It’s The Small Things, Charlie Brown * The Perfect Special To Galvanize Kids Into Climate Action This Earth Day
Sally’s bond with a special little flower on the baseball field may spell disaster for the big game. For Charlie Brown and the team, it’s just the inspiration they need to make a positive impact on their environment. It’s the Small Things, Charlie Brown is the Peanuts Earth Day TV special which features an original song by American singer-songwriter Ben Folds, Tyler Nathan as Charlie Brown, Terry McGurrin as Snoopy, Hattie Kragten as Sally, Rob Tinkler as Woodstock, Lexi Perri as Peppermint, Patty Isabella Leo as Lucy van P.
KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Eshaan M. comments, “Since 1965, the characters in Charles M. Schulz’s famous Peanuts comics have brought joy to so many families during the holidays and have also served to promote mature conversation among them… With a deep message and multilayered characters, It’s The Small Things, Charlie Brown is the perfect special to galvanize kids into climate action this Earth Day. Tiana S. adds, “Just in time for Earth Day, Charlie Brown and the gang are back with a special message about environmental protection and using your voice in a fun, yet educational way only the Peanuts gang can deliver! In the new short film, It’s the Small Things, Charlie Brown, they are ready to plant flowers, and clean up trash to make our planet a better place.” Avalon N. wraps it up with, “In It’s The Small Things, Charlie Brown there are many fun things to talk about. One is the use of the old style Charlie Brown comics. Rather than use the new style of 3D animation, like some recent Charlie Brown movies, this film goes back to 2D style animation, although it still is very high quality and has cool animation.” See their full reviews below.
It’s The Small Things, Charlie Brown
By Eshaan M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16
Since 1965, the characters in Charles M. Schulz’s famous Peanuts comics have brought joy to so many families during the holidays and have also served to promote mature conversation among them. Not much has changed in 2022, as Craig and Bryan Schulz bring the new Earth Day special It’s The Small Things, Charlie Brown to Apple TV+. With a deep message and multilayered characters, It’s The Small Things, Charlie Brown is the perfect special to galvanize kids into climate action this Earth Day.
In this short filmCharlie Brown (Tyler Nathan) is determined to help his team win the big baseball game against Peppermint Patty’s (Lexi Perri) team so he can claim the neighborhood pennant. But things turn into a fiasco right before the game when Sally (Hattie Kragten) bonds with a flower on the pitcher’s mound and vows to protect it at all costs. Charlie Brown tries his hardest to get her off the mound but repeatedly fails. Throughout her sit-in, all the characters learn to value nature.
What I find intriguing about this special is that it’s one big metaphor; Charlie Brown represents the average person, and the ball field represents the planet. Charlie Brown is so obsessed with winning this ballgame that he doesn’t see that the ball field is going downhill. Sally represents the new generation, whose focus is on conservation and enhancing the planet.
The animation style of this special is the part of the production that stands out the most to me. It is somewhere between the 70s still-frame animation and The Peanuts Movie. In each scene, the lighting is manipulated to make the characters look more lifelike and three-dimensional. It’s absolutely beautiful. Though Snoopy (Terry McGurrin) isn’t the focus of the special, I still love how his character develops throughout the 38 minute short. By the end of the film, he too realizes how important it is to save the environment. For kids like me who love Snoopy even more than Charlie Brown, this sends a great message. I’m also a big fan of Tyler Nathan as Charlie Brown and Hattie Kragten as Sally; their voice acting really completes the package of the show and makes the plot more believable.
It’s The Small Things, Charlie Brown promotes taking initiative, caring for others (whether people, animals or plants), saving our planet and serving as a positive role model for others.
I give It’s The Small Things, Charlie Brown 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 10 to 18, plus adults. It’s The Small Things, Charlie Brown is available to stream now on Apple TV+ in celebration of Earth Day 2022.
It’s the Small Things, Charlie Brown
By Tiana S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11
Just in time for Earth Day, Charlie Brown and the gang are back with a special message about environmental protection and using your voice in a fun, yet educational way only the Peanuts gang can deliver! In the new short film, It’s the Small Things, Charlie Brown, they are ready to plant flowers, and clean up trash to make our planet a better place. Everyone loves the Peanuts gang, so what better way to spread the message?
In It’s the Small Things, Charlie Brown, the main characters in this short film are Sally Brown (Hattie Kragten) and Charlie Brown (Tyler Nathan). In the story, Charlie Brown just wants to play a baseball game, but his little sister, Sally, finds a special little flower on the baseball field that reminds her of herself. She decides she must protect this flower and give it a voice. Sally relates to the flower because she is also small and tends to be lonely and ignored. It is a nice touch that the flower’s petals are the same color and shape as Sally’s hair.
The film has updates to the animation techniques, but still gives us the look and feel of the original animation we’ve come to love. I love the diverse cast and how it reflects what our world looks like today. One of my favorite parts is when Ben Folds’ original song, “It’s the Small Things, Charlie Brown,” plays as Sally is singing about the flower on the mound. It really breaks down how we are all connected to the Earth and can come together to make things happen.
It’s the Small Things, Charlie Brown shows us how important and easy it is to take care of our planet, no matter how young or small you are. Even though Sally was told she was too small to play baseball, she wasn’t too small to take a stand to try to help protect and save the flower, which represents the Earth. Sally was able to use her voice to show how we should speak up to help save the world.
The Peanuts world is known for creating content that prompts conversations for adults and that also inspires young people, and this film does just that. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for kids ages 3 to 18, plus adults. You can watch It’s the Small Things, Charlie Brown on Apple TV+ now!
It’s The Small Things, Charlie Brown
By Avalon N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13
It’s The Small Things, Charlie Brown is a funny, inspirational and entertaining movie. Though it’s only 40 minutes long it really embodies the classic Charlie Brown spirit.
This film is about Charlie Brown (Tyler James Nathan). There is a big baseball game between Charlie’s team and Peppermint Patty’s (Lexi Perri) – a championship. Unfortunately, Sally (Hattie Kragten) grows attached to a flower on the pitcher’s mound, preventing the game from happening. In the film, we find out what Charlie Brown does about this.
In It’s The Small Things, Charlie Brown there are many fun things to talk about. One is the use of the old style Charlie Brown comics. Rather than use the new style of 3D animation, like some recent Charlie Brown movies, this film goes back to 2D style animation, although it still is very high quality and has cool animation. Another thing is the use of words during the practicing baseball scene. When they hit the ball there is a fun “POP!” animation on the screen and it really caught my eye and kept my attention. Lastly, there is a really fun song about how “It’s The Small Things” – hence the title. It is a really beautiful song about a dandelion and, while others consider it a weed, Sally promises to keep it safe.
The message of the film is that sometimes it’s not about the thing, but the love you show for it.
I give It’s The Small Things, Charlie Brown 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 16, plus. It’s available on Apple TV+ now – just in time for Earth Day!
