Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks (PBS)

JAKERS! THE ADVENTURES OF PIGGLEY WINKS! is aimed at helping kids learn to cope with situations they're likely to encounter in their own lives. Grandfather Piggley Winks tells stories about his childhood to his grandchildren to help them resolve problems. The stories, told in flashback, take place in Ireland, where three friends -- the young Piggley, Ferny the bull, and Dannan the duck –- play and learn in the lovely countryside, wearing beautiful sweaters.

The animation is lovely, the characters are amusing and cute, and the lessons are so gently presented that it really is a pleasure to learn them. For example, one story focuses on Ferny's crush on a pig named Milly. After trying his friends' suggestions on how to get her attention, he finally trusts his own feelings and instincts and asks her to join his family and friends for a swim. Back in the present, the lesson helps Piggley's grandson stand up for his own feelings.

An excellent feature of the show is the live-action segments at the end of each story. A group of children talk about their own experiences and feelings, reflecting on what the episode has been about. It's a great way to reinforce the show's message and make it more concrete for kids.