Three years ago, PBS and Sesame Workshop resurrected 1970s favorite The Electric Company to present it to a new generation of kids. Those, like myself, who are nostalgic about coming home from school and watching the original, will appreciate the revival. The new high-voltage version urges kids to "Feel the power!" That positive message is just part of what makes the show so good.

The cast is diverse and the setting is urban. Each half-hour episode starts with five words. The meaning of each word is explained and viewers know to be on the lookout for those words through the show as it unfolds. Each episode also tells a story, with characters facing problems, getting angry and sometimes getting in trouble for simple scenarios (such as a birthday party not going as planned). They must solve the problems and resolve the issues, all while learning lessons about language, math and social scenarios. Animated segments, songs, grammar lessons and other treats are packed into the episodes.

Even though The Electric Company is targeted at kids ages 6 to 9, its appeal extends beyond that range. That said, it's just right for elementary-aged kids, who will surely laugh and learn as they watch.