Voici les Tots! (Tots TV (DVD))

Member Name: preciouskdg

Product:	Tots TV (DVD)
Date:	29/04/04 (346 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: educational

Disadvantages: on too early!

I was delighted recently to watch Tots TV again for the first time in a good few years! Originally broadcasted on ITV at around 3.30pm, it has now been changed to CBeebies at 8.20am! Ooohhh! I am so pleased!!

Tots TV was created by Anne Wood, (Yes, the same Anne Wood as brought us Boohbahs, Teletubbies, Brum and Rosie and Jim!) and written by Robin Stevens, who also plays the character Tom, and by Andrew Davenport, who plays Tiny. Between the three of them, they really seem to tune in to what makes children laugh, whilst still teaching them something!

Tots TV was the first mainstream children's programme in Britain to feature a different language. In the UK Tilly speaks French and in the US version she speaks Spanish. Tots TV helps children to accept that different languages are an everyday part of life. In the UK, we learn foreign languages quite late compared to other countries. Another example of this type of programme, if you have Sky, is Dora The Explorer on Nick Junior. The foreign languages are integrated into the songs and phrases, making them unforgettable for youngsters! A great learning aid!

Each of the Tots has a characteristic that makes them very special. They are puppetted tots made, by the looks of them, completely from wool! They have chubby round faces and have the true characteristics of youngsters!

Tilly is very musical and French. Tillys favourite colour is red! Tiny is inquisitive and cheeky (and very cute!), and always wears his cardigan. His favourite colour is green! Tom is more responsible and thoughtful. He keeps special things, like his crayons, in his trouser pocketsHe wears glasses which stay on unless he is sleepi
ng! His favourite colour is blue and therefore he has a blue teddy bear and a blue telephone on which he can call the other Tots.

Within the programme theTots bicker and argue but always make up in the end. They compete but show how it can stay fun, discover and explore without being naughty!. These are all values we recognise from our childhood and that means so much to the children who regularly enjoy the Tots adventures. The trademark of Tots TV is said to be the moral values which stories and adventures are based.

The programmes are live action, and filmed in real locations using a mixture of people, puppetry and animals. So far, the Tots adventures have taken them to the USA, France, Lapland and Australia on their 'Big Treasure Adventure'..

Since Tots TV was first shown in January 1993 there have been eight series. consisting of 276 episodes. These can all be bought on video quite cheaply at the moment, (if you can find them!) because of the transition from ITV to BBC!

Although this series is suitable for up to seven year olds, I would imagine it captivating for younger! My two year old loves it after only seeing it for a few days!

Tots TV received two consecutive BAFTA's in 1996 and 1997.

Tots TV can be seen in the following countries and more! Tilly speaks Spanish rather than French though. :-

Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dubai, Eire, Estonia, Finland, Holland, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Kuwait, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Sou
th Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Zimbabwe.

The programme, from start to finish, is colourful. The Tots with their blue, green and red hair and colourful clothes. The little cottage they live in is idyllic! They also have a pet donkey in the shed! There is also a fluffy little squirrel thing, called Furryboo!?!, which pops up every now and again but no one ever sees it! Another little friend they have is le sac magique, the magic bag. The bag holds key items for along the adventures they take. Oh, and Tilly?s recorder, for those impromptu musical moments!

Tilly never speaks in English, but her phrases of French are always backed up by the repetition of the phrase by Tom or Tiny, in English.

The tots gallivant off into the towns and countryside to explore the world around them. An example of their adventures is watching a postman delivering letters to a street. The Tots do not want to be seen so hide behind whatever they can! Tiny is always making cheeky little noises so that they nearly get caught! Such fun!!

Alphabet and numbers, shapes and colours are always touched on within the programme, enforcing ideas throughout the series.Nature and the way things work are also reinforced. An educational delight to all children!

Thank you reading!

Kerry xxx

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