Episode
Bear in the Big Blue House: Volunteers of Woodland Valley
Overview
Bear plans to head out into Woodland Valley to do some volunteer work, but is sidelined when he trips and falls on a skateboard left out by Pip and Pop. His "extreme skateboarding" has left him with a sprained toe, as diagnosed by Doc Hogg. Pip and Pop, as well as Tutter, Treelo and Ojo want to help out Bear, so Doc Hogg suggests they do some volunteering in his place. At first they're not sure they can do anything to help, but agree after being encouraged by Doc Hogg and Bear. Doc Hogg drops off Tutter, Pip and Pop at the library and Ojo and Treelo off at the fire station. At the library, Tutter, Pip and Pop find that a lot of Bear's volunteering there involves heavy lifting, but decide that they can help out with storytime. As they read Little Bunnies on the Glen to a group of actual little bunnies, Ojo and Treelo try to help out at the fire station. They can't change the tires on the fire truck, Bessie, like Bear was going to, but they can help to clean it up. Songs Come on In Clean Up the Truck Notes This episode also appears in online listing as "Volunteers of the Woodland."
Details
- Series
- Bear in the Big Blue House
- Season
- Season 4
- Episode
- Episode 20
- Runtime
- 25 min
Episode context
Volunteers of Woodland Valley is Episode 20 in Season 4 of Bear in the Big Blue House. The runtime is 25 min.
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Episode 19: The Great Bandini
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.
Episode 21: Blue Home Of The Brave
When Miss Maxwell notices Tutter's enthusiasm for singing the "Woodland Valley Mouse School Song", she asks him to sing the Emmentaler Solo in the upcoming recital. Tutter is nervous at first, but the other mice express their approval of the idea, so he agrees. Later, his doubts resurface when practicing at the Big Blue House, but his friends offer him reassurance. Bear discusses the idea of bravery and notes that being brave often means simply trying something new. For example, as Ojo's skill on her bike continues to improve, she once again decides to try taking off her training wheels. In the Shadow segment, viewers learn about a flounder who decided to become a cowboy.
Songs
"Woodland Valley Mouse School Song"
"You're Braver Than You Know"
"The Cheese Chorus/Emmentaler Solo"
Notes
The closing credits state "This episode is dedicated to Dean Brent McCune Jr."
This episode usually appears in online listings as "Blue Home of the Brave," but the title shown at the beginning of the episode is "Big Blue Home of the Brave."
Ojo first tried riding her bike without the training wheels in "Step by Step," but she decided she wasn't ready yet. In this episode, she has Bear remove them again, but this time, she is able to ride without them.
More episodes from this season
Episode 18: To Clean or Not to Clean
Bear returns to the Big Blue House from a business trip for Bearcraft Tools to find that everything's a mess. He left Lois in charge while he was away and it seems she was perfectly willing to go along with the kids' idea of not cleaning up so that they'd have more time to play. Now Ojo and Treelo are missing their toys --- Snow Bear and Rockboy, Pip and Pop have been stuck in one spot playing an increasingly boring game of tag and Tutter's trapped in the cheese drawer. Bear talks things over with everyone and they begin to see that maybe their time-saving idea is actually wasting time. They then have the same sort of idea about taking a bath, but Bear helps them by getting them to visualize what would happen if they stopped taking baths. In the Shadow segment, Shadow sings a song about how to make doing chores fun.
Songs
Clean Up the House
Everybody in the Tub
Brush Brush Bree
Notes
This episode features the same set of songs heard in "Woodland House Wonderful" --- "Clean Up the House," "Everybody in the Tub" and "Brush Brush Bree."
Episode 22: A Trip to the General Store
On a nice day, Bear decides to make a trip to the General Store to pick up some things he needs. Hearing that he's going to the store, everyone in the Big Blue House asks if they can come too, and Bear agrees. They ask him just how the whole process of buying things and getting money works, so he tells them all about how to earn money and how clams are used as currency in Woodland Valley. Bear wants to get going to the store, but instead they all split up to find ways to earn money. Finally, they all get going to the store. But something happens at the store that teaches them another lesson entirely. Also, Bear spends some time with Shadow at the store, and she tells him a story about a turtle who saved money.
Songs
General Store
Notes
To make money, Ojo, Treelo and Tutter create a lemonade stand. Sales are slow, but they sell Bear cookies and lemonade for a total of four clams. The lemonade was made with salt instead of sugar and Bear gets a horrified look on his face after he gulps down an entire pitcher full. Pip and Pop make money by gathering clams, which they sell to Lois, who says that she'll make jewelry out of them. They receive two Woodland Valley clams for their sale.
Two rabbit characters are introduced in this episode --- a little boy named Billy and his mother Bonnie. Their home was flooded in the storm that wrecked the library in " Welcome to Woodland Valley."
Jeremiah Tortoise is the sole proprietor of the Woodland Valley General Store.
Goofs and Nitpicks
In this episode, the characters all use a form of currency unique to Woodland Valley --- clams. However, in "The Yard Sale," they all used dollars and cents.
Episode 17: The View from You
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.
Episode 23: Tutter's First Big Sleepover Bash
While Treelo, Pip and Pop are staying at Otto and Etta's, Tutter holds a sleepover for all classmates at school at the Big Blue House, with Ojo joining in as well. The mice are astounded by the size of the house and everything in it, but Bear does his best to assure them that they'll be well taken care of. He suggests that they think of it as their "home away from home." They decide to play a game called "parmcheesy" and Ojo's worried because it sounds like a game only for mice, but Tutter assures her it wouldn't be a party without her. When it comes time for bed, Keisha wants to call her parents and soon all the other mice do too. As for Tutter, he's a bit worried what the mice will think of his stuffed toy, Kitty, but Bear shows him that they all have their own stuffed toys. As they settle in to sleep, Luke is first uncomfortable with his pillow and then wants to hear a lullaby. Shadow appears to sing her special lullaby, but Luke misses the one sung by his parents and wants to go home.
Songs
Come on In
Home Away from Home
Shadow's Lullaby
Notes
Bear discovers the unique difficulties of feeding a large group of mice in "Tutter's First Big Sleepover Bash." He first puts out a cheese platter, but is surprised when the contents vanish before his eyes. Tutter tells him that they "warmed up on that" and Luke indicates that they're waiting for a more substantial snack. So Bear makes baked Brie for them.
Performers
Noel MacNeal as Bear and Moss
Peter Linz as Tutter
Vicki Eibner as Ojo
Anney McKilligan as Rita
Tara Mooney as Shadow (voice)
Lynne Thigpen as Luna (voice)
Episode 16: Grandma Flutter's 100th Birthday
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.
Episode 24: A Strange Bird
One morning, Bear decides to visit the post office, knowing that Jeremiah can be slow in delivering the mail and wondering if anything's come. At the post office, he finds a two-week old postcard that reveals that a penguin named Puck from the South Pole is paying a visit to the Big Blue House --- today! Bear hurries home to greet Puck. Everyone there is eager to meet him, but the kids begin to worry when they find his food tastes and his behaviors somewhat odd. They try to play with him, but worry that they just don't understand him. Meanwhile, Tutter learns all about diversity at Mouse School.
Songs
It Takes All Kinds
Notes
The kids of the Big Blue House play the song "I Only Have Ice for You" for Puck. The title of this song is a spoof on the classic lounge song "I Only Have Eyes for You", as performed by Frank Sinatra.
The song in this episode, "It Takes All Kinds," is Track 4 on the album Playhouse Disney 2.
Episode 15: Show Your Stuff
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.
Episode 25: Let It Go
When Bear visits the kitchen for a glass of water, he finds Pip and Pop wanting one as well. They make a dash with the water for the Otter Pond, saying that they have a "serious situation." They tell Bear that they're worried the Otter Pond is going to dry out and Woodland Valley will turn into a desert. Bear offers them reassurance and then seeks to find out the origin of this rumor. It turns out to have come from a rather surprising source. Later, when rain finally does come in the form of a storm, both Bear and Shadow do their best to assuage the kids' worries.
Songs
Come on In
You Got to Let It Go
Shadow Is Here
No Harm (Alternate Version)
Episode 14: Appreciation Day
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'.
Episode 26: This Is Your Life, Bear
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.