SHOWS FOR YOUNSTERS AND THEIR PARENTS TOO : CBS’ ‘Christy,’ Showtime’s ‘Scarry’: 2 shows worth the wait? Watch and see

An Appalachian schoolteacher whom CBS built a series around has ended her absence from the classroom, albeit briefly. And a Showtime series exploring the animated world of a children’s book collection is back with new episodes.

After being last seen at Thanksgiving ‘94, Christy, the drama based on the best-selling novel by Catherine Marshall, returned last week. This week the show will again preempt “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.” After that, the fate of the series will depend on CBS’ announcement next month of its prime-time lineup.

Kellie Martin stars as Christy Huddleston, a young woman who leaves a comfortable city life for the Great Smoky Mountains. There, she tries to gain acceptance of the impoverished residents while teaching their children.

Executive producer Ken Wales, who spent 19 years bringing the novel to the screen, says, “The story of Christy is a true, authentic story, based on Catherine Marshall’s mother. It has the elements of great storytelling that’s important for families to share: love, honor, compassion and one that’s often forgotten, humor. Also, another element is sacrifice. She gave something up in her life to better the lives of children.”

Wales estimates about 35 million have read Marshall’s book, which accounts for the large number of viewers who have sent letters to CBS and “Christy’s” production office asking for the show’s return.

“She’s a very positive, thoughtful heroine,” Wales says. “She offers up that ... a sense of hope can change a bad situation.”

Emmy winner Tyne Daly (‘Cagney & Lacey’) stars as Christy’s mentor, Miss Alice, a role that earned her a Golden Globe nomination this year. Other show regulars include Randall Batinkoff as the local minister, Stewart Finlay-McLennan as the community doctor, Tess Harper as a mountain woman who befriends Christy and Levar Burton as a medical student.

“Christy” airs Saturday at 8 p.m. on CBS. For ages 6 and up.

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Look for new episodes of The Busy World of Richard Scarry , the Showtime series based on the late children’s author/illustrator’s “Busytown” and “Busy, Busy World” collections.

Populating the stories are the characters who inhabit Scarry’s books: Lowly Worm, Huckle Cat, Hilda Hippo, Sgt. Murphy and the ever-clumsy Mr. Frumble. Episodes offer three short stories, two set in Busytown and one Busy World Detective story featuring Couscous, the North African detective, as well as Sneef and Sniff, the best snoops in Europe.

Lowly Worm and Huckle Cat introduce linking segments in which they demonstrate “How Things Work,” and “How to Be Safe.” “These one-minute educational bits are communicated through song, so they’re fun,” says Showtime’s Lori Kahn, director of the network’s family programming.

“Scarry’s been a really important series for us since it really scores on all points for our preschooler audience: the stories are simple, and that’s not negative, they’re easily understood. They’re very visual and there’s music and it’s funny and the messages are easy to understand,” Kahn adds. The show presents strong female characters, with boy and girl interactions portrayed in non-stereotypical fashion.

Kahn points out that the show “is really a timeless series; it doesn’t ride the current trends.” Scarry stories, she says, are “very classic. The emphasis from the characters is on respect, helpfulness and politeness toward others. It’s very gentle and emphasizes positive values while still being a lot of fun.”

“The Busy World of Richard Scarry” airs Fridays at 5:30 p.m. on Showtime. For ages 2 to 6.