Bluey has captured the hearts of people across the world.
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The children's program consisting of seven-minute episodes has enraptured children and adults alike, but the recent global release of its longest episode yet -- at a whopping 28 minutes -- prompted an outpouring of appreciation.
Bluey follows a blue heeler who, along with her sister (a red heeler named Bingo), navigates the days between home and school.
It's a favourite among children for its playful humour, but it also appeals to adults reminiscing about childhood.
"My childhood experience wasn't the greatest so I've always resonated with shows where life is good," says Colorado resident Miriam Neel.
"The parents in 'Bluey' enable imagination and creativity and really get involved with their kids, and I wish I had those experiences."
Neel is 32 and has chosen not to have any children of her own. She says the show has become part of her morning routine and is often a go-to choice for background noise when she is working from home.
Bluey, which now boasts more than 150 episodes, premiered in Australia in 2018 and began streaming on Disney+ in 2020.
It also has been adapted into a digital series where famous fans like Bindi Irwin and Eva Mendes read some of the popular storybooks, and a live theatre show that travels around the world.
The show has also won multiple awards, including the Australian Film Institute Award for best children's television drama every year since 2019 and an International Emmy Kids Award.
The April 14 special episode, The Sign, explored the emotions surrounding themes that resonate with both children and adults -- moving houses, marriage, infertility and relationships after divorce.
The show does not shy away from other difficult topics including ageing, death and making friends as an adult.
Jacqueline Nesi, an assistant professor of psychiatry and human behaviour at Brown University, notes that Bluey promotes self-regulation and conflict resolution for children and engaged parenting and patience for adults.
"We see them working through some of the challenges that we, as parents, might be facing, too," she says.
"And at the same time, they offer a nice model for different parenting skills -- asking open-ended questions to facilitate kids' creativity, using natural consequences when they misbehave, actively playing with them and letting them take the lead."
Australian Associated Press
