JoJo & Gran Gran is a British children's animated television series based on the semi-autobiographical picture book Jo-Jo and Gran-Gran, All in a Week by Laura Henry-Allain MBE. It is the first animated series to focus on a Black British family.[2] It first premiered on 16 March 2020 and airs on weekdays on CBeebies.[3] In the United States, it was released on the Noggin streaming app.[4]
Premise
JoJo is an inquisitive and cheerful four-and-a-half-year-old girl who lives in London. Her loving Gran Gran looks after her while her parents work and teaches her about the many wonders of life and the world, such as cookery, friendship and her Saint Lucian heritage.[5]
The series also features live-action interviews with real children, which accompany the animated segments, and features the children discussing the topic of the episode and how it relates to their lives and families. Normally, this will then lead to them performing a related activity, such as cooking a particular dish or painting.
With three series, there are 44 episodes per series divided into four seasonal blocks. More than 100 people worked on the production; Tom Cousins is the series' producer and Tony Reed its executive producer. Leo Espinosa designed the characters.[7] BBC Children's In-House Productions announced in 2020 a double season order for a second and third series, set to begin airing in 2022.[8] In the US, the series was released on the Noggin streaming app on 14 June 2021.[4]
The series is based on Laura Henry-Allain's book. The main characters are based on herself and her Saint Lucian-born grandmother, Marie-Helena. The High Commission of Saint Lucia and the Saint Lucia tourism authority were consulted for the series.[9]
Episodes
Series One
Spring
No.
Title
Written by
Original air date
1
"It's Time to Post a Picture"
Karen Reed
16 March 2020 (2020-03-16)
JoJo has drawn a lovely picture to show Great Gran Gran over a video call. Unfortunately, just as she’s about to show it, the internet goes down! Gran Gran suggests posting the picture instead.
2
"It's Time to Catch the Bus"
Sharon Miller
17 March 2020 (2020-03-17)
JoJo and Gran Gran miss their bus home, so the pair wait for the next one. However, Jojo finds it's not as simple as just catching another.
JoJo is determined to slide down the big slide at the park. But even though it’s sunny when they leave the house, a rainy weather forecast threatens her plans.
4
"It's Time for a Spring Clear Out"
Ian Carney
19 March 2020 (2020-03-19)
JoJo and Gran Gran are having a spring clear out, but when Gran Gran wants to clear out her old jumper, JoJo is distraught – she loves that snuggly jumper!
5
"It's Time to Find a Butterfly"
Ian Carney
20 March 2020 (2020-03-20)
JoJo searches for a butterfly to complete her nature tick-book.
6
"It's Time to Bake"
Omari McCarthy
23 March 2020 (2020-03-23)
When JoJo and Gran Gran find a family recipe for Great Gran Gran’s signature Saint Lucian banana bread, they’re excited to bake a batch of it! However, a simple mistake presents them with baking troubles.
7
"It's Time to Visit the Farm"
Karen Reed
24 March 2020 (2020-03-24)
JoJo is excited to show Gran Gran around the city farm - it’s been a few months since she was last there, and she can’t wait to see Melanie the chick again. But she's not there!
8
"It's Time to Make Up a Story"
Gerard Foster
25 March 2020 (2020-03-25)
When JoJo can’t find her favourite Captain Chloe storybook, Gran Gran suggests they make up their own pirate story.
9
"It's Time to Grow a Flower"
Trish Cooke
26 March 2020 (2020-03-26)
JoJo tries to grow a daffodil, but is disheartened to discover that it will take a long time to bloom.
10
"It's Time to Look at Old Picture"
Seyi Odusanya
27 March 2020 (2020-03-27)
A photo of Gran Gran and JoJo’s mummy when she was little inspires them to compare old photos of their neighbourhood to see how it has changed over time.
11
"It's Time to Dance"
Kerri Grant
30 March 2020 (2020-03-30)
Gran Gran busts a groove when she teaches JoJo the moves to a traditional Saint Lucian dance. However, it's not quite so simple.
Summer
No.
Title
Written by
Original air date
1
"It's Time for Carnival"
Lucia Haynes
20 July 2020 (2020-07-20)
JoJo wants to celebrate the St Lucia carnival with Great Gran Gran. Great Gran Gran shows JoJo pictures of the local carnival via video call, but JoJo is disheartened when Gran Gran says it's too far for them to travel to and join in with. Instead, JoJo and Gran Gran have their own carnival in the back garden!
2
"It's Time to Find a Dinosaur"
Gerard Foster
21 July 2020 (2020-07-21)
After playing with her toy dinosaurs in Gran Gran's garden, JoJo decides she would love to see a real-life dinosaur! Gran Gran takes her to the museum to see the fossilised skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex!
3
"It's Time to Visit the Library"
Gerard Foster
22 July 2020 (2020-07-22)
When JoJo runs out of story-books to read at Gran Gran's house, she visits the Library with Gran Gran and gets her very own library card from Terrence the Librarian. JoJo learns all about the Library and how it works, and discovers just how amazing it is.
4
"It's Time for a Race"
Becky Overton
23 July 2020 (2020-07-23)
JoJo and Gran Gran are having their own sports day with Jared and Cynthia in the park; equipped with delicious sandwiches and lots of games to play. But, when JoJo isn't quite fast enough to win the races, Gran Gran suggests they compete in an egg and spoon race.
5
"It's Time to Build a Sandcastle"
Nathan Caton
24 July 2020 (2020-07-24)
JoJo and Gran Gran are on a day trip to the sunny seaside with one mission in mind: to build the biggest sandcastle ever built so that Panda can play inside. But JoJo has no luck with building her sandcastle and feels disheartened when she learns about the tide!
6
"It's Time to Go to the Hairdresser's"
Nathan Caton
27 July 2020 (2020-07-27)
JoJo learns how much fun the hairdressers can be when she goes for the first time with Gran Gran.
7
"It's Time to Put on a Show"
Omari McCarthy
28 July 2020 (2020-07-28)
JoJo doesn't know what to do with the odd socks in Gran Gran's laundry basket. So Gran Gran suggests they put on a puppet show, just like she used to do with Great Gran Gran when she was JoJo's age!
8
"It's Time for a Sleepover"
Becky Overton
29 July 2020 (2020-07-29)
JoJo is having a summer sleepover at Gran Gran's house and has brought everything she needs from home, including her favourite bedtime storybook. But JoJo is confused when Gran Gran suggests it might be bed-time, even though the sun is still shining in the sky!
9
"It's Time to Go on Holiday"
Liam Swann
30 July 2020 (2020-07-30)
JoJo and Gran Gran are in charge of watering Cynthia's flowers while she's away from home on an adventure holiday. JoJo thinks Cynthia's holiday photos look amazing and would like to go on an adventure holiday herself.
10
"It's Time to Pick Strawberries"
Ian Carney
31 July 2020 (2020-07-31)
After going strawberry picking at the local strawberry farm, JoJo and Gran Gran have lots of juicy strawberries left over. They're too full to eat them, but Gran Gran has a plan!
11
"It's Time to Ride a Bike"
Ian Carney
3 August 2020 (2020-08-03)
JoJo wishes Gran Gran could join her on a bike ride through the park because Gran Gran can't walk as fast as JoJo can pedal.
Autumn
No.
Title
Written by
Original air date
1
"It's Time for Autumn Leaves"
Lizzie Ennever
19 October 2020 (2020-10-19)
JoJo needs to find different-coloured leaves to complete her nature tick-book, but she can’t find a green one. What will she do?
2
"It's Time to Make a Film"
Seyi Odusanya
19 October 2020 (2020-10-19)
When JoJo hears the announcement of a new Captain Chloe film on the radio, she is disheartened to learn that it won't be available to watch for some time. Luckily, Gran Gran has a Gran Gran plan - she and JoJo can make their own film!
3
"It's Time to Build a Den"
Karen Reed
19 October 2020 (2020-10-19)
JoJo and Gran Gran see Cynthia building a new greenhouse and decide to build a den. But the den is too small for both of them to fit in.
4
"It's Time to Play Football"
Liam Swann
19 October 2020 (2020-10-19)
JoJo meets Ezra’s grandson Jaxon, and they join Jared, Cynthia, Ezra and Terrence for a football match in the park - with Gran Gran as the referee!
5
"It's Time to See the Moon"
Jess Parker
19 October 2020 (2020-10-19)
JoJo is having a sleepover at Gran Gran's house and wonders why the moon is a funny shape.
6
"It's Time to Make Music"
Ian Carney
26 October 2020 (2020-10-26)
JoJo discovers that Gran Gran used to be in a band with Grandad and decides that she wants to learn how to play the drums.
7
"It's Time to Harvest Vegetables"
Nathan Caton
26 October 2020 (2020-10-26)
JoJo and Gran Gran are making Great Gran Gran's St. Lucian Callaloo soup, but they can’t buy the last few vegetables they need because Jared’s shop is closed. Instead, they can harvest them.
8
"It's Time to Visit the Dentist"
Lucia Haynes
26 October 2020 (2020-10-26)
JoJo has a check-up at the dentist and is hoping to earn a special sticker for looking after her teeth.
9
"It's Time for a Birthday Party"
Nathan Caton
26 October 2020 (2020-10-26)
When JoJo learns that Jared was too busy to have a birthday party, Gran Gran has a Gran Gran Plan to throw Jared a belated surprise birthday party.
10
"It's Time for a Treasure Hunt"
Karen Reed
30 October 2020 (2020-10-30)
JoJo and Gran Gran join Jaxon and Ezra in the park for Cynthia’s pirate-themed treasure hunt. Who will be the first to find the treasure?
11
"It's Time for Halloween"
Jess Parker
30 October 2020 (2020-10-30)
JoJo and Gran Gran are getting ready for a Halloween party, but when JoJo accidentally squashes their spooky pumpkin lantern, they need a replacement!
12
"It's Time for Christmas"
Lucia Haynes
5 December 2020 (2020-12-05)
It's Christmas, and Gran Gran needs a new tree. JoJo and Gran Gran visit the Christmas tree farm and search for the perfect one.
Winter
No.
Title
Written by
Original air date
1
"It's Time to Ice-Skate"
Lizzie Ennever
25 January 2021 (2021-01-25)
JoJo and Gran Gran go ice-skating. While Gran Gran is a little nervous, JoJo is a natural.
2
"It's Time to Paint"
Jess Parker
25 January 2021 (2021-01-25)
JoJo and Gran Gran head to the library in search of the new Captain Chloe book, but they discover the children’s section is closed for redecoration. JoJo, Gran Gran and their friends all help to paint a pirate picture on the library wall.
3
"It's Time to Build a Snowman"
Laura Henry-Allain
25 January 2021 (2021-01-25)
It’s a snowy day and JoJo and Gran Gran go to the park to build a snow panda! When JoJo realises it won’t last forever, Gran Gran has a Gran Gran Plan to help them remember their fun day in the snow.
4
"It's Time to Make a Rocket"
Rose Johnson & Camille Ucan
25 January 2021 (2021-01-25)
When JoJo discovers that astronauts have visited the Moon she decides she would like to go there too. With Gran Gran’s help, she builds a homemade rocket and blasts off for an imaginary adventure into space.
5
"It's Time for Night-time Workers"
Stephen Hyams
25 January 2021 (2021-01-25)
When Neil the postie delivers Gran Gran’s mail early in the morning, JoJo is amazed to discover that some grown-ups go to work when she's asleep.
6
"It's Time to Stop the Birds"
Jess Parker
1 February 2021 (2021-02-01)
JoJo and Gran Gran are drinking hot chocolate in the park cafe when a robin lands on their table.
7
"It's Time to Look After Monty"
Charlotte Bushell
1 February 2021 (2021-02-01)
JoJo and Gran Gran are looking after Monty the dog for the day. While JoJo would like to see Monty's new rolling-over trick, she learns that there's much more to looking after a dog than just play!
8
"It's Time for a Jumble Sale"
Liam Swann
1 February 2021 (2021-02-01)
It's the Jumble Sale. JoJo doesn’t understand why anybody would want to buy Gran Gran’s old things. But she soon discovers that one person’s old things can be brand new to somebody else!
9
"It's Time to Catch a Train"
Hannah Smith
1 February 2021 (2021-02-01)
JoJo and Gran Gran are at a busy train station when JoJo realises Panda is missing! The pair decide to retrace their steps through the station to find him.
10
"It's Time for a Special Visitor"
Rose Johnson & Camille Ucan
1 February 2021 (2021-02-01)
There’s a family get-together when Great Gran Gran comes to visit from St Lucia. JoJo has a whole day of activities planned, but she learns that it’s not what you do that makes a day special, it’s who you spend it with.
