Check out the costumes guides for Nickelodeon’s animated television series, The Wild Thornberrys. Officially premiering in 1998, the series follows the lives of a nomadic family, the Thornberrys, as they host and film wildlife documentaries. The show primarily focuses on the daughter, Eliza, as she hides her ability to talk to animals while on adventures with her family traveling the world. Dress like the animal lover Eliza Thornberry or her eccentric, nature-loving father, Nigel. With each of the step-by-step costume guides, you can bring this wild family to life at your next [Halloween] costume party.
Eliza’s father, Nigel Thornberry, narrates and hosts “Nigel Thornberry’s Wild World” where he teaches viewers about wild animals and their natural habitats. As a British naturalist, he has devoted his life to studying nature and has a thirst for adventure. He totes his family around in their ComVee (communications vehicle) that they also live in. Nigel is best known for his strange voice and striking facial features. Paired with his bright red hair and mustache, Nigel certainly makes for a quirky character. Of course, no recreation of Nigel Thornberry would be complete without using his famous tagline, “smashing!”
The 11-year-old protagonist, Eliza Thornberry, gains the unique ability to talk to animals when saving an African shaman from a trap. Fulfilling her wish to be able to speak to animals, the shaman grants Eliza her power. Like her father, Eliza has a passion for adventure, which often gets her into trouble as she tries to befriend every animal she encounters. However, Eliza struggles to keep her power a secret. She knows that if her secret gets out, Eliza may lose her unique ability forever. Luckily, she can speak to Darwin, her pet chimpanzee, about her struggles. This ability is helpful as they go on adventures around the world, saving animals from various threats like poachers, trappers, or other dangerous situations.
The Wild Thornberrys premiered in 1998, introducing a new type of animated series that centers around a nomadic family as they film a wildlife documentary. The series follows daughter, Eliza Thornberry, who can talk to her pet chimpanzee, Darwin. The family goes on adventures exotic throughout the world. Eliza’s father, Nigel, stars in their wildlife documentaries. Eliza’s mother, Marianna, works behind the scenes filming and editing. Throughout their journey searching for rare and exciting wildlife, the family finds themselves saving animals from people who wish to destroy them.
While Eliza keeps her unique ability to talk to animals a secret from her parents, her teenage sister, Debbie, is fully aware. If either of the sisters speaks of the extraordinary power, Eliza risks the power being taken away from her. Throughout the series, Eliza uses this power to save animals from various threats, like poachers and teaches us how animals and humans can live together in harmony.