Little Bear (1995)

A gentle animated series following a curious young bear and his woodland friends on warm, imaginative adventures rooted in classic children's literature.

Little Bear - Series Information

  • Original Title: Little Bear
  • First Air Year: 1995
  • Last Air Year: 2001
  • Created by: Else Holmelund Minarik, Maurice Sendak et al.
  • Type: TV Series
  • Genres: Animation, Family, Drama, Kids
  • Content Rating (US): TV-Y
  • Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 8 minutes
  • Number of Seasons: 5
  • Number of Episodes: 195
  • Status: Ended
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • First Air Date: November 6, 1995 (United States - TV-Y), November 6, 1995 (Canada - G), November 6, 1995 (Germany - 0), November 6, 1995 (France - NR), November 6, 1995 (Brazil - L), November 6, 1995 (Mexico - AA)
  • Networks: Nickelodeon
  • Alternative Titles: Maurice Sendak's Little Bear (US), Medvedek (SI)
  • Production Companies: Hong Guang Animation (Su Zhou), Wild Things Productions, Nelvana, CBC, Ontario Film Investment Program, John B. Carls Productions Inc.
  • Production Countries: Canada, China, United States of America

Little Bear - Plot

Follows a young bear as he goes on exciting adventures in the forest, gets into trouble and learns new things with his friends, including Emily, Duck, Hen, Cat, and Owl. His parents are Mother Bear, who is always there when he needs her, and Father Bear, a fisherman who is often at sea. Based on books by Else Holmelund Minarik.

Little Bear - Trailer

Watch the official trailer and get a glimpse of Little Bear's charming woodland world.

Where to Watch Little Bear

Looking for where to watch Little Bear?

Little Bear - Cast & Crew

Creator(s)

  • Else Holmelund Minarik
  • Maurice Sendak
  • Bob Boyle

Main Cast

  • Kristin Fairlie
  • Jennifer Martini
  • Amos Crawley
  • Tracy Ryan
  • Andrew Sabiston
  • Elizabeth Hanna
  • Janet-Laine Green
  • Dan Hennessey
  • Sean McCann
  • Diane D'Aquila

Writers

  • Neena Beber
  • Peter Parnell
  • Peter Hume
  • Suzanne Collins
  • Suzanne Colins

Executive Producers

  • Maurice Sendak
  • John B. Carls
  • Michael Hirsh
  • Clive A. Smith
  • Patrick Loubert

Little Bear - FAQs

Is Little Bear based on a book series?

Yes, Little Bear is directly adapted from the beloved children's book series written by Else Holmelund Minarik and illustrated by Maurice Sendak. Originally published in the late 1950s and 1960s, these classic picture books were among the first easy-reader titles for young children.

Where can you stream Little Bear today?

Little Bear is available to stream on Paramount Plus, including Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, and via the Paramount Plus channel on Apple TV, Amazon, and Roku. Episodes can also be purchased individually through Amazon Video and the Apple TV Store.

Who voices Little Bear in the animated series?

Kristin Fairlie provides the voice of Little Bear throughout the series. The main voice cast also includes Jennifer Martini as Emily, Amos Crawley as Owl, Tracy Ryan as Duck, Andrew Sabiston as Cat, Elizabeth Hanna as Hen, Janet-Laine Green as Mother Bear, and Dan Hennessey as Father Bear.

When did Little Bear first air on television?

Little Bear premiered on November 6, 1995, in the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Brazil, and Mexico simultaneously. The series aired on Nickelodeon and ran for five seasons, concluding in 2001 with a total of 195 episodes.

How many seasons and episodes does Little Bear have?

Little Bear ran for five seasons and 195 total episodes. Season 1 had 45 episodes, Season 2 had 42, Season 3 had 39, Season 4 had 30, and Season 5 had 39 episodes. The series aired from 1995 to 2001 on Nickelodeon.

What is Little Bear rated and suitable for?

Little Bear carries a TV-Y rating, meaning it is suitable for all children, including the very youngest viewers. The series features gentle, age-appropriate storytelling with no scary content, making it an ideal choice for toddlers and preschool-aged children.

Who created the Little Bear animated series?

The animated series was created by Else Holmelund Minarik, the original book author, along with Maurice Sendak, the legendary illustrator of the source books, and Bob Boyle. The show was produced by Nelvana and aired on Nickelodeon in the United States.

Did Little Bear win any awards or critical recognition?

Little Bear earned strong critical praise for its gentle tone, faithful adaptation of the source books, and soothing storytelling style. The series received Daytime Emmy Award nominations during its run and was widely celebrated by parents and educators as an exemplary preschool animated program.

More About Little Bear

Explore further details about Little Bear on these authoritative reference sites.

Help Us Keep Our Content Accurate.

Report an Error