kids encyclopedia robot

Charlie and Lola (TV series) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Charlie and Lola
Charlie and Lola logo.jpg
Title card
Created by Lauren Child
Written by
  • Dave Ingham
  • Bridget Hurst
  • Carol Noble
  • Samantha Hill
  • Anna Starkey
  • Olly Smith
  • Paul Larson
  • Laura Beaumont
Directed by Kitty Taylor
Creative director(s)
  • Alan Kerswell
  • Gary Dunn
  • Leigh Hodgkinson
  • Jonathan Hodgson
  • Gideon Rigal
  • Jim Nolan
Voices of
  • Daniel Mayers
  • Clementine Cowell
Composer(s)
  • John Greswell
  • Chris Taylor
  • Munk & Dyson
Country of origin United Kingdom
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 3
No. of episodes 78 (+2 specials) (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
  • Michael Carrington
  • Lauren Child
Producer(s)
  • Claudia Lloyd
  • Tom Beattie
  • Nikki Chaplin
Editor(s)
  • Zurine Ainz
  • Stephen Perkins
  • Claire Dodgson
  • Katie Bryer
  • Yulia Martynova
  • Ben Campbell
Production company(s) Tiger Aspect Productions
Distributor BBC Worldwide
Release
Original network CBeebies
Original release 21 March 2005 (2005-03-21) – 4 July 2008 (2008-07-04)

Charlie and Lola is a super fun British animated TV show. It's based on the popular children's books by Lauren Child. The show ran from 2005 to 2008, with 78 episodes. It was made by Tiger Aspect Productions. The series won many BAFTA awards. The animation style looks like a collage, just like the original books.

What the Show is About

Charlie has a little sister named Lola. She is small and very funny! Lola often finds herself in tricky situations. Sometimes she causes these problems by accident. For example, she might run out of money at the zoo. Or she might forget her suitcase for a sleepover.

These situations can be quite funny. But they also show real problems that younger kids might face. This includes losing a best friend. Or not getting the part you wanted in a school play. Sometimes, getting too excited about something can even ruin it.

When Lola has a problem, Charlie usually helps her. He uses creative and imaginative ways to solve things. He also helps Lola understand where she went wrong.

The Famous Tomato Episode

A great example is the episode "I Will Never Not Ever Eat A Tomato". Lola really dislikes certain foods. These include carrots, mashed potatoes, fish fingers, and tomatoes. Charlie plays a clever trick on her. He gives these foods funny, made-up names. Carrots become "orange twiglets from Jupiter". Fish fingers become "ocean nibblers from the supermarket under the sea".

In this episode, Lola even imagines tomatoes are "moonsquirters". This is the only time she actually eats a tomato! It shows how trying new things can be fun. Even if you think you won't like them.

Friends and Family

Lola's best friend, Lotta, often joins their adventures. Lola also has an imaginary friend named Soren Lorenson. Charlie's best friend, Marv, is also sometimes involved. You hear adults mentioned in the show. But you never see or hear them on screen.

Episodes

Main Characters

  • Charlie Sonner (voiced by Jethro Lundie-Brown)
  • Lola Sonner (voiced by Maisie Cowell)
  • Lotta (voiced by Morgan Gayle)
  • Marv (voiced by Ryan Harris)

How the Show is Animated

The TV show uses a special collage style. This makes it look just like the original books. The animators use many different techniques. These include 2D Flash animation, paper cutouts, and fabric designs. They also use real textures and photomontage. All these pieces are then animated using computer programs. Some of these programs are Adobe Animate, ToonBoom, Adobe Flash, Adobe After Effects, and CelAction2D.

A cool fact about the cartoons is that children do the voices. They don't use adult voice actors. This idea was first used in the Peanuts TV specials. Also, just like in the books, you never see any adults in the show.

DVD Releases

Many DVDs of Charlie and Lola were released. These allowed fans to watch their favorite episodes at home. Complete box sets were also made available. These included all the episodes from different series.

Awards and Recognitions

Charlie and Lola won many awards for being such a great show!

  • Cartoons on the Bay 2006
    • Won Best Series For Infants
    • Won Best Programme
    • Won The Raisat YOYO Best Series
  • BAFTA Children's Awards 2006
    • Nominated for Best Pre-school Animation Series
  • Bradford Animation Festival 2006
    • Won Best TV Series for Children and Adults
  • Royal Television Society Educational Programme Awards 2006
    • Nominated for Best Children's Programme for the episode Welcome To Lolaland
  • BAFTA Children's Awards 2007
    • Won Best Pre-school Animation Series
    • Won Best Writer (Bridget Hurst)
    • Nominated for Best Writer (Anna Starkey)
    • Nominated for Best Animation (for Charlie and Lola Christmas Special)
  • Royal Television Society Craft and Design Awards 2006–2007
    • Won Best Music Original Score (John Greswell and David Schweitzer)
  • Annecy Animation Festival 2007
    • Won Special Award for a TV Series (for the episode I Will Be Especially, Very Careful)
  • Broadcast Awards 2007
    • Won Best Children's Programme
  • 34th Annual Annie Awards (2007)
    • Nominated for Best Animated Television Production
  • BAFTA Children's Awards 2008
    • Won Best Animation (for the Charlie and Lola Autumn Special)
    • Won Best Pre-school Animation Series
    • Nominated for Best Writer (Dave Ingham)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Charlie y Lola para niños

kids search engine
Charlie and Lola (TV series) Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.