Fingerbobs facts for kids

Fingerbobs was a fun British children's TV show made by the BBC in 1972. It first aired on February 14, 1972, on BBC1 as part of a show called Watch with Mother.

The show was created by Joanne and Michael Cole. They also created another well-known children's show called Bod. Only thirteen episodes of Fingerbobs were ever made. However, they were shown many times until December 1984.

About Fingerbobs

The show was presented by an actor named Rick Jones. He played a character called "Yoffy". Each episode was about ten minutes long. Yoffy would tell a story using amazing paper finger puppet animals.

The stories usually involved Yoffy collecting different items. These could be things like pebbles or feathers. At the end of the episode, he would use these items to make something new and exciting.

Meet the Fingerbobs!

The finger puppets were the stars of the show. Each one had its own special song! Here are some of the main characters:

• Fingermouse - This puppet was a mouse. He had a grey paper cone for his head and paper ears and whiskers. A grey glove made up his body. His song went: "Fingermouse, Fingermouse/I am a sort of wondermouse." Fingermouse later got his own TV show!
• Gulliver - Gulliver was a seagull. His head was made from a white ping-pong ball placed over a thumb. White gloves formed his body, and his outstretched fingers were his wings. His song was: "I spread my wings."
• Scampi - Several scampi puppets were made. They used purple gloves with red heads on each finger.
• Flash - Flash was a tortoise. He had a paper shell on his back. His song reminded everyone how slow he was: "Slowly, steadily, I move at my own pace/They call me Flash though I won't dash/Who wants to run a race?"

Other animal friends also appeared sometimes. These included Enoch the woodpecker, Scaredy the crow, and Louise the squirrel. There was also Prickly Friend the hedgehog. Gloria, a white mouse, appeared in the very last episode as a friend for Fingermouse. These characters did not have their own songs.

Fingermouse's Own Show

In 1985, Fingermouse became so popular that he got his own TV series! This new show focused more on musical instruments. An actor named Iain Lauchlan from Play School was the new puppeteer. He played "The Music Man" and told stories with Fingermouse. One series of thirteen programmes was made.

The Theme Tune

Many people remember the catchy theme tune from Fingerbobs. It described how Yoffy brought the puppets to life: "Yoffy lifts a finger, and a mouse is there/Puts his hands together, and a seagull takes the air/Yoffy lifts a finger, and a scampi darts about/Yoffy bends another, and a tortoise head peeps out/These hands were made for making, and making they must do."

Episodes

There were 13 episodes of Fingerbobs. They were divided into groups based on which puppet was the main character in the story.

Gulliver's Stories

• Bumpy
• Stones
• Feathers

Scampi's Stories

• Sounds
• Wood
• Shiny

Fingermouse's Stories

• String
• Shadow
• Shapes
• Bricks

Flash's Stories

• Paint
• Seeds
• House