Turning your TV Time into Quality Time
November 6, 2007 Issue #11
Christine L. Pollock, Editor Ranny Levy, Publisher Ranny's blog
In This Issue
Letter from the Editor- Web Store Features
- Ann's Avenues
- Festival Titles
- Members and Member News
- Media News and Contests
- Family and Parenting News
- Feature Article: Harbinger of Children's Programming
- Crafts & Activities: Pressed Colorful Leaves
- Events
Dear Friends
It's hard to believe it's November already. The weather is crazy here in western NY where I live. The leaves are almost all on the ground, and we frequently have snow by now, but it's going to be 65 degrees tomorrow! It goes to show that life keeps changing.
This month our main article is written by Ranny, who had the privilege of interviewing a woman who made her own dramatic life change when she turned 40. Linda Simensky, Senior Director of Children’s Programming for PBS Kids, speaks frankly with Ranny on her decision to make children's programming more appropriate for young viewers. Part of the interview is below; the full version is on Ranny's blog.
Great news! The photos from the KIDS FIRST! Best awards weekend are up. You can check them out from this website, where you can also order copies of the photos, if you are interested.
More great news! TiVo is offering an early holiday present. They have extended the deadline for free TiVo offer to December 6, 2007.
Enjoy your month!
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 that 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.
"Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep." Designed to calm fussy babies before bedtime. Begins with a children's prayer. The animated characters yawn as night approaches. Real babies slumber away in dreamland. Mesmerizing motion footage is underscored with classical lullabies.
KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror Comments: Strikingly beautiful melding of photography, abstract art, and music except for the ending commercial. Excellent flow save for "smiley" balls floating intermittently. Excellent production. Lovely to look at and listen to.
KIDS FIRST! KID Juror Comments: Only voice is one verse of The Lord's Prayer spoken by several children. Very calming for babies as well as parents. Infants all nodded off in ten minutes. Mood was destroyed by commercial at the end. L. 30 mins. Ages 2-4. Gaiam.
"Families of Israel." Documentary that takes the viewer through a typical day in the lives of two families living in Israel, showing their way of life, family interaction, foods, and celebrations. Visits their countryside, cities, communities, schools and homes.
KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror Comments: Excellent, effective, educational presentation. Kids narrating are sincere and authentic. Stresses respect for family, religion, authority, education, environment and community. Great discussion of Hebrew and the importance of bilingual education.
KIDS FIRST! KID Juror Comments: Really enjoyed seeing a different culture - impressed by how much the kids were like themselves. "We liked seeing different places and how they talk." "They looked and played like we do." "The whole thing was my favorite part." "Camels were great!" L. 30 mins. Ages 5-10. Master Communications.
Ann's Avenues
Community Counts
Last month I reported on the Tropic Cinema in Old
Town Key West and their Movie and a Bike program. This program was sponsored by the Sunrise Rotary, which donated the money for a free raffle for a bike. Each Saturday in October, a raffle was held, and the lucky winner selected their bike at the local KMart. This fun movie and raffle are continuing through November by the generous support of other local community members.
More importantly , the Trivissono Free Saturday Matinee Series is funded by private donations from Nick Trivissono, which cover all operational costs so that kids can enjoy the movies.
A new festival partner, the Beloit International Film Festival in Beloit, WI has been supported by ABC Supply Company and Diane and Ken Hendricks. This festival, which is celebrating its 3rd year in 2008, involves the whole community of Beliot, with an attendance of 6,000 over a 4 day film festival. BIFF utilizes venues that are a bit unconventional and innovative, including the local Bagels and More shop. Bagel and a movie, anyone?
In our home town of Santa Fe, the Santa Fe Film Festival hosts free children's films every Saturday thanks to the generous support of Los Alamos National Bank. In Hawaii, the program is supported by the Manoa Outreach program of University of Hawaii and now has the interest of the local Starwood Hotels for next year.
If you are passionate about movies and want to bring films to your community, think outside the box. Find underwriters and sponsors to support your passion. Call us at KIDS FIRST!, and let's get started. And to all the sponsors and underwriters who believe and support children's films, thank you!
If you know of another great location that should be screening KIDS FIRST! titles, drop me a email and I will send you a free copy of my latest favorite KIDS FIRST! festival title.
Ann Church
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.
"ToddWorld: Being an Individual (Vol 1)." L. 66 mins.
Meet Todd's new friends in these six fun-filled episodes of ToddWorld, where Todd learns that what makes us different makes us special! Todd will show you how to enjoy many holidays, accept others, try new styles, discover different ways to play, and celebrate neat feet. Ages 2-5. Genius Products.
"Jingle All The Way." L. 89 mins.
Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in this hilarious holiday comedy as a father desperate to buy the must-have Christmas toy during a frantic last-minute shipping spree on Christmas Eve. Ages 5-12. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.
"Wilbur: Funny Dress-Up Night." L. 15 mins.
The love-of-reading and books "Wilbur" TV show is hosting a costume party. Hilarious costumes abound, but Wilbur's friend Dasha hasn't found one yet and the party is about to start. Wilbur reads a story that helps Dasha learn that using your imagination can sometimes be the trick (or treat) that solves the problem. Ages 2-5. Discovery Kids.
New and Renewing Members
Bubba Balinda Productions was started just this year to produce the short film "Pearl."
Tiodnaci Productions, LLC. Zak Morgan performs over 200 shows a year, using music, magic, theater, and comedy to encourage children to read books and exercise their imaginations. His unrestrained stage presence always leaves a lasting impression. He writes songs and stories for children along with making
CD's and DVD's.
Member News
Congratulations to Al Gore
Gore and the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. His film, "An Inconvenient Truth" is a KIDS FIRST! favorite. Read More.
Congratulations to MagicFrank
MagicFrank recently became a grandpa.
Season Six of Cyberchase
The new season debuts November 7 on PBS Kids GO!
The new season is themed Math in Action and will feature ways for kids to try out some math and science concepts to solve problems (e.g. levers, measuring and numbers). As in the past, the season will feature special guest voice-overs. Check it Out.
Educational Adventures Completes Licensing Deal with The Music Department
Under the deal The Music Department will have exclusive rights to market and digitally distribute music from Educational Adventures' kid safety TV series,"Danger Rangers," a KIDS FIRST! title. The series currently airs on public television, the American Forces Network and leading VOD systems.
Media News and Contests
Nickelodeon Delivers Top shows to Xbox LIVE
This includes the Nick Jr. series "The Backyardigans." The show’s double-length "Super Secret Super Spy" episode, featuring the vocal talents of special guest star Cyndi Lauper, will be exclusively available for download on Xbox LIVE. In addition, kids can download the entire first season of the educational preschool series "Blue’s Clues." Read About It.
Kaiser Permanente Launches Online Game
The game teaches kids to eat healthier foods, be more active, and manage how much time they spend in front of the computer and television. Scholastic Inc. is distributing the game and supplementary learning materials to more than 5,000 public schools across the country. Read More.
Want to Dance With the Doodlebops?
It's time for The Doodlebops Superstar Search! They are asking kids to submit two-minute-long videos of themselves grooving to a Doodlebops' tune. The grand prize winner, chosen by the producer of The Doodlebops series, will receive a free trip to Toronto to perform in one of the group's upcoming music videos. The contest runs from November 3 - 30, 2007 and is open to all Canadian residents 10 years old and younger. Check it Out.
Animation Magazine Looks for Anniversary Celebrants
They are looking for companies, studios, animation houses, etc. celebrating
an anniversary in 2008. (Please Note: They will focus only on anniversaries
in increments of 5, so a 5, 10, etc. anniversary in 2008).
If your anniversary is coming up, they'd appreciate it if you would contact Mercedes Milligan or call 818-991-2884 Ext. 109. They can also include the anniversary of a product or character as well. Deadline is Friday, Nov. 9.
March 16-18, 2008 - Merida, Mexico.
2nd International Safety/Seguridad Media Awards.
The purpose of the competition is to recognize excellence in safety and injury prevention messages and to share evaluation of the effectiveness of the messages. Deadline for submissions: Dec. 15, 2007. More Information.
Family and Parenting News
A Multi-lingual Worldwide Interactive Initiative For Children Ages 4 Through 7
Sesame Workshop and Merrill Lynchp partner to create Panwapa, which means “here on this earth” in the Tshiluba language, to foster the foundation for global citizenship and community participation in young children. Already a DVD show, starting January 2008, Panwapa will be available on free video-on-demand (VOD), via PBS KIDS Sprout, along with Panwapa games and information.
National Geographic Digital Media Joins Forces With Imbee.com
With their new endeavor, National Geographic Kids Group, members will have the ability to read and comment on the most recent blog entries related to various Earth-focused National Geographic Digital Media programs, view videos, look at images, and listen to world music. Content for the group will be updated frequently and will cover animals, insects, plant life, geography, culture, music and more.
Feature Article
Harbinger of Children's Programming
by Ranny Levy
Kudos to Linda Simensky, Senior Director of Children’s Programming for PBS Kids, who will be honored with the Discovery Award by the Zimmer Children's Museum. Their 7th Annual Discovery Award Dinner will be held Thursday, November 8, 2007 at The Beverly Wilshire Hotel. This award is presented to extraordinary individuals who are builders, creators and leaders in their fields and communities.
I spoke with Linda last week to congratulate her for receiving this honor and to find out more about this woman whose influence over children's programming is among the highest in this country. As a mother of a two-year-old and a seven-year-old, it's clear being a mom changed how Linda regarded children's programming. Prior to joining PBS Kids in 2003, Simensky worked at Nickelodeon and Cartoon network where she served as vice president of original animation and oversaw the development of shows such as "The Powerpuff Girls," "Samurai Jack," and "Johnny Bravo." She left Cartoon Network the week of her 40th birthday. When she started looking at programming through her son's eyes, it changed the way she looked at programming. She found that she wouldn't let her son watch some of the shows that she had created while at Cartoon Network. She found herself more interested in what was going on PBS and, la voila -- this position opened up for her. What serendipity.
She came to PBS wanting to make shows that she wanted her own kids to see. Shows such as "Fetch" and "WordGirl" are examples of what has emerged under Linda's leadership. They are designed for kids, but adults will enjoy them equally. It goes back to the model that "Sesame Street" and "The Electric Company" created years ago. Make sure that it's fun and funny and has a cool quality to it and is really innovative.
As Simensky says about her work, "I feel pretty lucky. I'm getting to experiment here more than I would have anyplace else." And we are lucky, too, since we all get to benefit from her work. Thanks, Linda, for being a harbinger for children's programming.
Read the Full Interview on Ranny's Blog.
Crafts and Activities
Pressed Colorful Leaves . Complements the KIDS FIRST! title, "First Impressions: Seasons"
Materials: leaves, plastic knife, old crayon pieces, wax paper, dish towel, iron
1. Collect some pretty leaves.
2. Place leaves on sheet of wax paper.
3. Scrape crayon shavings over leaves.
4. Place wax paper on top of leaves.
5. Place towel on top.
6. With iron on lowest setting, iron over the wax paper until the crayon wax melts and leaves are sealed between the sheets of wax paper.
Optional activity: Look up information on your leaf and attach it to the wax paper and keep in a "leaf journal."
For other craft/activity ideas, go to our craft index.
Events
November 7-19 - Chicago, IL. NAEYC Annual Conference & Expo. More than 20,000 early childhood professionals from around the world attend the NAEYC Annual Conference & Expo to discuss the everyday issues of our work with young children and families. Read More.
January 22-25, 2008 - Orlando, Florida. FETC 2008. Educators and administrators gather to learn how to integrate different technologies across the curriculum – from kindergarten to college – while being exposed to the latest hardware, software and successful strategies on student technology use." Read About It.
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.
