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Elinor Wonders Why

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Elinor Wonders Why
Created by
Directed by
  • Kevin Micallef
  • Wesley Bryant
Starring
  • Markeda McKay
  • Wyatt White
  • Athan Giazitzidis
  • Maria Nash
  • Delia Lizette Chambers
  • Shoshana Sperling
Theme music composer
  • Jorge Cham
  • Daniel Whiteson
Opening theme"Elinor Wonders Why Theme" by Jorge Cham and Daniel Whiteson, performed by Markeda McKay
Ending theme"Elinor Wonders Why Theme" (instrumental)
Composers
  • Asher Lenz
  • Stephen Skratt
Country of origin
  • United States
  • Canada
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes47 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Jorge Cham
  • Daniel Whiteson
  • Luis Lopez
  • Juan Lopez
Running time25 minutes
Production companies
  • Pipeline Studios
  • Shoe Ink
Original release
NetworkPBS Kids
ReleaseSeptember 7, 2020 (2020-09-07) –
present (present)

Elinor Wonders Why is an animated television series created by Jorge Cham and Daniel Whiteson. The series premiered on September 7, 2020 from PBS Kids.[1] The series is animated using Toon Boom Harmony.

Overview

The exploration-themed show encourages children to follow their curiosity, ask questions when they don't understand, and find answers using science inquiry skills. The main character, Elinor, is the most observant and curious bunny rabbit in Animal Town just north of Natural Forest, California. She introduces children ages 3–6 to science, nature, and communities through adventures with her friends Olive and Ari. Each episode includes two 11-minute animated stories, plus interstitial content, where Elinor and her classmates enjoy either Señor Tapir singing about famous nature explorers or Ms. Mole reading stories.[2]

Characters

Main

  • Elinor (voiced by Markeda McKay) – A white bunny girl with an inquisitive nature and a sweet personality.
  • Ari (voiced by Wyatt White in season 1, and Athan Giazitzidis in season 2) – A funny, imaginative light brown bat boy who lives in a hollow boulder, and is one of Elinor's best friends.
  • Olive (voiced by Maria Nash in season 1, and Lizette Chambers in season 2) – An elephant calf girl who is one of Elinor's best friends. She often makes charts for whatever questions are being asked.
  • Ranger Rabbit (voiced by Lisette St. Louis) – Elinor's mom, who works as a park ranger.
  • Mr. Rabbit (voiced by Colin Doyle) – Elinor's dad.
  • Ms. Mole (voiced by Shoshana Sperling) – A brown mole who is Elinor, Ari and Olive's teacher. She wears glasses.

Recurring

  • Olive's Mom (voiced by Ana Sani)
  • Señor Tapir (voiced by Juan Chioran) – A Spanish-accented tapir that sings about famous explorers and inventors during interstitials.
  • Mr. Raccoon (voiced by Dan Darin-Zanco) – A raccoon who runs a bakery.
  • Rollie (voiced by Eric Khou) – An armadillo who is one of Elinor, Ari, and Olive's classmates.
  • Ms. Llama (voiced by Nicole Stamp) – A llama who owns a fruit cart.
  • Mr. Dog (voiced by Paul Bates) – A dog who loves to bury his things into the ground.
  • Tito Mouse (voiced by Leo Orgil in season 1, and River Morales in season 2) – A mouse who is one of Elinor, Ari, and Olive's classmates.
  • Mr. Bat (voiced by Raoul Bhaneja) – Ari's dad.
  • Mr. Lion (voiced by Kevin Dennis) – A lion who likes to paint pictures.
  • Koa (voiced by Ian Ho) – A brown quokka who is one of Elinor, Ari, and Olive's classmates.
  • Camilla (voiced by Norah Adams) – A camel who is a friend of Elinor, Ari, and Olive.
  • Sally Beaver (voiced by Royal Goodfellow) – A beaver who is one of Elinor, Ari, and Olive's classmates.
  • Mary and Lizzie Goat (voiced by Abigail and Grace Oliver) – Twin goat girls who are Elinor, Ari, and Olive's classmates.
  • Alejandro Possum (voiced by Sergio Di Zio) – A possum whose name is never mentioned in the series.
  • Silas (voiced by Callum Shoniker in season 1, and Dax Catre in season 2) – A cheetah who is one of Elinor, Ari, and Olive's classmates.
  • Baba and Bibi (voiced by George Buza and Linda Kash respectively) – Elinor's paternal grandparents who live in Desert Town.
  • Deputy Mouse (voiced by Ron Pardo)
  • Ms. Beaver (voiced by Diane Saleme)
  • Farmer Bear (voiced by Ellen Dublin)
  • Mrs. Tiger (voiced by Ella Jones Farlinger) – The mayor of Animal Town.
  • Ms. Bat (voiced by Shoshana Sperling) – Ari's mom.
  • Mr. Hamster (voiced by Cliff Saunders) – A hamster who is a substitute teacher in Elinor’s class.
  • Siggy (voiced by Simon Pirso in season 1, and Luke Dietz in season 2) – A squirrel.
  • Lola (voiced by Elana Dunkelman) – Koa's big sister.
  • Mr. Beaver (voiced by Mike Petersen)
  • Mr. Hippo (voiced by Derek McGrath)
  • Mr. Antelope (voiced by Eddie Glen)
  • Hazel (voiced by Svea Ham) – Mr. Lion's daughter.

Episodes

Main article: List of Elinor Wonders Why episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
140September 7, 2020 (2020-09-07)April 18, 2022 (2022-04-18)
27June 3, 2024 (2024-06-03)present

Development and production

Development of the show began in 2017, when Cham and Whiteson were approached by PBS. PBS found Cham's comic, Piled Higher and Deeper, online and asked if he was interested in pitching to them. "I reached out to Daniel, and what inspires us beyond science is our children," Cham recalled. "They are curious, and it motivated us to create the show."[3] Cham cites Pogo and Calvin and Hobbes as inspiration for the show's visual design, which he described as "something that felt natural and calming, as opposed to overloaded or frenetic."[2]

The character of Elinor was inspired by Cham's own daughter, Elinor.[1] Cham said "She was about 4, which is just at that perfect age where she really does wonder why, all the time. Any answer you give her, she’ll (have) a follow-up question, another why."[4] Cham and Whiteson went with animals as the show's characters to make them "appealing but also relatable at the same time", and to "highlight their range of skills and abilities".[1]

A second season of the series is currently in development with funding from a National Science Foundation grant.[5]

Broadcast

The series premiered on PBS Kids in the United States on September 7, 2020, as a sneak peek by showing the first 2 episodes, before regularly airing new episodes on September 8.[6] Some episodes are available on Amazon Prime Video in the United States.[7]

PBS International has licensed the series to Canada, Latin America, Finland, Israel, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates via Knowledge Network, Discovery Kids, Yle, Hop!, SVT and E-Junior, respectively.[8] The series airs on Australia on the PBS Kids channel, which was started as a venture with Foxtel in July 2021.[9]

Home media

In early 2021, the series began to release its episodes on PBS Kids compilation DVDs.[10]

Reception

Starr Rhett Rocque of Fast Company wrote, "This clever series...encourages curiosity."[11]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominee Result Ref.
2021 Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Preschool Children’s Animated Series Elinor Wonders Why Nominated [12]
Outstanding Directing Team for a Preschool Animated Program Elinor Wonders Why Nominated [12]
2022 Writers Guild of Canada WGC Screenwriting Awards – Preschool "Olive's Tree" Won [13]
2023 Annie Awards Best Animated Television/Broadcast Production for Preschool Children "Rest is Best" Nominated [14]

Graphic novel series

Elinor Wonders Why: Hiding in Plain Sight, described as one of two launch titles for a graphic novel series based on the show, was announced in February 2022.[15] Two titles, Hiding in Plain Sight and Forest Giants, released on September 6, 2022.[16][17]

References

  1. ^ a b c Rocque, Starr Rhett (September 7, 2020). "How a physicist and a robotics engineer created 'Elinor Wonders Why' to teach young kids science". Fast Company. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Murphy, Jackson (September 10, 2020). "INTERVIEW: "Elinor Wonders Why" Creators on New PBS Program". Animation Scoop. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  3. ^ Gomez, Adrian (September 1, 2020). "PBS show by NM grad premieres next week". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  4. ^ Hughes, Mike (September 7, 2020). "Wonder-ful Elinor sparks new cartoon series". Mike Hughes On TV. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  5. ^ "URI education professor teaming with PBS Kids' 'Elinor Wonders Why' on $3.4M research grant". Rhody Today. Kingston, RI: University of Rhode Island. November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  6. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (May 29, 2019). "PBS KIDS Announces 'Elinor Wonders Why' for Fall. 2020". Animation Magazine. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  7. ^ Prange, Stephanie (December 20, 2021). "Episodes of 'Alma's Way,' 'Hero Elementary' and 'Elinor Wonders Why' Heading to PBS Kids Prime Video Channel in January". Media Play News. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  8. ^ "Elinor Wonders Why Expands Global Reach". aNbMedia. April 19, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  9. ^ "PBS Kids Launches Channel in Australia". aNb Media, Inc. July 14, 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2022. The new channel from Foxtel includes the Australian premieres of Fred Rogers Productions' puppet series Donkey Hodie and STEM-based animated show Elinor Wonders Why.
  10. ^ "PBS KIDS: 15 Sports Stories". May 18, 2021 – via Amazon.
  11. ^ Rocque, Starr Rhett (September 7, 2020). "How a physicist and a robotics engineer created 'Elinor Wonders Why' to teach young kids science". Fast Company. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  12. ^ a b "2021 Daytime Nominees (Children's / Animated) – The Emmys". theemmys.tv. May 25, 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  13. ^ Vlessing, Etan (April 26, 2022). "Writers Guild of Canada Awards: 'Sort Of,' 'Pretty Hard Cases' Among Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  14. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (January 17, 2023). "Annie Awards: 'Pinocchio' Leads the Pack with Nine Nominations; Juried Awards Announced". Animation Magazine. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  15. ^ Maughan, Shannon. "Fall 2022 Children's Sneak Previews". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved February 26, 2022. Elinor Wonders Why: Hiding in Plain Sight by Jorge Cham and Daniel Whiteson, one of two launch titles for a graphic novel series based on the TV show about an inquisitive rabbit exploring the natural world...
  16. ^ Cham, Jorge; Whiteson, Daniel (September 6, 2022). Elinor Wonders Why: Hiding in Plain Sight (listing). Kids Can Press. ISBN 978-1525306198.
  17. ^ Cham, Jorge; Whiteson, Daniel (September 6, 2022). Elinor Wonders Why: Forest Giants (listing). Kids Can Press. ISBN 978-1525306204.
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