There’s a funny thing about Caillou (the bald-headed little boy that is the main character of the Caillou cartoon) kids love him and parents …well let’s face it, parents usually hate him. But one thing both parents and kids can agree on is wondering: why the heck is Caillou bald?
Longtime blog reader Jazzlenne requested a story on the topic of Caillou and since we’re doing a lot of urban legends this week I figured we’d look into the biggest urban legend surrounding the show, which centers around the mystery of why Caillou is bald.
His parents and sister all noticeably have lots of fluffy hair, yet he doesn’t seem to have a single hair on his own head. This has lead to widespread urban legends that there’s a hidden story to the show and that Caillou is bald because he has cancer. There are even many parents that won’t let their kids watch Caillou because they don’t want them watching a show about a kid with cancer.
But what is the hidden story, and is there actually any truth to it?
THE CAILLOU URBAN LEGEND
The most popular Caillou urban legend tells the story of a boy named Caillou who has cancer and is going through treatments that have made him bald.
The reason his parents let him get his way all the time (even if he’s being whiny or bratty) is because they know he’s ill and they just can’t bear to tell him “no”.
Even though he’s young, Caillou is aware of his condition and tries to cope with the situation by using one of the strongest tools a child has: his imagination. You see, he’s not sure if he’ll be able to actually grow up so he uses his imagination to go on adventures and experience all the different things he could be.
Some very dark versions of the Caillou urban legend say he’s already died, and that’s why the grandmother is the one telling stories about his life. She tells the stories to keep the memory of her grandson alive.
No matter which version of the Caillou urban legend you hear though it always centers on him having cancer.
WHY IS CAILLOU BALD?
So is there any truth to this theory of Caillou having cancer? The people involved with the show and the book are very insistent that no, Caillou doesn’t have cancer. In fact reading through their writings about it they seem downright defensive about the topic, often making it the first thing they mention about the show.
They say the reason Caillou is bald is because in the books he was at the age when kids don’t have hair yet, and when they made the cartoon they wanted him to look the same as in the books –right down to the very bald head. But they had no idea what a huge controversy that decision would start up amongst both parents and kids.
THE ‘CAILLOU HAS CANCER’ CONTROVERSY
Sometimes the story is changed and people from the show will say that Caillou is bald to “represent all kids”. That explanation sounds pretty forced and more like the show is trying to put a positive spin on the Caillou baldness controversy that has caused many parents to ban their kids from watching Caillou.
As for me, I say if kids can’t stop imagining Caillou is bald because he has cancer and still want to watch the show then fine. It’s kind of like I hope no parents out there would keep their kids from playing with another child simply because the other child had cancer.
Around the world a child is diagnosed with cancer every three minutes, and even though it’s an urban legend, ‘Caillou with cancer’ represents the plight of many kids out there. Who knows, some kids with cancer might even look up to Caillou and find comfort in the show, never realizing that the idea of Caillou having cancer is such a controversial thing…
I personally love the show. I like that Caillou is “bratty”. If shows some parents how to respond to their. Children with yelling or hitting. As far as the not having hair young?… My daughter is nine months and has a huge bush on her head. And isn’t Cauillou older than his younger sister who has short red hair?
Hi Kia,
Yeah Caillou is definitely older than her …and yet never seems to grow any hair no matter how old he gets. This just fuels the rumors that he has cancer even more and leads to weird explanations from the show like he’s bald “to represent all children”. I think they’re keeping him bald because they feel like it’s part of his look that people recognize, but it does make things a bit awkward after a while when everybody else in his family has a full and vibrant head of hair.
Hi
I think the theory that Calliou’s grandmother narrates his stories to keep the memory of Calliou alive seems quite possible. I don’t understand how every character has different clothing, but Calliou does not. Could that be a reason some believe he’s already dead? Because everyone can go on and do things with their lives like change their clothes, but he can’t? Maybe Calliou is the only one without different clothes in each episode because it makes him more recognizable to kids as the main character, but so does his lack of hair on his head. It might not make too much sense because it’s hard to explain, but it’s just a thought.
Hi Rose,
I love these alternate theories, they really add a new dimension to the show and give an explanation for some of the parts of it that seem out of sync. I think it’s really interesting to think of Caillou as a ghost in his own story…
Maybe he just poor and don’t got money for new clothes?
Hey. So I think caillou is a great positive cartoon for kids.me my husband and our son love cailliou.Dallas only watched one episode and said he wanted to sleep in his own bed because caillou sleeps in his own bed and my husband believes that the reason cailliou is bald is because the creators want to show other kids that not all kids have hair and that they don’t have to be afraid or treat them different.we love bald kids or kids with hair. God made us all the same.
Hi Trinity,
Great to hear that Caillou is such a positive influence in your family :). Sounds like your son is being raised right too!
I completely agree. My son absolutely loves Caillou. I don’t think that he is learning any bad habits or whining from watching him, if anything he’s learning to share and be nice with manners. Just like any other show, there are going to be things that you and i, as parents, must teach our kids not to do but the majority of the things on Caillou are helpful for children. Whether or not Caillou really does have or had cancer is completely irrelevant. He’s a happy child who is living his life to the fullest no matter what and that should teach kids to do the same and be strong. I personally like Caillou and will continue to watch it with my kids.
They should have imbraced the ledgend. Im currently banning any parent who would take such an ignorant position but, mostly I feel sorry for their children. Their children are on their own to grow up normal and not the next generation’s biggots.
Hi Jon,
Yes I think banning those parents is a perfect idea.
I Cant There Is Pepole Who Think Cancer Is Contagious. Read The Facts!
Hi David,
Pretty sad isn’t it? But luckily I think that’s not something that’s too much of a problem these days.