"Bear in the Big Blue House" is an enlightening show surrounding a cast of characters who live in the big blue house. The main character is Bear, a lovable and cuddly character with a soft voice and a big heart who interacts not only with the other characters, but with the audience as well. One of my child's most favorite parts of the show is when Bear "sniffs" the screen, trying to figure out what the child smells like. Even though I found it sort of odd the first time I saw this happen, my child became overjoyed and giggled in delight, pointing to the screen while Bear "sniffed" her. Whatever Bear smells typically initiates the topic of the day (i.e. frosting on a cake would initiate the topic of birthdays).
Other characters in the show include Tutter, a crazed mouse who typically is the comic relief; Ojo, a confident yet shy cub with an incredible imagination; Treelo, the youngest of the bunch; Pip and Pop, a lively duo of otters who are always getting into something. In every show, you will also find Shadow (a joyful character who always sings a song or story illustrated with the lost art of shadow puppetry) and Luna (the moon which Bear always ends his day with).
"Bear" is not like the Wiggles (which my child also enjoys) or Barney, over-saturated with songs and having little conversation. Instead, each episode of "Bear" is a story in itself with a beginning, middle, and end. Yes, there are songs (might I add the music in "Bear" is incredible compared to other shows) and games within the show. However, all lead toward the "topic" of the day, and I appreciate and encourage that. "Bear in the Big Blue House" gets my two thumbs up!
