Jakers! Sheep on the Loose

Teaching young 'uns the correct way to behave is not always easy. Grandpig Piggley Winks' grandchildren have a lot to learn about responsibility, friendship, self-esteem, and following rules. Piggley regales them with stories about his own formative years on Raloo Farm in Ireland in four episodes from this warm and wise computer-animated PBS-aired series. In "Sheep On the Loose," young Piggley discovers that every job is important when his father puts him in charge of the sheep. In "Waking Thor," Piggley learns to be considerate of his friends' feelings after Ferny the bull's beloved pet fish dies. In "Donkeys Into Racehorses," an Irish proverb offers a reassuring lesson in recognizing and nurturing one's "special talents." In "Molly Had a Little Lamb," Piggley tells the story of Molly, who finds out that there are good reasons for rules and good reasons to follow them when she takes care of a mischievous lamb. Winner of the 2006 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Animated Program, Jakers! is a series that is sure to appeal to parents, as the elder but still young at heart Piggley is treated with love and respect by his grandchildren, who listen to his stories with rapt attention. The joys of storytelling are further nurtured in the DVD extras, which include "Piggley's Storyteller Playhouse" (featuring actual storytellers and performers demonstrating techniques to tell and enliven stories) and "Meet the Grandparents" (which fosters an appreciation for family heritage as grandparents reminisce about their childhoods). Recommended. Aud: K, P. (D. Liebenson)