Madeline and Pepito get carnival jobs but soon suffer homesickness

Madeline and the Gypsies is the third in a series of four original animated Family Channel specials about the precocious little French girl, based on the character in Ludwig Bemelmans’ children’s books. This time, Madeline and her mischievous friend Pepito head to a gypsy carnival, where they get stranded at the top of the Ferris wheel during a surprise storm.

Madeline and Pepito are taken in by a kind gypsy mom, who helps them become part of the carnival by dressing them in a lion costume. The two enjoy their adventure but soon realize they miss their homes.

Christopher Plummer narrates the story, which is followed by a repeat of “Madeline and the Bad Hat.” The last episode in the “Madeline” series will air in November.

“Madeline and the Gypsies,” Monday 7-7:30 p.m. and Thursday 6-6:30 p.m. Family Channel. For 2- to 11-year-olds.

MORE KIDS’ SHOWS

The Miss Collegiate African-American Pageant (today 10 a.m.-noon KNBC) highlights black colleges and universities nationwide, many of which are represented by the contestants. For ages 13 and up.

Storyteller/actor Rik Mayall hosts Grim Tales (Sundays 2-2:30 p.m. Bravo), part of Bravo’s weekly family showcase of films and performance art. The series kicks off its second season with versions of “The Bremen Town Musicians” and “The Witch Amongst Thorns.” For all ages.

A Disney Halloween (today 7-8:30 p.m. and Saturday 10-11:30 a.m. Disney Channel) features some of Disney’s most villainous villains and scary scenes from “Peter Pan,” “Fantasia,” “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and more. “Snow White’s” Magic Mirror is the host. For ages 7 and up.

Grown-ups will recognize the voice and music of Paul McCartney in Rupert and the Frog Song (today 8:45-9 p.m. Disney Channel), a short-but-sweet tale of a bear cub and his adventure in the Kingdom of Singing Frogs. For all ages.

The rebroadcast of All Our Children With Bill Moyers (today 10-11:30 p.m. KCET) reports on the 10 million youngsters who may graduate from school inadequately prepared for higher education or work. For parents.

ARK: Helping Kids in Need (Monday 8-8:30 p.m. KOCE) profiles Advanced Resources for Foster Kids, an Orange County organization that helps foster parents care for abandoned or abused children. For parents.

The new seven-part series Childhood (Monday 8-9 p.m. KCET and KPBS; 9-10 p.m. KVCR and Saturday 6-7 p.m. KOCE) looks at the journey from infancy to puberty and studies how children develop emotionally and physically. For ages 8 and up.

The animated rock video special Disney’s DTV Monster Hits (Tuesday 8-9 p.m. Disney Channel) gets Halloween under way with clips of famous monsters and villains, plus music from Michael Jackson, Pat Benatar and Elvis Presley. For all ages.

HBO Storybook Musicals: Spider Junior High (Wednesday 6:30-7 p.m. HBO) is a cool animated update of the kids’ jingle “The Itsy Bitsy Spider.” Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Patti LaBelle provide the voices--and much of the hipness. For all ages.

Linda Ellerbee’s production company is behind Nickelodeon Special Edition: It’s Just Television (Friday 6:30-7 p.m. Nickelodeon), the second of three news shows for kids. This one helps children become media savvy by teaching them how to watch TV intelligently. For 6- to 12-year-olds.

An American family finds its new English manor home is inhabited by a spirit in The Canterville Ghost (Saturday 3-3:30 p.m. KCBS), an animated version of the Oscar Wilde story. For all ages.

Eureeka’s Castle Special: It Came From Beneath the Bed (Saturday 8-8:30 p.m. Nickelodeon) introduces Fluffy, a strange monster who visits the castle and proves that things that seem frightening are often quite harmless. The moral is that kids should confront their fears. For 2- to 6-year-olds.