Elinor Wonders Why

Lore & Background

The series was developed beginning in 2017, when Cham and Whiteson were approached by PBS after the network found Cham's comic, Piled Higher and Deeper, online. Cham cited 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.' The character of Elinor was inspired by Cham's own daughter, Elinor, who was about four years old at the time and constantly asked 'why.' Cham and Whiteson chose animals as characters to make them 'appealing but also relatable at the same time' and to 'highlight their range of skills and abilities.'

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

Reader's Guide

Elinor Wonders Why represents a significant entry in children's educational programming by integrating science inquiry skills into a narrative format for preschoolers. The series premiered on PBS Kids on September 7, 2020, and has been licensed to multiple countries including Canada, Latin America, Finland, Israel, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates. Its approach, described by Fast Company as 'encourages curiosity,' aligns with broader efforts to promote STEM learning in early childhood. The show's use of animal characters and calming visual design, inspired by classic comics, helps make scientific concepts accessible to young viewers. The series also expanded into a graphic novel series, with launch titles Hiding in Plain Sight and Forest Giants released on September 6, 2022. Its ongoing development, supported by a National Science Foundation grant, underscores its role in fostering scientific literacy from an early age.

Did You Know?

• The character Elinor was inspired by creator Jorge Cham's own daughter, who was about four years old at the time.
• The series premiered on PBS Kids on September 7, 2020, with a sneak peek of the first two episodes.
• The show's visual design was inspired by the comics Pogo and Calvin and Hobbes.