Granny Ranny's Coming Attractions

If parents smoke, chances are their adolescents will too. The study, “Parental Smoking and Adolescent Smoking Initiation: An Intergenerational Perspective on Tobacco Control,” looked at 564 adolescents enrolled in the New England Family Study. The authors found that there is a direct link between parental smoking and initiation of smoking by adolescents. The factors impacting the initiation of smoking by teens were parents who were active regular smokers and parents who smoked around their children before age 13. Fathers who smoke are more likely to influence teen boys than girls. The authors conclude that this study can be used to encourage parents to quit smoking as part of an effort to curb the initiation of smoking among teens.

For the first time, a new study examines how cell phone usage distracts preadolescent children while crossing the street. In “Effects of Cell Phone Distraction on Pediatric Pedestrian Injury Risk,” researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham used data from children aged 10 to 11 years in simulated road crossings in an interactive, virtual pedestrian environment. Distraction was only by cell phone conversation with a research assistant, not by other commonly used devices such as portable audio players or text messaging. Results indicate that when distracted, children were less attentive to traffic, left less time between themselves and the next oncoming vehicle, and were involved in more collisions and near misses. While cell phones offer convenience and safety to families, the study authors indicate that pedestrians – especially children – are likely to be more distracted than adults, and should limit cell phone use while crossing the street.

Big and yellow and ridden by almost everyone once in their lifetime, it’s the mighty school bus. And with a giant onboard concrete drum constantly turning both en route to and on site at construction sites everywhere, it’s the concrete truck. These are two of the most recognizable vehicles on the roads today. Now go behind the scenes and learn how these vehicular giants are built in the latest titles from the engaging  DVD series “School Bus” and “Concrete Truck,” arriving at stores February 24, 2009.

Each How’d They Build That? program takes viewers along for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at some of the country’s most renowned assembly plants, showing how different types of trucks – emergency, utility, delivery, construction, service and agricultural – are built, from frame stamping to assembly, engine installation to paint, to final inspection and activation. Combining high definition live action with vivid, virtual 3-D animation, along with onscreen “Fun Facts” – which provides both interesting trivia and simple explanations of technical terminology – the How’d They Build That? series is sure to excite anyone who ever wondered where some of our most important vehicles come from. So start your engines and gear up for a truckin’ good time!

The newest titles in the How’d They Build That? series are:

· School Bus – Have you ever wondered where that big yellow bus you rode to and from school came from or how it was made? Learn all about it in a visit to the amazing IC School Bus factory in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where most of the school buses in North America are built. This fascinating plant features “The Green Mile,” an assembly line that’s more than a mile long, all under one roof! Watch each stage of assembly involved in building one of the safest vehicles on the road and learn fun trivia along the way (it’s the only vehicle on the road allowed to be “school bus yellow”). So take your seat for this fun-filled field trip!

· Concrete Truck – Is there any truck more fun to watch than a concrete mixer? We’ve all been mesmerized by the giant spinning drum mixing the concrete inside, and now its possible to see how that giant machine itself was built with a visit to the amazing McNeilus Concrete Truck factory in Dodge Center, Minnesota. Filmed in High Definition, with extensive use of colorful 3D computer generated models, watch how these marvelous machines – one of the heaviest vehicles on the road – are brought to life. Look at each stage of assembly from nuts & bolts to sparks and spinning steel and see how the rotating drum works to mix the concrete and watch it pour down the chute. It’s a rock-solid good time with this fun and fact filled program.

How’d They Build That? DVDs are available for sale at www.amazon.com and other online retailers.

V-me, America’s fastest growing Hispanic network, expands the best Spanish-language pre-school offer on US television with the addition of NumberJacks: Los Supernúmeros to its daily V-me Ninos block.

Named “Best Educational Program” in both 2007 and 2008 by the prestigious Royal Television Society, and a favorite with kids and parents in over 40 countries, the hit series from Open Mind Studios and the BBC joins V-me’s collection of Emmy, Peabody, and Bafta Award winners. As the exclusive U.S. home for NumberJacks: Los Supernúmeros in Spanish, V-me airs the series weekdays at 12:30pm (ET).

NumberJacks: Los Supernúmeros combines fun, thinking skills, and math concepts in an entertaining package, as a team of young animated superheroes — the numbers 0 through 9 — have adventures and solve problems in the real world. Each program is structured as a scientific investigation, and designed to give young viewers a positive attitude towards math that will last a lifetime. The learning in NumberJacks: Los Supernúmeros covers a wide range of topics: counting, shapes, measurement, movement, positions, patterns and problem solving.

“NumberJacks: Los Supernúmeros is a great addition to V-me’s line-up,” said Guillermo Sierra, V-me’s chief content officer. “It brings solid pre-math education that complements our science, literacy, health and social curriculum — but wrapped in a highly popular and entertaining format, like all our children’s shows.“

Every week, V-me broadcasts more than 36 hours of world-class kid’s programming, with a special family block on weekends. V-me Ninos is the most widely distributed block of children’s programming available on US Spanish TV.

Already reaching over 50% of US Hispanic TV Households, V-me is presented locally by public TV stations in many cities as a digital broadcast and on basic digital cable, and is carried nationally on DIRECTV Ch. 440, DISH Network Ch. 9414 and DISHLatino Ch. 846. For specific local channel information, visit http:www.VmeTV.com

Our hearty congratulations to all the 2009 Oscar Nominees but, in partidular to those in the Animated Feature Category: Bolt, Kung-Fu Panda; WALL-E.

All three of these are excellent films for children that KIDS FIRST! has recommended.

Kung-fu Panda – Enthusiastic, big and a little clumsy, Po works in his family’s noodle shop while daydreaming about becoming a Kung Fu master. His dreams soon become reality when he is unexpectedly chosen to join the world of Kung Fu and study alongside his idols-the legendary fighters Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey-under the leadership of their guru, Master Shifu. But before they know it, the vengeful and treacherous snow leopard Tai Lung is headed their way, and it’s up to Po to defend everyone from the oncoming threat. Can he turn his dreams of becoming a Kung Fu hero into reality? Po puts his heart and his girth into the task, and ultimately finds that his greatest weaknesses turn out to be his greatest strengths.

Bolt – From the creator of Cars and Finding Nemo, meet Disney’s newest hero, Bolt and his faithful hamster sidekick Rhino, in the fully awesome comedy adventure event of thee year. As the star of the biggest TV show in Hollywood, Bolt s life if filled with adventure, danger and intrigue. So when the super pup is accidentally shipped to New York City and separated from Penney, his beloved co-star and owner, Bolt immediately springs into action to save her from the forces of evil. But he s not alone, with the help of Rhino, his number one fan and loyal partner, and a crafty alley cat named Mittens, they embark on an extraordinary mission filled with high flying, action packed stunts. Showcasing the vocal talents of John Travolta and teen sensation Miley Cyrus and featuring a never before seen animated short starring the pint sized rolling ball of thunder, Rhino, this movie will have your whole family cheering for the good guys and getting for more.

Have you ever fancied yourself a TV show producer? Ever wanted to be a part of the creative team? Well, here’s your chance to make a difference, to get involved with one of the top shows on the air!

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.