The Big Green Rabbit: PBS Show Encourages Healthier Choices for Kids

In summer 2007, word spread quickly about auditions taking place in Colorado for casting Public Broadcasting Systems' brand new show, "The Big Green Rabbit." The show was in need of children ages four to 12. Kids were coached by other kids who represented 'The Big Green Rabbit," teaching the main dance before the children auditioned.

Out of the thousands of children who auditioned, seven children had been picked to dance in the show as 'The Very Big Green Dancers', dancing throughout the show. The main character, a third grader from Westminster, (Ariana Ellis) is the child who's imagination brings a small stuffed green rabbit to life into a seven foot tall, walking and talking rabbit, who is oblivious on health issues. Isabelle, (Ellis) educates Charlie, the Big Green Rabbit about the definition of calories, and some of the activities anyone can do to burn off the unwanted calories to stay healthy. This girl was picked for her unique, eccentric style of dancing, that creates a spark for other dancers to join in the fun, too. (Including viewers at home)

Although few were picked to star within the show, thousands of the kids who auditioned have received the invite to come and dance as 'Big Green Dancers' with Charlie and the Very Big Green Dancers at local community events that the shows production holds throughout the Denver Metro area. Not only does the show have these extras to assist them with educating the public, but they also include other characters to help as well. Spud the potato, the animated character on the show, sings songs that discourage kids of being a couch potato and going out to exercise, as opposed to sitting at home watching T.V., or playing video games, etc.

Isabelle also speaks about the different kinds of ways and methods to burn calories such as swimming, riding bikes, and dancing. Another topic the characters discuss is the healthier choices that kids as well as parents need to obtain with snacks and meals. Rather than the quick fix of fast food, families need to focus more on consuming foods that reside within the food pyramid, and be sure that snacks and meals are served in reasonable portions of servings.

"The Big Green Rabbit" has the goal of teaching viewers that improving diets, and encouraging exercise and increase children's connection to nature in not just a 'chore', but it can also be loads of fun, too! For more information regarding "The Big Green Rabbit", (or if you'd like to see your child in their audition video) feel free to check them out on their website, at http://www.biggreenrabbit.com/