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You may have noticed some new faces or character names in Letterland. Find out everything you need to know from this page. There are 3 characters with a new name, 4 characters that have changed completely and 1 character has had a change to their story.
You’ll start seeing them in our new Kindergarten (2nd Edition) curriculum which is available for the school year 2023-24. You don't have to start using them right away but if you are considering it, make sure you check out our Implementation Guidance webpage first.
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Abbie Apple, Izzy Ink and Oscar Octopus
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Ms. O and Ms. U
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Juggling Jen, Talking Tess and Quizzing Queen
Name change
Annie Apple lives in an apple orchard in Letterland, but she also likes to travel around the world. When she visits other countries, she listens to people’s accents. She noticed that in some accents, the ‘a’ in her name ‘Annie’ did not have the same sound as ‘Apple’. This made her sad as her Sound Trick did not work as it should! So, Annie asked if she could change her name! Everyone in Letterland agreed. Her new name is Abbie. The Sound Trick works well everywhere, and she is a happy apple again!
Why we made this change:
To improve purity of short ‘a’ sound at the start of the name, as nasals can influence the vowel sound in some accents.
Abbie Apple Overview
Name change
Impy Ink has been in Letterland for a very long time. As you know, eventually ink pens run out! But don’t worry, his friend Izzy Ink knows all the same tricks! She is an incredible little ink pot. Impy is happy to pass on his important job to Izzy Ink!
Why we made this change:
To improve purity of short ‘i’ sound at the start of the name, as nasals can influence the vowel sound in some accents.
Izzy Ink Overview
Character change
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One hot day at the docks, Oscar Orange rolled out of his letter shape. A clever octopus spotted an opportunity to pop up in the letter shape and make the ‘o’ sound! Oscar Orange was shocked. “That’s my letter!” he said. But he was so impressed with the octopus that he offered him his job! Oddly enough, the octopus was called Oscar too! So now you can spot Oscar Octopus saying ‘o’ in words!
Why we made this change:
To improve purity of short ‘o’ sound in the character name. In some accents ‘orange’ does not have a pure short ‘o’ sound and is more like an r-controlled sound.
Oscar Octopus Overview
Oscar's Lovely Brother Overview
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When Oscar Orange gave Oscar Octopus the opportunity to make his sound in Letterland, his Bothersome Little Brother wanted to do the same. He always wants to be the same as his big brother. So, now the little brother you will see in Letterland is Oscar’s Lovely Brother.
Why we made this change:
Continuity of story logic to accompany new character - Oscar Octopus.
Oscar's Lovely Brother Overview
Short vowels sounds can be challenging concepts for children to understand. Research tells us the importance of using strategies and key words to help children isolate initial sounds in words. When teaching short vowels sounds, remember these three tips:
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Story change
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There are five very important people in Letterland, but they are now called the the Vowel Friends. You already know: Mr. A, the Apron Man, Mr. E, the Easy Magic Man and Mr. I the Ice Cream Man. Joining them now are Ms. O, the Ocean Expert and Ms U, the University Student. The Vowel Friends are the only Letterlanders that say their names in words – A! E! I! O! U!
Why we made this change:
Improving gender balance in key Letterland roles.
Character change
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Mr. O, the Old Man has decided to retire from his post. But he is old and wise, so knows he needs someone to replace him, who knows the ocean. Then he remembered his good friend Ms. O, the Ocean Expert who knows so much about the ocean and the coastline. She knows how to protect the ocean wildlife, including the otters and octopuses in Letterland. Mr. O is overjoyed she will take over from him in this new role.
Why we made this change:
Improving gender balance in key Letterland roles.
Ms. O Overview
Character change
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Mr. U, the Uniform Man used to be in charge of the umbrellas but has handed over his job to his daughter Ms. U, the University Student. Not only does she understand how to care for the umbrellas, she is also a student of music and will bring lots of lovely new music to Letterland. She happily looks after the umbrellas in Letterland, as they are so useful for keeping her musical instruments dry! Ms. U can play the flute, the tuba, and also the ukulele!
Why we made this change:
Improving gender balance in key Letterland roles.
Ms. U Overview
Character change
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You might have known Jumping Jim in Letterland. Jim got so good at jumping and juggling, that one day he decided to jump off on a journey around the world, showcasing his skills! He invited his good friend Juggling Jen to take his place in Letterland. Juggling Jen is also good at jumping and juggling, but she’s good with just about every job too! She’s a jet pilot, a journalist, and a jockey to name but a few jobs Jen can do!
Why we made this change:
Improving gender balance in key Letterland roles.
Juggling Jen Overview
Story change
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Talking Tess no longer just fixes telephones and TV’s in Letterland. She has learned so much over the years, that now she has been promoted to Head of Technology. She still loves to talk all the time as she travels around with her touchscreen tablet!
Why we made this change:
Positive role model for a modern era.
Talking Tess Overview
Name change
Over the years Quarrelsome Queen has become much less quarrelsome. Her hobby of writing quiz questions and her quest for knowledge have really helped. She's quite quiet and she would like to be called "Quizzing Queen" from now on. But don't disturb her too much – she can still quarrel when she wants to!
Why we made this change:
More positive role model.
Quizzing Queen Overview
We recommend only using the new characters with curriculum materials that are 2nd edition or higher. Start out with our new Kindergarten 2nd Edition curriculum for school year 2023-24. Then from school year 2024-25 onwards you can start using them with other 2nd Edition grade level curriculums. For more information, check out our Guidance on Implementing New Characters.
No. If you still have products and materials with the classic characters you do not have to use the new characters right away.
Yes. By default, classic Letterland characters will display for teachers and students. To change your character preferences, follow these simple instructions.
Here is a list of products that you can buy that feature the new characters: https://shop-us.letterland.com/collections/new-characters.
Yes. We will continue to sell classic products alongside products with new characters to give you lots of time to make the transition.
Look out for any products that have '2nd Edition' in the title name or show the FEATURES NEW CHARACTERS icon on the front cover. If a product has 'classic' in the title name the new characters are not featured.
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