ToddWorld is an animated children's television series created by Todd Parr and Gerry Renert through their California-based company SupperTime Entertainment[4][5] and it was produced by Mike Young Productions.[6]

ToddWorld
GenreChildren's television series Animation
Created by
Voices of
Opening theme"It's a Colorful World" performed by Smokey Robinson
Ending theme"It's a Colorful World" (Instrumental)
Composers
  • Cory Lerios
  • George Gabriel[1]
Country of originUnited States
Canada
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes39 (78 segments)
Production
ProducerMarie Cecchino-Brand[1]
Running time23 minutes (11-minute segments)
Production companiesMike Young Productions
Telegael
DQ Entertainment
Original release
Network
ReleaseNovember 8, 2004 (2004-11-08)[3] –
June 10, 2008 (2008-06-10)[3]

Premise

The series focuses on the adventures of a boy named Todd and his friends: Benny, Pickle, Sophie, and Stella. The show is notable for its bold lines and bright colors. Each episode conveys a message about tolerance, diversity and acceptance.

Main characters

  • Todd (voiced by Ryan Hirakida) is a blue boy with five strands of hair. He likes to draw and eat macaroni and cheese in the bathtub. Todd is an energetic and smart boy who enjoys creative hobbies, sports, and reading and making new things. His playful and kind personality leads him to easily make new friends, and Todd's curiosity in getting to know others makes him fairly open-minded when it comes to what makes people different. Todd is very attached to his pet dog, Benny, and often feels lonely if he is not around. At times, Todd can be selfish if he really wants something, but he always learns right from wrong and makes up for it. There are also times when Todd is the voice of reason in the group, but is just as likely to act as zany as Pickle. Todd's catchphrases include "Neato Mosquito", "Leaping Lima Beans", "Mighty Macaroni", "Awesome Possum", "Hi, I'm Todd, and this is my world!", and "See you next time. Love, Todd".
  • Benny (voiced by Doron Bell) is Todd's talking dog, who is energetic and playful with a big appetite. He can be lazy at times and sleeps in a lot, but also likes to hang out with the group. Benny values his bond with Todd, and Todd's opinion of him, above all else. While Benny acts cool outwardly, he, like the others, has his own concerns and worries.
  • Pickle (voiced by Peter Kelamis) is one of Todd's best friends. He has green skin with a crown and purple polka-dotted pants. Pickle has three pet worms called "the Worminis" named Rupert, Bernard, and Francesca, who love to do acrobatic tricks. He lives in a circus tent with a menagerie of circus animals (a pink elephant named Edith, a pink monkey trapeze artist named Estelle, a dancing bear named Brian, and a lion named Greg). Pickle wants to have fun and has many talents that he learned from growing up in a circus. Pickle is curious about new experiences and people, although he may be suspicious at first. Pickle often worries about small things until he realizes that he should have just asked. Pickle's energetic and friendly personality allows him to easily bond with his friends and other people. Pickle may not be the brightest of the group, but he is capable of helping out or coming up with zany ideas.
  • Sophie (voiced by Chantal Strand) is another one of Todd's best friends. She has two red pigtails that she can flap to fly. Sophie is smart, creative, and loves to invent things, but can become stubborn if her plans do not work. Regardless, Sophie continues to search for new ideas. She cares for others, with an empathy that allows her to easily befriend anyone. Sophie loves to have fun and tries not to instantly judge others. She lives in an apartment with her cat Mitzi, her pet goldfish Banana, and three adopted puppies: Oswald, Jake, and Inky.
  • Stella (voiced by Maggie Blue O'Hara in season 1, and by Britt McKillip in season 2) is another friend of Todd. She is fashionable and attention-seeking girl who is obsessed with glitter, sparkles, stars, and hair accessories. Stella is a caring and empathetic friend who will do what she can to make someone feel better. Stella is mature and creative, but is not above begging or manipulating someone with tears to get what she wants.

Episodes

Series overview

SeasonSegmentsEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
15226November 8, 2004 (2004-11-08)December 21, 2005 (2005-12-21)
22613April 16, 2007 (2007-04-16)June 10, 2008 (2008-06-10)


Season 1 (2004–2005)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleOriginal air date
11"Todd Builds a Fort"November 8, 2004 (2004-11-08)
"Stella's Different Ears"

Todd wants to build a fort with his friends but has to learn to be open to others' ideas.


Stella feels ashamed that she is the only one with two different colored ears, but learns that it is okay to be different.

Music video: "A Special Shining Star" by Cyndy Bragg
22"Todd Time"November 9, 2004 (2004-11-09)
"Rock My World"

Todd's desire to do things on his own is misinterpreted by his friends, who think there is something wrong with him.


When Pickle forms a band that plays really loud and out-of-tune music, his friends do not like it but learn to respect Pickle's musical choices and support his efforts.

Music video: "Your Own Drum" by Cyndy Bragg
33"Prickly Partner"November 10, 2004 (2004-11-10)
"Pickle's Smelly Socks"

Sophie helps Ralph the Porcupine manage his quills so that Ralph can square dance with Sophie.


Todd's friends try roundabout ways to tell Pickle his socks are smelly but learn it is more effective to be direct and just tell Pickle right away.

Music video: "Join Us, Join In" by Taura "Aura" Jackson
44"It's OK to Lose Your Mittens"November 11, 2004 (2004-11-11)
"Stella's Special Club"

After Benny loses Todd's special mittens his grandmother gives him, Benny fears that Todd will not love him anymore.


Stella's exclusive club turns out to be no fun at all when she imposes strict rules and refuses to include everyone.

Music video: "A Special Shining Star" by Cyndy Bragg (repeat episode 1)
55"Worm's Eye View"November 12, 2004 (2004-11-12)
"Pickle's Problem"

Stella's negative opinion of worms is challenged when she spends a day with one of the Worminis.


Pickle's mysterious behavior is finally explained when he reveals that he is too ashamed to show his friends that he needs to wear reading glasses.

Music video: "Join Us, Join In" by Taura "Aura" Jackson (repeat episode 3)
66"Venus Ice Cream Trap"November 15, 2004 (2004-11-15)
"Platyroo"

When Hector, the ice cream vendor, mistakenly believes that a new and unusual plant tried to bite him, Todd and his friends defend the misunderstood plant.


When Todd and his friends find a lost baby platypus, Pedro, they help him find his mother, who just happens to be a kangaroo.

Music video: "Your Own Drum" by Cyndy Bragg (repeat episode 2)
77"Come Over to My House"November 22, 2004 (2004-11-22)
"Sophie's Sinking Feeling"

Todd and his friends learn to appreciate a new friend who is from a different place after visiting their alien friend Vark's house.


Sophie invents a bathtub on wheels for Todd but becomes upset when no one listens to her ideas on how to build it.

Music video: "Join Us, Join In" by Taura "Aura" Jackson (repeat episode 3)
88"Who's Your Best Friend?"November 29, 2004 (2004-11-29)
"Pretend Friend"

Todd finds himself with an impossible dilemma when his friends pressure him to choose just one as his best friend.


Pickle has trouble grasping the idea of Sophie having a pretend friend, a sock puppet named Toesie.

Music video: "A Friend is a Friend" by Geoff Byrd
99"Stella's Bad Dream"March 28, 2005 (2005-03-28)
"Mommy Mitzi"

Stella wishes everyone could be just like her until Stella has a dream which helps her learn to appreciate differences.


When Mitzi wants to be a mother to three puppies, she first has to prove to Sophie and herself that a cat can raise puppies just as well as a dog.

Music video: "Your Own Drum" by Cyndy Bragg (repeat episode 2)
1010"Bark in the Dark"March 29, 2005 (2005-03-29)
"It's OK Not to Win"

During a sleepover at Sophie's apartment, Todd is afraid to admit that he is afraid of the dark.


Todd doubts his drawing talent after entering an art contest and losing.

Music video: "A Friend is a Friend" by Geoff Byrd (repeat episode 8)
1111"It's OK to Have Wheels"March 30, 2005 (2005-03-30)
"Princess Pirate"

Todd, Sophie, and Pickle befriend Julian, a fellow artist who is in a wheelchair, and reinvents a game so Julian can join in.


Sophie wants to play pirate, but Stella insists that girls cannot be pirates, only princesses.

Music video: "Once You Get to Know Them" by Kel Mitchell and Taura "Aura" Jackson
1212"Monkeying Around"March 31, 2005 (2005-03-31)
"No Place Like Home"

When Todd and the gang compete in the Monkey Madness games, they are so intent on winning that they forget to have fun.


Todd and Benny have a sleepover at Pickle's circus tent and find Pickle's lifestyle a little difficult to adjust to, but then they get used to it.

Music video: "Join Us, Join In" by Taura "Aura" Jackson (repeat episode 3)
1313"Todd Takes a Stand"April 8, 2005 (2005-04-08)
"Benny's Missing Chew Toy"

A bully named Barry jeopardizes Todd and his friends' plan to ride a new playground slide.


Benny jumps to conclusions by falsely accusing his friends of stealing his favorite ball, Bouncing Boris.

Music video: "Take a Stand" by Geoff Byrd
1414"Colorful Friend"May 25, 2005 (2005-05-25)
"It's OK to Say No to Bad Things"

Thanks to Todd and his friends' acceptance, Xander the zebra learns to appreciate his rainbow-colored coat, even though it is different from the other zebras'.


A hotshot skateboarder named Trina dares Todd and Pickle to try an especially dangerous stunt.

Music video: "A Special Shining Star" by Cyndy Bragg (repeat episode 1)
1515"Sophie's Big Invention"May 30, 2005 (2005-05-30)
"Dog's Day"

Sophie has trouble admitting that she needs help with her latest invention, an automatic dogwasher.


When Sophie invents a robot dog named Dempsey who is good at everything, Benny becomes jealous.

Music video: "Your Own Drum" by Cyndy Bragg (repeat episode 2)
1616"Whole Lotta Limbo"May 31, 2005 (2005-05-31)
"Shall We Dance?"

Upset that he is too tall for limbo, Pickle discovers that he is just the right height for many other things.


Benny's new dance moves cause conflict at a traditional summer dance.

Music video: "Join Us, Join In" by Taura "Aura" Jackson (repeat episode 3)
1717"Dirt Day"June 20, 2005 (2005-06-20)
"Mr. Cuddle Wuddle"

Todd and his friends feel sorry for Vark, who is missing their holiday, Dirt Day, but soon discover Vark is celebrating a different and equally enjoyable holiday of his own.


The puppies look up to their super cool Uncle Benny, which makes it very hard for him to admit to them that he still loves his puppy blanket, Mr. Cuddle Wuddle.

Music video: "Once You Get to Know Them" by Kel Mitchell and Taura "Aura" Jackson (repeat episode 11)
1818"It's OK to Do Your Own Thing"July 18, 2005 (2005-07-18)
"Follow That Alligator"

Pickle learns to assert himself when his friends keep trying to pull him away from what Pickle really wants to do – practice jumping rope on his unicycle.


In order to find the festival where Assante the alligator is playing his saxophone, Todd and his friends must learn to view the world from other creatures' perspectives.

Music video: "Take a Stand" by Geoff Byrd (repeat episode 13)
1919"Beach Day"August 24, 2005 (2005-08-24)
"New Kid on the Block"

Todd's friends and a family of crabs are frightened of each other until they discover that they all have a lot in common despite their obvious differences.


Todd and his friends discover the joys of communicating with a new friend who speaks a different language.

Music video: "A Friend is a Friend" by Geoff Byrd (repeat episode 8)
2020"You Get What You Get"September 28, 2005 (2005-09-28)
"Garden Variety Pickle"

Todd learns to cope with disappointment and discovers that "you get what you get and you don't get upset."


Todd and his friends plant a garden with their favorite flowers, and Pickle's favorite is a scraggly weed, proving beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Music video: "Take a Stand" by Geoff Byrd (repeat episode 13)
2121"Pizza on Earth"October 9, 2005 (2005-10-09)
"Quill She or Won't She?"

When Todd's generosity leads to turmoil in ToddWorld, he figures out a way to get everyone working together to restore peace.


Sophie feels excluded when Ralph takes her to a "porcupines only" festival.

Music video: "It Feels So Good When You Give" by Taura "Aura" Jackson
2222"Flavor of the Month"October 16, 2005 (2005-10-16)
"Bark Like a Cat"

When the kids and pets participate in a contest to create a new ice cream flavor, things become competitive very fast.


A mother dog, who is at first critical of Mitzi's meowing pups, comes to recognize the value of a multi-cultural home life.

Music video: "Your Own Drum" by Cyndy Bragg (repeat episode 2)
2323"Colorless Todd"October 23, 2005 (2005-10-23)
"Underwear Everywhere"

When Todd's color is accidentally zapped out of him, Todd and his friends learn it is not what color someone is on the outside but who they are on the inside that counts.


When Sophie does not want to follow the new fashion trend of wearing underwear on her head, Sophie encounters pressure from the group to conform.

Music video: "Take a Look Inside" by Al Jarreau
2424"It's OK to Talk with Your Hands"November 15, 2005 (2005-11-15)
"Water U Thinking?"

Todd and Pickle learn a new way to communicate when they meet Will, a deaf boy.


When Sophie's fish Banana and his fish friend Finnegan get sick after a playdate in the pond, Todd realizes that selfish polluters are dirtying Finnegan's pond.

Music video: "Take a Look Inside" by Al Jarreau (repeat episode 23)
2525"Peace is Reading All Kinds of Books"December 13, 2005 (2005-12-13)
"A Roaring Success"

Todd and Stella, critical of each other's choice of library book, learn to appreciate each other's choices when they accidentally switch books.


Pickle is upset when the lion at his circus refuses to roar, but Pickle learns that it is not the roar that proves a lion's bravery.

Music video: "Take a Look Inside" by Al Jarreau (repeat episode 23)
2626"Shoe In"December 21, 2005 (2005-12-21)
"Itchy Itch"

On a cold winter's day, Todd and his friends collect shoes for a centipede who cannot afford enough shoes for all of his feet.


When Todd and Benny come down with a bad case of the Itchy Itch, they discover fun new ways to work around their infirmity.

Music video: "It Feels So Good When You Give" by Taura "Aura" Jackson (repeat episode 21)

Season 2 (2007–2008)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleOriginal air date
271"Whatever Sways Your Swing"April 16, 2007 (2007-04-16)
"A Trunkful of Trouble"

Stella and Sophie help a hippo to play and eat in what they believe are the right ways, but they discover that the hippo's different methods of doing things are okay and even fun.


Sophie's robot elephant goes haywire when Todd turns it on without asking.

Music video: "It's Okay to be Different" by Milkshake
282"For Yelling Out Loud"April 17, 2007 (2007-04-17)
"Crazy for Cookies"

Pickle learns how to make a new noise that is very cool and very loud. Now he just cannot stop!


Stella's newly baked cookies disappear when she leaves them outside to cool. She accuses Benny, a known cookie lover, of eating them, until she sees the error in her thinking and finds the true culprits.

Music video: "The Happy Song" by Milkshake
293"The Hoppy-Poppy Pokey"April 18, 2007 (2007-04-18)
"Stella's Star Day"

Todd feels left out when he is the only one who does not enjoy the latest dance craze.


The kids decide to do a show together and draw their roles from a hat. When Sophie wins the role of "Princess", Stella is so upset that she refuses to be in the show. However, Stella soon learns that having fun with her friends is more important than being the star.

Music video: "Magic Potion" by Milkshake
304"New Baby in Town"April 19, 2007 (2007-04-19)
"Imagine That!"

Sophie gets a new baby sister named Lily and a strange new emotion starts making Sophie act very weird. Officer Becky helps Sophie identify the emotion that Sophie is feeling jealous.


It is a rainy day and the kids are stuck in Todd's fort, so they decide to have an "Invent-a-thon" contest. Pickle brings his young cousin Briny with him, and everyone assumes that Briny is just too little to come up with an invention on her own. However, Briny proves them wrong.

Music video: "My Best Friend" by Milkshake
315"Bye Bye Benny"April 20, 2007 (2007-04-20)
"Big Feet"

When Benny visits his grandma, Todd misses him a lot. His friends rally around Todd to help him pass the time until Benny returns.


When Mama Kangaroo's little niece, Kiki, comes to visit, the kids are surprised by her very big feet. They are reluctant to play with her because of them but soon learn how wonderful her big feet are.

Music video: "My Best Friend" by Milkshake (repeat episode 4)
326"Benny and Sam"September 10, 2007 (2007-09-10)
"A Big Messy Pickle"

When Benny meets a doggie pal, Sam, who is covered in mud just like him, they have a blast playing together until Benny learns that Sam is a girl the following day.


When Pickle makes such a mess in his room that he cannot find his ball, his friends help Pickle clean up so that he can find it.

Music video: "My Best Friend" by Milkshake (repeat episode 4)
337"Come Out of Your Shell"September 11, 2007 (2007-09-11)
"The Big Picture"

Todd and his pals make a new friend, Tyler, who is very shy. They try just about everything to get him to be more outgoing until they realize maybe Tyler is just fine the way he is.


Todd has a dream of making a humongous drawing. He hopes his friends will help him pull it off. At first, they think Todd is foolish to even try something so difficult, but when everyone works together, they accomplish something that they can all be proud of.

Music video: "It's Okay to be Different" by Milkshake (repeat episode 1)
348"Gifted Friends"September 12, 2007 (2007-09-12)
"Finders Keepers"

Todd's big birthday party is coming up and all of ToddWorld is looking forward to it. However, Stella is appalled when she learns that Ralph is bringing a homemade gift to the party instead of something cool from the store.


Todd finds an incredible skateboard motor in the park. Its owner is nowhere to be found, so he figures it is finders keepers.

Music video: "It's Okay to be Different" by Milkshake (repeat episode 1)
359"Potluck Picnic"September 13, 2007 (2007-09-13)
"The Art of Change"

Todd and the gang are upset when the picnic grounds are dirty and littered. They take it upon themselves to clean up the place so that they can enjoy their day there.


Benny is unhappy when Todd changes their usual Saturday morning play date, but Benny realizes that his inflexible attitude is getting him nowhere, so Benny finds a way to bring about a win-win solution.

Music video: "Magic Potion" by Milkshake (repeat episode 3)
3610"Snack Happy"September 14, 2007 (2007-09-14)
"Back on the Bike"

While the kids eat healthy lunches, Pickle sneaks off to eat snacks out of a machine, but later discovers that he has no fuel.


Todd is reluctant to learn to unicycle after falling, so his friends encourage Todd to keep trying.

Music video: "The Happy Song" by Milkshake (repeat episode 2)
3711"It's OK to Ask"October 29, 2007 (2007-10-29)
"Bully for You"

Stella invites Julian to her costume-sleepover party, but Pickle is extremely uncomfortable with Julian being there. Pickle finally admits to Julian that he is afraid that he might catch whatever it is that Julian has and will also end up in a wheelchair.


Barry the "Bully" is looking for Todd and everyone can only assume that he is up to no good, except for Todd.

Music video: "It's Okay to be Different" by Milkshake (repeat episode 1)
3812"Moving"June 9, 2008 (2008-06-09)
"The Triple Treat Treasure Hunt Race"

As the puppies grow bigger, Sophie's apartment seems to be getting smaller. So, Mitzi makes the difficult decision to move her and the puppies out to Sophie's uncle's farm so they can have a much bigger space.


Hardy the hippo is determined to enter the ToddWorld Triple Treat Treasure Hunt Race. Unfortunately, he is not exactly a natural athlete, but once Hardy sets his mind to something, he follows through, no matter what. Even though Hardy does not win the race, he still has fun.

Music video: "My Best Friend" by Milkshake (repeat episode 4)
3913"Super Sophie"June 10, 2008 (2008-06-10)
"Hair We Go!"

Sophie does something heroic that nobody sees, except for Todd. He is so impressed that Todd declares Sophie the town superhero, and like all superheroes, Sophie decides to keep her identity quiet, as it is a special secret between her and Todd.


"Hair We Go!": Todd makes up a game called "Now I'm Like You", where the kids pretend to be physically like one another. Stella is fascinated with Sophie's hair and wants hers to be just like it.

Music video: "Magic Potion" by Milkshake (repeat episode 3)

Broadcast

ToddWorld aired on TLC and Discovery Kids in the United States (as part of their Ready Set Learn! block),[7] in the United Kingdom on CBeebies, and in Australia on ABC Kids.[citation needed]

The series continued to air on TLC until 2007 and Discovery Kids until 2008, and now airs on Kabillion and Ultra Kidz.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "It's OK to Lose Your Mittens". ToddWorld.
  2. ^ "Toddworld". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Toddworld". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  4. ^ "ToddWorld". www.qubo.com. Archived from the original on 26 February 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  5. ^ "SupperTime Entertainment - Properties: ToddWorld". www.suppertimentertainment.com. Archived from the original on 7 November 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  6. ^ "SupperTime Entertainment - About Us: Company". www.suppertimentertainment.com. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  7. ^ Shattuck, Kathryn (7 November 2004). "Somewhere, Inside the Rainbow, Blue Boys Fly". The New York Times. p. 2. Retrieved 16 September 2024 – via ProQuest.