Bod (TV series) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bod |
|
|---|---|
| Created by | Joanne Cole Michael Cole |
| Starring | John Le Mesurier Derek Griffiths Maggie Henderson |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of episodes | 13 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 15 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | BBC1 |
| Original release | 23 December 1975 – 16 March 1976 |
Bod is a classic British children's television show that first aired on BBC1 in 1975. This charming cartoon series has 13 episodes. It is based on four original books created by Joanne and Michael Cole.
The show uses a special animation style called cutout animation. This means characters and objects are made from flat pieces of paper or card. These pieces are then moved frame by frame to create the illusion of movement. The stories are told by John Le Mesurier and Maggie Henderson. The catchy music was created by Derek Griffiths. David Yates produced the series.
Contents
Discovering Bod's Adventures: The Books That Started It All
The world of Bod began with four books published in 1965 in the United Kingdom. These books quickly became popular. They were later released in the United States and France.
Original Bod Books
The four original Bod books are:
- Bod's Apple
- Bod's Present
- Bod's Dream
- Bod and the Cherry Tree
Before becoming a TV show, these stories were read on another BBC children's program called Play School. In 1974, the BBC created 13 short, five-minute episodes for a series called Watch with Mother. These episodes were also shown in many other countries. Countries like Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Poland, and Israel enjoyed Bod. In the United States, Bod was a popular segment on the Pinwheel program on Nickelodeon.
Meet the Friends: Characters in Bod's Town
Bod is a curious young boy who lives in a friendly town. He shares his adventures with a fun group of friends.
Who Lives in Bod's World?
- Aunt Flo: Bod's kind aunt.
- PC Copper: The friendly local police officer.
- Frank the Postman: Who delivers all the mail.
- Farmer Barleymow: The helpful farmer.
Each character has their own special theme music. This music, performed by Derek Griffiths, plays whenever they appear on screen. The show also features fun activities like identifying different animals and playing "Bod Snap."
Bod's Episodes: A Look at the Stories
There are 13 exciting episodes in the Bod series. Each one tells a new story about Bod and his friends.
| No. | Title | First broadcast |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Bod's Present*" | 23 December 1975 |
| 2 | "Bod and the Dog*" | 30 December 1975 |
| 3 | "Bod and the Apple" | 6 January 1976 |
| 4 | "Bod and the Kite" | 13 January 1976 |
| 5 | "Bod and the Cherry Tree" | 20 January 1976 |
| 6 | "Bod and the Rain" | 27 January 1976 |
| 7 | "Bod's Dream*" | 3 February 1976 |
| 8 | "Bod on the Beach" | 10 February 1976 |
| 9 | "Bod and the Birds*" | 17 February 1976 |
| 10 | "Bod and the Cake" | 24 February 1976 |
| 11 | "Bod and the Grasshopper" | 2 March 1976 |
| 12 | "Bod in the Park" | 9 March 1976 |
| 13 | "Bod And Breakfast*" | 16 March 1976 |
All 13 Bod episodes are available on DVD for new generations to enjoy.
Alberto Frog and His Amazing Animal Band
Each Bod episode also included a special segment called Alberto Frog and his Amazing Animal Band. This part featured artwork by Joanne Cole. Maggie Henderson narrated these musical stories.
Music and Milkshakes
In these segments, Alberto Frog and his animal friends would solve problems. They did this while listening to short pieces of famous classical music. At the end, Alberto would often choose a tasty milkshake flavor as his reward.
Many of these Alberto Frog segments were unfortunately lost over time. This happened because some old recordings from the 1970s were not kept. However, five of these segments have been found and are on the Bod DVD. Another segment was found on an old video tape and can be watched online. A full episode, "Bod and the Grasshopper," also reappeared in 2020.
More Bod Stories: Tie-in Books
Beyond the original four books and the TV series, more stories about Bod were created. These were called "tie-in" books.
New Adventures from the Creators' Children
Alison and Lo Cole, the children of Joanne and Michael Cole, wrote these new books. One of these books, Bod's Way: The Meaning of Life, was started by Michael Cole. His daughter, Alison, finished it after he passed away in 2001. These books helped expand the wonderful world of Bod.
Bod's Lasting Impact: A Beloved Classic
Bod remains a much-loved children's show. It has been recognized as one of the best.
Recognized as a Top Kids' Show
The series appeared on Channel 4's lists for 100 Greatest Kids' TV shows and 100 Greatest Cartoons. This shows how special and memorable Bod is to many people.
