Great Ball of Firefighters

Noel MacNeal

Lynne Thigpen

Carmen Osbahr

Geoffrey Holder

Tyler Bunch

Peter Linz

Vicki Kenderes-Eibner

Tara Mooney

P. Kevin Strader

Tom Guadarrama

Appreciation Day

Let's Hit the Road

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.

Welcome To Woodland Valley (1)

In the second half of the two part special, the plans are coming together for a potluck dinner Bear is holding. Everyone will get together at the Big Blue House, eat good food and talk about solutions to fix up the library. The kids are hard at work collecting books to restore the library's collection. And Doc Hogg is getting down to business as to just what to do about the tree currently occupying a large portion of the library. He wants to remove it, chop it up and use it for firewood to heat all of Woodland Valley, but Ojo makes a discovery that changes the plan --- a couple of possums living within the tree.  Songs  Good Morning  Everything's Great About the Library  Woodland Valley Cha Cha  Goodbye Song  Notes  This is a direct continuation from Part 1.  Brad Garrett and Gilbert Gottfried voice the Possums in this episode and receive a "With" credit. They had previously appeared on Hollywood Squares with Bear.

Welcome To Woodland Valley (2)

Tutter is getting ready to start Mouse School. His teacher, Miss Maxwell, is coming to visit him at the Big Blue House. Tutter is excited about the visit, but worries over things like what tie he should wear and how he should introduce himself. Then, Ojo, Pip and Pop tell him that he'll have to know a lot to go to school, and he begins to worry that he's just not ready. As he frets, Treelo helps Bear to make a cake. And when they all pay a visit to the General Store, Pip and Pop note the training wheels on Ojo's bike. Worried they make her seem like a little bear, she borrows Bear's wrench to remove them. 

Songs

(Take It) Step By Step

Step By Step

It's finally Tutter's very first day at Mouse School. He's really excited and happily shows off his bookbag and other school supplies to the other kids in the Big Blue House. Meanwhile, Bear and Doc Hogg share a cry over how much he's growing up. But when it comes time to go to school, Tutter is scared that he won't fit in. Bear agrees to accompany him and to wait outside the school, until he's comfortable with being there without him. 

Songs 

First Time for Everything

First Day At Mouse School

Pip and Pop are eager to introduce Bear and everyone at the Big Blue House to Rocko --- an old friend of theirs that they haven't seen in a long time. On the way to pick him up, they describe him to Bear as being a bit shy, so it comes as a big surprise when the Rocko they meet up with turns out to be full of energy --- singing and dancing and raring to go. Indeed, it seems like Rocko's going to be a lot of fun at first, but then he starts trying to play games that everyone's uncomfortable with and behaving rudely. Suddenly, nobody wants to play with Rocko, but Bear wonders if Rocko is hiding something behind his "cool" personality. 

Songs 

Rocko Rocks 

What a Good Friend I Could Be 

Notes 

Everyone goes to the movies to see Hare, starring puppets from The Tale of the Bunny Picnic. The title of the movie is a spoof on the title of the hit Broadway musical, Hair. 

When telling Bear about the movie Hare, Lois tells him that Roger Ebert says that it captures an important moment in bunny culture and goes on to say that he gives it a "great big wing up." 

The name of the game that Rocko suggests in this episode, "William, Don't Tell" is a reference to the Swiss hero William Tell who was the reference for the famous "William Tell Overture."

Rockin' Rocko

Harry visits the Big Blue House with big news --- his Mama has laid an egg and it's going to be hatching really soon! Everyone in the Big Blue House is excited about the hatching. They pay Mama Duck a visit, but then return to the Big Blue House to give her some peace. Harry is excited at first to be a big brother, but doubt begins to creep in when the kids at the Big Blue House tell him some of the things they've heard about babies. It starts to seem like there isn't going to be any time for him. He recalls their predictions as Doc Hogg unconsciously talks him out of his favorite toy and Treelo draws a picture -- not for him, but for the baby. 

Songs 

Lucky Day, Ducky Today 

Someone to Look Up to You 

Notes 

Harry's little sister, Hallie, is born in this episode. Mama names her this after her babushka, Halinska. 

Allusions 

The title of this episode references the film When Harry Met Sally 

Harry's favorite toy, Swanny, performs a tune with lyrics that are a riff off of the Irish folk tune "Danny Boy."

When Harry Met Hallie

Ojo is in a hurry for Tutter to get home from Mouse School so that they can play their favorite game, Cave Explorers. Bear goes to pick Tutter up and finds out that Tutter has an assignment --- everyone at Mouse School is to give a show-and-tell of their favorite thing on Monday. Tutter considers it a big responsibility and is eager to get started, even though Bear notes that he has all weekend to work on it. Tutter gets so caught up in the project that he tells Ojo he doesn't have time to play cave explorers. Ojo becomes upset and feels that all Tutter ever talks about anymore is school. Meanwhile, Bear plans for a relaxing day at the Big Blue House, but is distracted by a leaky faucet. 

Songs 

My Favorite Stuff 

The Best Thing (My Favorite Stuff reprise) 

Notes 

Watch Bear's reactions during Tutter's over-the-top song about his favorite stuff. At various points, he cleans out his ear and gives odd looks.

Show and Tell

Bear is coaching the soccer team for Mouse School. At the first team practice, the team is confused by Bear's complicated diagram, while Tutter is amused by a comment of Moss'. Tutter decides he wants to be Moss' friend, but is worried because he's never actually made a new friend before. He's known the kids in the Big Blue House practically his whole life and thinks of them as family. When he hears that Ojo made friends with Christine Rabbit by doing nice things for her, he gets the idea that the way to make friends with Moss is to impress him. 

Songs 

With a Friend Like Moss 

Notes 

There is no Shadow segment in this episode. 

Tutter's invention from "Look What I Made," the mouseapult, reappears in this episode. Additionally, Tutter once again fantasizes about going to the Moon, like in the "When I'm Older" song from "Mouse Party."

Tutter Gathers Some Moss

When Bear plays hide-and-seek with Tutter and Ojo, Ojo puts an abrupt end to the game when she calls for the two of them. It turns out that she's discovered something interesting --- some sort of old stones or bricks. Bear says that it looks like the remains of an old house and so Tutter and Ojo decide once again to be detectives and figure out what the deal with it is. Bear takes them to the library where they find a picture of the house as it once was in a book titled Houses of Woodland Valley. Otto and Etta recognize the name of the home's owner --- Hephaestus as being the name of Jeremiah's great-grandfather. So Bear, Ojo and Tutter head to the General Store, where Jeremiah has a quite a story for them. 

Songs 

The Mystery of History 

The Mystery of History (Reprise) 

Notes 

According to production order, this is the 100th episode of Bear in the Big Blue House. 

There is no Shadow segment in this episode.

History, Herstory, Bearstory

Pip and Pop absolutely love baseball. They collect baseball cards and are especially obsessed with Ferret Jeeter, whom they believe to be capable of any sort of amazing feat. They declare Ferret Jeeter to be their hero and take little notice of Bear's attempts to tell them that he knows Ferret Jeeter. After all, everyone knows Ferret Jeeter. But it turns out that Bear really does know him personally; he and Ferret were classmates (and teammates) at Hazelnut High. Bear invites Ferret over to the Big Blue House, where he teaches the gang some things they never knew about Bear. 

Songs 

He Can Do It All 

Oh, What a Game 

Allusions 

Bear gives his collection of baseball cards to Pip and Pop. Included in the album are cards of a few more players with spoof names --- Joe DiMagpie, Willie Neighs and Jackie Robinsegg, which, respectively, are plays on the names of baseball greats Joe DiMaggio, Willie Mays and Jackie Robinson.

At the Old Bear Game

Treelo invites his squirrel friend Skippy for a visit to the Big Blue House and the kids are all excited to meet him. They are all surprised to learn that Skippy is blind and have a lot of questions for Bear while Treelo takes Skippy on a tour. They learn from Bear that Skippy has a disability, but isn't sick and that he likes to do many of the same things they do. As Skippy joins the kids during the day, they begin to wonder if he has special powers. He seems to know things that he seemingly couldn't know without some sort of special power. Skippy, however, teaches them that there's a lot one can tell by using all one's senses.

The Amazing Skippy

At Mouse School, Miss Maxwell announces a field trip and gives all the mice a permission slip for their parent or guardian to sign. Tutter is excited about the trip at first and eagerly tells the kids at the Big Blue House about it when he gets there. When he tells them that Miss Maxwell said the location would be a surprise, Pip and Pop figure that the trip must be to a field. The kids think about all of the fun things they could do on a trip around the world. Tutter, however, becomes very worried that he's going to be stranded in the middle of nowhere. He hides his permission slip from Bear and later decides to fake being sick. Meanwhile, Ojo plans a big trip on her bike. She plots out her course, but finds that sometimes you need a guide, such as a responsible adult, to help out. When Miss Maxwell hears that Tutter is worried about the trip, she provides him with some reassuring, but also a bit surprising news. 

Songs 

The Wide, Wide World

It's an ordinary day at the Big Blue House, but Bear decides to check his calendar, wondering if there's anything special coming. He checks his calendar and finds that tomorrow is Teacher Appreciation Day. Wondering if Tutter and the other mice at Mouse School know, he decides to tell them before soccer practice. It turns out when he arrives that the mice were just in the middle of talking about how much they like Miss Maxwell. Bear decides to split them all into teams of two, and partners Tutter with Lily to make Miss Maxwell a gift. Tutter's not too sure about the arrangment at first, worrying that the shy and quiet Lily won't be very good at helping him to make Miss Maxwell a gift. Bear, however, persuades Tutter to give Lily a chance and things start coming together nicely. They write a poem for Miss Maxwell. There's another special appreciation surprise later on. In the Shadow segment, Shadow retells Aesop's Fable 'The Lion and the Mouse'.

One weekend, Bear decides to start a new hobby --- "whittlin'." He gets a block of wood and an instruction book, but finds that his early efforts don't look much like the duck in the book. He determines, however, to keep trying. Meanwhile, the kids in the Big Blue House are exploring talents of their own. Ojo continues working on her bike-riding, while Pip and Pop have developed a synchronized-swimming routine. Treelo searches all over for his talent. Tutter, however, experiences a lack of confidence when he learns how great Rita is at kicking the ball in soccer. He tells Bear that he's quitting the team.  Songs  Do Your Thing  Notes  There is no Shadow segment in this episode.

Show Your Stuff

It's Grandma Flutter's 100th birthday. Bear and the kids of the Big Blue House take some time to reflect on aging and all of the experiences that life has to offer. Ojo, Treelo, Pip and Pop work to decorate the house and prepare for the party, but Tutter still needs to pick out a gift for her. Bear takes him to the General Store, but he's not sure exactly what to buy her. While at the General Store, Tutter learns about some of the wonderful things that his Grandma has done in her life. As he hears more and more, he becomes overwhelmed, until Bear helps him to see how he can work it all into a perfect gift. Bear also plays a game of chess with Doc Hogg. He's not very good, but Doc Hogg helps him to see that he has a lot of time to learn. Shadow also pays a visit and tells a story about about the life of a hammer.

Grandma Flutter's 100th Birthday

At Mouse School, Miss Maxwell shows the mice a fruit bowl and asks some of them to tell her what they see. She explains the idea of point of view and assigns everyone a project to demonstrate their point of view to the class. Tutter struggles with the assignment --- as far as he's concerned, he sees things from a "boring old Tutter point of view," and not any differently than anyone else. After hearing about the assignment, Treelo paints some paintings to show his point of view. Meanwhile, Tutter finds a camera his Grandma Flutter gave him and decides to make a film called Mouse on Mars --- but not only does he not know much about Mars, it doesn't really represent his point of view. He joins Bear in listening to a Shadow story about the point of view of a duck and a ladybug. Afterwards, Treelo's paintings provide inspiration.

The View from You

Bear and our friends from the Big Blue House are on their way to attend a performance of the famous musician, the Great Bandini. All of them are in awe of the Bandini's skill and on their way, they meet somebody headed to the concert --- Edwina Badger. Edwina Badger helps them all to see the musical talents that they also possess. They learn that there are all sorts of ways to make music and that the voice can be a powerful instrument. In the Shadow segment, Shadow sings a song about jazz music.

The Great Bandini

When Bear decides to do some relaxing and tune to his favorite station, WCHA-CHA, he hears an announcement for a contest. The station will play a sample from a cha-cha record and the first caller to identify the name of the tune and the artist will win. Bear resolves to sit tight so that we won't miss the contest, but has to get up to help out when the kids in the Big Blue House call. Luckily, he manages to make it back in time for the contest and succeeds in being the first caller and identifying the record. He wins a trip for himself and everyone in the house to Sequoia City. Tutter overhears him celebrating, but only hears a little of it --- he hears Bear saying that he needs a vacation and thinks that he's upset. He and the rest of the kids decide to put together a special celebration for Bear to show him how much he's appreciated.

This Is Your Life, Bear

The series provides children with valuable tools for growth in key areas of music, social skill development, and cognitive learning through integrated programs combining music, movement, and exploration. With Bear and all his friends, learn about cooperation, teamwork and more.

Great Ball of Firefighters

Seasons4

Season 4 Episodes19

Cast8

Crew2

Discussion

Episode Summary