The Best Episodes of Bear in the Big Blue House

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
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   8.6/10(14 votes)

   #1 - Halloween Bear

   S3:E510/21/1999

   It's Halloween at the Big Blue House. The house is all decorated and everyone is getting ready. Bear helps his friends to find costumes and helps Tutter with carving a pumpkin. He always helps out Treelo when he's scared by Ojo's bat costume. Later, everyone gets together for some fun trick-or-treating. The kids have all picked out their Halloween costumes, but Bear hasn't been able to find anything to dress up as. The kids go through Bear's box of costumes and come up with an amusing idea. In the Shadow segment, Shadow performs the song "What Do Shadows Do for Halloween?"

   Director:Mitchell Kriegman

   Writer:P. Kevin Strader

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   Director:Mitchell Kriegman

   Writer:P. Kevin Strader
2. 

   8.5/10(20 votes)

   #2 - When You've Got To Go...

   S2:E392/28/1999

   Bear and Tutter are trying to have a fun game of checkers, while Ojo and Treelo are having their own fun playing. For some reason, though, everyone seems to be talking about the toilet and the bathroom. It all starts when Tutter needs to use the toilet during his game of checkers with Bear, but doesn't want to leave the checkers game. Bear assures him it will still be waiting for him. Tutter uses the bathroom and then washes his hands, stating that his Grandma Flutter taught him to. Later, Ojo has an accident and is very embarrassed, but Bear lets her know it's okay --- accidents can happen to anyone. When Pip and Pop hear about the day's events, they invite everyone to join their secret club --- The Mystic Order of the Toileteers. It's for everyone who uses, or is going to use the potty. In the Shadow segment, Shadow introduces a song with some new twists on the phrases "party party" and "potty training."

   Director:Mitchell Kriegman

   Writer:Mitchell Kriegman

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   Director:Mitchell Kriegman

   Writer:Mitchell Kriegman
3. 

   8.4/10(57 votes)

   #3 - Home Is Where the Bear Is

   S1:E110/20/1997

   One morning, Bear finds Ojo playing pretend, having created a tent that's she's pretending is her home. Her imaginary home gets Bear thinking about his real home, the Big Blue House. Bear decides to take us all on a guided tour of the home. He takes us to the kitchen, which we learn is Tutter's favorite room. The bathroom is the favorite haunt of Pip and Pop. Treelo likes Bear's bedroom, mainly because of the bed. Shadow retells the story of the little old lady who lived in a shoe. Finally, Bear also enjoys going up to the attic, because he gets to talk there each night with his friend Luna, the moon.

   Director:Chuck Vinson

   Writer:Andy Yerkes

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   Director:Chuck Vinson

   Writer:Andy Yerkes
4. 

   8.2/10(16 votes)

   #4 - Ooh, Baby, Baby

   S2:E16/8/1998

   Grandma Flutter drops her granddaughter, Baby Blotter, off at the Big Blue House while she goes to her dance class. Bear helps Tutter learn how to care for a baby -- but everyone's at a loss when Blotter starts to cry. The day is saved by Treelo, who comforts the baby and gives her his rattle.

   Director:Mitchell Kriegman

   Writer:Claudia Silver

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   Director:Mitchell Kriegman

   Writer:Claudia Silver
5. 

   8.2/10(15 votes)

   #5 - A Berry Bear Christmas (1)

   S3:E2512/6/1999

   The winter holidays find Bear and his friends planning a big celebration. They're all getting ready for Christmas, but also learn about Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Bear also celebrates his favorite tradition, the finding of the winter berry. As things start out, Pip and Pop have put together a reindeer wreath. Everyone wants to help out with the wreath, so Bear suggests they all add something of their own. Later, the group meets Santa Hogg and presents him with a large list of holiday wishes. Then there's a bit of an argument when Treelo wants to open everyone's presents and not just his own. In the Shadow segment, Shadow thanks Bear for his gift of a scarf --- Shadows don't get cold, but it's the thought that counts. She then sings the song "It's Kwanzaa Time." After hearing a howling noise, the group takes in an old hound named Jack with no home and invites him to stay at the Big Blue House for the holidays. This gets everyone thinking about the true meaning of the holidays.

   Director:Mitchell Kriegman

   Writer:Mitchell Kriegman

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   Director:Mitchell Kriegman

   Writer:Mitchell Kriegman
6. 

   7.9/10(16 votes)

   #6 - What's in the Mail, Today?

   S1:E910/30/1997

   One morning, Bear steps just outside the Big Blue House to check the mail. There's plenty of mail, but Pip and Pop are disappointed to learn there's none for them. Bear cheers them up by letting them deliver the mail to everyone and personally takes a letter to Tutter --- his first ever. It's from his Grandma Flutter and he's very pleased to receive it. Pip and Pop deliver a package to Treelo, which turns out to contain a feather. Tutter decides to write a letter back to his Grandma. Ojo also receives mail --- a postcard from her Uncle Koala. Shadow tells a story of a girl who wrote a letter, but lost it.

   Director:Hugh Martin

   Writer:P. Kevin Strader

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   Director:Hugh Martin

   Writer:P. Kevin Strader
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7. 

   7.8/10(27 votes)

   #7 - Water, Water Everywhere

   S1:E210/21/1997

   Bear and his friends are interacting with water in this episode --- be it real or imaginary. Ojo, for example, is pretending to sail a ship in the living room. Pip and Pop join her in the fun. Bear contemplates some questions of his about water --- just what shape it is and why it's so wet. He finds Tutter in the kitchen trying to get some water of his own. He's trying to build something to make his way to the sink, but Bear helps him by giving him a lift. Bear also finds Treelo in the bathtub playing with bubbles. When the bubbles start to overflow, Bear has him pull the plug, but he's worried he'll go down the drain. Bear assures him that the drain is only for water (and bubbles). In the Shadow segment, Shadow tells the story of "The Itsy Bitsy Spider". Songs ■Oh, Water, Water, Water ■Need a Little Help Today Notes ■This episode includes a brief segment in which real kids talk about some of the shapes that water takes on. These include raindrops, drops from a sprinkler and waves. ■Tutter uses various boxes in his attempt to construct something to help him reach the faucet. Some of the boxes being used are Kellogg's Frosted Flakes, Apple Jacks, Froot Loops, and Nabisco's Ritz Bits. The letters of the brand's name on the boxes are somewhat obscured to prevent Trademark and Copyright Information.

   Director:Chuck Vinson

   Writer:Mitchell Kriegman

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   Director:Chuck Vinson

   Writer:Mitchell Kriegman
8. 

   7.7/10(19 votes)

   #8 - Shape of a Bear

   S1:E410/23/1997

   Tutter is excited because Bear has promised to bring him a box, but he's getting a bit impatient at the wait. Viewers learn that the box is a rectangle and that there are shapes all around. They also find out that everyone has their own unique shape --- something that Ojo, Pip and Pop learn when they become shape explorers. Treelo also learns about shapes when Bear plays with him in a "tent" he made out of a bedsheet. Shadow also pays Bear a visit and tells a story of a very special shape --- a star. Songs ■Me, I'm the Shape of the Bear (and Reprise) ■Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Notes ■When Ojo is playing with her blocks, she sings "Heigh-ho. Heigh-ho. I love my blocks, you know." This is a play on "Heigh-ho. Heigh-ho. It's off to work we go" --- lyrics from the song "Heigh-Ho" in Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. ■The Bear-only version of the song in this episode is Track 18 on the album Songs from Jim Henson's Bear in the Big Blue House. On the album it is titled simply "Shape of a Bear," but on the credits at the end of the episode, it is listed as "Me, I'm the Shape of the Bear."

   Director:Hugh Martin

   Writer:Jason Root

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   Director:Hugh Martin

   Writer:Jason Root
9. 

   7.7/10(24 votes)

   #9 - Picture of Health

   S1:E510/24/1997

   While Bear gets ready for his Woodland Workout with Pip and Pop, he stops at Ojo and Treelo playing doctor. Tutter is trying to put his cheese in his mouse-hole and Bear tells Tutter to have quiet time. Except Pip and Pop did the workout without him. Bear is excited and ready to do his Woodland Workout at the Otter Pond. When he heads into the living room, he finds Ojo and Tutter, who give him a pretend checkup. They diagnose him with "big bear-itis," but give him just the right medicine to feel better. As he heads into the kitchen to leave the Big Blue House, he comes upon Tutter, grunting and groaning. He discovers that Tutter is tired from trying store cheese in his mousehole for the winter and advises him to take "quiet time." Reluctant at first, Tutter eventually takes the advice. When Bear learns that Pip and Pop went ahead with the workout themselves due to his lateness, he ends up taking some quiet time himself. In the Shadow segment, Shadow retells the story of the five little monkeys jumping on the bed. Songs ■Picture of Health ■Quiet Time and Reprise ■The Bear Cha-Cha-Cha

   Director:Hugh Martin

   Writer:P. Kevin Strader

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   Director:Hugh Martin

   Writer:P. Kevin Strader
10. 

    7.7/10(9 votes)

    #10 - Welcome To Woodland Valley (1)

    S4:E19/9/2002

    In the first part of "Welcome to Woodland Valley," viewers learn that a tragic event has happened in Woodland Valley --- a tree has fallen and ruined part of the village library. Everyone's upset about it, but the entire Woodland Valley community is pulling together to help out. When the kids of the Big Blue House, including Harry, find out, they decide to help in their own way. Viewers explore more of Woodland Valley than they've ever seen before, visiting the library, the post office, the general store and the mouse school that Tutter will be attending, among other locations.

    Director:Mitchell Kriegman

    Writer:Mitchell Kriegman

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    Director:Mitchell Kriegman

    Writer:Mitchell Kriegman
11. 

    7.6/10(16 votes)

    #11 - Share, Bear

    S1:E610/27/1997

    On a nice day at the Big Blue House, Bear is doing some gardening and friends are playing together quietly. At least, they were, until Ojo and Treelo have a disagreement when Treelo wants to play with Ojo's favorite stuffed toy Snow Bear. Bear suggests a way they could both play together. Meanwhile, Tutter has created a large sandwich and Pip and Pop want to have some. Tutter, however, thinks that he can eat it all himself. In the Shadow segment, Shadow retells the story of Baa Baa Black Sheep. Songs * Always Something to Share * Clean Up the House Notes * This episode was adapted in book form as Two Can Share, Too. * The closing credits run unusually long. At the end of the closing credits, the dog in the Shadow Projects logo quacks like a duck. * This episode includes a brief Real Kids segment in which some kids talk about things that they share. * It is revealed that Bear had his own Snow Bear when he was a kid.

    Director:Hugh Martin

    Writer:Andy Yerkes

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    Director:Hugh Martin

    Writer:Andy Yerkes
12. 

    7.6/10(13 votes)

    #12 - A Berry Bear Christmas (2)

    S3:E2612/6/1999

    Continuing from part one of the Berry Bear Christmas special, the entire gang (now with Jack) goes out caroling. As the kids settle down to try to figure out what to do about a Christmas present for Bear, Bear turns his attention to the finding of the winter berry. Jack overhears the kids' conversation and suggests making something. In the Shadow segment, Shadow sings a song about a Hanukah dreidel. She then wants to give Bear a present, but says there isn't much a shadow can give a bear. So she has him kneel down and she gives him a kiss. Everyone enjoys their presents, but they worry that they've left out Jack. Jack helps them to see that they've already given him a gift -- a peaceful, happy holiday in a warm house with good friends. Later, the search for the winter berry proves fruitful for all.

    Director:Mitchell Kriegman

    Writer:Mitchell Kriegman

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    Director:Mitchell Kriegman

    Writer:Mitchell Kriegman
13. 

    7.4/10(26 votes)

    #13 - Mouse Party

    S1:E310/22/1997

    Today is Tutter's birthday, and the friends in the Big Blue House decide to throw him a special surprise birthday party. Pip and Pop are placed in charge of the decorations, but run into trouble with the balloons. All the noise attracts Tutter, but Bear manages to head him off with our help. Tutter learns that having a birthday means becoming a year older. He speculates on all the great things he'll be able to do while he's older. Ojo works on the cake and Treelo wraps Tutter's present. Treelo, though, gets so excited about the birthday that at first he wants to keep the present for himself. Songs ■When I'm Older ■Happy, Happy Birthday Notes ■A big deal is made about Tutter's present in this episode, but viewers never find out what it is. ■Luna is so old that she doesn't remember when her birthday is. ■Shadow does not appear in this episode. The time normally spent on her story is taken up by Tutter's birthday party. ■The events of this episode were the basis for the stage show Bear in the Big Blue House Live: Surprise Party. This stage show no longer tours, but is available on video. ■The "Happy, Happy Birthday" song is listed as simply "The Birthday Song" in the closing credits. Additionally, the closing credits run longer than usual.

    Director:Hugh Martin

    Writer:P. Kevin Strader

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    Director:Hugh Martin

    Writer:P. Kevin Strader
14. 

    7.4/10(13 votes)

    #14 - Falling for Fall

    S1:E810/29/1997

    It's fall / autumn in the Big Blue House. Treelo asks Bear to come into the living room, where Ojo is standing completely still. She's pretending to be a tree and so Treelo and Bear join and pretend to be an entire forest. When the leaves start falling off for all, Treelo begs for them not to go and Bear realizes that Treelo doesn't understand about why the leaves are falling off. As Bear begins hunting for Treelo, he comes upon Tutter, who's pushing a pumpkin into his mousehole. Bear helps him to push the pumpkin and learns that fall is Tutter's favorite season because it's a time when everything changes. He's making pumpkin pie this year and he promises Bear a special something. In the Shadow segment, Shadow tells the story of "Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater" and also gives Bear a tip to help find Treelo. He eventually finds Treelo with Pip and Pop, trying to glue leaves back onto trees. He explains to Treelo that the leaves fall off to make way for new leaves in the spring and Treelo realizes that nothing is wrong with the leaves after all. Songs Falling for Fall Notes This episode includes a brief segment in which real kids discuss what they love best about the fall. Much it involves leaves --- leaves falling, changing color, throwing leaves, jumping in them and making collages with them. Other favorites include wearing sweaters and jackets, it not being so hot and eating apples.

    Director:Hugh Martin

    Writer:Andy Yerkes

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    Director:Hugh Martin

    Writer:Andy Yerkes
15. 

    7.3/10(9 votes)

    #15 - Friends For Life

    S1:E2611/24/1997

    Pip and Pop are playing hide-and-seek, but disagree on where they should play. Bear introduces them to the method of flipping a coin. Bear stops to contemplate friendship and then finds Treelo waiting for Ojo. He wants to play their favorite game --- Rock Boy and Snow Bear, but Ojo keeps dashing off outside. Treelo tries to get Tutter to play the game instead, but finds that Tutter's not interested in the game. Both of them eventually join Pip and Pops' game of hide-and-seek and then find out the reason why Ojo has been so busy. Songs Friends for Life When You Make Yourself a Friend Notes Ojo makes a new friend in this episode --- a little bunny rabbit who hangs around the Otter Pond. Although no name is given for this character in this episode, she will later be known as Christine.

    Director:Mitchell Kriegman

    Writer:Mitchell Kriegman

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    Director:Mitchell Kriegman

    Writer:Mitchell Kriegman
16. 

    7.2/10(15 votes)

    #16 - A Wagon of Different Color

    S1:E1111/3/1997

    After Bear finds coupons for the market, he decides to take everyone in the Big Blue House to the market. He runs into an unexpected delay when he finds out that Ojo has decided to repaint the wagon. Bear teaches her all about mixing paint to create different colors, Treelo admires all of his own colors in the mirror, and Bear plays fashion consultant when Tutter can't decide what color outfit would be best to wear to the market. Songs What's in the Mail Today? Some of the Colors I See Notes The events of this episode were loosely adapted as the book Bear Loves Colors! Tutter shows off his tendency to shout out names of cheeses as if they were epithets in this episode. He shouts out the names of no less than three different cheeses (cheddar chunks, brie and gorgonzola) when he gets upset over being unable to decide what to wear to the market.

    Director:Mitchell Kriegman

    Writer:Ellis Weiner

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    Director:Mitchell Kriegman

    Writer:Ellis Weiner
17. 

    7.2/10(14 votes)

    #17 - Summer Cooler

    S1:E1511/7/1997

    It's a hot summer day and Bear and everyone else in the Big Blue House are taking it easy. Bear receives a checkers set in the mail and plays checkers with both Pip and Pop and Treelo. To his surprise, they win handily, despite never having played the game before. They seem to have developed a wild move to take all of Bear's checkers in a single flurry of jumps. Pip and Pop also beat the heat by hanging out at the Otter Pond. They're later joined by Ojo, Treelo and Bear, but Tutter has own way of staying cool. He's created his very own Club Tutter in the kitchen, using the sink as a swimming pool. Songs In the Middle of the Summer Notes Bear states in this episode that his favorite drink is wild berry soda. Tutter, on the other hand, enjoys a "cheesarita." The dog in the Shadow Projects logo in the closing credits makes a "beep beep" noise like a car honking its horn.

    Director:Hugh Martin

    Writer:P. Kevin Strader

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    Director:Hugh Martin

    Writer:P. Kevin Strader
18. 

    7.1/10(13 votes)

    #18 - A Winter's Nap

    S1:E1711/12/1997

    On a cold winter day, Bear puts on his nightcap and decides to take a nice winter's nap. However, it would seem that others in the Big Blue House have other plans for Bear. Ojo comes to Bear in alarm --- concerned about the sudden disappearance of her duck friends from the Otter Pond. Bear makes her a cup of cocoa and tells her about migration. Treelo takes Bear outside, telling him there's feathers falling from the sky. Bear introduces him to the delights of snow. Bear finally settles down for the nap, but is woken up by Pip and Pop. They take him outside, where all the kids have a special surprise for him. Tutter's been trying to take a nap too, but with all the noise, he finds himself just as awake as Bear. In the Shadow segment, Shadow tries to help Bear get to sleep. She sings "Rockabye Baby."

    Director:Hugh Martin

    Writer:Andy Yerkes

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    Director:Hugh Martin

    Writer:Andy Yerkes
19. 

    7.1/10(13 votes)

    #19 - Need a Little Help Today

    S1:E2311/19/1997

    Bear has caught a cold and his nose is so stuffed up that he just has to take it as assumed that the viewers smell good today. Tutter suggests he get a little rest on the couch and then the kids all decide that they'll do their best to help Bear feel better. Tutter recalls that when he needed some water, Bear helped him to reach the faucet. Ojo brings Bear her favorite toy, Snow Bear, to help cheer him up. She recalls the time when he helped her to feel better when she fell down while trying to fly. Pip and Pop deliver Bear a package containing a clam with the message "Get Well Soon." They recall the time when Bear let them be postal delivery otters. Treelo gives Bear a hug and recalls the time that he was afraid of going down the drain in the bathtub. And Tutter recalls a time when he wasn't feeling all that well himself.

    Director:Hugh Martin

    Writer:P. Kevin Strader

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    Director:Hugh Martin

    Writer:P. Kevin Strader
20. 

    6.9/10(12 votes)

    #20 - Why Bears Can't Fly

    S1:E710/28/1997

    Pip and Pop invite Bear to the Otter Pond for a game of catch, but he keeps getting distracted by other events in the Big Blue House. Ojo and Treelo are pretending to fly and it gets Bear thinking about gravity and things that fly. When Ojo takes a fall and hurts herself, however, after trying to fly for real, Bear has to tell her that bears and kids can't fly, no matter how hard they try. He also helps Tutter to use gravity to get eggs into his mouse hole. In the Shadow segment, Shadow retells the story of Humpty Dumpty. Songs Gravity (Music and Lyrics by David Yazbek)

    Director:Hugh Martin

    Writer:Andy Yerkes

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    Director:Hugh Martin

    Writer:Andy Yerkes
21. 

    6.9/10(12 votes)

    #21 - Listen Up!

    S1:E2511/21/1997

    Bear receives a package in the mail containing a tape of soothing sounds. He's eager to sit down and listen to them, but Ojo is worried that the tape will disturb the game of "camping in the woods" she's playing. When she learns it's soothing sounds, she's eager to hear them, but then Treelo shows up and starts making noises of his own. At first, Ojo is irritated, but then Bear helps Treelo with making some sounds that won't bother Ojo. All of this gives Ojo a great idea for a real camping trip. Meanwhile, Tutter is busy dancing, and doesn't want any part of the camping trip when he hears about it. Pip and Pop are interested, though, after Bear tells them about it on their plastic cup telephone.

    Director:Mitchell Kriegman

    Writers:Andy Yerkes, Mitchell Kriegman, P. Kevin Strader

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    Director:Mitchell Kriegman

    Writers:Andy Yerkes, Mitchell Kriegman, P. Kevin Strader
22. 

    6.7/10(16 votes)

    #22 - Dancin' the Day Away

    S1:E1010/31/1997

    Bear feels like dancing and everyone else in the Big Blue House is dancing too. Bear would really like to dance the cha cha cha, but his friends would like to show him their dances as well. Bear is feeling great, so great that he rather wants to dance. His favorite dance is the cha-cha-cha, but he finds that the kids of the Big Blue House are dancing as well. Bear finds Ojo dancing a dance created herself --- a variation on the flamenco called the "flamingo." When Bear turns on the radio in his room, but leaves to go find his maracas, Treelo comes in and dances. Bear's search leads him to the kitchen, where he finds Tutter taking a nap in the dish rack. Tutter tells Bear that he has "no rhythm, no beat," but Pip and Pop arrive to school him in dancing. Shadow sings a song about a dancing teddy bear. Songs "Dancing the Day Away" "The Otter Dancing School" "The Bear Cha-Cha-Cha" Notes "The Otter Dancing School" is listed as "Otter Rap" in the closing credits.

    Director:Mitchell Kriegman

    Writer:P. Kevin Strader

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    Director:Mitchell Kriegman

    Writer:P. Kevin Strader
23. 

    6.7/10(11 votes)

    #23 - Dirt, I Love You So!

    S1:E1211/4/1997

    Things you can do with dirt. Planting a tree; digging for buried treasure; sweeping; making mud. Songs Why Can't the Dirt Just Leave Me Alone? Notes Adapted as the book Dirt is Delightful!

    Director:Mitchell Kriegman

    Writer:Andy Yerkes

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    Director:Mitchell Kriegman

    Writer:Andy Yerkes
24. 

    6.6/10(11 votes)

    #24 - All Connected

    S1:E1411/6/1997

    Bear, along with his friends, Ojo, Pip & Pop, Treelo and Tutter, teach us about the different kinds of 'connections' - from ojects including zippers, hinges and telephone wires, to relationships between siblings and friends.

    Director:Hugh Martin

    Writer:Robert Leighton

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    Director:Hugh Martin

    Writer:Robert Leighton
25. 

    6.6/10(11 votes)

    #25 - Spring Fever

    S1:E2011/15/1997

    Spring has sprung! And everyone in the Big Blue House has spring fever, Pip & Pop help Bear do his spring cleaning; Tutter and Ojo plant seeds in their garden; while Treelo is just bursting with excitement and energy.

    Director:Hugh Martin

    Writer:Andy Yerkes

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    Director:Hugh Martin

    Writer:Andy Yerkes