Helena Harris

Helena Harris is the creator of High Five (2003), Bananas in Pyjamas, Lighten Up and Cushion Kids, who was born on October 6^th, 1945. Originally intended as preschool entertainment, she and her co-producer Posie Graeme- Evans devised the series. The “High Five” gesture served as the inspiration for the series’ moniker. According to Harris, part of the reason she was inspired to create High Five was spent living in England, where she saw firsthand how similar kids are everywhere. She anticipated that the show’s themes of family and animals would resonate with viewers everywhere. To interact with the kids and maintain their interest in the show, Harris made an effort to include topics of current interest.

The show’s makers realized that preschoolers were fast evolving and needed “life-affirming” television. They discovered that most kids learned best from shows that included movement and music. The creators thought preschoolers had outgrown shows like Here’s Humphrey. Harris went on to create “High Five” which had more than five hundred episodes and was translated into 118 other languages. Harris was a former A.B.C. film editor and director who decided to transition from television drama to children’s T.V. after having a second child who was much different from her first. This led her to research child development.