Granny Ranny's Coming Attractions

Are you aware of the new educational programs that PBS has been developing for children?

From the beginning, children’s media at PBS has been about helping children learn.  Today, that mission is more relevant than ever as a new generation of kids spends more time with media and new technologies make it possible for producers of children’s media to do more to propel learning.  Following a State of the Union address calling for Americans to “out-educate” and “out-innovate,” PBS KIDS announces on-air, online and mobile milestones showcasing its commitment to using media to prepare America’s youth for success in school and in life.

“Educational programming – particularly entertaining media properties focused on math, science and engineering – is needed now more than ever, with the President calling for a concerted focus on stepping up kids’ skills in these areas,” said Lesli Rotenberg, senior vice president, Children’s Media, PBS.

With its pervasive approach to sharing media, PBSKIDS.org dominates the kids online space, with over 10 million unique visitors in January.  PBSKIDS.org ranked as the top kids’ site for free videos streamed for September, October, November and December, according to comScore Video Metrix. Kids spent an average of 42.8 minutes watching free, educational videos on the site in December, which is nearly 10 minutes longer than the monthly average for kids’ sites, with 92 million free video streams for the month.

PBS KIDS also celebrates success in the kids’ mobile apps category. PBS KIDS launched seven mobile apps in 2010, raising the bar for the category by producing top-of-the line apps that are both fun and educational. Apps like SUPER WHY! consistently ranked #1 in the App store and a U.S. Department of Education-funded research report showed that PBS KIDS mobile apps can lead to substantial learning gains. The MARTHA SPEAKS DOG PARTY app was shown to increase literacy skills up to 31 percent among kids ages 3 to 7.
“Mobile apps were one of the most important developments in children’s media for 2010 and we found that they can have real potential for helping kids learn,” continued Rotenberg. “In 2011, we will continue to experiment and test the educational impact of the combination of our content across multiple platforms, seeking new opportunities to engage and teach our nation’s children.”

For 2011, PBS KIDS has planned a pipeline of new apps, web original series, and transmedia projects in new frontiers such as augmented reality and in-video gaming. Research will continue to inform how PBS KIDS develops content and later this year new studies, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, will explore how the combination of content across new technologies can impact learning.

Looking for a fun Easter-themed DVD that’s not religious? WOW! WOW! WUBBZY!: WUBBZY’S EGG-CELLENT EASTER suits the bill. All the episodes succeed in pushing through the pro-social messages that Wubbzy does so well such as teamwork, friendship, even healthy exericise. With the First Lady pushing fitness, we love seeing producers picking up on the theme. Starting preschoolers on a life long pathway of good health and fitness makes sense.

This DVD focuses on the Easter Bunny, eggs, and springtime rather than religious messaging so even non-Christians can appreciate it.  The episodes include: Eggs Over Easy, Big Bunny Blues, Flower Day Parade, Watch the Birdie, Wubbzy Bounces Back and Flight of the Flutterfly.

If you haven’t hooked onto Wow! Wow! Wubbzy yet for your preschoolers, maybe this is the perfect one to get you started!

Thomas & Friends has garnered the “train” genre of the preschool media market for ever since it was first broadcast in 1984. But now, we’ve got a new series, Chuggington, which offers a bit more upbeat pace, fun & bright colors, and easy to understand messaging. Many of our jurors have switched their focus to the “new kid on the block” which they feel is more suitable for 21st century kids.

This first DVD of the TV series offers 6 episodes: Braking Brewster, Clunky Wilson, Can’t Catch Koko, Old Puffer Pete’s Tour, Koko on Call and Hodge and the Magnet. I encourage you to try it, if you haven’t seen it yet. In particular, we found that girls preferred it over Thomas. But really, girls or boys, I think you won’t be disappointed.

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)

Worldworld
“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
“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.
“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
“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
“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
“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.

From the creators of Beverly Hills Chihuahua comes an all new film Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2! starring George Lopez as the voice of Papi.

The story begins after Papi and his lovely Chihuahua bride Chloe start a family of adorable little puppies. The puppies get into all sorts of playful trouble, but when Papi’s human gets into a sticky situation with the bank, no one hesitates to help. The gang of dogs enter a dog show to raise money to save the family’s house. What will happen next? You’ll just have to wait and see!

This movie is so cute! They did a great job of bringing back the lovable characters from the first film, while incorporating some super cute new characters. My favorite character would have to be Papi Junior, the adorable little male puppy. He always gets into messy situations but is also a fearless leader to his sisters!

The visual aspects are great! I love the bright colors and crisp images that fill the entire movie with life. The special effects are good as well. The dogs really look like they are talking! My favorite scene is when the banker goes to the family’s house to evict them, and the dogs pull so many pranks on him. It is hilarious!

I suggest this film for ages 10 and younger; although I think this film is very cute, it is a little young for my taste. If you like adorable puppies, fun loving adventures and a heart warming story about family and friends, this movie is perfect for you. Despite my age, I give this film a thumbs up!

Credit: Raven Devanney, age 13, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

In “Beverly Hills 2,” Chloe and Papi, the dogs, get married. I know, weird, but that’s Beverly Hills for you. And Sam and Rachel, their humans, are sort of juggling the idea of getting married.

Sam takes Chloe, Papi and all the other Chihuahuas to his parent’s house in the barrio. Meanwhile, it turns out that Sam’s parents aren’t having it very well off. They’re in debt over $40,000 to the bank, and they are going to lose their home. Now, this is a big problem and everybody is concerned, even the dogs, and, well, … the dogs come to the rescue.

This movie is good for people ages five and up. I think the reason people younger than five might not find this entertaining is that they just wouldn’t understand the plot line. I don’t think that most four-year-olds understand what debt is. However, anyone can enjoy this. My Dad and I watched this together and we were just laughing and laughing, particularly about a comment about a poodle looking like a Q-Tip.

All in all I would give this eight out of ten stars. All ages could enjoy this, including little kids, who would enjoy the music and the bright colors.
Review by Sam Connan, Age 12, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic