Granny Ranny's Coming Attractions

Cynopsis Kids 2nd Annual !magination Awards took place today at the Yale Club in New York City bringing together the top creative and business minds in kids entertainment.Special honors were given to Margaret Loesch, founder/CEO of Hub Network; Elie Dekel, president of Saban Brands; children’s singer/songwriter Laurie Berkner; and Cartoon Network for its Stop Bullying Speak Up campaign.

Two very special anniversaries in children’s entertainment were acknowledged:Babar the Elephant, who has charmed kids and families for 80 years and Clifford the Big Red Dog, who celebrates his 50th year.

Here’s a complete list of the !magination Awards winners and finalists:

App (Educational)
Winner: Nickelodeon – Bubble Guppies: Animal School Day
Honorable Mentions:

Cupcake Digital  Wubbzy’s Fire Engine Adventure
Disney Publishing Worldwide – Sofia the First: Story Theater
Lawless Entertainment – Suzy’s Zoo
Nancy O’Dell Enterprises – Little Ashby: Star Reporter
Oceanhouse Media, Inc.-  A Whale of a Tale!: All About Porpoises, Dolphins, and Whales
PBS KIDS – DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD: Play at Home with Daniel
Sprout The Good Night Show: Sandy Stories

App (Entertainment)
Winner: Budge Studios – Chuggington Traintastic Adventures
Honorable Mentions:

Cartoon Network – Cartoon Network
Cupcake Digital – Wubbzy’s The Night Before Christmas
Lima Sky – Doodle Jump
Nickelodeon – Nick Jr. Draw & Play
Random House Children’s Books – Barbie Color, Sparkle and Style!

Tablet-Based App (Educational)
Winner: Scholastic Corporation – Storia
Honorable Mentions:

Disney ABC Television Group – Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Road Rally Appisode
Luca Lashes LLC – Luca Lashes Series
marblemedia – Skatoony: Skadoodle
National Geographic Kids – National Geographic Kids Tablet Magazine
Thirteen/WNET – Cyberchase 3D Builder

Digital Marketing Campaign
Winner: Saban Brands – Launches Vortexx on The CW
Honorable Mentions:

Cartoon Network – Level Up Choose Your Battle Experience
Disney – Little Mermaid
Sprout  A Lot Happens When You Sprout

eBook
Winner: Auryn, Inc. – Where Do Balloons Go? An Uplifting Mystery
Honorable Mentions:

Bento Box Interactive – Sweet Pickles
Luca Lashes, LLC – Luca Lashes Series
Mibblio – Mibblio
Random House Children’s Books – The Cat in the Hat Know A Lot About That! Color & Create
StoryToys – The Little Mermaid

Educational Series/Special Parent/Teacher Curriculum
Winner: The Jim Henson Company – Sid The Science Kid
Honorable Mentions:

Sprout – Noodle & Doodle
The Mother Company – Ruby’s Studio: The Friendship Show

Feature Film Based on a Book
Winner: Universal and HP – Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax
Honorable Mentions:

Dune Entertainment/Color Force/20th Century Fox – Diary of A Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
Studio Ghibli/Disney – The Secret World of Arrietty (based on The Borrowers)
Working Title Films/Universal Pictures – Big Miracle (based on the book Freeing the Whales)

Game Based on a Series
Winner: Thirteen/WNET – Cyberchase: Buzz & Delete Save the Day
Honorable Mentions:

DHX Media – UMIGO
Scholastic – I SPY Super Challenger for LeapFrog
Sprout – The Chica Show: Mr. & Mrs. C’s Melody Maker

Interstitial Series
Winner (tie): Nickelodeon – Team Umizoomi Curriculum Interstitials
WGBH/Seftel Productions – The Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers
Honorable Mentions:

Beeswax Production – Recess Stories: Life on the Playground
Disney Channels Worldwide – Disney 365
Nickelodeon – Kids Around the World
THIRTEEN/WNET – Oh Noah!

Kids 2-11 Series
Winner: Corus Entertainment/NELVANA Ltd. – Franklin and Friends
Honorable Mentions

Cartoon Network – Adventure Time
Hub Network – Littlest Pet Shop
Hub Network – R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series
Hub Network – Transformers Prime
Nickelodeon – NFL Rush Zone: Season of the Guardians
Saban Brands – Power Rangers Super Samurai

Kids 2-11 Special/TV Movie
Winner: Hallmark Channel – Jingle and Bell’s Christmas Star
Honorable Mentions:

Cartoon Network – Stop Bullying: Speak Up
Disney Channels Worldwide – Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess
Hallmark Channel – hoops&yoyo’s Haunted Halloween
Scholastic Media – WordGirl: The Rise of Miss Power

Marketing Campaign for a Toy/Game
Winner: Nickelodeon/Playmates – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Toy Launch
Honorable Mentions:

Hasbro – Scrabble’s Catch Phrase game campaign featuring Neil Patrick Harris
Mattel – Hot Wheels For Real X Games campaign
Mattel/Peterson Milla Hooks – See What Happens When You Play With Barbie

Marketing Campaign for TV Series
Winner: Hub Network – My Little Pony Friendship is Magic Royal Wedding
Honorable Mentions:

Astral Media, Inc – Sofia the First  Series Launchf
Cartoon Network – Adventure Time: Season 4 Campaign Launch
Nickelodeon – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
PBS – Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood

Marketing/PR Campaign for TV Special/TV Movie
Winner: Nickelodeon – Dora Fantastic Gymnastics Adventure Campaign
Honorable Mentions:

Disney – Sofia the First: Once Upon A Princess
Nickelodeon – Peter Rabbit’s Christmas Tale
Nickelodeon – Turtles Vs Foot Campaign for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at ComicCon 2102
PBS – PBS Kids’ The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About Christmas! Campaign

New Series
Winner: American Greetings – Care Bears: Welcome To Care-A-Lot
Honorable Mentions:

Disney – Dog With A Blog
Litton Entertainment – Recipe Rehab
Litton Entertainment – Sea Rescue with Sam Champion
Loma Media/EA Sports – EA Sports Game Time
Nickelodeon – NFL Rush Zone: Season of the Guardians

Preschool Series
Winner: The Fred Rogers Company – Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood
Honorable Mentions:

Awol – Kioka
DHX Media – Yo Gabba Gabba!
Little Airplane – The Small Potatoes
NELVANA Ltd. / Corus Entertainment – Mike the Knight
Portfolio Entertainment – The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!

Preschool Special
Winner: Corus Entertainment – Handy Manny and the Seven Tools
Honorable Mentions:

Brown Bag Films – Doc McStuffins Boo Hoo To You Halloween Special
Nickelodeon – Peter Rabbit’s Christmas Tale
Portfolio Entertainment – The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas

Promotional Campaign
Winner: Disney  Disney Media – Subway
Honorable Mentions:

Cartoon Network – Cartoon Network @ Atlantis 2012
Disney – Disney Media Invisilign Teen
Sprout – The Chica Show Launch Campaign

Pro-social Campaign
Winner: Disney Channels Worldwide – Disney Friends for Change
Honorable Mentions:

Disney – Make Your Mark
Nickelodeon – The Big Help  Let’s Move Event in London w Michelle Obama
Saban Brands – Power Rangers Super Samurai emPOWER Halloween Safety Campaign
Sprout – Sprout’s Kindness Counts Be Kind To Yourself Campaign

Social Media Campaign
Winner: Cartoon Network – Cartoon Network’s 20th Birthday
Honorable Mentions:

Bully Movie, Grassroots Twitter Campaign
Child’s Play Communications – Peppa Pig, Social Media Campaign
Lionsgate – Hunger Games, Social Media Campaign
Nickelodeon – Kids’ Choice Awards

Song for a TV Series/Special/Movie
Winner: Sprout – The Chica Show Theme Song
Honorable Mentions:

DHX Media Ltd – UMIGO
Portfolio Entertainment – The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About Christmas!
Saban Brands – Power Rangers Song
Smithsonian Network -The Titanoboa Song

Sweepstakes/Contest Campaign
Winner: Threadless & Disney – Design a t-shirt inspired by Disney Villains
Honorable Mentions:

Cartoon Network – Mattel Hot Wheels 20th Anniversary Sweepstakes
Disney Media – Nintendo (Wii U Campaign)
Hub Network – The Hub’s Pup-ularity Contest
Radio Disney – The Next Big Thing (N.B.T.)
Sprout – The Chica Show Sweepstakes

TV Series Based on Books
Winner: Hub Network – R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series
Honorable Mentions:

Big Bad Boo – 1001 Nights
Hallmark Channel – Jingle & Bell’s Christmas Star
NELVANA Ltd. / Corus Entertainment – Scaredy Squirrel
NELVANA Ltd. / TeamTO – Babar and the Adventures of Babou
Portfolio Entertainment Inc. – The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!

Tweens 9-14 Series
Winner: Litton Entertainment – Born to Explore With Richard Wiese
Honorable Mentions:

Bento Box Entertainment/20th Century Fox – Bob’s Burgers
Disney ABC Television Group – Phineas and Ferb
Hub Network – “Dan Vs.”
Litton Entertainment – Ocean Mysteries with Jeff Corwin
Luke Nola & Friends – Let’s Get Inventin’ New Zealand
marblemedia – Spatalot

Tweens 9-14 Special/TV Movie
Winner: ABC Family – The Mistle-Tones
Honorable Mentions:

Disney Channels Worldwide – Disney Channel Original Movie, Radio Rebel
Nickelodeon – Nick News with Linda Ellerbee: Kids Pick the President: The Candidates

Video Game for a TV Series/Special
Winner: Microsoft and Edelman – Kinect Sesame Street TV
Honorable Mentions:

Cartoon Network – Mutant Fridge Mayhem
CSE – NBAHoopTroop.com-Hoop Troop Escape
Microsoft and Edelman  – “Kinect Nat Geo TV”
Scholastic Media – The Magic School Bus: Oceans for Leapster Explorer

Website for TV Series/Special
Winner: WGBH Educational Foundation – Design Squad Nation
Honorable Mentions:

9 Story Entertainment & Kratt Brothers – Wild Kratts Website
Disney Channels Worldwide and Walt Disney Records – AustinAndAllyVideo.com/Vevo
Little Airplane/Disney – Meet the Small Potatoes Custom Potato Builder Website
Random House Children’s Books – PBS Kids The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!
See the complete story at http://www.cynopsis.com/editions/kids/

Most people in TV go on vacation in the summer, but the PBS KIDS line-up is heating up this summer – with a host of special episodes and theme weeks, like Wild Kratts “Bug Week” (June 3), Sesame Street “Literacy Quest Week” (June 17) and Dinosaur Train “Dinosaurs A-Z” (July 8).

Starting Monday, June 3 (check local listings), PBS KIDS presents 10 weeks of themed programming to inspire children ages 2-8 to explore and learn. Each week will feature episodes from a different PBS KIDS series.

The line-up includes:

·         WILD KRATTS – “Bug Week,” starting June 3                       

·         SUPER WHY! – “Super You Week,” starting June 10

·         SESAME STREET – “Literacy Quest Week,” starting June 17           

·         MARTHA SPEAKS – “Puppy Week,” starting June 24           

·         CURIOUS GEORGE – “Creative George Week,” starting July 1                     

·         DINOSAUR TRAIN – “Dinosaurs A-Z,” starting July 8             

·         DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD – “Let’s Play Outside Week,” starting July 15                

·         THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT! – “Let’s Get Wet Week,” starting July 22        

·         ARTHUR – “Sports Week,” starting July 29               

·         WORDGIRL – “What’s Up With WordGirl Week,” starting August 5

The film, the second original installment of the new weekly Walden Family Theater  franchise debuts this Friday (May 31) at 8:00 PM ET on Hallmark Channel. Space Warriors tells the story of six highly-skilled teenagers hand-picked to be part of a summer space camp competition at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The kids find themselves in a race against time when an urgent crisis aboard the International Space Station (some 200 miles above the Earth) leads them to utilize all their problem-solving skills to come up with a plan to save the lives of the American astronauts and Russian cosmonauts aboard. The all-star cast includes Academy Award Winner Mira Sorvino, Dermot Mulroney, Josh Lucas, Danny Glover  and Thomas Horn (who garnered positive attention as the son of Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock in Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close).

ARC Entertainment partnered with Walden Media and Hallmark Channel to produce the film for Walden Family Theater which is made possible through the sponsorship of  P&G and Walmart (which will exclusively sell the DVD at its stores). Those tuning into the Hallmark premiere will be given the opportunity for a  real-life family space camp vacation. Details here.

Read more: http://blog.beliefnet.com/faithmediaandculture/2013/05/hallmark-channel-walden-media-and-arc-entertainment-chiefs-talk-about-space-warriors-and-their-commitment-family-tv.html#ixzz2UtvIlIjp

Win two tickets to see “After Earth” by telling us what you love about XPRIZE. (Click through here)

Calling all teens: Take part in the XPRIZE After Earth Challenge, an educational competition open to students ages 13-17 (with one adult captain).  In the first phase of the challenge, teams simply upload a video to http://xprizeafterearth.com discussing how they are promoting environmental sustainability in their communities (to avoid an After Earth like scenario where we are forced to evacuate the planet) and describing the mission they would design to send an unmanned rover to explore a potential site for humanity’s next settlement.

The top ten teams will receive a LEGO MINDSTORMS kit to use for their mission and a Full HD Sony Handycam to document their experience.  The grand prize winner, as determined by a panel of judges, will be featured on the Blu-ray release of After Earth. Registration for Phase One will remain open until June 7th.

Win a LEGO MINDSTORMS robotics kit, a Sony Handycam, and a chance to appear on the DVD of the Will Smith & Jaden Smith film, After Earth!

My mom came  from a completely different world than I grew up in. She grew up during the great Depression and became a wife and mother during World War II. I’m a Baby Boomer. I grew up in a pretty stable world, all things considered. I had a much easier childhood than my Mother and a more optimistic outlook on life. She gave me the courage to try things my Mother would never have considered doing herself. I was fortunate to have such a secure childhood that, as a parent, I explored new ideas in raising my own children. My children were invited to be part of the decision making process rather than simply being told what to do. I lived through the civil rights movement, the assassinations of John Kennedy, his brother, Bobby and Martin Luther King Jr., through Watergate and the Vietnam War. I remember the Beatles first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, watching American Bandstand every week, trying communal living and being a vegetarian for 20 years.

My mom thought that doctors were God! I look for herbal remedies before heading to the doctor’s office. My mother was a smoker and I remember how her car reeked of cigarette smoke. Thanks to her, I never took up smoking. My mom was an avid pianist and sang in the church choir. I played the clarinet, saxophone and twirled the baton and swam with the synchronized swim team. I avoided the church choir. My mom was a reader. Her down time was usually spent reading a book of some sort, even if it was the Readers’ Digest Condensed Book-of-the-Month. My mom didn’t disagree. Instead, she held in her anger and every once in a while, exploded like a volcano. My siblings and I would all run to our rooms to hide until the lava cooled. My mom aged gracefully. She was a beautiful young woman and just as beautiful as she aged. My sister gave her a “Glamor photo shoot” for her 65th birthday and she is stunning in that photo.

My Mom was frugal. Oh, was she frugal. Even though my father was a successful businessman, my mother made every penny count. She would buy us flannel pajamas in July when they were on sale and wonder why we didn’t wear them until December. My father held my mother on a pedestal; rarely have I known someone to love anyone more. I once cussed at my mother and my dad picked me up and threw me against the wall, reminding me that “I would never speak that way to my mother again.” My mom wasn’t a terrible cook but she was English. Vegetables from her kitchen came out of a can and were reheated until they were steamy and soggy. The only fresh vegetables she ever served were fresh tomatoes and those Michigan tomatoes were so sweet that we would suck the juice right out of them. They also made the best darn BLTs you ever tasted.

My mom passed away 10 years ago and I still think about her almost every day. I loved my mom and appreciate her complete commitment to mothering. The things we shared in common were teaching our children to be inquisitive learners, to be resilient and to love our children unconditionally.Thanks Mom, for everything! 

PBS Distribution today announced it is releasing “FRONTLINE: THE ECONOMIC MELTDOWN” on DVD. This DVD set includes five fascinating FRONTLINE programs about one of the worst economic crises in America’s history. From what caused the meltdown to the government’s plan to stabilize and fix the economy, these programs offer compelling behind-the-scenes insights. “THE ECONOMIC MELTDOWN” will be available on DVD beginning June 4, 2013. The combined run time of all five programs is 300 minutes. The programs come on two discs. The programs included in this collection are detailed below.

“Inside the Meltdown” – FRONTLINE investigates how the economy went so bad, so fast, and what Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson didn’t see, couldn’t stop, and weren’t able to fix.

“Ten Trillion and Counting” – All of the measures by the feds to stem the tide in the financial meltdown have added hundreds of billions of dollars to our national debt. FRONTLINE tracks the politics behind America’s mountain of debt.

“Breaking the Bank” – FRONTLINE draws on high-profile interviews with key players to reveal the story of two banks (Merrill Lynch and Bank of America) at the heart of the financial crisis.

“The Warning” – In the aftermath of the economic meltdown, FRONTLINE looks for clues about why it happened and examines moments when it might have gone much differently.

“Cliffhanger” – FRONTLINE goes inside the epic political battle responsible for America’s fiscal cliff and debt ceiling crisis.