Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks
By Sarah Wenk,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Charming animals teach life lessons; kids OK.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks
Community Reviews
Based on 2 parent reviews
Report this review
Just Great!
Report this review
What's the Story?
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.
Is It Any Good?
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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the different stories Jakers tells. What are some favorite stories your kids have heard from older family members? Families can also talk about the lessons learned in each episode. How might your kids apply what they learned?
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 7, 2003
- Cast: Maile Flanagan, Peadar Lamb, Russi Taylor
- Network: PBS
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Friendship, Horses and Farm Animals
- TV rating: TV-Y
- Last updated: April 4, 2023
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate