It's a Big Big World

Plot

The series revolves around a group of animals living in and around "The World Tree" in the rainforest, along the Amazon River, with the Brazil's highest mountain, Pico da Neblina, in the background. The main character and host of the series is Snook the Sloth. In episodes, the theme song is generally preceded by Snook recapping the previous episode.

The puppets for the characters were created by L'Atelier Des Griffons Inc.

Characters

Snook (performed by Peter Linz) is a sloth who serves as the main character and host of the show. He lives in the World Tree and loves nothing more than to help his friends learn all about the 'Big Big World' around them. He's extremely slow-moving and often takes naps, but is always up for a scientific investigation. He also enjoys singing and dancing with all of his friends in the World Tree. In addition to interacting with the other characters, Snook regularly breaks the fourth wall, often to explain a certain fact or ask a certain question. Like Big Bird from Sesame Street or Bear from Kriegman's previous show Bear in the Big Blue House, Snook is a full-bodied puppet as well as one of the only two not requiring 3 performers, the other being Madge.

Burdette (performed by Melissa Creighton) is a crested quetzal who sometimes seems like a controlling older sister, who thinks she knows much more than everyone around her. However, Burdette is very sincere, and while investigating things with her friends in the World Tree, she's sometimes surprised to learn new things about herself too.

Bob (performed by James Godwin) is a southern tamandua who loves studying the ants that live all around him in the World Tree, and he's always trying new things out to make them like him more. Bob also worries a lot about things that he thinks might happen.

Smooch (performed by Aymee Garcia) and Winslow (performed by Tyler Bunch) are two playful sibling common marmosets who're always stirring things up. Smooch is always trying to figure out the mysteries of the world around her, and Winslow is the goofy creative thinker. With such different personalities, these two monkeys don't always see eye to eye, but their little disagreements frequently lead to great adventures. The two are similar to Pip and Pop from Bear in the Big Blue House.

Madge (voiced by Julie Westwood) is an old tortoise. Madge has a map of the world on her shell. She's the oldest and wisest creature in the World Tree and the one everyone comes to when they have a certain problem to solve. Madge traveled all over the world and shares her experiences with everyone. Her library is the place to visit for answers to scientific questions. Like Snook, Madge is a full-bodied character. While the character was dropped after season two, Snook mentions her name in one episode, and she can still be seen in the theme song. Her library also remains in season 2 as well.

Puppeteers

Peter Linz as Snook, Oko

Melissa Creighton as Burdette

Aymee Garcia as Smooch

Tyler Bunch as Winslow, Riona

James Godwin as Bob

Tim Lagasse as Ick, Wartz

Julie Westwood as Madge (voice)

Additional puppetry was provided by Patrick Holmes, Carol Binion, Frankie Cordiro, Eric Engelhardt, Jim Kroupa, Paul McGinnis, John Kennedy, Jodi Eichelberger, Heather Asch, Amanda Maddock, David Jordan, and Lara MacLean.

Many of the puppeteers come from similar shows, primarily Bear in the Big Blue House, Jellybean Jungle, and The Book of Pooh, another show involving Shadowmation, a technique that combines live-action, bunraku-style puppetry, and computer-generated animation.

Crew

Mitchell Kriegman - Creator, Executive Producer, Songwriter

Dee Shipley - Voice Director

Episodes

Typical episode format

Each episode begins with the opening theme song, "It's a Big Big World" that's followed by a short (10-12 minute) story involving some or all of the main characters. In season 1, this first story was followed by another song, called "Curve of the World", sung by all the characters. (In the Miss Lori and Hooper block, this song wasn't shown.) Then comes a second 10-12 minute story, which may be thematically linked to the first story but isn't usually a direct continuation of the plot. In season 2, both stories were followed by Snook singing "Tell Me 'Bout the Best Parts of your Day" to Riona, which led to a discussion about what the characters did and learned that day. At the end of all episodes, Snook sings the closing song, "Try to Touch the Sky", although this is often followed by short segments in which Snook ends an exploring or scientific activity and gives some fun facts about the various species of animals that live in the World Tree.

Broadcast

In the United States, the show aired on PBS Kids from January 2, 2006 to April 30, 2010, and aired as part of the preschool block from September 4, 2006 to August 31, 2007.

In March 2008, British-based Contender Entertainment Group secured worldwide distribution rights outside of the US and Canada to the series. They pre-sold the series internationally to broadcasters such as Nick Jr. in Australia, and Nick Jr 2 in United Kingdom.

Home media

DVD

Six DVDs were released by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

The Sky Above (January 30, 2007)

Investigate the World (January 30, 2007)

Safe and Sound (May 22, 2007)

The Earth Needs You (May 22, 2007 (2007-05-22))

You Can Do It (August 14, 2007 (2007-08-14))

The Big Big Sleep (August 14, 2007 (2007-08-14))

Other DVDs:

Be Healthy and Happy (March 25, 2008 (2008-03-25))

Everyone's Different (March 25, 2008 (2008-03-25))

Streaming

Episodes of the show are currently available on YouTube since July 27, 2015. The show was added to Amazon Prime Video on August 12, 2022 after PBS Kids acquired the streaming rights on July 27, 2022, officially marking the program's return to PBS Kids in any platform after 12 years. Reruns of the show still currently air only on select PBS stations.