The show starts off with the characters doing various things, such as playing a game, or building an invention. There is then a conflict between the characters that leads to the main plot of the episode. The characters then resolve their conflict before the end of the episode. There is always at least one song per episode, which is filmed in shadowmation.[citation needed]
Characters
Big (Lenny Henry), a large and purple bear-like creature who is very friendly and laid-back.
Small (Lenny Henry), a small and orange dog-like creature who is very raucous and impulsive.
Ruby (Imelda Staunton (series 1–2); Tamsin Heatley (series 3), a pink red-haired mouse who lives in a hole within Big and Small's house. She is generally friendly but tends to lose her temper with Small.
Twiba (Imelda Staunton), a light green worm who lives inside an apple in Big and Small's garden. Twiba is an acronym that stands for "The Worm in Big's Apple". She is generally friendly but often acts somewhat pompous. She only appeared in the first two series.
The Frogs (unknown voice actor), a pair of hat-wearing frogs who live in the garden pond. One is lime green with a red wool hat, while the other is dark green with a business hat.
T-Rex, a light-brown dinosaur plush belonging to Big. T-Rex is Big's favourite toy, but Small is terrified of him.
The Fish, a neon-yellow fish who lives in the garden pond.
The Gwelf, a mischievous green storybook character. Small believes that the Gwelf is real, but Big isn't so sure. In most episodes, the Gwelf is implied to be some sort of alien.
Broadcasters
In the United Kingdom, Big & Small was shown on CBeebies, BBC1, and BBC2,[2] as well as Cyw in Wales.[3]Treehouse TV aired Big & Small in Canada. In total, over 40 channels worldwide have featured the programme.[3]
Home Media
On March 12, 2009, ITV Global Entertainment secured the UK Home Media rights to the series. Through their ITV DVD label, the company released "We're Big & Small!" on March 30.[4] The UK version contains the first eight episodes of Series 1 as well as three bonus shorts, while the Canadian version released by Treehouse TV omits the shorts and only includes the first five episodes.
Two further DVDs were released in the UK: "Starry, Starry Night", containing episodes 9 to 16 of Series 1, and "The Biggest Story", containing episodes 1 to 5 and episode 16 of Series 3; the former released by ITV Studios, and the latter released by Abbey Home Media. In Canada, Treehouse TV released "Party Time!", containing five assorted episodes from Series 1 and 2.
Episodes
Series overview
Series
Episodes
Originally aired
First aired
Last aired
1
26
6 October 2008
7 November 2008
2
26
19 October 2009
23 November 2009
3
26
12 September 2011
7 November 2011
Episode List
Series 1
Something is Missing
A Door for Small
Fish Wish
There's a Space for Small
A Piece of Cake
The Worm in Big's Apple
The Case of the Missing Dinosaur
Stormy Weather
Playing by the Rules
A Sound Idea
Rain Dance
My Friend Fang
Starry Starry Night
Bad Luck Machine
The Big Sneeze
The Mysterious Woods
Surprise, Surprise
The Sleep Toy Thingie
Smashing Tomatoes
Picture Perfect
Twiba's Treasure Hunt
The Case of the Clogs
Twiba Takes Flight
Cabin Fever
Five Minute Sled
The Gwelf In The Garden
Series 2
Tall Small
I Spy a Firefly
Say Cheese
Celery Day
The Singing Gwelf
The Road Not Taken
Party Time
Dream Team
I See, You Saw
The Big Race
Abracadabra
Frog Fight
The Broken Scooter
Blame it on the Drain
Small's Branch
Play Date
The Case of the Missing Kohlrabi
Promises, Promises
Spring Fling
Never Say No
The Book of Big
A Quiet Day
The Missing Biscuit
Thar She Buzzes
The Not So Happy Camper
Big & Small Day
Series 3
Small, Small Let Down Your Hair
Boingo Boys
The Rainbow
The Scare-Small
The Box
The Missing Answer
Millions of Vegetable Soup
Hot and Bothered
A Room of Small's Own
Catch a Fallen Star
Thanks for the Memories
Opposite Day
Fishing for Elephants
The Hiccups
Friends in a Fog
The Biggest Story
A Room With a View
Just What I Wanted
Slippery Slide
A Letter From Furthermost
Balloonatics
An Evening of Delights
The Egg
Gone Fishin'
Hopalong Small
Moon Race
Awards
Awarded "Best Writing" at the 2013 KidScreen Awards[5]
Awarded "Best Children's Programme" for the episode "Blame It on the Drain" at the Royal Television Society's Educational Television Awards for 2009. Big & Small was called "A well constructed programme with great warmth, charm and child appeal."[7]