Bear opens the door and greets the viewers, saying he was wondering when we were going to get here. He invites us to come in the Big Blue House. He starts to say that he was on the way to the kitchen, but then stops and sniffs, asking if we were just outside in the backyard, because we smell "all fresh and grassy." He suggests that maybe it's just that we smell this good all the time and then heads into the kitchen, where he has something he wants to show us. It turns out to be a microscope...

Notes

■This episode was adapted in storybook form as a book by the same name.

■During the song, "Let's Go Exploring", puppets from The Animal Show (including Randall the Zebra and Julie the Flamingo) appear.

■The dog in the Shadow Projects logo in the closing credits quacks like a duck.

It's nighttime at the Big Blue House and Bear is all set to sit on his swing and read a good book. Then, Ojo shows up --- it turns out that there's a sleepover scheduled tonight that Bear completely forgot about. Before he knows it, Tutter, Ojo, Treelo, Pip and Pop are all there and ready for the big sleepover, despite his protests that they're not ready. He tries to settle back down to his book, but there's a lot to do during a sleepover. He prepares the kids a snack, reads them a story and supervises as they all brush their teeth. Finally, everyone is ready to go to bed, after some final, special good-night touches. Ojo has difficulty getting to sleep, but eventually dozes, only to be awakened by a bad dream. Bear soothes her back to sleep and then finds Shadow. Shadow sings her own special version of the lullaby "Hush, Little Baby."

Songs

■Under Your Blanket

■Brush Brush Bree

■Go to Bed, Sleepy Head

Notes

■The title of this episode is a reference to Raymond Chandler's 1939 novel The Big Sleep. In the novel, the phrase refers to death, not sleep itself.

■Tutter holds a sleepover of his own in the fourth season episode "Tutter's First Big Sleepover Bash."

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.

At 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.

One morning, Bear is trying to decide on what type of tea to have --- cold iced tea or hot tea. With the viewers' help, he decides on the iced tea. He also finds Tutter trying to get some tea as well, but needing his help to get a glass and the sugar. At first, Tutter is bothered by how his small size keeps him from doing anything. Then, he helps Bear and he finds that being the opposite of big isn't so bad after all. More opposites are explored when Bear keeps filling his lemonade glass and Pip and Pop keep emptying it. He also shows Ojo and Treelo how they can dance together, alternating their opposite favorite styles of music. In the Shadow segment, Shadow presents a feature called "Tales of Incredible Opposites," featuring a story about Jack Sprat and his wife.

Songs

EditGood Morning (Shortened Version)

Opposites

Notes

The dog in the Shadow Projects logo in the closing credits shouts "Go, Daddy!"

When the gang all leaves the Big Blue House for the day to go to a square dance, BearTM is looking forward to getting a lot of chores done. However, each chore he starts somehow reminds him of one of his friends, and before long, the house seems awfully quiet. By the time his friends return, Bear has realized that the Big Blue House just isn't the same without them.

We don't have an overview translated in English. Help us expand our database by adding one.

Tutter receives a postcard in the mail from his Uncle Jet Setter Tutter. He's a famous explorer, but he hasn't seen Tutter since he was just a baby mouse. He wants Tutter to write back and tell him all about himself. Tutter's worried that he'll have nothing to say, but Bear helps him to see that there's a lot that's unique about him. He also talks with Pip and Pop, who have noticed that they're not quite as alike as they thought. Bear tells them that even though they're different, they can still be great friends. He also helps Treelo to come up with a game that suits his own unique personality when he gets bored with playing Ojo's tea-party game. In the Shadow segment, Shadow retells the story of the ugly duckling. She talks about another ugly duckling who didn't grow up with dashing good looks, but found that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Songs

What's in the Mail Today? (shortened version)

Baby, You're You

What Kind of Mouse Am I?

Bear is holding his weekly book club. He's excited that the mail has come because he ordered a new book and sure enough, there's a package waiting for him. However, when he opens the package, he finds that the book is called 1001 Ways to Cook Slop. This definitely isn't the book he ordered. A quick phone call to Jeremiah Tortoise reveals the mixup --- Bear must have received Doc Hogg's cookbook by mistake, while Doc Hogg got the book intended for Bear. He says that he'll get the problem taken care of as fast as he can. This leaves Bear with a bit of a dilemma, as he still needs a book to read for his club, but it could take a while for Jeremiah to bring the right book. Bear decides to search the Big Blue House for another book to read. As he goes about his search, he finds that everybody in the Big Blue House has ideas on books that he could read.

Notes

The books that Bear finds in the kitchen are titled "The Brothers Bearmazov" and "Jane Bear."

Bear mentions that when he was little cub, he read a book called "Buck Antler: Deer in Space." This is a reference to Buck Rogers.

Earl has an appearance in the book "Mouse the Great".

While Treelo, Pip and Pop are staying at Otto and Etta's, Tutter holds a sleepover for all classmates at school at the Big Blue House, with Ojo joining in as well. The mice are astounded by the size of the house and everything in it, but Bear does his best to assure them that they'll be well taken care of. He suggests that they think of it as their "home away from home." They decide to play a game called "parmcheesy" and Ojo's worried because it sounds like a game only for mice, but Tutter assures her it wouldn't be a party without her. When it comes time for bed, Keisha wants to call her parents and soon all the other mice do too. As for Tutter, he's a bit worried what the mice will think of his stuffed toy, Kitty, but Bear shows him that they all have their own stuffed toys. As they settle in to sleep, Luke is first uncomfortable with his pillow and then wants to hear a lullaby. Shadow appears to sing her special lullaby, but Luke misses the one sung by his parents and wants to go home.

Songs

Come on In

Home Away from Home

Shadow's Lullaby

Notes

Bear discovers the unique difficulties of feeding a large group of mice in "Tutter's First Big Sleepover Bash." He first puts out a cheese platter, but is surprised when the contents vanish before his eyes. Tutter tells him that they "warmed up on that" and Luke indicates that they're waiting for a more substantial snack. So Bear makes baked Brie for them.

Performers

Noel MacNeal as Bear and Moss

Peter Linz as Tutter

Vicki Eibner as Ojo

Anney McKilligan as Rita

Tara Mooney as Shadow (voice)

Lynne Thigpen as Luna (voice)

One morning, Bear finds Ojo playing pretend, having created a tent that's she's pretending is her home. Her imaginary home gets Bear thinking about his real home, the Big Blue House. Bear decides to take us all on a guided tour of the home. He takes us to the kitchen, which we learn is Tutter's favorite room. The bathroom is the favorite haunt of Pip and Pop. Treelo likes Bear's bedroom, mainly because of the bed. Shadow retells the story of the little old lady who lived in a shoe. Finally, Bear also enjoys going up to the attic, because he gets to talk there each night with his friend Luna, the moon.

On a nice day at the Big Blue House, Bear is doing some gardening and friends are playing together quietly. At least, they were, until Ojo and Treelo have a disagreement when Treelo wants to play with Ojo's favorite stuffed toy Snow Bear. Bear suggests a way they could both play together. Meanwhile, Tutter has created a large sandwich and Pip and Pop want to have some. Tutter, however, thinks that he can eat it all himself. In the Shadow segment, Shadow retells the story of Baa Baa Black Sheep. Songs * Always Something to Share * Clean Up the House Notes * This episode was adapted in book form as Two Can Share, Too. * The closing credits run unusually long. At the end of the closing credits, the dog in the Shadow Projects logo quacks like a duck. * This episode includes a brief Real Kids segment in which some kids talk about things that they share. * It is revealed that Bear had his own Snow Bear when he was a kid.

Pip and Pop invite Bear to the Otter Pond for a game of catch, but he keeps getting distracted by other events in the Big Blue House. Ojo and Treelo are pretending to fly and it gets Bear thinking about gravity and things that fly. When Ojo takes a fall and hurts herself, however, after trying to fly for real, Bear has to tell her that bears and kids can't fly, no matter how hard they try. He also helps Tutter to use gravity to get eggs into his mouse hole. In the Shadow segment, Shadow retells the story of Humpty Dumpty. Songs Gravity (Music and Lyrics by David Yazbek)

It's fall / autumn in the Big Blue House. Treelo asks Bear to come into the living room, where Ojo is standing completely still. She's pretending to be a tree and so Treelo and Bear join and pretend to be an entire forest. When the leaves start falling off for all, Treelo begs for them not to go and Bear realizes that Treelo doesn't understand about why the leaves are falling off. As Bear begins hunting for Treelo, he comes upon Tutter, who's pushing a pumpkin into his mousehole. Bear helps him to push the pumpkin and learns that fall is Tutter's favorite season because it's a time when everything changes. He's making pumpkin pie this year and he promises Bear a special something. In the Shadow segment, Shadow tells the story of "Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater" and also gives Bear a tip to help find Treelo. He eventually finds Treelo with Pip and Pop, trying to glue leaves back onto trees. He explains to Treelo that the leaves fall off to make way for new leaves in the spring and Treelo realizes that nothing is wrong with the leaves after all. Songs Falling for Fall Notes This episode includes a brief segment in which real kids discuss what they love best about the fall. Much it involves leaves --- leaves falling, changing color, throwing leaves, jumping in them and making collages with them. Other favorites include wearing sweaters and jackets, it not being so hot and eating apples.

Things you can do with dirt. Planting a tree; digging for buried treasure; sweeping; making mud.

Songs Why Can't the Dirt Just Leave Me Alone? Notes Adapted as the book Dirt is Delightful!

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.

On a cold winter day, Bear puts on his nightcap and decides to take a nice winter's nap. However, it would seem that others in the Big Blue House have other plans for Bear. Ojo comes to Bear in alarm --- concerned about the sudden disappearance of her duck friends from the Otter Pond. Bear makes her a cup of cocoa and tells her about migration. Treelo takes Bear outside, telling him there's feathers falling from the sky. Bear introduces him to the delights of snow. Bear finally settles down for the nap, but is woken up by Pip and Pop. They take him outside, where all the kids have a special surprise for him. Tutter's been trying to take a nap too, but with all the noise, he finds himself just as awake as Bear. In the Shadow segment, Shadow tries to help Bear get to sleep. She sings "Rockabye Baby."

Bear 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 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.

Doc Hogg is remodeling his office, so he asks Bear to hold some of his stuff at the Big Blue House for a while, including his computer. He also gives Bear permission to use it, so he shows Tutter and Ojo how it works. They learn that computers are interactive and that interactivity isn't something that can just be done with computers --- just doing something as simple as talking with someone is interacting. At first, they're reluctant to use the computer, but are soon having fun with it. As it turns out --- Pip and Pop already know about interactivity --- Pip shows Bear how much fun it is for him to interact with Pop, as opposed to something like a rock. Bear takes a crack at solving the daily puzzle, with the help of Treelo. In the Shadow segment, Shadow introduces the viewers to Gus, an "interactive shadow-dog" who's looking for his friend Gloria.

Ojo is sleeping over at the Big Blue House. Bear helps get ready to go to bed, tucks her in and aids her in "surfing off to dreamland." Ojo falls fast asleep. Bear thinks of getting some sleep himself when he hears a knocking at the back-door. It turns out that Jeremiah Tortoise and Doc Hogg have arrived for an exciting card game of Go Fish. Jeremiah brought the cards --- special cards that actually contain pictures of fish --- but Bear hasn't even put out any snacks. He has totally forgotten that their game was scheduled for tonight, and now all the noise threatens to wake up both Tutter and Ojo. Sure enough, Tutter shows up, saying that he needs a drink of water. Bear tries to attend to Tutter's needs, while keeping his attention on the card game as well.

It's finally Tutter's very first day at Mouse School. He's really excited and happily shows off his bookbag and other school supplies to the other kids in the Big Blue House. Meanwhile, Bear and Doc Hogg share a cry over how much he's growing up. But when it comes time to go to school, Tutter is scared that he won't fit in. Bear agrees to accompany him and to wait outside the school, until he's comfortable with being there without him.

Songs

First Time for Everything

When Bear decides to do some relaxing and tune to his favorite station, WCHA-CHA, he hears an announcement for a contest. The station will play a sample from a cha-cha record and the first caller to identify the name of the tune and the artist will win. Bear resolves to sit tight so that we won't miss the contest, but has to get up to help out when the kids in the Big Blue House call. Luckily, he manages to make it back in time for the contest and succeeds in being the first caller and identifying the record. He wins a trip for himself and everyone in the house to Sequoia City. Tutter overhears him celebrating, but only hears a little of it --- he hears Bear saying that he needs a vacation and thinks that he's upset. He and the rest of the kids decide to put together a special celebration for Bear to show him how much he's appreciated.