In January 2021, when Covid deaths were surging and many preschools were closed, Netflix launched a show about a girl who wears cat ears, sings cheerful songs about science and says things like “miaow-mazing”, “pawesome!”, “ab-so-cat-a-loutely” and “hug attack!”
Gabby’s Dollhouse may be unfamiliar to anyone who does not cohabit with young kids, but it was a balm for many during that bleak winter, when anxiety and screen time shot up across the world. Gabby – a wholesome, upbeat girl who lives in a cat-themed world – became an avatar for resilience, cuteness and hope.
