And I was thinking about this, and I don't even think that it's true. It certainly doesn't teach you sign language. It lacks The Alphablocks strong literacy content, or The Numtums mathematical slant (and, by the by, the newer series of the latter are shockingly bad, with the numeracy bits sandwiched between some uninspired 'story' segments), but there is more to life than literacy, maths and sign language, and as far as role models go, I would rather Arya turned out like Sarah than pretty much anyone else on Cbeebies.
Sarah is thoughtful, considerate, compassionate, intelligent, independent and enquiring. She never mocks the eccentricities of others, is boundlessly patient with Scarf Lady's ramblings, and seeks always to make others happy without becoming some sort of pushover. When faced with a puzzle, she seeks information, using the library and the internet. She unhesitatingly gives up her day to show the Shallots around town, or one of her wellingtons to keep Umbrella's handle dry in the rain, and rather than blaming or avoiding the pump that lets tyres go down, tries to find out what is wrong with him and help.
She's hard working, loves cooking, but always lets the narrator deal with the hot oven. She's active, riding a tandem bike with Duck, and responsible. When her friends are faced with fear or sorrow, she does all she can to cheer them up, and she looks at the world with a pure and rapturous wonder.
So, yeah; Sarah & Duck. It's not just fluff.
