The Slow Norris facts for kids

The Slow Norris was a fun British TV show for kids that aired on CITV from 1995 to 1999. It taught important lessons and shared fables using friendly animal characters who acted like humans. The show was made by HTV and Hat Trick Productions.

An American version of the show also aired on PBS in 1997.

Meet the Characters!

The show featured a group of unique characters who learned and grew together.

• The Slow Norris (voiced by Nick Ryan) - This main character is a big, furry creature who looks a bit like a Slow loris. He lives in a cave in the forest. The Slow Norris isn't always the smartest, but he's always ready to learn new things and join in on adventures.
• Allie (voiced by Buddie Maddicott) - Allie is the only human in the group and acts as their natural leader. She rides her bicycle through the woods to visit the Slow Norris. Allie has a special magic book. This book can show the Slow Norris what things are or play animated stories. These stories often feature Jane the Fairy and her frog friend, Ferdy.
• Ben Beetle (voiced by Gary Martin) - Ben Beetle is a very wise insect. He often sits on a toadstool and uses his walking stick.
• Walter the Worm (performed by Karen Prell) - Walter the Worm lives in a house made of mud. He speaks with a slight stutter.
• Jane the Fairy - Jane is an animated fairy who only appears in Allie's magic book. She wears a pretty lilac dress and a leaf hat.
• Ferdy the Frog - Ferdy is Jane the Fairy's froggy friend. He can be quite sensitive, but sometimes he's a little bit naughty.
• Hodgehug - A cute baby hedgehog.
• Stork - A white stork who appeared in the 1996 series, especially in the episode "Things That Fly."

Fun Episodes!

Each episode of The Slow Norris shared a simple story or lesson. For example, in one episode, Allie showed the Slow Norris a story from her magic book about someone baking a cake.

Another time, the Slow Norris was putting off tidying his cave. Allie showed him a story about Jane the Fairy. Jane's house had a leak because of a hole in the roof. Her friend, Ferdy the frog, was supposed to fix it but didn't. Jane and Ferdy went on a train trip for a picnic. When they came back, it had rained, and Jane's house was flooded! This story helped the Slow Norris understand why it was important to tidy his own cave.

In a different episode, Walter the Worm lost his tail cosy. He later found out that the Slow Norris had it! In later series, the show's opening music even got lyrics that Allie sang.

Series 1 (1995-1996)

• Making Friends - 4 September 1995
• Colours - 11 September 1995
• Things With Wheels - 18 September 1995
• Being Yourself - 25 September 1995
• Food - 2 October 1995
• Birthdays - 9 October 1995

Series 2 (1997-1999)

• Things That Fly - 1 September 1997
• Day And Night - 8 September 1997
• Keeping Fit - 15 September 1997
• Being Worried - 22 September 1997
• Penfriends - 29 September 1997
• Things We Wear - 6 October 1997
• Making Music - 13 October 1997
• Being Angry - 20 October 1997
• Things That Grow - 27 October 1997
• Bones - 4 November 1997
• Things That Swim - 11 November 1997
• Friends and Relations
• The Shape of Things
• Putting Things Off
• The Four Seasons

Voices Behind the Characters

Here are the talented people who gave voices to the main characters:

• Buddie Maddicott - Allie
• Gary Martin - Ben Beetle
• Nick Ryan - Slow Norris