For the wrong and right reasons, Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom draws comparisons to Peppa Pig. Both shows created by Mark Baker and Neville Astley have been panned as inappropriate for kids. For the former, the criticisms range from reinforcing social ills like bullying, gender stereotypes, and classism to its depiction of bad morals, characters who are bad role models for children, and foul language — especially the word “stupid.”
The adventure comedy premiered on April 6, 2009, and returned for a second season which concluded in December 2013. Set in a magical kingdom of elves and fairies, the series follows the friendship between an elf named Ben and Holly, a fairy princess. Despite the criticisms that trailed Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom, the British preschool animated series enjoys a global popularity that has outlived its original run. Here are some reasons why the series is such a fan favorite.
Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom Teaches Valuable Lessons On Real-Life Issues
The animated series isn’t flawless, some of its critics have valid points. But for the most part, the adventure comedy is an instructive show for kids. The central theme of the series revolves around friendship, embracing diversity, and working together for the greater good. With engaging storylines, the animation guides kids through basic concepts and problem-solving skills that prepare them for the real words. It also teaches virtues like patience, the consequences of bad decisions, empathy, resilience, and perseverance.
The show’s most valuable lessons are rooted in its promotion of diversity and cooperation despite differences. While the series features a mix of characters from different clans, they often join forces to accomplish whatever needs to be done. This teaches crucial life lessons on the strength of unity, diversity, and acceptance. While these values are rather subtle, they can positively influence the impressionable minds of young viewers.
It Features Adult Humor For Older Viewers
Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom targets preschoolers. This means the show was created for kids, especially those from 2 to 6 years old. Nonetheless, the adventure comedy appeals to viewers of all ages. Most of its episodes feature jokes and sly innuendoes aimed at mature audiences. While these jokes are completely lost on kids, they can keep adults who are stuck watching the show with children entertained.
Nanny Plum (voiced by Sarah Ann Kennedy), for instance, seems like a character created with an adult audience in mind. The pessimistic and sarcastic nanny has been the prime reference of the show’s detractors. Meanwhile, the producer, Phil Davies, acknowledged that the adventure comedy features elements targeting grown-ups. In an interview with Inside Kent Magazine, Davies hinted at employing more complex language and storytelling for the series.
Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom Is Packed With Engaging Stories And Adventures
The series’ interesting adventurous stories are perhaps its greatest strength. Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom employs a blend of narrative devices and techniques for a compelling story about elves and fairies in a small magical kingdom. Each episode of the animated comedy features engaging adventures and problems that can stimulate the minds of young viewers.
Besides the intriguing storylines, the show features fascinating characters and an immersive setting that adds depth to the story, engaging the audience as the plot unfolds. Episodes like “Picnic on the Moon” and “Acorn Day” are good examples of the strong pacing, absorbing premise, and overall appeal that makes Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom a crowd-pleaser. While the former is the show’s top-rated episode on IMDb, the latter won Astley and Baker the 2012 British Animation Awards for Best Pre-School Series.
Good Animation And Vocal Portrayal Of The Characters
For a story set in a magical kingdom, Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom relied heavily on quality animation to capture its fantastical setting and whimsical narrative. This ensured great visuals that conveyed diverse ideas and expressions, allowing the story to thrive. In the same vein, the cast put up an incredible performance, delivering a range of emotions that brought the characters to life. The animation stars Preston Nyman (Ben) and Sian Taylor (Holly) alongside Sarah Ann Kennedy (Nanny Plum), Ian Puleston-Davies (King Thistle), Sara Crowe (Queen Thistle), and David Graham (Wise Old Elf). Check out the Attack on Titan voice actors.
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