This doc earns the informative badge.

The opening of the documentary “Cookie Queens” mentions that Girl Scouts sell over $800 million in cookies in six weeks, and each of them sets their sales goals. And they and their parents have to buy the cookies so they can sell them. It’s a G-rated doc that speaks to both kids and adults through capitalism and child labor exploitation. Meaning it’s not too juvenile, not too political, and mostly fun, optimistic, sad, dangerous, and courageous. But despite whatever hardships the organization and life throws at these girls, this movie is anything but depressing.

The young Girl Scouts in this movie consist of Nikki, Ara, Olive, and Shannon Elizabeth (not the “American Pie” actress, obviously). Each of them are able to distinguish between fun and hard work, and despite issues they face, none of them are quitters.

In, Charlotte, NC, Olive is the top seller, who knows how to sell to the customers and plans to exceed her goals every step of the way. For example, if she reaches her goal of 5,000 cookies sold, she decides to up her game of 6,000, and so forth and so forth. She and her parents sometimes worry that she may be pressuring herself, but she does have a best friend to help see her through, indicating that she can find some balance in her life.

In El Paso, Texas, Shannon wants to sell 2750 packages to sell so she can go to camp. A summer camp her parents can’t afford. But she’s going to need some luck given her customers and their choice of locations. Sometimes, she finds customers, while other times, they turn her down. But she still has the optimistic spirit to keep going.

In San Diego, Ara wants to sell 50 boxes, while dealing with her diabetes. Which is why at one point, she would like to make her own sugar free cookies to sell. And from the looks of it, they do look delicious.

And in Chino, CA, Nikki wants to follow in the footsteps of her sisters: Nala and Naya, who are still in the scouts. Her vest has the badges of the places she has visited as a reward for her cookie selling, and she plans to make Europe her next trip. But first, she has to top them as the best seller in Chino, and she has to acknowledge that being a kid doesn’t last forever. Meaning she should still have fun as a kid and not grow up too fast.

Take it from a film critic, who loves Thin Mints and Trefoils, “Cookie Queens” cares about these girls as much as we do. It wants us to know that Girl Scouts should decide about whether or not they should keep going. That they must find time to still be kids, while learn the responsibilities along the way. And that they shouldn’t be exploited for profit. The organization should still be alive and thriving, but there must be limits and spirit, and that’s what this doc wants to speak about.

Not everything is fully examined in this true story, but director Alysa Nahmias wants us to get to know these girls and the potential that they each possess. And she does inform us on what goes down in the organization, and how each of the Girl Scouts deserve to be kids and soon-to-be strong women. Like “Toy Story 5,” which deals cyber bullying and youth, “Cookie Queens” deals with work and youth. It’s all in the same trinity of being a kid and understanding the challenges along the way.