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Sheira & Loli's Dittydoodle Works facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Sheira and Loli's Dittydoodle Works was an American TV show for young kids. It aired every week on public TV stations across the United States from 2005 to 2009. The show was made by Rogar Studios, working with WLIW in New York City.

The show takes place in a magical music factory. The main characters are twin rag doll sisters, Sheira and Loli, who host the show. They share their world with many friends. These include Miss Molly, who is an artist, and Doodles, a talking purple crayon who tells jokes. There's also Professor Eeky Eeky Kronk, a super smart but a bit quirky professor. Zippy the Kwirk is a yellow, reptile-like creature who sometimes causes trouble but is kind. Other helpers in the factory are Professor Squeeky Squeeky Kronk (who joined in season 2) and two small, furry characters called the Funkins (Bluedles and Pink-a-Dink).

Famous guests appeared in the first season. These included pianist and composer Marvin Hamlisch, who helped Loli with her piano lessons in an episode. R&B singer Chaka Khan also appeared as Mother Nature in another episode.

The music for Sheira and Loli's Dittydoodle Works was written and performed by the real-life twin sisters who inspired the show, Sheira and Loli Brayer. Their music albums, Sheira and Loli's Ditties for Little Kiddies-Volume #1 and Dittydoodle Works Celebrates the Holidays, won two iParenting Media Awards. The show was also approved by Common Sense Media, which reviews media for families.

The characters in the show have different personalities. This helps teach important lessons about feelings, getting along with others, and learning new things. Young viewers learn with the characters about believing in themselves, working together, making friends, staying fit, and understanding nature, the world around them, and reading.

How the Show Started

Before the main TV series, the characters first appeared on WLIW. They were in short music videos and small segments shown between other children's programs. These shorts were nominated for a New York Emmy award and won a New York State Broadcasters Award in 2001.

Many talented people worked on the show. The team included Mark Saltzman, who wrote for Sesame Street for almost ten years. Alan Adelman was the lighting designer for many TV shows and stage productions, like the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Dean Gordon, who worked on the popular PBS children's show Between the Lions, also helped create the show. Joseph Baker, a well-known composer and arranger for Broadway shows, managed the music with Sheira Brayer and her twin sister, Leora Brayer. Baker worked on famous Broadway musicals like Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, and The Lion King.

Meet the Cast

Here are the actors who brought the characters to life:

  • Sheira: Julia Smith (Season 1) / Britt Moore (Season 2)
  • Loli: Lucie O' Rourke (Season 1) / Elena Schloss (Season 2)
  • Professor Eeky Eeky Kronk: Steve Robbins
  • Miss Molly: Janice Freeman
  • Bluedles: Britt Moore (Season 1) / Whitney Crites (Season 2)
  • Pink-a-Dink: Heidi Mitrushi (née Hanson) (Season 1) / Tammy Paulino (Season 2)
  • Professor Squeeky Squeeky Kronk: Kevin Steele (Season 2)
  • Puppeteers: Eric Engelhardt (Season 1)
  • Puppeteers: J.D. Quinn (Season 1)
  • Puppeteers: Daniel Weissbrodt (Season 1, 2 + all online content)
  • Vocals: Sheira & Leora "Loli" Brayer

Episode Guide

The show had two seasons with many fun episodes.

Season 1 Episodes

  • Sheira’s Pen Pal
  • Feelings and Communication
  • Imagination
  • Practice, Patience and Persistence
  • Shrinky Shrinky Kronk
  • My Froggy The Prince
  • Make It Write
  • You Are What You Eat
  • Tis Better To Give
  • Pilfered Piggy
  • Moods
  • Sick of Being Sick
  • Better To Be Kind
  • Senses
  • 4 Leaf Clover
  • Together or Alone?
  • Professor Pedro
  • Froggy My Love
  • Sportsmanship
  • Who Switched the Switcher?
  • Halfway Around the World to be with Friends
  • Be What You Want To Be
  • Peer Pressure
  • Have No Fear
  • Be My Own Kwirk
  • Memories

Season 2 Episodes

  • Meet Squeeky
  • Dear Diary
  • Not Now
  • No Lies
  • Sacrifice
  • Camping
  • Make Room for Zimbot
  • Procrastination
  • Sharing
  • Laughter Heels
  • Pay Attention
  • Where'd I Put It?
  • Betty Rose
  • Since You've Been Gone

Show Merchandise

Fans of the show could buy different items. These included t-shirts, soft plush dolls of Sheira and Loli and The Funkins, and temporary tattoos. DVDs, CDs, paperback books, and activity books were also available. Even before the TV series started, in late 2000, a VHS tape was released. It featured all the music videos that were shown between children's programs on WLIW.