The Gift and Other Stories

VHS

DVD

Product Description

Angelina is a young mouse who longs to stretch out her little pointed toes, put on her pink ruffled skirt, and take to the stage as a famous ballerina. Those days might be still sometime in the future, but for now she has her charming ballet teacher Miss Lilly to help her on her way. Featuring the voices of Finty Williams and Judi Dench. Includes the episodes: 'The Gift', 'Angelina in the Wings', 'Arthur the Butterfly', 'The Costume Ball' and 'Miss Lilly is Leaving'.

From the Back Cover

Based on the enormously popular books written by Katherine Holabird and illustrated by Helen Craig, Angelina Ballerina tells the timeless tales of a remarkable little mouse who dreams of becoming a prima ballerina. Headstrong, passionate and determined, Angelina is a character children of all ages will relate to. Filled with humour and tenderness, Angelina Ballerina will capture their hearts, and prove itself a classic for generations to come.

Product details Is discontinued by manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No Rated ‏ : ‎ Universal, suitable for all Package Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 18.6 x 10.64 x 2.85 cm; 400 g Manufacturer reference ‏ : ‎ #codisto-80 Director ‏ : ‎ Kitty Taylor, Roger McIntosh Media Format ‏ : ‎ VHS Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 14 minutes Release date ‏ : ‎ 29 Oct. 2001 Studio ‏ : ‎ Hit Entertainment Producers ‏ : ‎ Ginger Gibbons ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00005NI8G Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1

Episodes

• The Gift - Angelina is thrilled with the lovely Christmas present she's made for Miss Lily, until Priscilla and Penelope convince her Miss Lily would prefer a bought one...
• Angelina in the Wings - Angelina can't believe it when Henry is chosen for the part she's set her heart on... and she's his understudy!
• Arthur and the Butterfly - when Angelina's beloved pet escapes from his cage, she's determined to get him back. Then she and Henry get stuck in the woods...
• The Costume Ball - Angelina is annoyed when her parents won't let her go to the grown-up's ball - til she discovers being grown up isn't as easy as she thinks!
• Miss Lily is Leaving - when Angelina hears that Miss Lily is leaving Chipping Cheddar she is devastated. Then inspiration strikes - she knows exactly how to persuade her favourite teacher to stay...

Trivia

• Based on the Books: The animated stories are based on the popular children's book series written by Katharine Holabird and illustrated by Helen Craig.
• Family Affair: The voice of Angelina Ballerina is provided by Finty Williams, who is Judi Dench's real-life daughter. They performed their roles in the studio together as a genuine mother-daughter duo.
• The Town's Name: The charming, mouse-filled world where Angelina lives is called Chipping Cheddar.
• A Nod to London: The animation team designed Chipping Cheddar to resemble London in the 1920s, adding a classic, nostalgic feel to the setting.
• Hand-Drawn Charm: This collection features episodes from the original 2001 series, which utilized traditional, hand-drawn 2D animation, giving it a distinct visual style compared to the later CGI series.
• Thematic Lesson in "The Gift": The title episode teaches the valuable lesson that a heartfelt, homemade gift has more value and meaning than an expensive store-bought present.
• Jealousy & Humility: In the episode "Angelina in the Wings," the central theme explores dealing with jealousy and learning humility when Angelina is cast as an understudy to her less-experienced cousin, Henry.
• The Power of Partnership: The episode "Arthur the Butterfly" highlights themes of teamwork and responsibility as Angelina and Henry work together to find her escaped pet.
• Growing Up Isn't Easy: "The Costume Ball" episode addresses the universal childhood desire to be a grown-up, showing Angelina that adult life comes with its own rules and isn't always as fun as it looks.
• An American Counterpart: An American voice cast was also created for the show when it aired on PBS, featuring Broadway star Sophia Anne Caruso as the voice of Angelina for US audiences.
• Ballet & Dreams: A core theme throughout the entire series is the importance of perseverance, hard work, and following your dreams, no matter the obstacles.

Gallery

See the gallery of The Gift and Other Stories/Gallery