Up to date information about children's entertainment – film, TV, DVD and more…. from founder and president of KIDS FIRST! Ranny Levy

Archive for February, 2009

KIDS FIRST! Best – Mark Your Calendars – Oct 17

Sunday, February 22nd, 2009
Calling all LA Youth!
Attention LA filmmakers, Girl and Boy Scout, school groups.

KIDS FIRST! Best Day and Awards Celebration will be returning to the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences on Saturday, October 17.

We are looking for youth filmmakers to enter their short films for our annual awards’ competition.
We are looking for youth volunteers to help staff the event.
We are looking for youth critics who want to serve as judges for the competition.
We are looking for youth who want to attend free screenings of films, meet celebrity talent, and join in the fun of our annual event.

For more information, contact us at http://www.kidsfirst.org/contact-us/index.html

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February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

Wednesday, February 18th, 2009
This is a good time to make an appointment with your dentist for your child. Dental caries (known as “tooth decay,”) is the most common infectious disease of childhood. Caries is particularly problematic for children from low-income families and certain racial/ethnic groups. The American Academy of Pediatrics’s Bright Futures Guidelines recommend a child’s first dental visit six months after the first tooth erupts or by 12 months of age. Pediatricians increasingly are being trained to assess young children’s oral health as well. For more information on the importance of early dental care, including resources for parents, go to the AAP’s oral health page at http://www.aap.org/healthtopics/oralhealth.cfm .
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New Stuff for Your Girls Online

Monday, February 16th, 2009
One of our affiliated organizations, Daughters.com is offering a bunch of interesting themes for girls throughout the mont of February on their website, New Moon Girls. Starting with readings about black Herstory, they have articles about food for the soul, coming of age and women that inspire us!

Then, in line with Valentine’s Day and beyong are articles about Love and Crushes, Pets, Body Image and What’s in a Name.

In Creativity for the Soul Nancy Gruver shares why music and dance benefit girls, and not at just a young age! Helen Cordes explores how to get girls behind the camera and why it’s great for them in Making Her Own Movies.

Do you need to talk to your daughter about how her body is changing but are unsure how? Lynda Madison and Amy Lynch give you all the tips and information you’ll need in What to Do and Say When Her Body Changes.

Checkout these articles and more this week at Daughters.com

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Travel to the heart of South Africa this February

Monday, February 16th, 2009
Follow your heart to this South African series that explores a hands-camp for chimps. Escape To Chimp Eden – Journey into the depths of South Africa and experience the fascinating events at Chimp Eden when “Escape To Chimp Eden” Season One arrives as a two-disc DVD for the first time on February 3 from Genius Products and Animal Planet. Heartfelt series follows conservationist Eugene Cussons, a South African rescue director for the Jane Goodall Institute’s Chimp Eden, as he travels throughout war-torn African countries to rescue neglected and abused chimps. Once brought to the sanctuary of Chimp Eden, Eugene works hands-on with these challenging chimps, sometimes putting his own safety on the line to teach them basic skills such as climbing trees and foraging for food. “Escape To Chimp Eden” Season One provides viewers with compelling stories that are both educational and adventurous.

This family drama reminds me of all the reasons why raising children forces you to use every interpersonal skill you have and more. “Jon & Kate Plus Ei8ht” Season 3 – Hardly your typical American family, nonstop chaos returns in “Jon & Kate Plus Ei8ht” Season 3. Following the super-sized family as they tackle seemingly ordinary activities such as visiting the zoo, vacationing in Utah, going to Disney World or celebrating the holidays, the #1 show on TLC showcases how the Gosselins manage their extraordinary lives raising two sets of energetic multiples. Featuring all-new extended episodes as well as a Gosselin family music video, “Jon & Kate Plus Ei8ht” Season 3 continues to offer insight into Jon and Kate’s unique approach to child-rearing. Twins followed by sextuplets were not exactly what the Gosselins expected, but Jon and Kate’s ambitious parenting and dedication to provide a normal childhood for their happy brood has helped the show attract a large and dedicated fan base.
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Talking to Kids About the Economy

Sunday, February 15th, 2009
From our friends at the American Academy of Pediatrics comes some advice about talking with your children about the economy.
The recession can take a toll on families. Parents in economic turmoil may find it difficult to pay attention to health issues, and they may be anxious or depressed, making it harder to care for their children. Children depend on the adults around them to feel secure. Talking to children about the economy is important, and this can help them develop strategies for coping with current financial problems and with everyday life. The AAP offers guidance for pediatricians, tips for parents and other caregivers, and relevant resources at http://www.aap.org/disasters/economy.cfm
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PBS Kids and Valentines Day

Wednesday, February 11th, 2009
PBS KIDS celebrates Valentine’s Day with a new episode of WORDWORLD, a special hour of CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG and themed episodes from PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS GO! favorites on Friday, February 13th (check local listings). Online, pbsparents.org offers holiday crafts, e-cards and “heartwarming” recipes for kids and caregivers, as well as features on poetry and expressing feelings. A new Valentine’s Day themed video playlist will also be available on the PBS KIDS GO! video player at pbskidsgo.org/video.

PBS KIDS (for preschool audiences)

WORDWORLD #201 (NEW)
MY FUZZY VALENTINE / LOVE, BUG

“My Fuzzy Valentine”

Bug wants to sign a valentine for his favorite WordFriend, but he doesn’t know how to write his name. With lots of encouragement from Frog, he learns that with a little practice he can write his name and give his valentine.

“Love, Bug”

When Sheep decides she wants to make a special Valentine song for her pal Bear, she has trouble finding just the right rhyme to finish her song. With the help of Fly, she discovers the perfect rhyme and makes Bear a Valentine song with real heart.

CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG’S “LOVE AT FIRST BARK” VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL
CLIFFORD’S PUPPY DAYS

“Valentine Schmalentine” – Clifford and Daffodil make Valentine’s Day gifts for Emily Elizabeth, and get competitive over who can make the best one. In the end, they realize Emily will love whatever they make, because she cares for them more than any present.

“Sweethearts Dance” – Emily Elizabeth’s excitement about the Valentine’s Day dance turns to anxiety when she realizes she and her Dad must dance in front of a crowd. Then Dad shares a little secret that helps Emily overcome her fears.

CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG

“T-bone, Dog About Town” – A cute poodle named Mimi vacations on Birdwell Island and T-bone develops a crush on her. He tries to impress her by pretending to be a different kind of dog, but soon learns it’s always best to be yourself.

“Mimi’s Back In Town” – T-bone is excited to hear that Mimi the poodle is coming back. T-bone really likes her but he gets embarrassed when Cleo starts teasing him. Cleo eventually realizes that teasing can make people uncomfortable.

PBS KIDS GO! (for early-elementary audiences)
ARTHUR #809

FLEA TO BE YOU AND ME / KISS AND TELL

Flea to Be You and Me – Pal is itching like crazy and the culprit is Pepe, an Italian circus flea. To save himself from being “squeeshed,” Pepe enthralls Kate, Pal, and Amigo with the story of his heartbreaking separation from brother Sale – followed by an incredible journey across four continents! Kiss and Tell – Emily returns from her summer in Paris with the amazing news that she’s been kissed – by a boy! Just like in a fairy tale! Now D.W. wants a kiss so that she can be a princess too. But where can she find her Prince Charming?

CYBERCHASE #201
HUGS & WITCHES

It’s Valentine’s Day, and Hacker captures Doctor Marbles and Lady Ada Lovelace, placing them inside a time machine invented by the mathematically-minded Lovelace. The kids and Digit must decipher a series of poems left behind by Lady L, and free them from the time machine before it time travels to the nether world of cyberspace – never to return! Will the kids get there in time, or will Valentine’s Day bring nothing but broken hearts?

MAYA & MIGUEL #153
CUPID

Miguel hates Valentine’s Day. He considers it a greeting card holiday. Maya loves Valentine’s Day. She considers it an opportunity to tell your loved ones how much you care about them. As Maya prepares herself for the best Valentine’s Day ever, Miguel is horrified to learn that he has been chosen as the official Cupid of the school this year, and must deliver valentines throughout the school, attired in cupid wings. He begs and pleads with anyone and everyone to take over his job, to no avail. He straps on the wings and begins halfheartedly delivering the valentines to thrilled students throughout the school. At the end of the day, he tosses the whole getup in the trash, eager to be done with this accursed holiday. Maya, meanwhile, thinks Miguel is lucky to be able to deliver so much happiness and joy, and gets the idea to start a free valentine delivery service for the rest of the neighborhood. Unfortunately, her helper Paco manages to stuff the wrong valentines into the wrong envelopes, and all the valentines are delivered to the wrong people, with insulting results. Soon a mob confronts Maya. Miguel, seeing the mob, digs his cupid wings out of the trash and hops into action to save his sister. In the end, the once angry neighbors are thrilled with the job Miguel does of spreading Valentine’s Day cheer… and Miguel’s heart grows a few sizes towards the holiday he once hated.

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