Let's Go Luna! is a Canadian-American educational flash-animated children's television series created by animator Joe Murray and produced by Peter Hannan. It is co-produced by 9 Story Media Group's Brown Bag Films for PBS Kids. Judy Greer provides the voice of the titular Luna. There are 38 half-hour episodes and a half-hour special. Each episode consists of two 11-minute story segments, with a short segment of either Andy, Carmen or Leo telling a folktale, song or poem from that country in between.
Premise
Let's Go Luna! set in a world populated by anthropomorphic animals, focuses on three kids—Leo, a wombat from Australia, Andy, a frog from the United States and Carmen, a butterfly from Mexico—who travel around the world with their parents' traveling performance troupe "Circo Fabuloso." Along their stops, Luna the Moon, depicted about tall with arms, legs and a face, and wearing a straw hat and red boots, occasionally comes down to Earth to teach them about local languages, music, food, and other customs. Two half-hour episodes, consisting of two segments each and four in total, take place in a single country where the gang stop at, learn about and meet friends around the world. With a team of cultural anthropologists on board, Let's Go Luna! is "meticulously researched to ensure cities and regions are authentically and respectfully portrayed."
Characters
Main
Luna, the moon, who guides Leo, Andy and Carmen on their trips during the daytime. Luna knows every person in the world and has magical capabilities. Her size gives her a problem with doorways and enclosed spaces, often involving a degree of uncomfortable squeezing to enter.
Leo Chockers, Shayle Simons ), a 7-year-old wombat from Sydney, Australia who is learning to become a cook like his father.
Andy Hopper and Evan O'Donnell ), a 7-year-old frog from the United States who loves art.
Carmen Mariposa, a 7-year-old butterfly from Mexico City, Mexico who plays a Spanish guitar handed down from her deceased grandmother.
Magic Globe, a miniature globe of the world that lives in Carmen's pocket and can share information about the places the children visit.
Honey, Carmen's mischievous yellow pet hamster. She often escapes from her cage, but it is only because she is curious and wishes to be included.
Mr. Hockbar, a lizard who does many of the 'behind the scenes' jobs such as selling tickets, setting up the Circo's schedule and making certain everything runs smoothly. He is full of energy and has a tendency to get worked up and rush around when many things need doing, which can stress out the other members of the Circo.
Maria Mariposa, Carmen's single mother and conductor of the Circo Fabuloso Band.
Wolfgang Chockers, Leo’s father and the Circo's resident chef.
Pippa Chockers, Leo’s mother, and the Circo's carpenter. She is also responsible for designing and building the stage sets.
The Tourist, a grey rhino wearing brown pants, a red shirt, and a battered brown hat, with a camera around his neck. The character doesn't actually have a name, but makes an appearance as a background character in every story, usually taking photographs and infrequently has a speaking role.
Guest stars
Viktorya and Boris Durov, juggling bears from Russia.
The show was first announced on July 31, 2017 as part of the PBS TCA presentation. PBS broadcasts the show on its stations and also airs on the 24-hour PBS Kids channel, as well as the PBS Kids video app. Let's Go Luna! offers digital content for kids, parents and teachers, debuting from its PBS Kids website and a Luna app is also confirmed and will be released shortly after the series' debut. 9 Story International Distribution owns managing and merchandising rights to the show outside Canada. It is also one of a few shows for preschoolers and PBS' first storyboard-driven show where storyboard artists work with the writers, in order to create "visually-driven narratives that highlight each city's distinctive landscape and features." It was originally going to be called Luna Around The World but was changed to Let's Go Luna!. The show is animated in flash.
International broadcast
The show airs on Nat Geo Kids in Latin America. In Spain, the show airs on Canal Panda. In Canada, the show airs on TVOKids. In the half-hour broadcast of Let's Go Luna on TVOKids, the short segment that occurs between the two 11-minute story segments of the show is kept in the broadcast instead of being removed.
Reception
Critical response
The Washington Post wrote thath the program is "Teaching tolerance, kindness and friendship."
