Tree Fu Tom

Tree Fu Tom
Developed by CBeebies In House Production, FremantleMedia Enterprises
Written by Daniel Bays, Douglas Wood, Ian Carney, Moya O'Shea, Darren Jones, Allan Plenderleith, Corey Powell, Richard Preddy, John Loy, Sindy McKay, Richard Dinnick
Directed by Adam Shaw
Starring Adam Henderson
Voices of Sophie Aldred, David Tennant, Tim Whitnall, Samantha Dakin, Sharon D Clarke
Country of origin United Kingdom
Original language(s) English
No. of episodes 52
Production
Producer(s) Daniel Bays
Running time 22-25 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel CBeebies
Original airing 5 March 2012

Tree Fu Tom is a live-action/CGI CBeebies children's television program which has been shown on BBC and CBeebies in the UK and Sprout and NBC Kids in the USA. It is set in a miniature magical countryside and village area (Treetopolis) on the top of a part of a trunk of a big tree in a British-type woodland, where the trunk turns horizontal and then vertical again. Its characters are mostly anthropomorphized arthropods (which are not to size scale with each other as in reality). The programme is aimed at 2-6 year olds. (2015)

In it, some species of insects are raised and controlled like cattle on a ranch: aphids, ladybirds, a rhinoceros beetle.

Premise

In each episode, Tom (live-acted) comes out of his house's back door, puts on a power belt, and runs across his lawn into a woodland. In there is the tree with Treetopolis on, protected by a magic shield. Using the power belt he jumps up, shrinks to insect size as he flies into the tree, and enters the world of Treetopolis, where he has adventures. He is skilled in that world's magic, and often gets characters out of scrapes. The tree's sap is shown as a glowing orange magic liquid. Sometimes he has to call on "the big world" for magical help: he tells the audience to make particular magical moves and then say particular words to "send the magic to me". The magic is shown as orange stuff appearing from around the camera and flying at Tom, who collects it in his arms in a ball, and uses it for whatever he needs it for. The movements which the audience are called on to make are particularly beneficial for the development of children with developmental coordination disorder.[1]

The scenario includes magical hoverboards (called "leafboards").

At the end he flies up, and out of the tree's magic field, reverts to full human boy size, lands, runs out of the wood and across his back lawn, jumping over a bicycle lying on the lawn, and in through his back door.

The series's two main voice actors each previously played major roles in Doctor Who; Sophie Aldred (who voices the animated Tom) as Seventh Doctor companion Ace and David Tennant (who voices Twigs) as the Tenth Doctor. The actor who plays Tom in the live action opening and closing sections of the show, Adam Henderson, is Sophie Aldred's son.[2]

Purpose

The series was developed in conjunction with the Dyspraxia Foundation with the aim of promoting movement.[1] Foundation specialists Sally Payne[3] and Dr Lynda Foulder-Hughes[4] worked with the series creators to develop the movements Tree Fu Tom uses to create magic. Five percent of children have developmental coordination disorder, and these movements are similar to those used by occupational therapists to help child development. It is also hoped that the spells will help get exercise into the lives of young children.

Characters

Tom, the main character. He uses a magical belt to transport into Treetopolis and cast spells. Voiced by Sophie Aldred, live actor Adam Henderson.

Twigs, a silly and energetic Acorn Sprite who is Tom's sidekick and best friend, voiced by David Tennant.

Zigzoo, a tree frog who is the local inventor at Treetopolis, voiced by Tim Whitnall.

Squirmtum, a pill woodlouse who is a miner and general-purpose workman, and not the most intelligent of creatures. He can curl into a ball, and in that form he can roll fast. He wears a miner's helmet with a firefly called Flicker as his helmet light. Voiced by Tim Whitnall.

Rickety McGluman, an elderly spider of Treetopolis; he used to be thought of as scary, but is now a close friend to Tom and his friends. He is also a Squizzle expert and trainer. Voiced by Tim Whitnall.

Ariela, a beautiful but rough butterfly in charge of the ranch at Treetopolis, voiced by Samantha Dakin.

Treetog The Tree Spirit. The plump friendly leader of Treetopolis. She also acts as the schoolteacher, teaching the young sprite creatures and Tom tree fu spells. Voiced by Sharon D Clarke.

The Mushas (Puffy and Stink). Brother and sister, two naughty animated toadstool-type fungi who cause trouble, voiced by Sophie Aldred.

Episodes

Series 1

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Dyspraxia Foundation welcomes innovative CBeebies programme: Tree Fu Tom". Dyspraxia Foundation. Retrieved June 2013.
  2. ↑ "Tree Fu Tom Episode list". David Tennant Radio Plays. Retrieved June 2013.
  3. ↑ Anuji Varma (2012-03-16). "Solihull occupational therapist behind kids' smash hit show Tree Fu Tom". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved June 2013.
  4. ↑ "Children’s animation could help dyspraxic kids". SEN Magazine. 6 March 2012. Retrieved June 2013.

External links