KIDS FIRST! News

CYBERCHASE, the only math series for children on American TV will be premiering new episodes starting on April 20, featuring NBC-TV meteorologist Janice Huff as part of its seventh-season Weather Watchers initiative that helps kids learn more and get motivated about climate change.CYBERCHASE’s Weather Watchers episodes explore real-world math connections in a context that encourages kids to take action and seek answers to our environmental problems. The Weather Watchers initiative features five math and weather-themed episodes, including four new premieres, an interactive Web game on pbskidsgo.org/cyberchase, a hands-on activity booklet, tips for parents and teachers, and other outreach efforts.The CYBERCHASE episodes embed math concepts in situations where the CyberSquad measures physical properties, quantifies atmospheric conditions and makes predictions to get out of jams. Janice Huff will be featured on the first two premiere week episodes, April 20 and 21 (check local listings). In three live-action shortform videos for Weather Watchers, to debut on CYBERCHASE Online and the PBS KIDS GO! broadband player, Cyberchase goes behind the scenes with meteorologist Janice Huff, the voice of Stormy Gale in the Weather Watchers episodes, and real kids engage in weather-related activities that motivate viewers to “try this at home!”The Cyberchase Weather Watchers programs are:·               “Gone with the Fog” (April 20, new! Check local listings) The Cybersquad must figure out the mysteries of dew point to make a daring rescue under the cover of fog.  Math topics:  Algebraic Thinking, measurement.  Weather topic:  Fog·                “The Emperor Has Snow Clothes” (April 21, new! Check local listings) Hacker turns the Emperor of Penguia into an icy statue, and the kids have to track a powerful storm so they can avoid it and save the Emperor from a frozen fate.  Math topic: Algebraic thinking.  Weather topic:  Tracking Storms·               “The X Factor” (April 22, EARTH DAY, new! check local listings) One tiny, seemingly harmless act multiplied hundreds of times creates a huge problem in Perfectamundo, and the CyberSquad must use that same power of multiplication to find a solution.  Math topic: Power of Multiplication.  Weather topic:  Climate Change.·               “Blowin’ In The Wind” (April 23, new! check local listings) The key to curing Motherboard’s virus may be at the windiest place in the Northern Frontier, and the CyberSquad must measure and compare wind speeds to find it.  Math topic: Measurement.  Weather topic:  Wind Speed.·               “Digit’s B-Day Surprise” (April 24, encore.  Check local listings) In a misunderstanding about a surprise b-day party, Hacker nearly convinces Digit to join his team!  Math topic: Measurement.  Weather topic:  Evaporative cooling.

Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber, and their VeggieTales® friends will make their Gospel Music Channel (GMC) television network debut when GMC presents the world television premiere of the new VeggieTales® DVD, “Abe and the Amazing Promise” on Sat. Feb 7 at 9:00 a.m. ET (Also 10a, 11a, 2p, 3p, 4p.)“Abe and the Amazing Promise” is a Veggie-spun Bible classic that tells the story of Abraham and Sarah and their wait for a promised child.  Featuring a lesson in patience, “Abe and the Amazing Promise” showcases popular nationally-syndicated radio host Delilah as the voice of Sarah.  Abe and the Amazing Promise also includes the debut of a brand new Silly Song entitled “Sneeze If You Need To!” and a snappy new song about patience, “Willing To Wait.”GMC, the nation’s first and only 24/7 television network devoted to Gospel/Christian music and programming, will bring VeggieTales® back in April for a similar two week run leading up to the world television premiere of VeggieTales® “An Easter Carol” DVD, in time for Easter 2009.The programming is part of a new agreement between GMC and Big Idea, Inc., a leading faith-based studio and producer of children’s and family entertainment products, programming, characters and brands, including the popular animated series VeggieTales®.About Big Idea, Inc.Big Idea, Inc., an entertainment rights group company, is the leading faith-based studio and producer of children’s and family programming, characters and brands. Since 1993, Big Idea’s best-selling animated series VeggieTales has sold 52+ million books and 7+ million albums.  VeggieTales and Big Idea’s newest property, “3-2-1 Penguins!,” are in their second season as the top-rated series on NBC Saturday mornings, Telemundo and ION TV via the qubo children’s programming block.

Calling all ARTHUR fans! Do you have an idea for a new friend for Arthur, D.W. or Buster? Well, here’s your chance to create a character for Elwood City. ARTHUR, the award-winning PBS KIDS GO! television series, and CVS Caremark All Kids Can, a program dedicated to making life easier for kids with disabilities, are teaming up to announce the “ARTHUR/All Kids Can Character Search”!Beginning February 1, 2009, the “ARTHUR/All Kids Can Character Search” invites children ages 6-12 to send in their ideas for a new character for Arthur. And not just any character–one who can show that having a unique ability, character trait, or disability might make life a little bit different, but not any less fun. Kids can mail in their entries, with a drawing of their character and a description of what makes them special, starting February 1, 2009. The child with the selected idea, along with their character, will be featured in a live-action segment on the ARTHUR show. In addition, he or she will receive a visit from ARTHUR creator and author Marc Brown at the child’s school, local library, or PBS member station.The character search is designed to educate children about the importance of inclusion and how children of all abilities can play together. It also encourages parents and children to think about what life is like for someone they know who has a disability.”We’re looking for an exciting new character, who can show the gang in Elwood City that children come in all shapes, sizes and abilities,” said ARTHUR Senior Producer Jacqui Deegan. “Over the years, ARTHUR has helped children to embrace other kids’ unique characteristics as well as their own, and this new character will continue that tradition.”CVS Caremark All Kids Can supports programs and services that help children with disabilities learn, play, and succeed in life. For over 11 years, ARTHUR has celebrated the importance of friendship and the value of accepting and including kids with different abilities from all walks of life. For instance, Buster shows that kids with asthma can do just about anything, Marina shows her friends what it’s like to be blind, George succeeds as a student with dyslexia, and Carl–in an upcoming season–will share what it’s like to have autism.”We’re thrilled to partner with ARTHUR,” said Eileen Howard Dunn, Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications and Community Relations at CVS Caremark. “For years, we’ve watched the series become a trusted resource for kids to learn valuable life lessons, by relating to its vibrant, loveable characters. This is a perfect way to further our mission of helping kids develop an understanding and acceptance of disabilities.”The selected character will be chosen by a panel of judges including the producers of the ARTHUR show, and colleagues from CVS Caremark All Kids Can. The panel includes Tolon Brown from Marc Brown Studios; Terri Mauro, About.com’s Guide to Parenting Special Needs; Matt Cavedon from Boundless Playgrounds; Katy Beh Neas, Vice President of Government Relations for Easter Seals; and Susan Kane, Editor-in-Chief of Parenting magazine’s “School Years” edition. Nine additional finalists will receive prize packages including CVS gift cards and ARTHUR merchandise.Fans can visit pbskidsgo.org/arthur/allkidscan to download the entry form beginning February 1, 2009. Entries must be postmarked by March 31, 2009.Funding for the “ARTHUR/All Kids Can Character Search” is provided by CVS Caremark All Kids Can. 

Turkey, potatoes, squash…bananas? Be sure to keep America’s favorite little monkey in mind when making your to do list this Thanksgiving. Curious George, the Man with the Yellow Hat and their friends bring a hearty serving of (mis)-adventures to the PBS KIDS Thanksgiving week marathon “Feast of Favorites” beginning Wednesday, November 26 (check local listings for days and times).The marathon features the broadcast premiere of two CURIOUS GEORGE episodes from the series’ all-new Earth Science-themed third season: “The Man with the Monkey Hands / Whistlepig Wednesday,” and “George Digs Worms / Everything Old is New Again.” While the turkey is roasting and the pie is baking, kids can watch George and his friends compete in a recycling contest, explore weather patterns, dig for worms, and learn which leaves to stay away from in the backyard.EPISODE 6The Man with Monkey Hands – After warning George about the poison ivy lurking in the park, the Man with the Yellow Hat loses his balance and lands hands first in a brush of the itchy, poisonous leaves! With his hands bandaged, he’ll need help with everyday tasks such as brushing his teeth, making dinner, even typing a letter.  So being a clever little monkey, George invents some ingenious ways to make the Man’s life seem normal – like wearing swim fins to assist in picking apples off the floor and taping salad forks to his arms to act as temporary hands.  But George’s creations are put to the ultimate test when the Man has to present Professor Wiseman’s newest invention to the science board, salad forks and all!Whistlepig Wednesday – Mr. Glass’ unique version of Groundhog Day is an annual city tradition of predicting when winter will start. Every year on the last Wednesday of August, Sherry the Whistlepig emerges from her burrow.  If she sees her shadow, it means cold weather is coming.  But what makes Sherry’s shadow so special? To find out, George and his animal friends camp out at Sherry’s burrow, but fall asleep while waiting for her to wake up.  At the shadow ceremony, Mr. Glass mistakes a sleeping George and each one of his friends for a whistlepig and presents them for the world to see.  But does a monkey, dog, cat, or pigeon shadow count?EPISODE 7George Digs Worms – Why is Bill yelling at a mound of dirt? He’s worm racing!  George turns to a pile of decomposed leaves to find his own prize worm and challenges Bill’s “Fast Freddy” to a race.  Pretty soon, the entire countryside catches worm-racing fever and watch as George’s worm, named “Ooh Ooh Ahh Ahh,” races its way to the championship.  But when Mr. Quint takes the wrong lunchbox on his fishing trip, George’s worm farm is in danger of becoming fish bait!  Can George save his slimy friends in time for the championship race?Everything Old is New Again – The city is awarding the “Golden Arrows Award” to the building that collects the most recycling.  George is eager to help-once he learns what recycling actually is, of course. The building’s Doorwoman next door turns out to be tough competition, so George hunts down recycling materials from everywhere he can think of. The only problem is, he doesn’t know that he only recycle products after they’ve been used!  Will the tenants with the missing recyclables forgive a monkey who’s not just trying to win a contest, but also save the environment?

Guess who has your passport to adventure this fall? Buster Baxter, and he’s back in new special episodes of the hit PBS KIDS GO! series POSTCARDS FROM BUSTER. Buster is globe trotting overseas in international specials that chronicle his adventures in China and Egypt. The half-hour episodes will air Fridays during the regular Arthur timeslot starting on PBS KIDS GO! (check local listings for times).”At a time when it’s more important than ever for kids to develop an understanding of the world around them, we’re thrilled to present our POSTCARDS FROM BUSTER international specials,” said Executive Producer Pierre Valette. “Through his lens, Buster has the invaluable ability to introduce kids to new faces, rich cultures, and the exciting ways that ancient traditions are interwoven into the modern lives of kids around the globe.”On the heels of the 2008 summer Olympics, Buster travels to China in “Buster in Beijing” (premiering November 14, 2008) where he sees that a rapidly modernizing China is merging the new and the old. Buster learns that in the midst of the towering skyscrapers of modern Beijing, the age-old traditions of tai chi, ribbon-dancing, pigeon-racing, and noodle-making continue to thrive. On his adventures, Buster meets Chen Xi, a 9-year old who heads her neighborhood’s recycling initiative – and Yiyi, an 11-year old skating champion who runs a foundation for kids with cancer. From them, Buster learns that being a global citizen means caring for the earth and the people in your community.Lastly, in “Buster’s Egyptian Adventure” (November 21, 2008), Buster discovers (much to his surprise!) that there are more minarets and mosques than mummies and mythology in Egypt today. In addition to exploring the bustling markets of Cairo, discovering the Great Pyramids, and taking a camel ride to the Sphinx, Buster also learns what it’s like to be a Muslim kid in modern Egypt. His adventures continue up the Nile River where Nubian children take him on a Felucca ride to Isis’ temple, invite him to a wedding, and introduce him to their pet crocodile. From the fertile valleys to the desert expanses Egypt is an eye-opening discovery at every turn.POSTCARDS FROM BUSTER pioneers a format that seamlessly blends animation with live-action documentary footage to tell Buster’s stories from around the world. The series also crosses media platforms, taking Buster’s television travels to the Internet. Kids can check out Buster’s personal blog, interactive games, video clips, maps, and original songs at pbskidsgo.org/buster. Additionally, companion books by Marc Brown (published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers), and educational materials support and extend the series into classrooms and libraries nationwide.