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Little Gems - Aliens in the Family by Margaret Mahy

Click here to listen to the start music (0.6Mb mp3 file)

Click here to listen to the end music (1.3Mb mp3 file)

Aliens in the Family by Margaret Mahy

Aliens in the Family was a lovely children's program shown in 1987 by BBC television.. The low key science fiction drama was based on the novel written by the New Zealand author Margaret Mahy. There were six episodes and each episode lasted around 23-25mins. The story concerned the adventures of two groups, one on Earth and the other from another world. On Earth, Dora and Lewis are two children whose Mum Philippa has married a man called David (they are not his children). David has been married before and has a daughters called Jacqueline, although we soon learn that since the divorce of her parents, she prefers to be known as Jake. Jake is coming to stay and neither she or the other children are looking forward to the prospect. Meanwhile in space, above the Earth, a Galgonquan star ship is in orbit. Aboard a brother and sister (Bond and Solita) are preparing for Bond's assessment. His exam takes the form of having to go to Earth and locate Solita who has disguised herself as an everyday Earth object such as a coffee maker or calculator. Bond is not looking forward to this especially when he is told about the Wirdegens who will stop at nothing to kidnap him, and do awful things. You just know the good guys and the bad guys in space are going to meet the children below (click on the little table below to take you through the episodes).

The series was directed by Christine Secombe who also did "Tom's Midnight Garden" and one of my other favourites "A Likely Lad." Paul Stone (Producer of a huge list of children's classics including Tom's Midnight Garden, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1988), The Watch House, The Children of Green Knowe, Moondial to name a few) was the executive Producer. In 1988 they were both nominated for a BAFTA for this production. The music was composed by Roger Limb and is probably the most requested sound track from the BBC children's dramas. He also did the wonderful theme to The December Rose several for the Look & Read series including Dark towers, The King's Dragon and Cloud Burst.

The book with Tv-tie in is shown below with an image of Bond and Solita as the radio on the front.

Aliens in the Family - Characters

Click on the episodes below to follow the story.

Main Page	Episode One	Episode Two	Episode Three	Episode Four	Episode Five	Episode Six

Aliens in the Family - Credits

Fondly remembered, especially when the music is heard. Comments, thoughts and suggestions etc. to the usual address.