✦ New cast · Round 2

Tessa Teabag

Soft cream square tea sachet with stitched edges, a long lilac string tail and orange paper tag bow; no hot water.

TeachesChoosing whether to join a group activity

EpisodeThe Costume Circle

LengthAbout 30 seconds

Catchphrase“Watching can be a first step!”

Read the script All 100 new friends

The script.

Tessa watches helpers try silly costumes while holding an undecided pose. Tessa asks whether watching first is welcome. A giant paper moustache slides down a helper's mask; Tessa giggles from the side.

0–6s

I might want to join. I am not sure about wearing a costume.

Tessa watches helpers try silly costumes while holding an undecided pose.

6–16s

May I watch one round before I decide? Thank you for giving me time.

Tessa asks whether watching first is welcome.

16–25s

That moustache needs a seatbelt.

A giant paper moustache slides down a helper's mask; Tessa giggles from the side.

25–30s

Watching can be a first step!

Hold the resolved comic result; deliver the catchphrase without rushing.

More episodes.

5 new episodes starring Tessa Teabag, plus 10 guest appearances with the rest of the crew. Each is a 30-second script: tap one to read it.

choosing whether to join a group activityThe Loud BandTansy and Addie start a noisy band, and Tessa watches first before deciding to join with a quiet part.With Tessa Teabag, Tansy Tambourine, Addie Accordion · tap for the script

0-6s Tansy and Addie jam loudly in the playroom; Tessa stays by the door.
Addie: Tessa! Come play in our band! We need you!
6-16s Tessa holds her string and peeks.
Tessa: I'm not ready to play. Can I watch first?
16-25s Tansy nods and they keep playing; Tessa taps her foot.
Tansy: Sure! Watching can be a first step!
25-30s Tessa joins at the end, swinging her string tail softly to the beat, and the whole band slows down to match her.
Tessa: That felt cozy. Addie: Big joy, thoughtful space!

“Watching can be a first step!”

exploring a new texture without pressureSquishy Slime DayMitts finds squishy pretend slime and Tessa isn't sure about touching it, so she explores at her own pace.With Tessa Teabag, Mitts Mallow · tap for the script

0-6s Mitts squishes a bowl of rainbow play slime; Tessa watches, unsure.
Mitts: Squish! It's so squishy! Want to try?
6-16s Tessa leans in, then leans back.
Tessa: Not with my hands yet. Can I poke it with a spoon?
16-25s Mitts hands her a spoon.
Mitts: Sure. Curiosity can take its time!
25-30s Tessa pokes it with the spoon, and the slime makes a tiny burp sound. Tessa and Mitts both laugh.
Tessa: It burped! Mitts: Curiosity can take its time!

“Curiosity can take its time!”

recognizing a rushed yesA Rushed YesSpinny asks Tessa to join a race and she almost says yes too fast, then pauses to decide.With Tessa Teabag, Spinny Pinwheel · tap for the script

0-6s Spinny spins excitedly near the race line.
Spinny: Race? Race? Say yes, say yes!
6-16s Tessa starts to nod, then stops.
Tessa: Ye... wait. Can I think for a second?
16-25s Spinny holds still, waiting.
Spinny: You can pause your answer! Tessa: I'll watch this one, then race the next.
25-30s Tessa watches, then races round two in slow motion; Spinny spins so fast cheering that she twirls herself in a circle.
Tessa: You can pause your answer! Spinny: Wheee!

“You can pause your answer!”

taking a calm-down breakThe Party CornerAt a busy party, Tessa feels too buzzy, and Nori helps her find a calm corner before deciding to rejoin.With Tessa Teabag, Nori Nightlight · tap for the script

0-6s Balloons, music and dancing fill the room; Tessa's string twists tight.
Tessa: It's so busy. My string is in a knot.
6-16s Nori Nightlight glows softly in a quiet corner.
Nori: Want to sit with me and breathe for a bit?
16-25s They breathe as Nori's glow pulses slowly; Tessa's string untwists.
Tessa: Better. Maybe I'll join the dance. Just the slow one.
25-30s Tessa joins the slow dance; Nori dims and brightens like a disco ball that only does gentle mode.
Nori: Gentle mode! Tessa: Watching can be a first step!

“Watching can be a first step!”

choosing whether to joinTaekwondo Class PeekLittle Belt invites Tessa to class, and she chooses to watch first and try one move at the end.With Tessa Teabag, Little Belt · tap for the script

0-6s Little Belt bounces in her uniform outside the class.
Little Belt: Want to come to class? It's fun!
6-16s Tessa holds her tag nervously.
Tessa: I don't know yet. Can I just watch today?
16-25s Tessa watches from the bench as Little Belt practices a bow.
Little Belt: Sure! You can watch as long as you want.
25-30s At the end, Tessa bows once from the bench; Little Belt bows back so low her belt flops over her head.
Tessa: Watching can be a first step! Little Belt: Oops, belt hat!

“Watching can be a first step!”

Guest appearances

joining at your own paceThe Watching SeatTessa wants to watch the kite game first, and Kiki makes watching a real part of play.With Kiki Kite, Tessa Teabag · tap for the script

0-6s Kites fly. Tessa sits at the edge, string tail curled.
Kiki: Hi Tessa! Want to fly with us?
6-16s Tessa shakes her tag.
Tessa: I just want to watch today.
16-25s Kiki nods and lands beside her.
Kiki: Watching can be a first step. Could you tell us which way the wind goes?
25-30s Tessa lifts her string tail. It flutters left. Everyone turns left and soars. Tessa gives a tiny proud wave from her seat.
Tessa: Watching can be a first step!

“Watching can be a first step!”

joining a group at your own paceWatcher's ChairTessa wants to watch Nellie's game, and Nellie lets watching be enough.With Nellie Knight, Tessa Teabag · tap for the script

0-6s Nellie sets up a game on a mat.
Nellie: Want to play with me, Tessa?
6-16s Tessa shakes her tag.
Tessa: I would rather just watch.
16-25s Nellie pulls up a little chair.
Nellie: That is okay! Watching can be a first step. This is the watcher's chair.
25-30s Tessa watches and claps. Later she points to one square. Nellie hops there. It is the winning move. Both gasp.
Tessa: Watching can be a first step!

“Watching can be a first step!”

making a specific request for companyWant to Watch Together?Puffa wants company but not a game, so she asks Tessa to watch together instead.With Puffa Pincushion, Tessa Teabag · tap for the script

0-6s Puffa watches kids playing tag; Tessa sits nearby quietly.
Puffa: I don't want to play tag. But I want company.
6-16s Puffa scoots closer to Tessa.
Puffa: Tessa, want to watch the game together?
16-25s Tessa nods and dangles her string tail.
Tessa: Yes. Watching can be a first step!
25-30s They cheer softly from the side; a breeze drops a leaf right onto Tessa's tag like a tiny hat, and Puffa giggles.
Puffa: Ask for the company you want! Tessa: Leaf hat!

“Ask for the company you want!”

lowering volume to welcome someoneOne TingTansy's loud invites overwhelm Tessa, so she turns her sound down and lets Tessa watch first.With Tansy Tambourine, Tessa Teabag · tap for the script

0-6s Tansy jingles right up to Tessa during band practice.
Tansy: JOIN THE BAND! JOIN THE BAND! Grab a drum!
6-16s Tessa steps back, string tail curled.
Tessa: I want to watch first. Maybe later.
16-25s Tansy nods and quiets her jingles.
Tansy: Watching is a first step. I will play softer. Join when you want.
25-30s After watching, Tessa taps Tansy's jingle once: ting. Tansy freezes, then does a silent happy spin.
Tessa: Ting. / Tansy: Best ting ever! / Tessa: Maybe two tomorrow.

“Watching can be a first step!”

fair choosing that includes quiet ideasTeam Name BasketRaffi and Kiki shout team names while quiet Tessa has one too, so they put all ideas in a basket.With Raffi Rake, Kiki Kite, Tessa Teabag · tap for the script

0-6s Kiki and Raffi shout names. Tessa holds a tiny paper.
Kiki: Sky Team! / Raffi: Leaf Team! / Tessa: Um...
6-16s Raffi notices Tessa.
Raffi: Wait. Let us agree how to decide. Every name goes in the basket. Yours too, Tessa.
16-25s They drop the papers in. Kiki pulls one out.
Kiki: Teacup Team! / Raffi: A quiet idea won!
25-30s Tessa smiles. Raffi and Kiki try to do a teacup pose and fall over in a pile.
Tessa: Thank you. / Raffi: Fair choosing for all! / Kiki: Ideas can arrive quietly!

“Ideas can arrive quietly!”

naming a mixed feelingLopsided MoonMaddy swells lopsided before a new game until she names two feelings at once.With Maddy Moonball, Tessa Teabag · tap for the script

0-6s A new game starts. Maddy puffs up on one side only, like a lopsided moon.
Maddy: Why am I wonky?
6-16s Tessa stands nearby, watching the game.
Tessa: Maybe two feelings? Maddy: Excited and scared. Both!
16-25s One side shrinks, then the other. Maddy is round again.
Tessa: Watching can be a first step. Maddy: Then I watch one round.
25-30s After one round, Maddy joins as scorekeeper and holds up a giant pencil.
Maddy: Name it, tame it, game it! Tessa: Great pencil.

“Name it, tame it, game it!”

asking a question in a big placeWhich Way Is Snack?At a big party, Cleo shows quiet Tessa how to ask a simple question.With Cleo Compass, Tessa Teabag · tap for the script

0-6s A big party. Lots of rooms. Tessa hides behind Cleo.
Tessa: I am hungry, but I do not know where snacks are.
6-16s Cleo's pointer wobbles. She waves to a friend.
Cleo: Excuse me, where are the snacks? Cleo: Thank you!
16-25s Tessa watches, then tries a small question herself.
Tessa: Um, are there apples? Cleo: You asked! Tessa: Yes, I asked!
25-30s They turn around. The snack table was right behind them all along.
Cleo: Ask before wandering! Tessa: Apples!

“Ask before wandering!”

watching before tryingSand HandsMitts and Tessa are both unsure about the sandbox and take it slow together.With Mitts Mallow, Tessa Teabag · tap for the script

0-6s Mitts and Tessa stand at the edge of the sandbox.
Tessa: Sand is very grainy. Mitts: Very.
6-16s Mitts wiggles his quilted fingers.
Mitts: Maybe we watch first? Tessa: Yes. Watching first.
16-25s They sit on the edge. Tessa dangles her string in. Mitts brushes one finger.
Tessa: Watching can be a first step. Mitts: Grainy, but okay. Mitts: Hmm.
25-30s Mitts makes a quilt-pattern print in the sand. Tessa makes a string swirl.
Mitts: Curiosity can take its time! Tessa: Swirl! Mitts: Look, a quilt print!

“Curiosity can take its time!”

not volunteering someone elseTessa Will Sing!Caz volunteers Tessa to sing, then checks with her and lets her choose.With Caz Cactus, Tessa Teabag · tap for the script

0-6s Show time. Caz waves his branches.
Caz: Tessa will sing first!
6-16s Tessa freezes. Her string tail curls up.
Tessa: I did not say that.
16-25s Caz stops.
Caz: Oops. Do not promise for someone else! Tessa, do you want to? Tessa: I will watch.
25-30s Caz sings a silly cactus song himself. Tessa claps from her spot.
Caz: Do not promise for someone else!

“Do not promise for someone else!”

joining a group game at your own paceWatch, Then TryNixie doesn't know a group game, and Tessa shows watching is a fine first step.With Nixie Snowflake, Tessa Teabag · tap for the script

0-6s Playground circle game. Nixie hangs back by the fence.
Nixie Snowflake: I don't know this game. / Tessa Teabag: Me neither.
6-16s Tessa sits on the edge with Nixie.
Tessa Teabag: Watching can be a first step. Want to watch with me?
16-25s They watch friends toss a beanbag and clap. Nixie mouths the steps.
Nixie Snowflake: Toss and clap! / Tessa Teabag: Try, or keep watching?
25-30s Nixie tosses, claps, and flops softly. She laughs.
Nixie Snowflake: Try! Toss, clap... flop! New is a real stage!

“Watching can be a first step!”

joining when you feel left outWatch, Then WaveSolo feels lonely watching a group game, and Tessa shows that watching can lead to hello.With Solo Squeegee, Tessa Teabag · tap for the script

0-6s Playground. A group plays hopscotch. Solo watches from the fence.
Solo Squeegee: I feel lonely over here by myself.
6-16s Tessa sits beside him.
Tessa Teabag: Watching can be a first step. / Solo Squeegee: And next?
16-25s Solo waves at the hopscotch group.
Solo Squeegee: Hello! Can I try next? / Tessa Teabag: Go on, Solo! You can do it!
25-30s Solo hops and wipes the chalk line clean by accident. He redraws it with a smiley face.
Solo Squeegee: Oops! Fixed it! One hello can start it!

“One hello can start it!”

respecting a no to joiningJust WatchingMimi invites Tessa to play and Tessa says no, she wants to watch, and Mimi is okay with that.With Mimi Magnet, Tessa Teabag · tap for the script

0-6s Sandbox. Mimi builds a castle. Tessa sits on the edge.
Mimi Magnet: Want to build a castle with me?
6-16s Tessa shakes her head.
Tessa Teabag: No, thank you. I like watching. / Mimi Magnet: Okay! Watch away!
16-25s Mimi keeps building. Tessa watches happily.
Tessa Teabag: Maybe add a tall tower? / Mimi Magnet: Great idea, Tessa!
25-30s Mimi's magnet pulls a toy shovel off the shelf. It sticks perfectly on top of the tower.
Mimi Magnet: A shovel flag! A no can stay a no!

“A no can stay a no!”

Round 2 crew.

The other characters from this round. Swipe to meet them.

← Iggy Icecube Raffi Rake →