About this season
Something Special is a children's television programme produced and broadcast by the BBC. The producer is Allan Johnston who worked as a teacher of children with special needs before joining the BBC in 1989. It is designed to introduce children to Makaton signing, and is specifically aimed at children with delayed learning and communication difficulties. It is aired on the CBeebies channel and in the past was also broadcast as part of the CBeebies programme strand on BBC One and BBC Two). The name of the programme derives from the idea that all children, irrespective of their position on the learning spectrum, are special. It is presented by Justin Fletcher and features various other characters and clips of disabled children. Justin speaks as well as signing, and a spoken narrative is provided over the clips of children. The characters played by Justin are the Tumble Family: Mr Tumble, an adult clown who himself displays delayed learning and communication difficulties, Grandad Tumble and Baby Tumble. Other members of the Tumble family to have made appearances include two Aunts - Polly and Suki, Lord Tumble and King Tumble.
Episodes (25)
1. Baking
Educational series for four- to seven-year-old children with learning difficulties. Mr Tumble bakes some delicious cakes and Chef Tumble wants to have a cooking competition.
2. Music
Educational series for four- to seven-year-old children with learning difficulties. Justin puts on a show with his friends at their school.
3. Shop for School
Educational series for four- to seven-year-old children with learning difficulties. Justin meets a friend to buy a selection of things she will need for school.
4. Sensory Garden
Justin goes to a magical garden with his friends to listen, smell and take a good look around. Mr Tumble plays a looking game... he's playing a game of eye spy and he wants you to join in!
5. Space
Educational series for four- to seven-year-old children with learning difficulties. Mr Tumble wants to get to the moon, so he looks for the things he will need.
6. Snow
Snow: Educational series for four- to seven-year-old children with learning difficulties. Mr Tumble wants to play in the snow. Maybe Lord Tumble can help with a bit of magic.
7. Scouts
Educational series for four- to seven-year-old children with learning difficulties. Scout Tumble has come to stay, but what will he do when it starts to rain?
8. Pet Shop
Educational series for four- to seven-year-old children with learning difficulties. Justin is off to a pet shop to help the children choose a pet for their school.
9. Rainy Day
Educational series for four- to seven-year-old children with learning difficulties. Mr Tumble wants to play in his paddling pool, but it's raining outside.
10. Allotment
Educational series for four- to seven-year-old children with learning difficulties.
11. Friends
Educational series for four- to seven-year-old children with learning difficulties. Mr Tumble is playing with his friend Lord Tumble.
12. Doctor
Educational series for four- to seven-year-old children with learning difficulties. Justin is off to the doctors with his friend David, who is going for a check-up.
13. Rugby
Educational series for four- to seven-year-old children with learning difficulties. Justin is off to rugby training with his friends.
14. Weekend
Educational series for four- to seven-year-old children with learning difficulties. Justin has gone to visit his friend to see what she likes to do on a Saturday.
15. Outside
Educational series for four- to seven-year-old children with learning difficulties. Lord Tumble is having a fancy dress party and all the Tumbles are invited.
16. Pony Treking
Justin and his friends are out Pony Treking in the New Forest. Mr Tumble wants to go out for a ride too but Lord Tumble and Grandad Tumble have other ideas.
17. Getting Arty
Justin and his friends put on a fashion show at their school. They're making brightly coloured T shirts and beautiful bracelets. Mr Tumble is getting arty as well. He's taking photographs of Aunt Polly and Grandad Tumble.
18. Wildlife
19. Trip Away
Mr Tumble is busy getting ready for his holiday. He's packed his suitcase, got all the toys ready, he's even packed his spotty swimming trunks. But there's something very important he has forgotten. Justin is going on a trip to the seaside with his friends.
20. Zookeeper
Justin and his friends help out at the zoo, while Mr Tumble finds out what it's like to be an animal.
21. Cars
Justin and his friends visit a car museum, while Mr Tumble decides his car needs a makeover.
22. Baby Animals
23. Yurts
Mr Tumble is poorly, but Aunt Polly is looking after him.
24. Adventure
Mr Tumble is warming up for a competition to find the strongest Tumble.
25. Theme Park
Justin and his friends visit a theme park and have fun on the rides.