as 'Shchada'a' and listens carefully to the elder Shyahtsoo.

Teamwork

Molly and Tooey investigate clues together and celebrate each new finding.

Acknowledging difficult history

Mom and the elder Shyahtsoo openly explain the boarding-school suppression of Native language and song.

Community

The town gathers for the music show, applauding as Grandpa Nat returns to drumming.

Historical trauma reference

An elder describes how Native children at boarding school were forbidden from singing their songs and 'made to feel bad about who we were', a brief but real heavy moment.

Molly finds an old photograph of her grandfather Nat as a boy, singing and drumming with a young girl, and learns that he no longer sings because he gave his drum away long ago. With her friend Tooey, she uses clues in the photo (mountains, a water tower, train tracks, and partial letters on a sign) to locate the town of Tiritchik and find the now-grown woman who still has the drum. The elder Shyahtsoo explains that at boarding school Native children were forbidden from singing their own songs, which is why Grandpa stopped. Molly returns the drum, and during the community show Grandpa rediscovers his songs and drums alongside her, followed by a live-action segment of Alaska Native children sharing their own traditions.

Some episodes pack several short stories into one video; each story gets its own review.

Molly of Denali

Molly of Denali

Grandpa's Drum

recommended age co-watching from 2

Molly finds an old photograph of her grandfather Nat as a boy, singing and drumming with a young girl, and learns that he no longer sings because he gave his drum away long ago. With her friend Tooey, she uses clues in the photo (mountains, a water tower, train tracks, and partial letters on a sign) to locate the town of Tiritchik and find the now-grown woman who still has the drum. The elder Shyahtsoo explains that at boarding school Native children were forbidden from singing their own songs, which is why Grandpa stopped. Molly returns the drum, and during the community show Grandpa rediscovers his songs and drums alongside her, followed by a live-action segment of Alaska Native children sharing their own traditions.

Molly of Denali

Molly of Denali

The Qyah Ice Classic

recommended age co-watching from 2

In a small Alaskan village, Molly and her friends start their own Ice Classic, setting up a tripod on the frozen river and guessing when the spring ice will break and topple it. Each child uses a different method, looking up past dates, measuring the ice, watching for signs of spring, and building a model, while their friend Oscar helps everyone without entering himself. In the end Oscar wins by combining all the information his friends gathered, and they share the ice cream prize together. A closing live-action segment shows real children in Nenana explaining the real Ice Classic tradition.

Molly of Denali

Molly of Denali

The Great Qyah Cleanup

recommended age co-watching from 2

In the Alaska Native village of Qyah, Molly helps with the spring cleanup after winter. When Mr. Rowley's grill turns up broken and missing a part, Molly uses the instruction manual to reassemble it, then goes looking for litter with a friend and finds a mystery piece. After asking several neighbors what it is, she realizes it is the grill's missing regulator dial, which had fallen from her bag and been used as a scarecrow's face out at the dump. She retrieves it, the grill works, and the community cookout goes ahead.

Molly of Denali

Molly of Denali

Puppy Sitting

recommended age co-watching from 2

Trini agrees to look after Tooey's puppy Key while Tooey's family travels to Japan for a wedding, working from a training checklist Tooey made. At first she spoils Key with cheese and pizza crust and skips his runs, then realises her mistake and trains him hard for several days to get back on track. When Tooey returns, Key responds to his commands and Trini has even taught her own puppy Four Spots a new trick. The episode ends with a live-action visit to the tundra near Nome, where Molly and local children learn about musk ox and their qiviut fur.

Molly of Denali

Molly of Denali

Big Dreams And Blue Skies

recommended age co-watching from 2

Molly, an Alaska Native girl, hears how a pilot named Ellen Peniak inspired her mother to fly. When the library's books leave women pilots out, Molly digs deeper online and through Auntie Midge's stories, then flies along on a mail run where her mom lands safely by reading the wind off a lake. Together they write a booklet about Ellen and two other women pilots and leave it at the library so others can learn about them.

Molly of Denali

Molly of Denali

Sticker Shock

recommended age co-watching from 2

In the Alaskan village, Tui borrows his older brother's label maker and starts naming all his belongings, then labels seats at the shared picnic table so friends know where to sit. When Molly is left with nowhere to sit, the labelling causes a falling out, and the device jams and breaks. The children fix it by following the troubleshooting steps in the instruction manual, and Jay explains that shared spaces belong to everyone. The episode closes with Molly answering a viewer's question and a live-action trip where children go dog sledding.

Molly of Denali

Molly of Denali

A Song for Lola

recommended age co-watching from 2

Molly helps her friend create a special song to honor her grandmother, Lola Miranda, who is returning to their Alaskan village from the Philippines. Following an Alaska Native tradition explained by Grandpa Nat, the children secretly gather family stories, then worry the funny ones are not serious enough for a gifted song. They learn that a song should match the person it honors, so a cheerful Lola deserves a cheerful song. At the welcome-back dinner they perform it, and Lola calls it the best gift she has ever received.

Molly of Denali

Molly of Denali

Steam Bath Ch'oondaii

recommended age co-watching from 2

Molly, an Alaska Native girl, wants to help her mother recover from a cold so she can pass the annual medical exam she needs to keep flying. With advice from Auntie Midge and her mom, Molly and her friend set out to build a traditional steam bath, first trying shop-style instructions, then realising those don't fit their village or their age and returning to Auntie Midge for the traditional willow-frame method. They gather volcanic rocks with Grandpa Nat's help, build the bath in clear steps, and the warm steam helps mom breathe and feel close to her own mother. The episode closes with a short 'Ask Molly' segment exploring real Alaska Native houses at a heritage center.

Molly of Denali

Molly of Denali

In the Dark of Day

recommended age co-watching from 2

Molly, Trini and Oscar walk home from school in an Alaska village where the winter sun sets in the early afternoon, and Oscar is sure a monster is waiting in the dark. The friends look up sunset times on a weather website, learn about the winter solstice, and try several plans to face the creature. Auntie Midge tells a story about a wolf pup who overcomes its fear of the dark by finding a pack. Emboldened by his friends, Oscar finally confronts the monster and finds it is just a large pile of snow.

Molly of Denali

Molly of Denali

Tusk, Tusk, and More Tusk

recommended age co-watching from 2

Molly and her friends Tooey and Trini discover a large tusk buried in the mud near the river in their Alaska village. Grandpa Nat and an archaeologist named Olin Benedict identify it as a woolly mammoth tusk and explain the Ice Age, permafrost, and how the warming climate erodes the riverbank. The children help free the tusk through trial and error, measure it, photograph it, and give it the Gwich'in name 'Trilzok', meaning gentle. The episode ends with a separate live-action segment where children visit a museum to learn whether dinosaurs once lived in Alaska.

Molly of Denali

Molly of Denali

The Jökulhlaup Is on Us

recommended age co-watching from 2

Molly, an Alaska Native girl, learns that a glacial flood called a jokulhlaup could wash away Auntie Cecilia's old fishing cabin by Lake Kaya. Using Nina's 3D topographical map, Molly and her friends find higher ground out of the flood zone, then work out how to slide the cabin there on a bed of logs. The cabin is moved safely and Molly discovers the family doll she lost as a baby. The episode ends with the family settling the cabin into its new home.

Molly of Denali

Molly of Denali

Happy Birthday, Qyah!

recommended age co-watching from 2

Molly and her best friend Tui set out to answer one question: how old is their Alaska Native village of Qyah, really? After Molly's dad finds a cave revealed by an earthquake, the two join archaeologists Nina and Olin to investigate signs that ancestors once sheltered there. They uncover a painted pictograph that matches an oral origin story, get briefly trapped by an aftershock before climbing out, and help carbon-date the find. The episode ends with a new museum exhibit, a corrected town website, and the news that people have lived in the area for at least 13,000 years.

Related media

Other series that fit this age group

Bluey

Bluey

recommended age co-watching from 2

Bluey follows two heeler sisters and their playful parents through everyday life and made-up games at home, in the park and at daycare. The tone is warm and imaginative, aimed at preschoolers, with social and emotional learning woven through.

The Berenstain Bears

The Berenstain Bears

recommended age co-watching from 2

The Berenstain Bears follows a bear family through everyday adventures at home, school and their small town. Warm and reassuring in tone, it suits preschoolers, offering a gentle life lesson in each story.

Dora and Friends: Into the City!

Dora and Friends: Into the City!

recommended age co-watching from 4

Fancy Nancy

Fancy Nancy

recommended age co-watching from 3

Fancy Nancy follows a girl who loves all things fancy through parties, friendships and everyday family life at home. The tone is warm and playful, aimed at young children, teaching honesty and getting along.

Explore more

From this series Molly of Denali

By age 5 years

By platform Prime Video PBS Kids

Just launched: free lifetime premium for the first 1,000 members to activate their account.

Create your account

We use functional cookies and Google Analytics to improve our site. Learn more