Bear and his friends live in the Big Blue House, where Bear helps his house-mates to solve everyday problems or learn new things. In addition to spending time with the house-mates (Treelo the lemur, Ojo the bear cub, Tutter the mouse, and Pip and Pop the otters) bear also takes time out to listen to Shadow's tales and ends each day by reflecting on the lessons learned and singing 'The Goodbye Song' with Luna the moon.
It's a hot summer day and Bear and everyone else in the Big Blue House are taking it easy. Bear receives a checkers set in the mail and plays checkers with both Pip and Pop and Treelo. To his surprise, they win handily, despite never having played the game before. They seem to have developed a wild move to take all of Bear's checkers in a single flurry of jumps. Pip and Pop also beat the heat by hanging out at the Otter Pond. They're later joined by Ojo, Treelo and Bear, but Tutter has own way of staying cool. He's created his very own Club Tutter in the kitchen, using the sink as a swimming pool. Songs In the Middle of the Summer Notes Bear states in this episode that his favorite drink is wild berry soda. Tutter, on the other hand, enjoys a "cheesarita." The dog in the Shadow Projects logo in the closing credits makes a "beep beep" noise like a car honking its horn.
Tutter receives a letter in the mail that his Grandma Flutter is paying a visit to the Big Blue House. Bear informs Tutter that the letter says she's coming today, which sends Tutter into something of a panic. His Grandma likes for things to be clean, but Tutter doesn't feel there's enough time to get ready. Everyone in the Big Blue House helps Tutter to make a go of it. They clean up the house, Tutter cleans out his mousehole, and Pip and Pop weed the flowerbeds with Ojo's help. Having all gotten dirty, they take a bath. But then, Bear does the cha-cha-cha and Tutter joins, leaving him all hot and sweaty. Grandma Flutter arrives and Tutter learns she's just happy to see him. He even finds out some things he never knew about her before. In the Shadow segment, Shadow tells the story of "Hickory Dicky Dock," about the mouse who went up the clock. Songs Clean Up the House The Bear Cha-Cha-Cha Notes This episode was adapted in book form as A Surprise in the Mailbox. Bear comments that Grandma Flutter's letter must have been delayed in the mail. This is no surprise, as viewers later learn that the mail in Woodland Valley is delivered by a tortoise named Jeremiah. In the fourth-season episode, "A Strange Bird," Bear learns that a penguin named Puck is coming to the Big Blue House when he finds a two-week old postcard at the post office. The closing credits refer to this episode as including the songs "What's In The Mail Today?" and "Everybody in the Tub." However, these two songs are heard only in brief instrumental forms.
It's time for Bear to go to work, and a bear's work is berry-picking. He invites the viewers to join him as he locates his berry-picking bucket and hunts for berries to fill it, including strawberries, boysenberries, blueberries, blackberries and huckleberries. Before he finds his bucket, he finds Ojo and Treelo playing in the living room. Their game has come to a halt, as Ojo is tired of Treelo pretending to be a baby. Bear helps her to find something new to play and shows her how Treelo can still be the baby in the new game. Bear learns about Tutter's work, which includes cleaning up his mousehole and shopping for cheese. Shadow sings the song "I've Been Working on the Railroad" and gives Bear a tip as to where to find his berry-picking bucket. Later, after Bear finishes his work, Bear talks with Pip and Pop and helps them to see that they too did work today. Songs Workin' Like a Kid Everybody in the Tub Notes This episode deals with work. A later episode from the fourth season, "A Trip to the General Store," deals with the idea of money and spending. Bear's work is berry-picking, but whether he makes any profit from it (or if it in some way supports the continued operation of the Big Blue House) remains unclear.
Watch Now:AmazonBear has just gone inside the Big Blue House for some relaxing swinging in the living room in the kitchen. Ojo, however, is soon there to remind Bear of a promise he made. She's very hungry and Bear had promised to make her his "incredible banana berry whole-wheat pancakes with maplely syrup." So Bear heads to the kitchen to get cooking, and Ojo offers to help out. She goes to get Snow Bear and soon after, Pip and Pop join in the cooking. Tutter and Treelo appear soon after and Tutter's a bit annoyed with Treelo for taking him flying through the trees. Still, they join in the preparation as well --- Bear has them set the table. Tutter disagrees with Treelo as to how to fold the napkins, but Bear gets them working together on a new way to do it. In the Shadow segment, Shadow sings the song "Muffin Man." In her version, however, the Muffin Man is a super treat that's able to fly into your mouth (with a little help.) Songs Magic in the Kitchen Clean Up the House
Spring has sprung! And everyone in the Big Blue House has spring fever, Pip & Pop help Bear do his spring cleaning; Tutter and Ojo plant seeds in their garden; while Treelo is just bursting with excitement and energy.
Bear, along with his friends, Ojo, Pip & Pop, Treelo and Tutter, teach us about the many things that grow. Pip & Pop plant a see and wait, while Tutter tries on his baby clothes realizing they don't fit because he's grown a lot.
Watch Now:AmazonBear and his friends, Ojo, Pip & Pop, Treelo and Tutter prepare for a picnic. They all decide on the different foods to bring, including clams, cheese sandwiches and bananas - a little something for everyone.
Bear has caught a cold and his nose is so stuffed up that he just has to take it as assumed that the viewers smell good today. Tutter suggests he get a little rest on the couch and then the kids all decide that they'll do their best to help Bear feel better. Tutter recalls that when he needed some water, Bear helped him to reach the faucet. Ojo brings Bear her favorite toy, Snow Bear, to help cheer him up. She recalls the time when he helped her to feel better when she fell down while trying to fly. Pip and Pop deliver Bear a package containing a clam with the message "Get Well Soon." They recall the time when Bear let them be postal delivery otters. Treelo gives Bear a hug and recalls the time that he was afraid of going down the drain in the bathtub. And Tutter recalls a time when he wasn't feeling all that well himself. Songs Need a Little Help Today Quiet Time Notes This episode consists in large part of flashbacks to scenes from past episodes. As such, there is no Shadow segment in this episode and no real-kids segment either.
Bear hears a shout coming from the kitchen and finds Ojo begging Tutter to let her peek inside his mousehole. When he won't let her, saying that she's too big, she cries. It turns out that she's lost her favorite toy, Snowbear. Not wanting to see her cry, Tutter agrees to help her find it --- mice are great at finding things. Pip and Pop soon join the hunt, but Bear's bedroom gets rather messed up in the process. Ojo begins to despair, but Bear helps ro raise her spirits by encouraging her to keep up the hunt. Treelo then comes up with a great idea that could help her to find Snowbear. In the Shadow segment, Shadow tells the story of the "Three Little Kittens" --- the ones that lost their mittens. Songs Lost Thing Snow Bear Where Can You Be Notes This episode was adapted in storybook form as Lost and Found.
Watch Now:AmazonBear receives a package in the mail containing a tape of soothing sounds. He's eager to sit down and listen to them, but Ojo is worried that the tape will disturb the game of "camping in the woods" she's playing. When she learns it's soothing sounds, she's eager to hear them, but then Treelo shows up and starts making noises of his own. At first, Ojo is irritated, but then Bear helps Treelo with making some sounds that won't bother Ojo. All of this gives Ojo a great idea for a real camping trip. Meanwhile, Tutter is busy dancing, and doesn't want any part of the camping trip when he hears about it. Pip and Pop are interested, though, after Bear tells them about it on their plastic cup telephone. Notes Ojo, Tutter, Treelo, Pip and Pop join in the singing of the second half of the Goodbye Song. Pip and Pop refer to Bear as "Smokey." This is a reference to Smokey Bear of the United States Forest Service, who encourages people to remember that "Only YOU can prevent forest fires" and more recently "Only YOU can prevent wildfires."
Watch Now:AmazonPip and Pop are playing hide-and-seek, but disagree on where they should play. Bear introduces them to the method of flipping a coin. Bear stops to contemplate friendship and then finds Treelo waiting for Ojo. He wants to play their favorite game --- Rock Boy and Snow Bear, but Ojo keeps dashing off outside. Treelo tries to get Tutter to play the game instead, but finds that Tutter's not interested in the game. Both of them eventually join Pip and Pops' game of hide-and-seek and then find out the reason why Ojo has been so busy. Songs Friends for Life When You Make Yourself a Friend Notes Ojo makes a new friend in this episode --- a little bunny rabbit who hangs around the Otter Pond. Although no name is given for this character in this episode, she will later be known as Christine.
Watch Now:AmazonAfter Ojo runs in from the kitchen scared of a bee, Bear suggests that they watch a bee at a safe distance in order to find out what the insects do other than sting. In the course of the day, Bear, Ojo, Pip&Pop and Tutter find that every creature has a place and a purpose¡K "just part of that many..." great things about nature. Notes ■A portion of the events of this episode were adapted for the book Bugged by Bugs.
Watch Now:AmazonOjo gets the idea to put on some Olympics games out by the pond. Everyone's excited, especially Tutter, who predicts that he¡¦s going to win every event. He doesn't, he realizes that you don't have to be good at everything to be a winner, but when the limbo competition rolls around K it turns out nobody can get lover than a mouse!
Everybody's pretending and having a great time, expect for Tutter, who, after a little questioning, blurts out that he really doesn't know how to pretend. Through a little friendly trickery, Bear shows Tutter that he's better at pretending than he thought.
Bear's getting ready for a trip to the fair and there's a lot to remember. He gets a little help from his friends and from a bunch of strings tied around his fingers. Along the way, they even find time for some fond memories, and for learning about the joy and importance for remembering.
Watch Now:AmazonBear mistakenly receives a piece of Doc Hogg's mail, and decides to give him a call and let him know. This begins a day full of mistakes, including wrong numbers, a broken vase, and Pip & Pop's accidental discovery of a new type of sandwich. Eventually, Doc arrives, the vase is mended, and, hey, those baloney-on-the-outside, bread-in-middle sandwiches are delicious! Maybe mistakes aren't such bad things after all.
Since Bear's friend Ursa has never seen the Big Blue House, he's decided to take some pictures of things around the Big Blue House and make an album to send to her. As he searches for good opportunities, he finds that the kids of the Big Blue House are curious about his camera. Tutter seems to keep popping up whenever he tries to take a shot in the kitchen, so he finally has Tutter pose for a photo. The other kids have their photos taken as well. Treelo is a bit reluctant because he doesn't understand how the camera works and is worried he'll be sucked into it. While taking everyone's photos, Bear also notices that his camera seems to keep disappearing, but by the time he looks for it again, it's back where it was. In the Shadow segment, Shadow tells an unusual version of the traditional "Roses are Red" poem. It ends with an alligator eating a pair of blue-suede shoes. Songs ■Picture This Notes ■Ursa later sees the Big Blue House in person when she surprises Ojo for her birthday in "You Never Know."
Watch Now:AmazonDoc Hogg pays a special visit to the Big Blue House to give everyone a checkup. Before he arrives, Pip and Pop dress up as doctors and pretend to give a checkup to Treelo. Bear tells the viewers all about Doc Hogg and what doctors do. Later, Doc Hogg gives everyone their checkup, but Ojo seems to have disappeared. Bear finds her hiding with Snow Bear --- it turns out that she's scared of getting a shot. Bear helps her out by teaching her a special song that Doc Hogg once taught him. Songs ■Old Doc Hogg ■Everybody Say Ah ■Just Say Ow Notes ■This episode was adapted in book form as The Big Blue House Call. ■There is no Shadow segment in this episode. ■The dog in the Shadow Projects logo in the closing credits laughs like Doc Hogg instead of barking.
Bear is expecting Doc Hogg to show up for lunch, but busy ol' Doc keeps changing the plan. Bear and his friends learn to "roll with it" in a day of all kinds of change.
Watch Now:AmazonAt the Big Blue House, Bear finds that his friends are all making inventions. Tutter has decided to create a "mouseapult," hoping to reach the cheese drawer more easily. He finds that it still has some kinks to work out. Ojo and Treelo create a device called an "everything machine." It's just pretend, but it's still a lot of fun. Additionally, Bear finds that Pip and Pop's ball is stuck in a tree, but he finds that he's not quite tall enough to reach it. He ends up inventing a ball-grabber device, but it turns out to be more of an "everything-grabber." In the Shadow segment, Shadow tells the story of Yankee Doodle, or tries to anyway. She finds, though, that Yankee Doodle has different ideas about the type of animal he should be riding on and what he sticks in his hat. Songs ■Look What I Made Notes ■Treelo appears at the end of the episode, flexing Bear's "everything-grabber" and saying "grabby grabby." During the closing credits, the dog in the Shadow Projects logo also says this in Treelo's voice.
Watch Now:AmazonWhen Ojo decides to pretend that she's a big bear, Bear invites her to join him on a berry-picking expedition at the Otter Pond. He's going to make a triple-berry pie, but first needs the most important ingredients. He teaches Ojo the essentials --- showing her what types of berries are good to pick. After she learns the basics, Bear leaves her to the picking so he can prepare the crust for the pie. He and Ojo also find that Pip and Pop are trying something new. They each have a new toy --- their very own otter hoops. When they can't them to work, they express concern that they're broken. Bear and Ojo help them to see that often you have to practice at something before you can be good at it. In the Shadow segment, Shadow puts her spin on "Here We Go 'round the Mulberry Bush." In her version, a dog and a woman are washing clothes by hand, but decide instead to take them to a laundromat. They're then freed up to go perform in a circus, until a man sends them back to work on the laundry. Songs ■Keep at It ■The Otter Hoop Notes ■Tutter and Treelo are absent from this episode.
Last night there was a big storm, but today it's a warm, sunny day outside, so Bear and the kids have decided to go swimming out at the Otter Pond. They've even come up with something tempt Tutter out of the Big Blue House and into the water --- a floating chair that even includes a place for him to put his cheesarita. Everyone goes outside for some summer fun, but they find that the pond is covered in debris blown in by the storm --- leaves and branches everywhere. They all work together to clean it up, but then it starts raining. Tutter scatters at the first sign of rain. Pip and Pop want to stay outside, but when the lightning comes, in they go. Inside, Ojo and Treelo find themselves bored, until Bear gets their imaginations going for a weather-filled trip to Ojo Island. Pip and Pop despair the rain, but learn that without the rain, they could never have fun at the pond. Then, once the rain stops, Ray provides a special surprise for everyone. In the Shadow segment, Shadow tells a story of a robin who manages to have fun even in snowy weather. Songs ■Good Morning ■Weather Notes ■In "Summer Cooler," Tutter creates his own swimming club using the kitchen sink and remains inside on a summer day. In this episode, Bear and the kids finally manage to tempt him to go outside for a swim in the pond.
Bear is really excited about building the new birdhouse kit that he got in the mail, but Pip & PopTM and TutterTM are more excited about making something out of the box it came in. After gladly surrendering the box to his friends, Bear sets out it build the birdhouse on his back stoop, only to find that Jacques, an industrious local beaver, has bigger plans for Bear's seemingly simple subject.
Bear and the kids have had a busy day and are now turning in for the night. Ojo, Tutter, Treelo, Pip and Pop are all sleeping over in the living room of the Big Blue House. He tells them a bedtime story about a dragon and some very brave knights just like them who helped it. Bear reflects on all of the great things that can happen in a day. In flashbacks, he and the viewers take a look back at some things that happened that day. He and the kids all had a lot of fun at the Otter Pond, splashing and playing ball. In fact, Pip and Pop had so much fun that they get out of bed to ask if they can go back down there right now, but Bear tells them it'll still be there tomorrow. Bear also recalls that Tutter tried to eat a large amount of carrots and bran to get ready for a checkup with Doc Hogg. Bear helped him to see that he was already ready and when Tutter shows up full of energy, Bear gives him some warm milk to help get him to sleep. Bear also recalls that Ojo pretended that Snow Bear was her baby --- giving her a bath in the sink and feeding her mashed fruit. He gives Snow Bear a good-night kiss, and Ojo one too. In the Shadow segment, Shadow tells a story about a day in the life of a dog. Songs What's That Smell? At the Pond
Watch Now:AmazonPip and Pop s cousin Tally plans to visit.