Rub-a-Dub-Dub (TV series) facts for kids

Rub-A-Dub-Dub was a fun English animated TV show made for children. It was created by Peter Lang and Alan Rogers, who also worked on Pigeon Street. David Yates and Joe Wolf produced the series. The show's name comes from the well-known nursery rhyme, Rub-a-dub-dub. This series used a special animation style where characters looked like cut-out shapes. All the characters in the show were talking animals. The show aired in 1984 and had 25 episodes, each about five minutes long.

How Each Episode Works

Each episode of Rub-A-Dub-Dub usually began with the character Mother Goose. She would stand by a polka-dot bathtub, often with another character. Mother Goose would say, "Rub-a-dub-dub..." to announce an item in the tub. This item was always important to the story of that episode. For example, she might say, "Rub-a-dub-dub, there's a kettle in the tub..."

Another character would then add to the line. In the kettle example, King Crow might appear at the window and say, "...And King Crow wants his tea!" The show mixed funny conversations between the animal characters with classic nursery rhymes.

Meet the Animal Characters

The show featured many different animal characters. Each one had a unique personality and played a part in the stories.

Main Characters of the Show

• Mother Goose: She was like the host of the show. Mother Goose started every episode by finding something in the bathtub. She is a white goose who wears a yellow raincoat and hat, a blue skirt, and blue shoes. She also has pink tights with white spots.
• Polly: An easily annoyed parrot. Polly often got frustrated with other characters. For example, she might complain when asked to do something. She also seemed to have bad luck sometimes. Polly has a red face, blue hands and legs, a green jumper, and yellow shoes.
• King Crow: He is a crow who acts like a king. King Crow often asked his servants, like Polly, to do things for him. He was very energetic and liked to bounce around. King Crow is black with a yellow beak. He wears a king's robe, a crown, and striped black and white stockings and shoes.
• Queen Duck: She is King Crow's wife.
• Al E. Gator: An alligator who sometimes caused trouble. He might trip someone or interrupt a TV show. However, Al E. Gator also had good moments, like helping a friend get better. He wears a red coat and a top hat.
• Baa Sheep: A white sheep who wears red shoes. Al E. Gator once tripped him, making him fall into mud. Mother Goose helped clean him up in the tub.
• Buzz Tiger: A tiger who was scared of bees. He seemed to be friends with Mary the giraffe.
• Brian Lion: A lion who was good friends with Buzz and Blue.
• Olga Ostrich: An ostrich who wore pink shoes. She once lost one of her shoes.
• The Penguin Trio: Three penguins who traveled together. They worked as soldiers and musicians for King Crow. They also sometimes served as waiters.
• Jack and Jill: Twin pigs. They both wore blue and yellow tops and red shoes. Jack was featured more often than Jill. They are Elsie Pig's children and have a baby sibling.
• Elsie Pig: The mother of Jack, Jill, and a baby pig. She wore a yellow and black dress and a matching hat. She seemed to work as a cleaner in the castle.
• Blue: A blue hippopotamus. He wore a yellow raincoat and hat, similar to Mother Goose. Blue appeared in Polly's favorite Western TV show. He also dressed up as Santa Claus in one episode.
• Yankee Doodle: A white rooster married to Mrs. Doodle. He often enjoyed jogging and lifting weights. He also appeared in Polly's favorite Western TV show.
• Mrs. Doodle: A brown hen who was married to Yankee Doodle.
• Tom Cat: A young cat who visited London to see the Queen. He was sometimes a troublemaker and liked to steal food.
• Yellow Dog: A yellow dog who wore a blue sweater. He often liked to tell jokes.
• Mice: Three mice who appeared in some nursery rhymes. One dressed as a Chef, one as a Butcher, and one in a yellow top with stars.
• Mary Giraffe: A giraffe who wore a blue sweatshirt and a pink skirt with pink shoes. She seemed to be friends with Buzz the Tiger.
• Barney Owl: An owl who wore a purple coat, hat, and glasses. He was married to another owl.
• Roland Turtle: A green turtle who wore brown shoes and glasses. He could attach wheels to his shell, use it as a boat, or travel by balloon.
• Quincy the Spider: A spider who wore green, red, and yellow roller skates.
• Pat Cat: An orange cat with glasses. He played the role of the teacher in the "Mary Had a Little Lamb" story.
• Melody Moo: A red cow who seemed to be a performer. She often sang at the restaurant.
• Ned the Horse: A white horse who wore red shoes. He was a bit of a troublemaker and did not speak.