Butterbean’s Café

Aired on Nickelodeon, this American-Irish co-production animated series focuses on upbeat go-getter fairy Butterbean and her fluttering friends who work in the titular dining establishment. "The Grand Opening" has Butterbean convincing pals Poppy and Dazzle along with little sister Cricket that they can fix up a restaurant in Puddlebrook, a town mostly populated by talking chipmunks and rabbits. Standing in their way is Ms. Marmalady (drolly voiced by Orange is the New Black‘s Alysia Reiner), who (understandably, one would think) is upset that Butterbean threatens her clientele by opening up right across the street. Marmalady and her monkey minions try some tricks, but with the help of a magic box and an enchanted whisk to finish off every recipe to whimsical perfection, Butterbean comes out on top. Other episodes include "The Sweetest Ride" (in which a delivery truck is converted into a fancy mobile café), "Friendship Pretzels," "Grandma Nana Banana Bread," and "Wedding Cake Switcheroo," the last involving a road trip to bring lunch to Madame President that is interrupted by citizens who need problem-solving help. Featuring solid CGI animation, brief songs, and cooking/prep sequences, this is a harmless saccharine series that will likely appeal to younger viewers. Compiling seven episodes from the 2018-19 debut season, this is a strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (J. Williams-Wood)