Snoopy Presents: It's The Small Things, Charlie Brown

 

AIRDATE: 4/15/2022

Apple keeps the specials coming fast and furious! Just four months after Auld Lang Syne, here comes It's Arbor Day, Charlie Brown Part II.

STORY

Charlie Brown is determined to outshine Peppermint Patty's squad on the baseball diamond, but his sister Sally is keener on protecting the dandelion sprouting from the pitcher's mound. A figurative tug o' war ensues, and the winner is...everybody! No, this isn't some "participation trophy" schtuff, it's the realization that through mutual respect, compromise and concerted effort, even the youngest among us can make a positive impact on the planet. 

MUSIC

In addition to Jeff Morrow's "NM VG," Small Things features a Sally-led original, named after the special and written by "piano punk" Ben Folds. Simple, catchy, and flows nicely over

ANIMATION

some lush 60s/70s-influenced animation, peaking with monochromatic character design against saturated backgrounds. 

VOICES

Every major kid stays the same, save for Charlie Brown, now voiced by Tyler Nathan. He's a bit smoother than his predecessor, but still quintessential Chuck. Hattie Kratgen's Sally is meant to be the star, and she is, sweet without coming off saccharine, kind without going on naive. 

Although we never hear from them, much love for the following appearances: 3, 4, Roy, Harold Angel, Naomi, Lila, Milo, Maynard, and--for the first time ever--Cormac and "Badcall" Benny.

LOTUS POWER

"The challenges to be faced in sports work marvelously as a caricature of the challenges that we face in the more serious aspects of our lives. And when Charlie Brown has tried to analyze his own difficulties in life, he has always been able to express them best in sports terms"--Charles Schulz, 1984

Beautify the ball field, blame the blockhead. Second straight special with a touching brother-sister moment near the conclusion.

ZULU'S PETALS

Bitch-ass Thibault. No one wants you here, Thibault. 

 

Bless the earth, and the earth shall bless you back. Girl power is world power. Feel-good and funny, It's The Small Things, Charlie Brown is a marvelous antidote to doom-scrolling.  

8/10