 Five colorful atoms of energy star in
the intriguing PBS
series for young children, Boohbah. The show is designed to encourage movement,
imitation, and academic skills, and, not surprisingly, comes from the
creators of the Teletubbies.
Each Boohbah character is
differentiated by its color: Humbah is yellow,
Zumbah is purple, Zing Zing
Zingbah is orange, Jumbah is blue, and
Jingbah is pink.
The
Boohbahs live in a large ball of light, called the Boohball. The
Boohball is summoned by children, and it travels to kids all over
the world. Laughter of children provides energy to the Boohbahs,
who "recharge" in their respective pods within the
Boohball.
Two-dimensional characters, called
StoryPeople, are
available for children to create stories with, and include
Grandmamma, Grandpappa, Mrs. Lady, Mr. Man, Brother, Sister,
Auntie, and Little Dog Fido. The StoryPeople come to live-action
life, and they receive an item, such
as a hammock, a pile of balls, or a record player, and interact
with the item in hilarious ways. This portion of the show is
live-action, and includes silly antics that make kids laugh. The episodes begin with an energetic
Boohbah warm-up that is sure to get little viewers laughing, or at
least amused, from the start.
Boohbahs don't speak, yet they
"say" a lot about getting up off the couch and enjoying
life. Other educational aspects of the series include
problem-solving, science, and early mathematics. Some parents will
enjoy the fact that there are few words in the show, and welcome
it as an opportunity to talk to their kids about what they are
experiencing.
Some find the series bizarre,
and the hype around the show certainly reminds me of the buzz that
often surrounded the Teletubbies. Boohbah are funny creatures with
bobbing baby heads, and for all their activity, they're really
quite pudgy! However, kids truly love the
show. The colors are vibrant, the slapstick-style antics of the
Storypeople are hilarious, and the energy of the characters
(including the funky dance numbers) is
infectious.
Boohbah Videos/DVDs
Licensed Boohbah merchandise is now available, including
videos and DVDs: Boohbah Comfy Chair and Boohbah
Squeaky Socks.
 Boohbah - Squeaky Socks
Brother and Sister find some squeaky socks in one episode, Auntie
works with a pot of paint in another, and Grandpappa acquires a
hammock in the third episode. Of course, in each episode, the
Boohbah hop, dance, and leap to infectious beats.
 Boohbah - Comfy Armchair
Grandmamma finds a record and the StoryPeople explore the record player in one
episode, Grandpappa tries to sit in a comfy armchair but has a hard time
enjoying the piece of furniture before Fido the dog does, and the Storypeople
all try to enjoy Sister's new skipping rope in another.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Boohbah - Squeaky Socks
(VHS) or Boohbah - Squeaky Socks
(DVD); Boohbah - Comfy Armchair
(VHS) or Boohbah - Comfy Armchair
(DVD) at Amazon.com]
In Canada, Boohbah Squeaky Socks
(VHS) or Boohbah: Squeaky Socks
(DVD); Boohbah Comfy Armchair
(VHS) or Boohbah: Comfy Armchair
(DVD) at Amazon.ca]
The Latest Boohbah Video/DVD
 Boohbah:Snowman
The Boohbah do an In and Out dance, a jumping Bungee dance, and
funny folding in the three featured episodes on this video and
DVD. The StoryPeople discover snowballs, a jack-in-the-box, and a
space rocket.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Boohbah:Snowman
(VHS) or Boohbah:Snowman
at Amazon.com]
Boohbah Software
 The Boohbahs
have come to the computer with The Boohbah Zone by Brighter Child
Interactive. Problem-solving, patterns, and more are featured in
the program's colorful activities, based on the PBS Kids' new
television series from the creators of the Teletubbies.
 With
this CD-ROM, preschool-age kids color gifts and design gift wrap,
direct the Boohbah in dances and exercise routines, play memory
games, and more. One of the fantastic
features of this title is that kids can choose any of 3 languages
(French, English, or Spanish) to play the game. All are included
on one CD-ROM. See our full
review of Boohbah: The Boohbah Zone.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: The Boohbah Zone
at Amazon.com]
Boohbah Toys
 Boohbah: Silly Sound Boobah Humbah (Yellow)
These cute little plushies run on
2 AA batteries and respond to a child's squeeze of the belly with
whimsical sounds. These are smaller than the dancing Boohbah toys,
below, less expensive, and possibly more satisfying for little
fans of the show. All characters available:
Boohbah: Silly Sound Boohbah Zumbah (Purple)
Boohbah: Silly Sound Boohbah Zing Zingbah (Orange)
Boohbah:Silly Sound Boobah Jingbah
(Fushia)
Boohbah:Silly Sound Boobah Jumbah (Blue)
 Boohbah: Dancin Zing Zingbah (Orange)
The Dancing Boohbah plushies are
cute, but a little noisy. The Boohbah ragdoll wiggles his belly
and moves his arms and legs along to any of 6 different songs.
Kids will likely be satisfied with the Silly Sound Boohbah dolls
above, but these ones are bigger and perhaps a little more
"novel".
See also: Boohbah Books
Boohbah Games
A surreal set of Flash activities
featuring the Boohbah can be found at Boohbah
Zone.
More Boohbah online games can be
found at the PBS
Boohbah site, such as matching games and a kaleidoscope.
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