Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks

This is the best children's program I have ever seen. It teaches responsibility, imagination, manners, multiculturalism and more in a most enjoyable fashion. The animation is beautiful and the stories are pure delight for both kids and adults. This is the one show I allow my 4 year old to watch every day and I enjoy it as well. Each episode follows the same format, a modern day Grandpa Piggley tells stories to his three grandchildren about his adventures growing up in rural Ireland. The childhood tales feature his family, his school full of adorable animal friends and his ever faithful companions, Ferny and Dannan (a veritable Ron and Hermione, if you will). They have wild imaginations and good intentions and truly, each episode is pure delight. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Have just discovered this on Children's TV on BBC 1 and it's brilliant! The characters are original and charming however the stars of the show are the 'random' sheep (voiced by Mel Brookes...say no more!)

The situations featured in the stories are the things that children face all the time, which is why it appeals to all ages. The 'moral' to the tale is stated at the end, although it is the characters of the 'children' (pig, duck, bull) that makes it so charming. Although animals they are realistic.

The programme works on several layers though (especially with the sheep who offer a parrallel story)which is why its wit also appeals to adults.

This is wasted on children!

I tune in every day to watch Piggly Winks...and I don't have any kids. I love the premise of the show; an older Piggly Winks relaying life's lessons to his grandkids. I love the characters, especially Ferny and Dannon, but all the characters are enjoyable to watch. But mostly, I think this show is very well written. The story lines are easy to follow, but are presented with humor and subtle details that adults will find entertaining. The variety of characters give the show a fun diversity, and the details in the animation means you can re-watch it and see things you didn't see before. I am very happy that I found this show.

I discovered this show because we adopted a little boy (now 2 1/2) and of course, I started watching children's TV. This is by far the best children's show I have seen (possibly because it is not just a children's show), and I often watch it whether my son is watching it or not. The landscapes are beautiful, and the characters are amazing. I like them all. Piggly, of course, but also Ferny, Molly, Dannan, Hector, Mr. Hornsby, and Don Toro, the blacksmith. It brings me back to a simpler time, when kids (like when I was growing up) didn't have so many toys, and we had to use our imagination much more for our everyday adventures. I haven't seen many new episodes, and wonder how much time it takes to do a new show.

Anyone remember the episode where they all turn into lettuce in a dream? Gave me nightmares for days as a kid