The Jim Henson Company is taking a bold step out of the studio and into the great outdoors. Premiering on PBS KIDS, Wowsabout isn’t just another puppet show; it is a meticulously crafted live-action adventure shot entirely on location in the breathtaking Sequoia National Park.
But what truly sets this 2026 special apart is its core mission: teaching preschoolers—and their parents—the profound emotion of awe.
Here is a deep dive into why Wowsabout is the most important Henson project of the year, from its research-backed curriculum to the groundbreaking new puppet designs coming out of the Creature Shop.
The 2026 Creature Shop Aesthetic
To bring this vision to life, the Henson team introduced us to two entirely new explorers: Roxy, a guitar-playing, free-spirited hedgehog, and Ronald, a meticulous, fact-loving piglet.
When you look at the 2026 builds for Roxy and Ronald, you immediately notice a shift in design philosophy. Because Wowsabout is filmed against the sweeping cinematography of America’s national parks, the puppets require a different visual weight than standard studio characters.
How It Differs from the “Classic” Muppet Look
If you compare the new characters to the classic 1970s Muppet Show era, a few key distinctions stand out:
- Environmental Integration: Classic Muppets often feature bright, abstract, high-contrast colors (think neon green or electric pink) designed to pop against flat, colorful studio backdrops. The Wowsabout characters use more earth-toned, highly textured fleece and fur to feel like they genuinely belong in a towering redwood forest.
- Tactile Realism: While early Muppets leaned into the “magic triangle” of simple foam spheres and abstract shapes, Roxy and Ronald feature intricate detailing. Roxy’s quills and Ronald’s snout are designed to look natural under the harsh, dynamic lighting of the sun rather than controlled stage lights.
- Mobility in Nature: These characters are built to move through the real world. The puppetry (led by Dorien Davies as Roxy and John Tartaglia as Ronald) requires rigs that allow the characters to hike, camp, and seamlessly interact with the dirt, rocks, and trees of Sequoia National Park.
The Science of Awe: A New Curriculum
Beyond the visuals, Wowsabout is anchored in serious emotion science. The curriculum was developed alongside Dr. Dacher Keltner, one of the world’s foremost experts on human emotion and the author of AWE: The New Science of Everyday Wonder.
Why Focus on Awe?
Research shows that experiencing awe—that feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends your understanding of the world—has incredible developmental benefits for children:
- Encourages Connection: Awe shrinks the ego and makes us feel like we are part of something larger, naturally motivating collaboration and compassion.
- Sparks Curiosity: When kids experience the wonders of awe (which include nature, music, and collective joy), it drives a deep desire to explore, ask questions, and learn.
- Fosters Stewardship: By connecting kids to the beauty of the planet, the show gently encourages environmental care and respect without ever feeling preachy.
The Henson Legacy Evolves
Wowsabout represents a beautiful full-circle moment for The Jim Henson Company. It takes the timeless charm, humor, and heart of physical puppetry and places it firmly in the real world, proving that hand-crafted art still has the power to inspire wonder for a brand new generation.