Dr. Donna's Review
About the Film
“Noddy Saves Christmas” tells the story of how the popular little boy from ToyTown saves Christmas by helping Santa recover his team of reindeer after they have been stolen by the goblins, Gobbo and Sly. The story opens with Noddy and his ToyTown friends anxiously anticipating Christmas and the arrival of Santa. Noddy announces that he has three questions that he plans to ask Santa this year. The questions are: How does Santa manage to deliver presents to children all around the world on just one night? How does Santa carry all of the presents for so many children in one bag? How does Santa go down chimneys and get through small doorways when he is such a large man?
Noddy's friends laugh at his plans and remind him that he and everyone else are always asleep when Santa comes so he won't be able to ask his questions. Noddy is undeterred. He goes to visit his friend, Big-Ears. He tells Big-Ears about his three questions for Santa. While they are talking, they hear the sound of sleigh bells and run outside to see Santa and his sleigh flying through the sky. Santa lands right in front of them!
Santa has stopped by to get help from Big-Ears with his special clock. While Big-Ears and Noddy are helping Santa, the Gobbo and Sly, the naughty goblins steal the reindeer.
Without the team of reindeer, Santa will not be able to deliver Christmas presents to children around the world. Noddy and Big-Ears help Santa recover the reindeer, and Noddy offers to help Santa deliver presents in ToyTown using his little car. Over the course of this very unusual night, Noddy discovers the answers to his three questions and he helps to make Christmas a special time for everyone in ToyTown.
The story is sweet and gentle and illustrates the qualities of self-sacrifice, curiosity, and cooperation that are hallmarks of the Noddy character.About the Kids
This film will especially appeal to younger children, e.g. 3 and 4 year olds, and it will continue to appeal to both boys and girls up to the age of 5. Older children who know the Noddy character (He has been around since 1949 and has a worldwide following!) will enjoy this fresh new Noddy adventure.
Film content and features
“Noddy Saves Christmas” is a dramatic story with an accessible story arc for young children. The film requires no special cautions for parents. The animation style, the bright color palette, the music, and the voices are all true to what one expects from the classic Noddy series.
Things to talk about
There are many themes that parents can discuss with young children after seeing the film.
Asking questions and helping young children recall and articulate the answers will help them develop their recall ability and their understanding of story sequences. Some questions to ask include:
- What are the answers to the three questions that Noddy had for Santa: 1. How does Santa deliver presents in one night? (He stops time with his special clock.) 2.How does Santa get all of the presents in one bag? (He uses a special shrinking potion.) And 3. How does Santa fit down chimneys and through small openings? (He has a special handclap that makes him and his bag of toys get small enough to fit.)
- Have you ever wondered about the same questions that Noddy had for Santa? Are there other questions that you would like to ask Santa?
- Why did Gobbo and Sly choose to be naughty instead of being good?
- Why did Gobbo and Sly change at the end of the movie and give Noddy a gift?
- How did Santa show Noddy and Big-Ears that he appreciated their help on Christmas night?