GBH Kids & PBS KIDS Spotlight “America’s Awesome Kids”, Featuring a Georgia Standout

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, GBH Kids is celebrating “all kinds of awesome kids, one awesome country” in its new live-action short-form series, “America’s Awesome Kids”. Created in coordination with 23 partnering PBS stations across the country, the series is part of PBS’ “PBS KIDS Across America” initiative. 

“America's Awesome Kids” is a series of 25 short-form, live-action mini-documentaries. The project leveraged local station networks to find and film real, community-minded children (ages 4 to 8) in their hometowns, showcasing regional diversity and promoting civic engagement. Stories in the series range from caring for llamas in Iowa to Bollywood dancing in Georgia and exploring Cajun culture in Louisiana. Each episode highlights what sets local communities apart and how kids are making a difference. 

“America’s Awesome Kids” reflects the lives of our young audiences while also introducing them to the wide array of places, cultures, and customs from around the country,” said Dorothea Gillim, executive producer and creative director of GBH Kids. “Working with other PBS stations on this series has been a great opportunity to leverage the strength of public media to capture a uniquely local story for a national audience and build empathy and a sense of connection across the country.” 

In Georgia, the series features Sahana, a 7-year-old from Acworth who shares her love of Bollywood dancing and how she helps clean up her community with her Helping Heart Girls Club. 

"America's Awesome Kids" began streaming for free on the PBS KIDS Video App, pbskids.org, on the “America’s Awesome Kids” YouTube channel and on GBH Kids on May 22nd. To celebrate the release of the series, GPB joined Sahana, her family, and classmates at school to watch Sahana’s episode. The entire school watched it at the same time through the daily newscast in their classrooms.  

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A schoolwide screening celebrated Sahana’s featured episode

Credit: Alicia Eakin

After the screening, Sahana’s classmates each drew a paper quilt piece highlighting what makes them an awesome kid. The pieces will be joined together to make a community quilt. 

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Students drew images of things they love and things that make them awesome.

GBH Kids is extending the learning beyond the screen, with "America's Awesome Kids" educational materials for children, families, and educators being distributed by stations and nonprofits. Children can use a passport and stickers to track their progress through the episodes. GPB will hand out the passports and stickers at summer 2026 events.

Watch "America's Awesome Kids" now on GPB and PBS KIDS.

Watch more PBS KIDS Across America episodes and specials!