Noggin network gathers a lineup of gigglies for the preschool set

Noggin, Nickelodeon’s commercial-free network for preschoolers, is enriching its content with a morning lineup of new shows that begins today: gentle “Miffy and Friends” (at 7:30 a.m.), an offbeat “Oobi” (at 8:30 a.m.) and the somewhat gooey “Tweenies” (at 9 a.m.). Nickelodeon is offering viewers a second look at them at noon today.

The most conventional of the new shows is the stop-motion animated “Miffy,” a faithful representation of Dutch artist Dick Bruna’s adorable board books for toddlers and preschoolers, about a little white bunny and her animal friends in a cuddly world of primary colors and simple shapes.

The “Tweenies,” another multimillion-dollar success from across the Atlantic (think “Teletubbies,” “Thomas the Tank Engine” and “Bob the Builder”), could be the “Teletubbies’ ” older, distant cousins, reflecting the concerns and interests of viewers ages 3 to 5 through such interconnected activity segments as “Songtime,” “Messytime,” “Surprisetime” and “Videotime.”

The characters come in candy colors with heads shaped like pistachio nuts, close-set eyes, oversize shoes and speech that, unlike the Teletubbies’ babble, is comprehensible, though just as giggly.

The strangest show, hands down (pun intended), is “Oobi,” whose surprisingly appealing puppet characters are bare human hands with goggle-eyes, accessories and homey little indoor and outdoor sets. Oobi, interacting with his younger sister, best friend and grandfather, offers a 4-year-old’s view of the world.

Unseen puppeteers give each character a distinct personality with imaginatively varied hand and finger movements, while the repetition of single words and use of incomplete sentences -- “You make tent,” “Oobi get scared” -- offer a mixed result: at times seeming too babyish, at other times effectively underscoring concepts, ideas and vocabulary. Each episode’s themed story includes irresistible exchanges between the hand puppets and real kids.

Noggin is also airing a retooled afternoon block from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily with Nick Jr. preschooler faves “Bob the Builder,” “Dora the Explorer,” “Maggie and the Ferocious Beast,” “Oswald,” “Blue’s Clues,” “Gullah Gullah Island” and “Little Bear.”

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New on Noggin

The shows: “Miffy and Friends,” 7:30 a.m. daily; “Oobi,” 8:30 a.m. daily; “Tweenies,” 9 a.m. daily

Where: Noggin

Ratings: All shows are rated TV-Y (suitable for children of all ages).