WordWorld is an American animated educational preschool television series based on the books and the wooden puzzles of the same name. The series was created by Don Moody, Jacqueline Moody, Peter Schneider and Gary Friedman, it was produced by Word World, LLC, The Learning Box and WTTW National for PBS Kids.
It aired on PBS Kids from September 3, 2007, to January 17, 2011, with PBS later airing reruns on the 24/7 PBS Kids channel where it ran through October 2, 2022. The series consisted of 3 seasons and 45 episodes (84 segments total).
In the series, when letters are combined to spell words, they morph into the shape of the corresponding object. The animal characters and many objects are made of letters, and are respectively called WordFriends and WordThings. The main setting is a planet that has two landmasses in the shape of Ws for WordWorld; despite its name, WordFriends and WordThings also exist in outer space. In each episode, the characters have a cartoonish adventure, and ultimately must "build a word" using synthetic phonics to solve a problem. Some episodes focus on concepts such as rhymes, compound words, and plural formation with -s.
WordWorld is designed to teach children how to spell. In non-English speaking countries, it is designed to teach children English as a second language.
WordWorld consists of 45 episodes, 26 in the first season, 14 in the second, and 5 in the third. 6 of the second season's segments are merely repeats from the first season, with 22 original segments produced for the second season. There are 84 original segments total.
In February 2011, one month after the show ended, Word World LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, listing liabilities of more than $10 million, including $3.3 million in unpaid debt to unidentified animation and production studios. Word World stated that it would continue to operate as usual while it tried to find licensing agreements regarding merchandise.
In June 2009, World World LLC appointed 4Kids Entertainment as the global licensing agent for the property.
Emily Ashby of Common Sense Media gave the series 5 out of 5 stars; saying that, "This show is perfectly suited for preschoolers' learning level, and it will entertain them as it reinforces their knowledge of letters, sounds, and simple words. With its imaginative design and with the various font styles used to create the letter-based objects, the WordWorld package is delightful enough to draw in parents almost as readily as kids."
2009 Emmy Award Winner Outstanding Children's Animated Program Outstanding Writing in Animation
2008 Emmy Award Winner Outstanding Achievement in Main Title
Three 2007 Parents' Choice Awards: Gold Welcome to WordWorld DVD Rocket to the Moon/The Birds DVD WordWorld Television Series
Creative Child Magazine â Creative Toys Awards 2008 Preferred Choice Award: Barn Bucket Set 2008 Seal of Excellence Award: Pull-Apart Plush
2004 Preferred Choice Award: Pull Apart Plush
2008 Toy Wishes Magazine All-Star Award WordPuzzle with Sound: Duck's Beach Party
Interactive Media Awards 2007 Best in Class: PBS Kids WordWorld Website