Mia and Me- Friends to the Rescue DVD ~ Review

Finding animated shows that my tween will enjoy without believing they are "too kiddie", in her words, has become a challenge. She is at that in between stage kids go through, and I am so happy we recently found a show that she can enjoy viewing that keeps the issues simple and age appropriate- Mia and Me- Friends to the Rescue DVD.

Mia and Me is a unique program that includes both live action and animation. The main character Mia is a 12 year old girl. She is attending boarding school in Florence, Italy. Mia is trying to fit in with her classmates, but has a secret life one where she is able to transport through a high tech portal to animated land of Centopia. She used to read about this place in an ancient book of myths, and finds herself in an exciting land of elves, unicorns, dragons and more. As she is bouncing back and forth from her boarding school life and secret elf life, Mia discovers she is the key to saving Centopia from the evil Queen Panthea.


The Mia and Me-Friends to the Rescue DVD (Rated TV-Y) has a run time of approximately 75 minutes, and includes episodes 4, 5, and 6. Below I have listed an overview from PBS of each one where we learn more about Centopia, and exactly what Mia and her friends are facing.

“Trumptus Lost” – Click Here to View a Clip

A scuffle with Violetta leaves Mia worried about having her secret exposed and Vincent frustrated with once again being left in the dark. In Centopia, the unusually grim oracle leads Mia to rescue Lyria in the Valley of Vapors, where she becomes lost – and in need of rescuing herself. Though Yuko and Mo find her in time, the invaluable Trumptus is left behind accidentally for Panthea to fulfill the oracle’s ominous prophecy.

“The Golden Son” – Click Here to View a Clip

A quick-thinking Vincent helps Mia evade Violetta and her cronies, who are determined to get their hands on Mia’s mysterious book. Still unsure if she can trust Vincent with the truth, Mia disappears to Centopia in time to find Lyria in need of urgent help. With the help of the Water and Wind Unicorns, Mia and her friends are able to get Lyria the help she needs. Mia later witnesses an amazing event: the birth of a golden-horned unicorn who may be the key to restoring hope to Centopia.

“Onchao’s Oasis” – Click Here to View a Clip

On a field trip to a museum, Mia and Vincent avoid Paula, the latest of Violetta’s accomplices recruited to spy on Mia. When she finally escapes to Centopia, the excitement over Onchao’s ability to restore dead lands and to locate Trumptus pieces is short-lived when Lyria is taken captive by Gargona and her Munculus army. A newly determined Mia vows to protect Onchao with all her might and to find all of the pieces of the Trumptus so the safety of Centopia can be restored.

I really like that there are lots of mysterious elements to Mia's elf life that keep this show entertaining for my tween with out being "too kiddie", and that it also contains the real world issues and friends. My daughter has enjoyed these three episodes, and she is interested in finding out what happens next to Mia and all her friends... in both her worlds!

The first three episodes from season one of “Mia and me” are available on the DVD “Discover Centopia.” Episodes four, five and six are on “FRIENDS TO THE RESCUE,” that I reviewed, were just released to DVD July 21. You can find both available for purchase from PBS! 

~Have your kids enjoyed this show from PBS?  Would love to hear your thoughts about this new release.