Name: Ada Twist, Scientist
Genre: Kids, Animation, Comedy, Family
Released: 2021-09-28T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Amanda Christine, Nicholas Crovetti

The camera lingers on Ada Twist’s wide eyes as she peers through a magnifying glass, her brow furrowed in concentration. This is the spirit of Ada Twist, Scientist, Netflix’s animated preschool series that turns curiosity into an adventure.

Created by Chris Nee and based on the book series by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts, the show follows eight-year-old Ada (voiced by Amanda Christine) as she tackles big questions with her friends Iggy Peck (Nicholas Crovetti), Rosie Revere (Candace Kozak), and later Benny B. (Corey J). The premise is simple: science is fun, teamwork matters, and failure is just a step toward success. Each episode follows Ada’s scientific method—asking questions, forming hypotheses, experimenting—and the show excels at making these concepts accessible for its young audience.

The animation is bright and colorful, with clear, bold designs that hold attention spans shorter than a goldfish’s. The voice acting is equally engaging, with Amanda Christine capturing Ada’s boundless enthusiasm perfectly. Paul F. Tompkins’ portrayal of Iggy’s nervous father adds a layer of warmth and humor, while Frank Welker’s Mushu Kitty brings playful energy to the supporting cast.

Where Ada Twist, Scientist truly shines is in its commitment to its educational mission without feeling like a lecture. Episodes like “The Case of the Missing Marbles” or “The Mystery of the Missing Mitten” turn everyday problems into engaging puzzles. The show’s emphasis on resilience—such as Ada’s catchphrase “We don’t quit, we got grit!”—is woven seamlessly into the narrative, teaching kids that perseverance is part of the scientific process.

However, the series isn’t without its flaws. Character development is minimal, and the episodes often follow a predictable formula: problem arises, team brainstorms, experiment fails, lesson learned. While this structure works for its target audience, it can feel repetitive even for adult viewers. Additionally, some episodes rely too heavily on exposition, slowing down the pacing.

The fourth season’s introduction of Benny B. is a mixed bag. His robotic dog and optimistic personality add fresh energy, but his storyline about missing home feels underdeveloped compared to the core trio’s dynamics. The show also takes a bold step with LGBT representation in Season 4’s “Blue River Wedding,” featuring a same-sex wedding that sparked controversy among more conservative parents. While this is commendable, it feels slightly tacked on rather than organically integrated into the broader narrative.

Despite these shortcomings, Ada Twist, Scientist succeeds as an entertaining and educational series for young viewers. It may not reinvent the wheel, but it delivers its message with charm and consistency.