This list gives some information on the series 'Pingu', five-minute animations produced by Trickfilmstudio in Switzerland. The series is one of those that appeals to both adults and children, and never hesitates to tackle the earthier side of life.

BACKGROUND

STRANGE THINGS ABOUT PINGU'S WORLD

Wood stoves in an igloo, without melting the place. However you can melt snowmen with them!
The igloo varies in size - it is much bigger inside than out.
Pingu can change shape and size, (and also he has a detachable head when he's really getting down....) Pinga can also do this to some extent. (Of course they can, they're made of plasticine, but we're not dealing in reality here!) Penguin eggs dance, extruding feet for the purpose.
Penguins can ski and skate, using the appropriate strap-on equipment.
Pingu's parents have coat tails that they can spread over eggs, flap in emergencies and so on.
What is the black and white outfit on the washing line?
Where does the electricity for the record player, iron and washing machine come from? (and the doorbell...)
Can you really do house repairs with well-aimed snowballs?
What is the fish exchange rate?
What fuel does the family transport run on? (you know, the thing with the caterpillar track, the bulb horn and the luggage rack at the rear)
Is Pinga ever going to lose her baby plumage? Also, some episodes she is crawling about, and then the next week she is an accomplished jazz trumpet player! Pingu too does anything from building with bricks to running a circus.
How can you play a mouth-organ with a beak?
Pingu and Pinga can trash the place in no time at all, but most things are easily restored to their rightful state with a few circus tricks.
Penguin skins seem to have side pockets for money!
Who is Pingu's girlfriend? (the one with the extreme eyelashes)
Would a penguin have a teddy-bear?
Baby penguins drink milk from bottles(!), use dummies, wear nappies and need knitted outfits.
Penguin obstetrics is a simple science, needing only three items; the appropriate hat, a pair of ice skates for fast arrival and a large spoon for cracking the egg.
Pingu has teeth!!
Where are the telephone cables? (Buried under the ice, I assume)

and of course..

What on earth are they saying?

THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR

PINGU BODY LANGUAGE

flippers flapping and wide eyes; fear/concern/uncertainty
beak extending trumpet like and 'meck-meck' sound - announcement of arrival, also abuse (this gesture is only used by Pingu himself)
flipper held high with tip waving; goodbye
deep nod and 'mm-hmm' sounds; agreement (this is used a lot in our house)
flipper over beak and evil sniggering sounds ('hoo-hoo-hoo!') ; up to no good (so is this!)
flippers held out and up; cuddle request
jumping up and down to impossible heights; excitement/celebration
flipper balled into fist, screwed up eyes, growls; anger (of course)
chamberpot booted across the room - frustration/boredom

interpersonal gestures;
to soothe concerned small penguins - stroke the head from front to back
small penguin greeting - 'high fives'
Mr and Mrs penguin greeting - beak rubbing, smiles and giggles

Robby the seal doesn't follow all these rules, and is prone to frequent helpless giggles. When he has a tantrum he sits up and flips his tail back and forth under him. We think he's on drugs.

CLASSIC EPISODES:

'New Arrival' - in which the egg hatches with the help of the penguin midwife and a large spoon, and Pingu's baby sister Pinga makes her debut.

'Misbehaviour' - in which Pingu's parents go out for the evening, leaving two sleeping young penguins who immediately run riot when the door closes. Note that Pingu's dad finds opera a little tedious...

'Sledging' - Pingu dusts off his sledge but can't keep up due to rusty runners. His friends soothe his tears by showing him how to polish them up, but he gets more speed than he bargains for...

'Little Accidents' - in which Pingu gives Pinga too much squash to drink, and then finds that he also is in a hurry to get to the little penguin's room. There's some great body language in this one.

'Pingu's Circus' - Pingu, Pinga and Robby set up their own circus, as clowns, jugglers and acrobats. Look out for the Laurel and Hardy moment when Pingu does some weightlifting.

'Christmas' - in which many presents are wrapped, Mum and Dad have a row and carols are sung round the tree.

'Pingu Cannot Lose' or 'Skittles' - a baffling episode in which the rules of the game aren't too clear, but many high fives and lots of giggling are exchanged.

WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?

WHEN CAN I SEE IT?

MERCHANDISING:

Available videos; Pingu 1 (Barrel of Fun), Pingu 2(Building Igloos),Pingu 3 (Hide and Seek),Pingu 4, Pingu's Big Video, Pingu the Photographer. Another one just out, title escapes me at the moment. Note that some episodes appear on several of these tapes, check if buying more than one.

available in Switzerland; Pingu flakes!!
available in Japan (where they are big fans): biscuits, more plushies (inc Pinga), Key rings, Lunch boxes. And you can buy a Pingu Laserdisc.

MAIL ORDER ADDRESSES FOR PINGU PRODUCTS

To subscribe to the BBC's Pingu Magazine write to

Pingu Subscriptions
PO Box 425
Woking
Surrey
GU21 1GP
United Kingdom

EPISODES (nowhere near complete)