What's the story in Balamory? (Balamory)

Member Name: pmcds

Product:	Balamory
Date:	16/07/08 (67 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Educational and interesting

Disadvantages: Repeated too often

Balamory is a Scottish kids programme set in the fictional town of Balamory in Scotland. For the show, the village of Tobermory on the Isle of Mull is used, and it is an idyllic setting.

Each episode starts with the theme tune, before we see the school teacher, Miss Hoolie, who introduces a new story involving the children and one of the residents in Balamory. The residents, who take it in turns by episode to tell a story, include PC Plum, Archie the inventor, Spencer, Josie Jump, and Pocket & Sweet, who own the village store. Each episode is slightly educational, often involving colours and numbers and generally how things work, and they are highly entertaining.

The episodes are short, lasting only 20 minutes or thereabouts each, but this is long enough, as children's attention can waver quite easily. The theme tune and the signature tunes of each character are all very catchy, and the target audience is children under six. However, I find it entertaining enough that I am transfixed, and my son has often given up and is playing with one of his toys.

The episodes are repeated a lot, but there are 130 or so episodes as the series ran from 2002 to 2005 before filming finished. My son still requests it from time to time, and I find it a good one to put on because it is suitable for him (he is 4) and the educational side of it helps.

I give this show a thumbs up for kids. It isn't the greatest show out there, and the attention is not always held, but I feel that is probably because he will see an episode he has seen before and loses interest, not through any fault of the programme. Balamory is aired on CBeebies quite regularly, and is worth a go.

Summary: Balamory 2002-2005 - great for kids