Turning your TV Time into Quality Time
August 21, 2007 Issue #8b
Christine L. Pollock, Editor Ranny Levy, Publisher Ranny's blog
In This Issue
- Letter from the Editor
- Web Store Features
- New Endorsements
- Festival Titles
- Members and Member News
- Media News and Contests
- Family and Parenting News
- Mama Mirabelle
- Crafts & Activities: Heart Elephant (with squirting trunk)
- Events
Dear Friends
It's time to go back to school soon. I find this a bittersweet time for our household. It has been an unusually wonderful summer for my family, filled with great friends and trips all around NY from Long Island to the Adirondacks. Then again, we are looking forward to getting back to routine and catching up with our friends.
Soon we will experience the crispness of autumn and the excitement of the KIDS FIRST! Best awards. I love finding out what new things teachers and students are doing with media in the classroom this year. If you have any innovative media programs going on in your school, please drop me a note.
Be well,
Christine Pollock, Editor
Don't forget to bookmark Ranny's blog for her take on current media events, and give us your own opinions!
KIDS FIRST! Web Store Features
Open your child's window to the world with quality media educates, inspires and entertains. The KIDS FIRST! Web Store offers you the opportunity to customize your family movie library with confidence through its blend of studio and independent titles. Search by age or interest and find out what child professionals and kids themselves have to say about the titles you choose.
"The Big Aquarium." Visit the largest freshwater aquarium in the world in Chattanooga, TN. Shows hundreds of fish and animals from various habitats, divers feeding fish, and looks behind-the-scenes at the control center, the veterinarian and the research lab.
KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror Comments: Wonderful footage of a wide variety of aquatic plants, animals, and fish. Eye-catching and informative. This would be a great tool for ocean studies. Fosters an appreciation for aquatic life as well as interest in unique species.
KIDS FIRST! KID Juror Comments: Colorful, scientific, cool. Great animals. "I loved the colors of the fish." Showed people working with the animals. "I'd like to work there." DVD. 48 mins. Ages: 5-8. Little Mammoth Media.
"The Big Space Shuttle." Explores the behind-the-scenes action at the space shuttle program, including the astronaut training, the crew roles, shuttle maintenance and orbital gravity experiments.
KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror Comments: A big hit. Everyone liked the narrator, the backstage look, and seeing real astronauts. A look at a topic kids relate to. "It was great to watch with my child, interesting, no violence, and a great learning tool," one mom said.
KIDS FIRST! KID Juror Comments: Captured kids' interest and motivated further inquiry into the subject. Kids liked it because it was real. They particularly enjoyed the launch. "Everything in it is great." "I liked seeing the girl scientists." DVD. 50 mins. Ages: 6-10. Little Mammoth Media.
"The Big Rescue." The US Coast Guard in action! From San Diego to the icebergs of Newfoundland, watch crew members perform real land, sea, and air rescues. KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror Comments: Exciting footage of boats and helicopters at work. Learning about he equipment and tasks of crew members is fascinating. Racial and gender diversity is evident in the cadets; both males and females play vital roles. Rich vocabulary is explained at a child's level. Clearly links physical and mental health to important societal contributions. KIDS FIRST! KID Juror Comments: Enjoyed it. "It is a very cool movie." Kids uttered many "awesome" and "cools" and "whoa's." They loved the boats, the location footage, and seeing actual people who are rescue heroes in action. One boy wrote, "I would watch it 100 times." "The people respect one another and act together as a team. They help each other get dressed and help each other in the helicopter." Throughout the viewing, boys were heard repeating the names of the boats, helicopters, and others. "I appreciate what these guys do. I didn't know they were the ones who get people off their roofs in a storm." "This movie is so good - it honors heroes." DVD. 48 mins. Ages: 5-8. Little Mammoth Media.
New Endorsements
The KIDS FIRST! endorsement is one of the most highly recognized film, DVD, audio, and game rating programs. Titles are evaluated by members of our adult and child juries. More New Endorsements
can be found on our site.
Ratings key below.
DVD - Ages 5-12
** "KID GUIDES: Dolphin Academy." Brittney travels to Curacao to attend the Dolphin Academy at Kids Sea Camp. She learns what it takes to be a dolphin trainer and leads a dolphin show. Brittney also becomes a certified scuba diver throughout the show and goes diving in the ocean. KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror Comments: Interesting and informative. Demonstrates that children can learn to scuba dive. Good continuity. Looks like everyone is having a good time, but it does have a slightly commercial feel to it as it seems to be pitching a diving camp. It explains exactly what happens in a week of diving camp for kids. Seeing the underwater creatures is a plus. Narration is clear and full of vocal expression. KIDS FIRST! KID Juror Comments: Kids loved it. "I loved how it told about the animals underwater. It has lots of facts about sea creatures." "I like to swim underwater, too. I think I'd like diving." "The pictures are good because they are so realistic. Actually, they are real!" "There was different music by the sharks. Not the normal shark music from 'Jaws.'" "I want to know more." Ages 13-18. Echo Entertainment.
** "Gracie." Set in 1978, Gracie is a teenage girl who overcomes the loss of her brother and fights the odds to achieve her dream of playing competitive soccer at a time when girl's soccer did not exist. KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror Comments: Excellent production. Based on a family's real-life story with upbeat music and a positive role model for young girls. It shows how really hard work and persistence pays off. Believable acting, realistic scenes and story. It shows how each family member acts out his or her depression after the death of Gracie's brother. With Gracie's lack of interest in school, and her digression from being the "good kid," she was are realistically depicted. Her drive to play soccer is realistic, also. This movie provides inspiration for anyone who has felt discriminated against. Contains some profanity although it is used judiciously. KIDS FIRST! KID Juror Comments: Enjoyed it. "It was a good movie!." "It's really, really good. I think it's one of the best movies I've seen." The kids could relate to it and said they thought the story was very believable. They enjoyed the fast action of the soccer games. "I watch sports movies again, and I'd watch this one a second time." The whole "fight for what you believe in" concept was well received by our teen jurors. Even those who aren't into soccer enjoyed it. The kids were surprised to see how strongly girls were discriminated against in terms of involvement in sports twenty years ago. Ages 13-18. Picturehouse.
Selections from the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival
The
KIDS FIRST! Film Festival is a showcase for new and classic children's
films from studios, independent producers and youth producers worldwide
that exemplify qualify media for children. The Festival travels
year round and is hosted locally by more than 100 different venues
including established film festivals, art and children's museums,
nonprofit film centers, libraries, schools and local organizations.
Venues include: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Newport Beach
Film Festival, Avalon Theater in Washington D.C., Belcourt Theater,
Brooklyn Children's Museum, Denver Film Society and Starz Denver
International Film Festival, Film Center at the Cinema Cafe. To
find out what is being played in a venue near you, visit this link .
For a complete list of all Festival titles currently being shown,
visit here
"Thomas & Friends: Thomas Gets Tricked." L. 40 mins.
Watch how Gordon gives Thomas a lesson he won't forget and how Henry comes to the rescue when disaster strikes. Then, find out what happens when Thomas gets a chance to pull his very own train with unexpected results. Ages 2-5. Starz Home Entertainment.
"Jakers Spooky Stories." L. 92 mins.
Jakers! is a celebration of the joys good friendship can bring while the excitement of adventure and imagination inspires kids to learn from their own experiences. Each episode offers life lessons that convey a moral lesson. Every episode is set in two distinct places and times - 1950s Ireland and present day U.S.A. Ages 2-5. Paramount Home Entertainment.
"Firehouse Dog." L. 111 mins.
Rexxx, Hollywood's top K-9 star, gets lost and is reluctantly adopted by a young boy. His father, fire chief of a rundown station agrees to the adoption only if his defiant son takes care of the K-9. Little do they realize that Rexx will not only bring them closer but also bring some much-needed faith back to the fire station. Starring Josh Hutcherson, Bruce Greenwood, Bill Nunn. Directed by Todd Holland. Ages 5-12. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.
New and Renewing Members
Steps4Kids, LLC provides instructional DVDs and
related support products to strengthen children's skills in their home,
school, and social settings. This innovative product uses both simple visual
and verbal instructions set to soothing music to demonstrate tips on
setting, seating, pencil grips, how to avoid letter reversals, how to
draw using letters and much more.
Member News
Oral Hygiene Can Be Fun!
At least if you’re in Dr. Flossman’s zany classroom in "Open Wide, Tooth School Inside!" There, all 32 new students -- 8 incisors, 4 canines, 8 premolars and 12 molars -- make a daily pledge “to the gums on which we stand, strong and healthy, with toothbrushes and toothpaste for all.” Available August 28 from Scholastic.
Media News and Contests
"Thomas & Friends On The Big Screen"
Soon hitting real theatres, this film is comprised of five previously unseen episodes of the Thomas & Friends TV series. The episodes introduce audiences to three new engine characters and features sing-a-longs and trivia. Purchasing a ticket ($7) will also get consumers a free Thomas & Friends activity book and a Wal-Mart gift card ($5). Check out the list of participating theatres.
Shutterfly Acquires Make it About Me
Make it About Me book lets consumers submit a child's photo that is then incorporated into the illustrations and storyline of one of its books. Shutterfly's licensed content and themed characters includes Thomas and Friends, Clifford the Big Red Dog and Angelina Ballerina.
Family and Parenting News
Weston Woods Studios Launches New Line of Digital Audiobooks
Playaway, which specializes in pre-loaded digital audio, features titles narrated by celebrities. The initial 12 audiobooks will be released in libraries and schools nationwide by the end of September. Users can hear the content by plugging in the provided earbuds. Additionally, the Playaway audiobooks allow the listener to slow down or speed up the narrator's voice. More Information.
Discovery Kids Celebrates National Literacy Month
During the week of September 10, Ready Set Learn features all-new episodes of "Wilbur," "Peep and the Big Wide World" (with an episode voiced by Academy Award® Winner Holly Hunter), "Bigfoot Presents: Meteor: and the Mighty Monster Trucks," "Hip Hop Harry," and "Toddworld." The entire week of premieres is geared toward helping children learn about teamwork, listening, and problem-solving, among other important topics, by promoting optimism, persistence, and resilience.
Feature Article
"Mama Mirabelle" by Christine Pollock
From the heart of the African savanna comes a series that is bound to captivate both parents and children with its sweet characters and engaging storylines. “Mama Mirabelle” comes to America’s PBS stations this fall, and boy, are Americans in for a treat!
This series, featuring the talents of “Ugly Betty” star Vanessa Williams, hopes to foster preschool children’s understanding of animal customs and behaviors; to encourage preschool children to reflect on their own customs and practices, and to consider how their lives and experiences are both similar to and different from those of animals; to introduce preschool children to an array of different animals in the kingdom, and enrich their ability to describe and communicate about these animals; and to motivate preschool children to appreciate the wonder and beauty of animals and animal life.
Williams shares her enthusiasm for the series:
Q: What do you feel that you bring to the project?
A: I’m doing this not only because I enjoy the actual project, but because I’m a mom. I’ve brought my youngest daughter to work and she’s listened to me. She’s watched the animated pictures and seen me bring them to life. It’s a process I’ve never really gone through before.
Q: Although your kids are a little old for "Mama Mirabelle’s Home Movies," would you have encouraged them to watch? And now with Sasha, do you think you will sit down and watch it with her?
A: Well, the fascinating process of doing an educational-based entertainment show for kids is that I learn so much every time I do an episode: [Correct] pronunciations, animals I never even heard of, what their features are, what they do and how talented they are. I am getting a chance to step into a world I might not have touched when I was learning about it in biology class or earth studies. It’s great to be able to have my children learn along with me and the other adults in the room while we are actually performing -- to learn about different creatures that we had no idea about.
Q: The mission at National Geographic Kids is “to excite kids to explore their world.” How does "Mama Mirabelle’s Home Movies" embody this?
A: I think what "Mama Mirabelle" does by using movie clips in each episode is allow the child a chance to explore different continents, different eco-systems that they never even thought about, and different creatures that they never even heard about. I think it does a great job in creating and stimulating imagination and it brings all those experiences to film when the child is watching.
Already pleasing audiences around the United States in the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival, “Mama Mirabelle” is poised to enchant viewers on a daily basis. It’s a unique mixed-media format that combines stunning animation with exceptional live-action animal footage from the award winning National Geographic and BBC archives.
This series will premiere this September 8th on PBS Kids (Check your local listing for details). Catch a preview here and enjoy the show.
Crafts and Activities
Heart Elephant (With Squirting Trunk)
Supplies: craft foam, scissors, glue, crayons, hole puncher, medicine dropper
1. Cut three large hearts and two small hearts.
2. Invert two large hearts.
3.
Glue one large heart on top of the other halfway so it looks like elephant has four legs.
4. Glue third large heart right-side-up over top of other hearts to make face.
5. Glue smaller hearts sideways on each side of head for ears.
6. Punch hole where trunk goes.
7. Insert
dropper from back to front..
8. Draw eyes.
For other craft/activity ideas, go to our craft index.
Events
August 23 - Houston, TX. Premiere of "The Bracelet of Bordeaux" at River Oaks Theatre at 6:00 PM and 8:15 PM. The stars, director, producer and even a star dog will be in attendance. A Q & A on-stage will follow the 8:15 PM show. For any other information call Women In Film & Television at (713) 788-8075.
October 7 - 11 - Mesa, AZ. The 29th National Media Market will be held at the Hilton Phoenix East/Mesa. 50 producers and distributors will showcase new educational programming and related technology. Discounts and special pricing pay for most of the cost of attendance. Information here or contact Ursula Schwarz at (520) 743-7735.
October 13 - Los Angeles, CA. KIDS FIRST! Best Day and Awards Ceremony. Save the date! This event is held at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in collaboration with the Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival.
April 3-5, 2008 - Boston, MA. CCFC's 6th Summit. Consuming Kids: The Sexualization of Children and Other Commercial Calamities. More Information.
Special Offers
KIDS FIRST! Cares
Through the combined efforts of Corporations for Character, KIDS FIRST! , and your generous donation, we can fulfill our mission to provide positive, encouraging movies into each of more than one million children's hospital beds. This effort will provide entertainment for children while they are confined in a hospital. To support KIDS FIRST! Cares, go to www.kidsfirstcares.org. All credit card transactions are secure.
Support the Coalition
Become
a Member - If you've found our e-zine and web site helpful, please
consider becoming a member of KIDS FIRST! By doing so, your contribution
helps help underwrite the various projects of this organization. The Coalition relies on the generous support of its members and
donors to support its programs. An individual/family membership
is only $25/year. An organizational membership is $100/year. An
independent producer membership is $200. To join, visit our site or contact our office at 505.989.8076. KIDS FIRST! Travel Site - Support KIDS FIRST! by booking your travel on our
travel website. Prices
compare with those of Travelocity and KIDS FIRST! earns a commission
on any travel booked here. What a great way to support a nonprofit
without having to write a check. Become
an Affiliate of the KIDS FIRST! Web Store -
By linking with our online store which sells films from our independent
producers, you can earn a commission off of each sale.
VISIT OUR MEMBERS' SITES
Support our members. Visit their sites by visiting our members' page.
ABOUT CQCM AND KIDS FIRST!
The Coalition for Quality Children's Media is a national, nonprofit organization founded in 1991 whose mission is to teach children critical viewing skills and to increase the visibility and availability of quality children's media. More.
Our Ratings:
*** = Titles receiving the highest scores are given a three-star rating. ** = Titles that meet or exceed the criteria receive a two-star rating. * = Titles that meet the baseline criteria but require some extra consideration on the part of the viewer receive a one-star rating.
