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Kids’ Series Give Gentle Life Lessons Television Review

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

“Caillou” and “Clifford: The Big Red Dog,” two new weekday PBS children’s series, have a get-acquainted marathon kickoff today on KCET-TV with four episodes each airing back-to-back. The two also join KVCR-TV’s schedule on Thursday.

“Caillou” (pronounced “Kye-you”) is a 4-year-old boy who lives with his mom, dad, baby sister, Rosie, and pet cat, Gilbert. Each animated episode is an unusually realistic reflection of a preschooler’s daily fun, family interaction, challenges, disappointments and misunderstandings as Caillou grows and learns to make sense of his world.

The show consists of three separate components: a gentle reality--Caillou’s family life--expressed in animation with bright, eye-filling watercolor artwork; live-action “fantasy” segments featuring puppet versions of Caillou’s toys and his cat that reflect the show’s messages for the day; and short video moments for further reinforcement, featuring actual kids dancing, singing and playing.

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The result is entertainment that respects children, and something more: With its scrupulously scripted child developmental realism, “Caillou” is a virtual guidebook for parents and caregivers.

In the first episodes, Dad’s well-meaning explanation for a dead bird in the yard confuses and scares Caillou about getting older, requiring parental reassurances.

Trying to be a good helper, Caillou makes messes; going to the doctor for an earache, or a first visit to the dentist, are scary propositions. He learns why parents can’t stay home and about different jobs grown-ups have, goes to a theme park for the first time, and has an unforgettable summer vacation with his family, camping out, swimming, playing in his own backyard.

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Central to Caillou’s world are his loving parents, the antithesis of absentee or ineffectual moms and dads so common to TV. “Clifford: The Big Red Dog” focuses on positive messages with a fantasy approach. Based on the classic children’s books by Norman Birdwell, this animated series is about a red dog who is the size of a jumbo jet to match the outsized love that his owner, a little girl named Emily, has for him.

There are live-action segments in this show, too, of kids and their dogs, but most of the show is about Clifford and Emily, living in a peaceful island community with friendly pets and people--except for a snooty schoolmate and the occasional mildly cranky neighbor.

Each episode revolves around a learning experience for Clifford (voiced by John Ritter) and Emily that’s reinforced in a secondary plot involving Clifford’s doggy pals Cleo, T-Bone and Mac.

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While the books’ simple illustrations don’t translate into particularly interesting animation, the idea of a gigantic canine playmate is bound to have as much appeal for viewers as it has for its many years of readers.

* “Caillou,” KCET-TV previews today at 7, 7:30, 8 and 8:30 a.m. Regular schedule, beginning Tuesday: Mondays-Fridays at noon. Also airs on KVCR-TV Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2:30 p.m.

* “Clifford: The Big Red Dog,” KCET-TV previews today at 9, 9:30, 10 and 10:30 a.m. Regular schedule beginning next Monday: Mondays-Fridays at 7:30 a.m. Also premieres on KVCR-TV Thursday at 4 p.m.

The network has rated both series TV-Y (suitable for young children).

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