Little Bear (TV series)

Infobox television (animated)
show_name = Little Bear


caption =
genre = Family
format = Children's series
creator = Else Holmelund Minarik
writer = Nancy Barr
starring = Kristin Fairlie, Jennifer Martini, Elizabeth Hanna, Janet Laine-Green, Andrew Sabiston, Dan Hennessey
voices =
country = CAN
language = English
runtime = approximately 30 mins
num_episodes = 67
list_episodes = List of Little Bear episodes
network = Nickelodeon
first_aired = November 6, 1995
last_aired = February 1, 2000
location = Toronto, Ontario
tv_com_id =
imdb_id =0245637

"Little Bear" is a children's television series. Originally produced by Nelvana for Nickelodeon, it currently airs on Noggin. A direct-to-video full-length feature film was also created after the series ended.

It is based on the "Little Bear" series of books which were written by Else Holmelund Minarik, and illustrated by Maurice Sendak.

Most of the characters are moderately anthropomorphic animals, exhibiting both animal and human behaviors, but generally dealing with human problems and concerns. However, Little Bear's friend, Emily, and her grandmother are human and Tutu, their dog, is mostly a normal pet. Other characters in the series include Little Bear and his parents Mother and Father Bear, his paternal uncle Rusty, his four grandparents, the eponymously named animals Duck, Cat, Owl and Hen, in addition to many recurring minor characters.

Reruns of Little Bear could be seen on Noggin, ever since it adopted a 24/7 schedule.

Characters

Little Bear - Little Bear is a small grizzly bear cub. An animal version of an average human 6 year-old. Throughout the series, he has grown somewhat, as his voice is slightly deeper, and he doesn't take naps as much. He is the only character whose parents are shown. Little Bear lives in a stucco, timber, plaster, and brick house. He is always kind and loves to explore.

Owl - Owl is the brainy character, who is sometimes pompous, but very wise indeed. He lives in a treehouse. Although Owl enjoys fun games, he'll only participate if the gameplay is sensible.

Duck - Duck is a domesticated duck with yellow feathers and a long neck, making her somewhat similar to a goose. Slow and smart at the same time, Duck is a nerdy type who gets herself into comedic situations. She lives in a nest.

Hen - Hen is a fussy, feisty chicken who lives in a large chicken coop. She is classy and sophisticated and enjoys cleanliness, though her several nieces and nephews often mess up her spotless house. However, she never turns down the opportunity for fun. Hen is also fond of opera though she is not a very good singer.

Cat - Cat is a slothful, pompous feline who enjoys prowling at night, playing tricks on passersby, and eating. When he and his friends must get to a certain place in the woods, Cat often leads them through one of his shortcuts, which often turn out to be longer than a regular path.

Mitzi - Mitzi is a mischievous, sometimes rather unthoughtful monkey (despite lacking a tail, which would technically make her an ape) who lives in a tree house in the forest around Little Bear's home. She feels bad after slighting somebody's feelings or misleading them (as when she played for keepsies by declaring keepsies too fast to be understood, and won all of Little Bear's marbles - to his great dismay). She does not appear in as many episodes as the rest of the cast.

No Feet - A green garden snake that lives in Little Bear's garden.

Frog - A frog that dispenses zen-like wisdom between his meditations.

Mermaid - A mermaid who Little Bear occasionally meets when he goes to the lake, she is friendly and takes Little Bear to see places underwater. Usually, only Little Bear is only able to converse with her, so it is not certain if she is imaginary or if she just happens to appears when nobody else is able to see her, much as Snufflupagus did on Sesame Street.

Emily - A good friend of Little Bear's, Emily is a 7-year-old human girl who moved into a cottage in the forest with her Grandmother and dog Tutu. She is the oldest and likes to be in charge. Although she is sometimes bossy, she is very kindhearted. Emily's most prized possession is her doll named Lucy which she takes everywhere.

Granny-Emily's grandmother. She claimes to has visited many places around the world and has a great imagination. Emily says she speaks Toad.

Mother Bear- Little Bear's mother. She seems to enjoy cooking and is always there to help Little Bear if he needs it. Her actual name is Mother Bear, as in one of the episodes Little Bear discovers a heart with MB + FB on it, and then below LB, which his parents had drawn on the tree a long time ago. She likes to hymm.

Father Bear- Little Bear's father. He is a fisherman and sometimes takes Little Bear out fishing.

Tutu- Granny's dog. She acts like she understands humans, and, according to Granny, only speaks French.

Grandfather Bear-Little Bear's grandfather and Mother Bear's father. He once worked at a circus with his wife.

Grandmother Bear-Little Bear's grandmother and Mother Bear's mother. She likes to cook, especially desserts, and tell stories.

Cub- only appears in The Little Bear Movie,he is a wild dark brown bear who lives in the wilderness with his parents. Unlike Little Bear, he walks more on all fours than upright, though he does walk on two paws. He can sometimes be a bit mean, but he becomes a good friend of Little Bear.

Voice cast

{| class="wikitable" width="40%"
- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"! Actor !! Role
-
Kristin Fairlie || Little Bear
-
Amos Crawley || Owl
-
Tracy Ryan || Duck
-
Andrew Sabiston || Cat
-
Dan Hennessey || Father Bear
-
Janet Laine-Green || Mother Bear
-
Tara Strong || Tutu
-
Elizabeth Hanna || Hen
-
Jennifer Martini || Emily
-
Sean McCann || Grandfather