VeggieTales is an American Christian CGI-animated series and franchise for children created by Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki under Big Idea Entertainment.

The series stars Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber leading a variety of fruit and vegetable characters as they retell stories from the Bible and parody pop culture while also teaching life lessons according to a biblical world view.

The success of the animations helped establish a franchise of related media, including books, music, stage productions, and video games.

VeggieTales was created by Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki through the production company Big Idea Entertainment with an overall aim to convey Christian moral themes and teach Biblical values and lessons for a child-based audience.

[3] Due to limitations in the Softimage 3D at the time, Vischer opted to avoid the technical production hurdle of designing characters with arms, legs, hair, and clothes.

Further inspiration derived from Vischer's wife, Lisa, who suggested parents of the target audience might prefer a character who promoted healthier eating habits.

Dan Anderson (Dad Asparagus) and Jim Poole (Scooter) who collaborated with Vischer on dramas at their local church, were recruited for the cast.

The series' earlier animators included young college graduates Chris Olsen and Robert Ellis alongside Vischer.

[8] Having had no written contract with either Lyrick or HIT, Big Idea arranged a distribution deal with Warner Home Video, triggering the suit.

In April 2003, a jury in Texas ruled Big Idea must pay $11 million to HIT—a decision which was overturned on appeal in 2005.

They had asked to have a bigger role in the franchise following their involvement in The VeggieTales Show and the company refused, resulting in their complete departure.

The videos generally present a moral idea or ethical issue in the opening countertop segment, either through a viewer question or a conflict brought up by Bob or Larry.

At the end, there is a closing countertop segment where Bob and Larry discuss the lesson and receive a Bible verse from Qwerty the Computer to provide a biblical reference for the viewer.

"[13] Big Idea has released a few "special edition" DVDs which consist of remastered videos and additional features not on the original DVD.

Similar to the opening countertop sequence of the VeggieTales videos, either Bob, Larry or both read the letter and the cast tries to decide how to solve the viewer's problem through one of three regular segments: Archibald reads a story from his Big Book of Oddities, Pa Grape shows an old film, or Mr. Lunt appears with his stick puppet (Paco the Storytelling Mule) and tells a story.

"[23] The response from NBC stated the editing now conformed to the network's broadcast standards, which direct producers "not to advocate any one religious point of view."

NBC spokeswoman Rebecca Marks said "Our goal is to reach as broad an audience as possible with these positive messages while being careful not to advocate any one religious point of view.

"[23] Vischer expressed disappointment with these edits, stating that he was not informed that religious content would be removed from the series, and that he could have refused to sign a contract with Qubo if he had known of the decision beforehand.

[29] The series is an expansion of the kitchen counter top segments of the original videos to include a full city which the characters live in.

[33] Vischer confirmed via Twitter, he and Nawrocki were to return as full-time staff to work on the series, tentatively titled The VeggieTales Show.

The series brought back Mr. Nezzer (albeit with voice actor David Mann), as the owner of the theater in which the show takes place.

[48] Big Idea, and its successors, have released VeggieTales themed games on various platforms including PC, Macintosh, iOS, and Android.

On August 7, 1998, Fisher Price introduced several VeggieTales products, including the "Bounce N Talk Veggies", "Sing N Dance Bob and Larry", "Junior Asparagus Bedtime Friend", "Veggie Bunch", "Talking Clip Ons", "Dress Up Mix Up Larry", an interactive "LarryBoy" doll, "Larrymobile", and a "Figure Pack" play-set.

[citation needed] On February 10, 2011, Big Idea Entertainment announced several new product promotions, including partnerships with Chick-fil-A (kids' meal promotions), American Puzzle Company (wooden puzzles and trains), CTI Industries (mylar and latex balloons), Tabbies (index tabs, stickers, temporary tattoos and wall clings), Victory Designs (children's guitars), and Zoobies (plush pillows and blankets).

[68] In June 2014, B&H Kids announced plans to produce a VeggieTales comic series with Big Idea Productions and DreamWorks Animation.

[72] It featured past interviews with Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki as well as highlighting The VeggieTales Show and Yippee TV.

Its simple characters, bright colors and catchy tunes sweeten the Christian message...The real appeal of the veggies is their wackiness.