Back in 2015, Amazon ran a pilot episode of a new show based on Laura Numeroff’s best-selling picture book series that started with If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. That pilot episode was a hit, but the parents of young fans began to beg for more episodes as their children watched the same episode over and over.
The first full season ran in 2017, and on June 26 a second season begins. Besides Mouse from the first Numeroff book, characters show up from If You Give a Moose a Muffin, If You Give a Pig a Pancake, If You Give a Cat a Cupcake, and If You Give a Dog a Donut. The show continues the silly sense of humor and imagination that permeates the picture books.
The artwork is also similar. Executive producer Ken Scarborough, who has written for Arthur, Curious George, and Sesame Street, among other shows, wrote the first episode and keeps the animation style very close to illustrator Felicia Bond’s work in the books.
Like the books, every time the characters have to make a decision, viewers are reminded of how there are many possible outcomes—and how unpredictable things can be. Gently reassuring and quietly comical, this show will appeal to the youngest viewers. (Streaming on Amazon)
About the Author
Kristy Quist is Tuned In editor for The Banner and a member of Neland Ave. CRC in Grand Rapids, Mich.