Penguins, polar bears and reindeer all fall into the cute category in a variety of seasonal shows for the very young this month.
But nowhere – until now – has a wee mountain goat nuzzled its way into the hearts and outstretched arms of those experts of cuddly critters, the under-fives.
It's a moot point if many of the smitten tinies had ever heard of mountain goats until Little Ulla, a sweetly shaggy puppet in the capable hands of Clare McGarry, popped up, ready to get on with the delivery of the day's mail.
Postman Pat, eat your heart out: not only can Little Ulla do the rounds of the village, she yodels. Soon we too are joining in the cheery chorus of "I've got a letter for you-hoo" and helping Little Ulla and shopkeepers such as Granny Strudel and Mr Sledger with some Important Tasks.
The plot, as such, could be written on a postage stamp: the show's considerable charm is in the thoughtful details that enrich the Alpine-influenced set (complete with pom pom snowballs dangling from the ceiling) and the way in which McGarry and Steven Rae, who plays the other characters, create a friendly interaction with the children.
When it becomes obvious that lovable old Mr Hands hasn't got any Christmas cards, there's an immediate groundswell of advice and suggestions from the tots and before long, Mr Hands's little clock-tower home is draped with every good wish we can think of.
Dozens of little boys and girls would now love to take Little Ulla home with them, but they settle instead for lots of goodbye strokes and hugs for you-hoo.
HHH
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