Shoebox Zoo

Shoebox Zoo is a children's fantasy TV series made in a collaboration between BBC Scotland and various Canadian television companies. It is mostly live-action, but with CGI used for the animal figurines. It was first broadcast in 2004.

Synopsis

In the series Marnie McBride, an 11-year-old American girl who has moved to Edinburgh with her Scottish father Ross after her mother's death, receives a present from the legendary wizard Michael Scot (who in the series is still alive). The present is the Shoebox Zoo of the title, a box containing four animal figures which unexpectedly come to life. She then finds herself undertaking (not entirely willingly) a quest to find his Book of Forbidden Knowledge.

It is revealed that the animals were Scot's students, who stole the book and were punished by being transformed, but without the book Scot cannot change them back. Also after the book is the evil wizard Juan Roberto Montoya de Toledo, who is later revealed to be a creation of Scot's (presumably during his time in that city). It is also revealed that Scot thought Marnie's mother might be the Chosen One, but she was unable to awaken the Zoo.

At the end of the series, the Book is discovered, but found to be a fake. The real book is, apparently, in America, presumably taken there by Marnie's mother. A second series is planned, with Marnie's quest continuing.

The Shoebox Zoo itself

The animals the students became are the ones which stereotype their personalities. They are:

Edwin 

An arrogant eagle. Sees himself as the group's natural leader. One of his feathers was made into a necklace that Marnie's mother gave her before her death, and acts as an amulet.

Ailsa 

A cynical adder. She knows she has to rely on Marnie, but doesn't entirely trust anyone. She is, however, slightly more forgiving of Marnie's own doubts than Edwin.

Bruno 

An even-tempered and rather simple bear, who generally tries to stop the others from arguing.

Wolfgang 

A mercurial and fierce wolf, who is actually betraying the Zoo to Toledo, in the hope that he will become the Chosen One. It is eventually revealed that he is Scot's son, and it was he who persuaded the others to help steal the book. After making his peace with his father, he is killed by Toledo.

Cast

Locations

The series mades good use of its Lothian setting, with significant locations including the University of Edinburgh library, Tantallon Castle (Scot's home) and St Giles Cathedral, while Toledo makes his base in the clock tower of the Balmoral Hotel.

External links

• Official website hosted by BBCi
• Shoebox Zoo at the Internet Movie Database