In the Night Garden is a unique show aired by the BBC’s Cbeebies channel that is meant to relax children before they go to bed. Aimed at children of six years and under, this is a series about a magical place inhabited by a community of fun-loving and caring toy characters. Amongst them is Igglepiggle, one of the most endearing and popular characters from the series. He is a blue coloured toy with a red blanket and a blue trim, a rattle in his left hand and a bell in his foot.
Not a teddy, although similar to one, the Igglepiggle character is physical and full of energy. Always jumping and bouncing, he is curious, adventurous, vulnerable and modest. If surprised, he tends to fall flat on his back and, like any other child, needs comfort and reassurance.
With a successful debut in March 2007 during the bedtime hour, In the Night Garden has captured the hearts of little ones and their parents. This show is intended to help children relax and to build a soothing and calming relationship with their parents. Devised as a bedtime show, each episode of In the Night Garden begins with a different child in bed. After a brief introduction by the narrator, Igglepiggle arrives on the scene in a boat with his red blanket acting as a sail.
Igglepiggle is a visitor to the garden, who does not sleep but sings and dances with his many friends under the “Magic Roundabout” style gazebo that rests in the middle of the bright and colourful night garden. The programme rounds off with Igglepiggle’s goodbye song: “Igglepiggle’s not in bed!” – “Squeak!” – “Don’t worry, Igglepiggle, it’s time to go.” With this, he is shown sleeping blissfully on his little boat covered with his red blanket, as the titles roll. This creates the right peaceful atmosphere to lull little ones to sleep as well.
Like Igglepiggle, his friends are also very colourful characters with similarly unusual names like Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka, the Haahoos, the Wottingers, the three Tombliboos, along with Tittifers birds and trees. All these characters talk in an invented language with short repetitive phrases, aimed at building an association between the sound and the characters among the audience.
Igglepiggle and his friends have also inspired a wide variety of popular merchandise like Igglepiggle dolls, Igglepiggle scooters, CDs and DVDs of the series and show based games, plates and mugs, birthday cards, stickers and other stationery, story books as well as a red blanket with a blue trim. This merchandise is incredibly popular and many young children subconsciously associate with Igglepiggle as someone who is vulnerable, curious and a warmth and comfort seeker.
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