Smokey the Bear and his message about preventing forest fires is recognized by just about anyone, of any age.

Well now there is a new character, but instead of preventing forest fires this one is preventing childhood obesity and promoting healthy life choices.

He's not hard to pick out in this crowd of pre-schoolers, that's Choosy dancing in the back.

CHOOSY stands for "Choose Healthy Options Often and Start Young". He's a fury green singing and dancing role model for young children.

"There really wasn't a children's character that would promote healthy decisions, mainly eating fruits and veggies and physical activity. And so there really is a need for a children's messenger, particularly in the area of health," said creator Linda Carson.

Linda Carson developed the character and has now formed a small business based on the idea, Choosy Kids, LLC.

The idea came from her 29 years as a physical education professor at West Virginia University.

"I became acutely aware of childhood obesity rates, particularly in WV they are really high," said Carson.

She believes that by reaching children very early she can help develop healthy behaviors instead of waiting until obesity is a problem.

Choosy is already part of a national Head Start Initiate but that's just the beginning for this West Virginia native.

"Its good to be choosy."

Carson says the hope is to make CHOOSY a children's icon, easily recognizable with a clear message. She's expanding into schools, doctors offices, health agencies nationwide, and eventually she hopes even into a TV character.