What’s with the Beeb’s childrens deparment and big padded characters? When I first learned of their new series Fimbles, yet another series for pre-schoolers to feature alien-esque six-foot cuddlies with the minds of children, I dismissed it out of hand as a rebadging of their flagging monstrosity Teletubbies. However, despite similarities with the aforementioned Tubs, once I actually sat down to watch Fimbles I was immediately hooked. With its fantastical setting, childlike innocence and sense of wide-eyed wonder, it immediately struck a chord with me. Oh, and my 2½ year old daughter likes it to.

So a Fimble is …? Well, a Fimble is a large, pear-shaped creature with brightly coloured stripes that lives in and around the environs of the ‘Magic Valley’. Presumably an endangered species, there are exactly three Fimbles in existence. The oldest, Fimbo, is the yellow and green alpha male who seems to have the mental capacity of a human five year old. Next is Florrie, the blue and purple dominant female with the mental capacity of a four year old. Lastly there is Pom, the baby of the group and about the equivalent to a human two year old. These three are joined in their valley home by a googly-eyed frog named Rockit, Roly Mo - a kind of freakishly coloured Welsh mole who acts as father figure to the Fimbles and likes to tell them stories, and a fluffy bird named Bessie who acts as mother figure to the three.

Each episode follows the same format. After about a three minute intro, which sees the Fimbles playing a game or maybe solving a problem, one of The Fimbles will get the ‘Fimbling Feeling’ – signaling that somewhere in the Magic Valley there is something interesting to be found. It’s kinda like kleptomaniacy, but with a higher purpose. The item that they turn up – usually a very normal human object, but something which holds boundless wonder for the Fimbles – is then examined and the Fimbles try to work out what it is. Inevitably they get it wrong and have to consult Bessie or Roly Mo, but they end up having tons of fun nonetheless. And it all seems to fit wonderfully into the day’s original activities! A number of songs and an obligatory story from Roly ensues and, as the episode nears its close, Bessie invites her chick Ripple and the viewers to recall what happened during their short interlude in the valley.

A great introduction to the series, Fimbly Bimbly/...Finding is Fun provides four episodes; three of which I assume appeared on the VHS release, and an extra episode Bubbles that is provided as one of the DVD extras.

Sleeping Bag
When, in the middle of a game of sleeping frog, Fimbo gets the fimbling feeling, he’s off to find something. This time it’s a brightly coloured sleeping bag, and Fimbo and Rocket decide to head off on a trip. But finding a comfy spot to bed down, from the playdip to the busy base to the purple meadow, isn’t as easy as they thought.

Hairbrush
When Florrie and Rolly play a drawing game, Florrie’s circle with spikes sticking out of it reminds Rolly of a hedgehog. When Florrie gets the fumbling feeling, She and Pom find a hairbrush which they mistake for a hedgehog. Set to rights by Bessy, Pom’s imagination still takes over and the brush is newly coined a hair-hog, much to the amusement of all.

Red Nose
When, after a particular energetic dancing session, Fimbo drops his Shimmyshaker into the watery playdip, the big green and yellow Fimble gets a case of the sulks. But then Pom gets the Fimbling feeling, and a clown’s red nose is discovered. It could just be the thing to cheer Fimbo up, especially when all the Fimbles decide to put on a clown show.

Additional Episode: Bubbles
While Florrie draws a picture of Fimbo, Fimbo tidies the Magic Valley. Grasped by the fimbling feeling, Fimbo comes across a string of giant soap bubbles, and manages to keep the last one from popping. Finding all his friends, Fimbo shows his bubble to one and all, and the bubble finds its own friends in the bubble falls.

Beautifully presented in anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1), Fimbly Bimbly/...Finding is Fun looks absolutely stunning. Brimming over with vibrant colours and delivered via a crisp detailed transfer, this is one of the best looking children’s DVDs I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing to date. The digital incarnation of the Fimbles’ Magic Valley really does look amazing, with flower-filled bubbles, all kinds of wondrous hanging plants, a bubble fountain and the puppets themselves all providing a wealth of detail for the image to pick up. Blacks, rather an anathema in these surroundings (as are shadows) are never to be seen, whilst any kind of artefact, be it grain, aliasing, or compression-related problems have been banished completely. Truly, Fimbly Bimbly/...Finding is Fun is a delight to behold.

The audio presentation, a Dolby Digital stereo affair in the original English, is in keeping with typical BBC ‘for-kids’ production values. Dialogue remains clear and distinct from the centre channel throughout, while the front of the soundstage is filled out more substantially when the Fimbles burst forth in song. The surround channels and subwoofer, meanwhile, take no part in proceedings.

In terms of extras, there’s a few things on offer, but nothing very inspiring. In addition to the extra episode that I have noted above, we’re provided with a sing-a-long segment in which Rocket sings Have You Ever Seen a Fimble? (33 seconds) and the words are provided karaoke style for your young’uns to join in. Additionally, the Find a Fimble game allows them to locate Fimbo from the seven areas of the Magic Valley using the DVD remote. Finally, there’s a two-minute trailer consisting of a montage of BBC kiddie’s programs available on video and DVD.