Parents' Guide to

It's a Big, Big World

By Pam Gelman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 3+

Engaging show with good messages for preschoolers.

TV PBS Kids' Animation 2006
It's a Big, Big World Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 2+

Based on 5 parent reviews

DigiGoggleHeadBoy
DigiGoggleHeadBoy Parent
August 25, 2018
age 2+
For 2-8 year olds. It an awesome show! You get to hang out with tons of animals in the world tree, where they live, exploring animals and plants around there. It shows the science can be fun! Check out there website @ http://www.abigbigworld.com/home.html

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
writergirlmel
writergirlmel Parent of 2-year-old
August 13, 2009
age 2+

Good Entertainment Now, Good Opportunity to Learn Later

My son is under a year old, but we do allow very limited screen time, and this is his favorite show. No, it doesn't have as much educational content as some other programs, but it does provide good opportunities to learn (and talk) about living with diversity, respecting each other, etc for toddlers and preschoolers. At his age, however, my son is more concerned with the bright colorful characters, catchy music, etc. So for now, it entertains him. Later, it can teach him about being a small part of a big world in which not everyone will agree with or be like him. (Bonus: He giggles through every episode. What mom can resist that?)

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

From the creator of Bear in the Big Blue House comes another great show for young preschoolers using puppets to demonstrate characters living peacefully in the world. Their world is a gigantic tree filled with homes for all sorts of interesting and adorable creatures. The host is a tall sloth named Snook who is narrator, peacekeeper, problem solver, singer/dancer, playmate, and most of all -- a dependable adult caregiver. Other characters include sibling marmosets Smooch and Winslow, Wartz the tree frog, Bob the anteater, Burdette the bird, Ick the fish, old monkey Oko, and Madge, an ancient turtle with a map of the world on her shell. There are adult characters too, who help the child characters when needed. They're all very different in how they look and move, yet they all share the same tree and coexist peacefully and happily.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5):
Kids say (3):

IT'S A BIG BIG WORLD's puppetry is Banraku: puppeteers dressed in blue operate each puppet in front of a blue screen, giving the characters great range of expression and flexibility. The colorful background is added using computer-generated animation in real time. The effect is quite rich, full of depth and vibrancy.

The show is geared toward preschoolers who are moving from playing on their own or next to friends to playing with others and learning to negotiate, communicate responsively, and compromise. It may bore kindergartners on up, who have mastered these skills. But for younger kids, this is a highly recommended program.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the show represents diversity in our world. In what ways are we different and the same? Families can also talk about the ways the child characters solve their problems using communication, critical thinking, and turning to caring adults for support.

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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