Two New Online Arthur Games

Now children and their parents can have more fun with Arthur Read, Muffy Crosswire, and the Elwood City community! Arthur Delivers and Waldo Loves Muffy are two new online games for kids ages six to eight that introduce them to logic and systems thinking. Each game debuts on the Arthur homepage, with Arthur Delivers also available within the PBS KIDS' virtual world, Kart Kingdom. "These games are a fun way for children to hone their analytical thinking skills," says Arthur's Emmy Award®-winning, Digital Producer Gentry Menzel. "Both are designed to appeal to kids' imaginations, and connect with their curiosity and their love of a fun challenge."


Arthur Delivers!

Arthur Delivers is a fast-moving systems-thinking game: Arthur and his friends have a bicycle courier service, and they need kids' help delivering as many items as they can. The gameplay is simple: just click the gates to guide the bikes. As requests increase, and more couriers are added, a player must make lots of quick choices. As a bonus, if kids are logged into the PBS KIDS virtual world, they can earn special power-ups to help increase their score.


Waldo Loves Muffy

In Waldo Loves Muffy, a game based on a logical-thinking curriculum, kids help Waldo (Muffy's imaginary friend) find his way back to Muffy, collecting as many hearts as they can along the way. There are dangerous obstacles, such as creepy eyeball creatures and tiny passages, and dead ends abound. Players place pieces into the game to turn Waldo left, right, and diagonally to help him complete the journey. For added fun, kids can guide Waldo to the magic hat, which transforms him into Cowboy Waldo, Elvis Waldo, Sherlock Waldo, and more!

Each game offers kids a rewarding chance to develop solution-based thinking processes, all while having fun with Arthur and friends.

Produced by WGBH, the Emmy Award®-winning PBS KIDS series ARTHUR explores childhood challenges with heart and humor, while teaching problem-solving and pro-social skills. On the ARTHUR website, kids, parents, caregivers, and teachers can access a variety of fun and educational games, lesson plans, and activities. Families can also keep up with Arthur and his friends on the new ARTHUR Family Health Website - a resource that helps caregivers and children build and maintain healthy living habits.

Dora the Explorer Live Tour

Little Brandon and I are very excited to hear that the National Tour starring "Dora the Explorer" (based on Hit Nickelodeon Series) will be visiting our hometown in Vancouver, BC on June 7, 2015!


Koba Entertainment and Nickelodeon today announced its celebrated theatrical production Dora the Explorer Live! Search for the City of Lost Toys will return to Canada! The tour will visit Vancouver, BC Canada on June 7th at The Orpheum. A global phenomenon seen by more than four million parents and children worldwide in 30 countries, Dora’s live musical adventure incorporates educational and interactive components that have made Nickelodeon’s 16-time Emmy nominated series Dora the Explorer a hit preschool program in Canada. Tickets are on-sale now and are available through www.DoraLiveCanada.com.

Dora the Explorer Live! Search for the City of Lost Toys sendsDora on her most important mission yet: to find her lost teddy bear. With help from the live audience and her courageous amigos, Dora uses her map-reading, counting, musical and language skills to successfully navigate the number pyramid and the mixed-up jungle to reach The City of Lost Toys. During the 70-minute live show featuring colorful costumes and stunning sets, Dora and her cousin Diego, Boots, Map, Backpack, Tico, Isa, Benny -- even that pesky fox Swiper -- invite audiences to think, sing and play along while helping to find Dora’s teddy bear.

"Using our hallmark, innovative multimedia technology and an all-star creative team, we created a truly unique live musical adventure that is fun for the whole family,” says Koba Entertainment’s award-winning creative director, Patti Caplette. “We are thrilled to feature the iconic young Dora to entertain and share the positive and empowering messages for which she is known to families across Canada.”

Dora the Explorer Live! Search for the City of Lost Toys is among Koba Entertainment’s long list of stage show properties including Toopy and Binoo: Fun and Games, The Backyardigans: Quest for the Extraordinary Alien and Max & Ruby in the Nutcracker Suite.

Canadian Tour Schedule:

April 5
Cornwall, ON (Aultsville Theatre)

April 8
Peterborough, ON (Showplace Performance Centre)

April 9
Hamilton, ON (Hamilton Place)

April 11
Kitchener, ON (Centre In The Square)

April 12
Chatham, ON (St. Clair College Capitol Theatre)

April 13
London, ON (Centennial Hall)

April 14
Brantford, ON (Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts)

April 15
Mississauga, ON (Living Arts Centre)

April 18
Toronto, ON (Sony Centre for the Performing Arts)

April 19
Kingston, ON (Grande Theatre)

April 22
Fredericton, NB (The Playhouse)

April 23
Saint John, NB (Imperial Theatre)

April 25
Halifax, NS (Rebecca Cohn Auditorium)

April 26
Moncton, NB (Capitol Theatre)

April 30
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL (Arts and Culture Centre)

May 2
St. John's, NL (Mile One Centre)

May 4
Gander, NL (Arts and Culture Centre)

May 9
Montreal, QC (Olympia de Montréal)

May 10
Ottawa, ON (Centrepointe Theatre)

May 13
North Bay, ON (Capitol Centre)

May 16
Thunder Bay, ON (Thunder Bay Community Auditorium)

May 19
Regina, SK (Conexus Arts Centre)

May 20
Saskatoon, SK (TCU Place)

May 21
Lloydminster, AB (Vic Juba Community Theatre)

May 23
Bonnyville, AB (Bonnyville & District Centennial Centre)

May 24
Fort McMurray, AB (Keyano Theatre)

May 26
Fort St. John, BC (North Peace Cultural Centre)

May 28
Grande Prairie, AB (Revolution Place)

May 30
Red Deer, AB (ENMAX Centrium)

May 31
Calgary, AB (Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium)

June 2
Kamloops, BC (Sagebrush Theatre)

June 3
Vernon, BC (Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre)

June 5
Maple Ridge, BC (The ACT)

June 6
New Westminster, BC (Massey Theatre)

June 7
Vancouver, BC (The Orpheum)

June 9
Victoria, BC (Royal Theatre)

June 10
Nanaimo, BC (The Port Theatre)

June 13
Cranbrook, BC (Key City Theatre)

June 16
Edmonton, AB (Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium)

June 18
Brandon, MB (Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium)

June 19
Winnipeg, MB (Pantages Playhouse)

About Koba Entertainment

A prominent producer of original family musicals, Koba Entertainment has been captivating audiences throughout the world with celebrated characters from literature, television, and pop culture. Koba Entertainment productions have enchanted people of all ages in more than 165 North American cities, 12 countries and 4 continents. Production credits for young audiences include: Dora the Explorer, Max & Ruby, The Backyardigans, the Doodlebops, Strawberry Shortcake, Caillou and Franklin. For more information, visit: www.koba-entertainment.com.

About Nickelodeon (Canada)

One of the world’s leading entertainment brands for kids, Nickelodeon (Canada) features a lineup of award-winning Nick properties, from current live-action comedies, animated favourites and special events such as the Kids’ Choice Awards, to classic hits. Nickelodeon (Canada) is owned by Canadian-based media and entertainment company Corus Entertainment Inc. For more information, please visit NickCanada.com and corusent.com.

Experience Corus on the web at www.corusent.com.

Wild Kratts Toys Giveaway #ActivateCreaturePower

 

 (Logo and banner are owned by The Kratt Brothers Company)

 Welcome to the Wild Kratts Toys Giveaway!

Hosted By: Parenting Beyond!

Do your kids watch Wild Kratts on television? Are they a fan? The brand-new Wild Kratts toys are now available at Toys R Us! This incredible new toy line, based on the hit PBSKids show Wild Kratts, hit Toys R Us store shelves last month and are now right at your finger tips. Your child can bring home the Wild Kratts awesomeness in the form of Creature Power Suits, Creature Pods, plush, and figurines. You can check out a full review at Parenting Beyond.com.

These toys are so fun that we just had to share. 

Wild Kratts is giving one lucky reader a Wild Kratts Toy Prize Pack including a Creature Power Vest, 4 pack Creature Set, and a plush animal!! Be sure to enter as much as possible for the best chance at winning.

 

(Image and logo owned by The Kratt Brother Company)

{ GIVEAWAY DETAILS }

ONE (1) lucky winner will receive a Creature Power Vest, 4 pack Creature Set, and a plush animal. Specific sets and color will be chosen by Wild Kratts. Prize includes shipping. The winner’s name and mailing address will be forwarded to Wild Kratts upon notification. It is Wild Kratts’s responsibility to fulfill.

Contest is open to US & Canadian Residents, 18+. Contest ends October 15th, 2014 at 12am PST. Void where prohibited by law. Winner will have 48 hours to respond by email to claim their prize (or another winner will be chosen). All entries will be verified. Enter below. 

Good Luck &
"Keep On Creature Adventuring"!

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this promotion. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of other consumers. "Brandon's Adventures" Blog is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. This giveaway is not associated with, affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or any other social media platform in any way. 

New ARTHUR Family Health Website

WGBH and PBS Kids are proud to announce the launch of the ARTHUR Family Health website, which builds on ARTHUR's eighteen-year history of addressing challenging topics and making them understandable for kids.

Featuring Arthur and friends, this robust, new website offers background information, games, videos, and other resources designed to help parents and educators talk to kids about important health issues - from asthma, food allergies and nutrition, to fitness and resilience.

All of the resources on this mobile-friendly website were reviewed by health experts from top medical institutions such as Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Children's Hospital, and Harvard Medical School.

The goal is to encourage conversation around these topics and to continue to grow this important resource in the years ahead.

	Asthma  Buster knows all about managing asthma. In this section, Buster invites parents and kids to learn more about asthma care, how to stay active, and what triggers to avoid. Kids will love putting their knowledge to the test in the Buster Baxter: Lung Defender game!
	Peanut Allergy Binky has a peanut allergy, so he has to be careful about what he eats and touches. In addition to printable activities and a fun interactive quiz, this section features a travel translator that offers 14 different language translations of "I have a peanut allergy," a useful and potentially life-saving tool when traveling to areas where English is not the native language.
	Nutrition Like many kids, Arthur, D.W., and their friends sometimes struggle to maintain a healthy diet. Here, both kids and adults learn how to make better choices that are both healthy and delicious! In D.W.'s Unicorn Adventure app, kids learn about healthy snacking as they help D.W. save a lost unicorn using the power of rainbow foods! Yum!
	Resilience  Finding the right things to say to children when upsetting events occur at home and in the world around us can be hard for parents and caregivers. Here, adults will learn how they can support kids during challenging times using resources, activities, and videos designed to help kids heal and grow from these experiences. This section features a Draw Your Feelings activity where children better express and manage difficult emotions through artwork.
	Fitness Fitness can be fun, so get up off the couch! This section features the basics of staying fit and inspires both kids and adults to stay active and healthy through games like Dance Club, Groove It, and Workout Time!

 

Dr. Seuss Cat in the Hat Costume

I've always loved Dr. Suess' CAT IN THE HAT books as a child. The cartoon is always fun and educational. As little Brandon got older, he became interested in watching the Cat in the Hat television series as well as the books. Yes, he is a big fan! Every time Brandon tells me something, I'd ask him where he learned it from. I would also ask if he learned it from school. He would respond to me that he learned it from The Cat in The Hat.

There is a promotion on the nationwide reading celebration for the Read Across America Day on March 3rd, 2014. If you live in the US, I'm sure most of you know or heard about it. In case you don't know, that day is Dr. Seuss' birthday. It's new to me and I just heard about it. I live in Canada, but we do have something else called Family Literacy Day.


I was recently given the opportunity to pick out one of the Cat In The Hat costumes from Costume Supercenter. I decided to surprise Brandon this time and chose the Child's Dr. Seuss Cat In the Hat Accessory Kit which includes a Hat, Bow Tie and Gloves. I wanted the costume/outfit, but they were out of stock.


The accessory kit is one size and fits most ages 3-12. The costume is simple and little one can wear it comfortably. The red bow tie can be attached and detached with velcro at the back. I love the hat. It looks adorable on Brandon.






Disclosure: I received a choice of costume from CostumesuperCenter.com in exchange for my honest review in this post. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Warner Bros. February DVD Giveaway

February is the one month of the year where everyone has love on their minds! It’s can be romantic, it can be love for your children or parents or you could just be a movie lover! Whatever you love, this February Warner Bros. has you covered with some amazing DVDs perfect for the whole family!

If you’re a love lorn poet, there’s the Peanuts Collection! If you want to smother your significant other with kisses we have the Looney Tunes Pepe Le Pew Collection, and if you want to solve some madcap mystery, I’ll bet Scooby-Doo is the one for you!

The Warner Bros. February Month Of Love Blog App
Who is Your Cartoon Crush? Everyone has had a crush at some point in their lives, but do you know who your cartoon crush is? Is it Scooby-Doo? Charlie Brown? or maybe Bugs Bunny? Find out who you would be romantically perfect with!

Love-ly Recipes! When I think of movie night, the first thing I want to know is... What are the snacks? Here are three easy and fun recipe’s perfect for your Valentine!


Take the "Who is your Cartoon Crush" Quiz and post your favorite in the comments below.


Click here if you cannot view the full app.

{ GIVEAWAY }

ONE (1) lucky reader will receive one of the following DVD titles (chosen at random):

• Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown Deluxe Edition
• A Charlie Brown Valentine
• Bugs Bunny’s Cupid Capers
• Happiness is... Peanuts: Friends Forever
• Elmo Loves You
• Looney Tunes Pepe Le Pew Collection
• Scooby-Doo! 13 Spooky Tales: For The Love Of Snack

Contest is open to US and Canada, 18+. Contest ends February 27th, 2014 at 11:59pm EST. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to claim their prize (or another winner will be chosen). Good Luck!

Each household is only eligible to win One (1) DVD Chosen at Random via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this promotion. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of other consumers. "Brandon's Adventures" is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. This giveaway is not associated with, affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or any other social media platform in any way.

Toopy and Binoo is launching in the U.S.

Already a hit TV series in Canada, Toopy and Binoo now celebrate its U.S. debut! Toopy and Binoo follows the adventures of Toopy, a tall, funny and friendly mouse, and his best friend Binoo, a tiny, clever and lovable white cat. The show inspires preschoolers ages 2 to 5 to expand their imagination and creativity while reinforcing positive values such as friendship and good manners.

Kids love Toopy and Binoo and it's one of Brandon's favorite shows. The episodes are entertaining and funny and the series encourages children to be well mannered, friendly and imaginative.

Toopy and Binoo is launching in the U.S. exclusively on YouTube. Check out the trailer below:

Dinosaur Train Prize Pack Giveaway

Welcome to the

Dinosaur Train Prize Pack Giveaway!

Hosted by Queen of Savings & Building Our Story

The Pteranodon family celebrates the beginning of winter with a trip to the North Pole! This Little Golden Book retells an episode of the PBS Kids show Dinosaur Train in which Buddy the T. rex and his siblings get to see the amazing Aurora Borealis!

All aboard the Dinosaur Train! These fun wall decals will help you bring Buddy, Tiny, Shiny, Don, and more of your favorite dinosaur friends into any room. Your child will love having their Dinosaur Train friends on their walls! Like all RoomMates, these decals are removable and reusable, and can be repositioned over and over again without damage or residue. Help your little one go on their very own expedition by decorating their room with these stickers! Decorate a room in seconds: Peel and stick, repositionable, removable with no sticky residue,easy to hang and easy to remove. Made in the USA. Decals range in size from 1.1" wide x 1.7" high to 8.5" wide x 11.6" high; 4 Sheets 10" x 18".

“Troodon” is just one of six new 24-piece jigsaw puzzles from Karmin, each one featuring a bonus laminated Dinosaur Fact Card. Kids can have fun putting the puzzle together while learning interesting facts about dinosaurs.

The holiday season is the perfect time of year to reinforce the importance of family. In the new DVD, Dinosaur Train: We are a Dinosaur Family, eight adventures feature prehistoric family fun at its best – the Pteranodon kids visit with their grandma and grandpa; Buddy, Tiny and Mr. Pteranodon join a few other dinos for a dad’s day out; and Buddy and the Pteranodon kids look for flowers to give to mom on her special Mother’s Day.

{ GIVEAWAY }

ONE (1) lucky winner will receive a Dinosaur Train Prize Pack! Contest is open to US only, 18+ and ends November 2nd, 2013 at 12am EST. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to claim their prize (otherwise a second winner will be chosen).  All entries will be verified. Good Luck!      
{Please wait while entry form loads...}

Entry-Form

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this promotion. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of other consumers. "Brandon's Adventures" Blog is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. Contact teri@mompoweredmedia.com with questions or to see your business or blog featured on the next big event!

PBS Kids' ARTHUR Stands Up to Bullying in All-New Episodes

Arthur and Friends Promote Kid-Friendly Dialogue About Bullying in Two New Episodes Airing May 6 & 10 on PBS KIDS (check local listings), Part of ARTHUR Spring Premiere Week
This May, Arthur is helping kids tackle another tough subject with the premiere of two new episodes about bullying. Parents are invited to visit the Arthur website for resources and though starters on how to talk to their kids about bullying, and to tune-in to the episode premieres on May 6 and 10 on PBS KIDS (check local listings).

The week begins with "The Last Tough Customer" on Monday, May 6. In this episode, the Tough Customers realize it's time to quit bullying and set out to find a new hobby - but can Molly ever truly change her ways? Watch a sneak preview!

Then on Friday, May 10, in "So Funny I Forgot to Laugh," Arthur thinks his jokes about Sue Ellen's new sweater are all in good fun, but Sue Ellen's feelings are hurt. Has Arthur become...a bully?

"While we have seen a renewed focus on anti-bullying efforts over the last couple of years, most resources are targeted towards older children," says Executive Producer Carol Greenwald. "ARTHUR provides us with a unique opportunity to reach children at a young age and positively impact future attitudes and behaviors. In these episodes, kids will see that everyone makes mistakes, even Arthur, but it's how you learn and grow from those experiences that matters."

Since it first premiered in 1996, ARTHUR has tackled a wide range of childhood issues-from asthma and bedwetting, to coping with the loss of a pet. These episodes on bullying further ARTHUR's commitment to encouraging conversations around tough topics and fostering positive social skills in children.

The week continues with brand-new, fun, and heartfelt stories that ARTHUR fans have come to grow and love. Episode descriptions and airdates below:

Monday, May 6

"The Last Tough Customer"

The Tough Customers realize it's time to quit bullying and set out to find a new hobby - but can Molly ever truly change her ways?

"Brain's Chess Mess"

Brain starts a chess club at school to improve his game and beat Los Dedos, the local chess master. Who knew the best player in the club would be...Rattles?!?

Tuesday, May 7

"Baseball Blues"

It's Grebelings season and George can't wait to play! After all, no one knows more about baseball than George. But when he realizes knowledge of sinkers doesn't guarantee success in the field, will he throw in the towel?

"Brain's Biggest Blunder"

When Brain gets teamed with Buster and Binky in the annual Arithmattack competition, he immediately enrolls Buster in binomial boot camp. Can Brain transform Buster into a mathematic marvel? Or will he be forced to eat humble pi?

Wednesday, May 8

"Buster's Book Battle"

Lakewood Elementary has just instituted IRP; a program where kids can earn points (and prizes!) for reading. Buster's thrilled and gets to work straight away! But will he earn enough points for a skateboard?

"On the Buster Scale"

Buster and Brain never agree on movies. Buster rates every film a 10+, while Brain doesn't seem to like anything...Only one of them can be right...or so they think.

Thursday, May 9

"Fern and the Case of the Stolen Story"

The unthinkable has happened! Fern has writer's block! Fortunately, Ladonna's full of stories. Faced with a tight deadline, Fern decides to "borrow" the tales and simply change the names. Has Fern confused write and wrong?

"Sue Ellen Vegges Out"

When Sue Ellen decides to stop eating meat, Muffy and Francine compete to be the best vegetarian. Can they successfully resist meat? Or was this a missed steak?




Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

PBS KIDS' Curious George Helping to Bridge the STEM Education Gap in Preschool

The Concord Evaluation Group just released a study that shows that preschoolers learn important science and math concepts while watching Curious George on PBS KIDS, or by reading the TV tie-in books. This is particularly good news given that The National Education Policy Center issued a brief on Tuesday urging policymakers to invest in high-quality preschool education, citing its universally acknowledged economic and social benefits. PBS KIDS, and Curious George in particular, is helping to invest in preschoolers and give them the skills they need, especially in STEM education.This is important because not only is the program available for free on PBS, it's popular (it's currently the #1 series for preschoolers).

Report also shows that parents who read or watched CURIOUS GEORGE with their kids became more confident about supporting their children's science and math learning.

A new study conducted by the New England-based Concord Evaluation Group (CEG) has determined that children who watched episodes of the Curious George PBS KIDS television series or read books based on the Curious George PBS KIDS series were positively impacted in terms of their knowledge about the science and math concepts covered.


The study also found that Curious George TV tie-in books prompted children to use scientific habits of mind, such as making predictions, making observations, asking questions, and hypothesizing. It also indicated that parents who read or watched Curious George with their children reported feeling more confident about exploring science and math with their children and reported they were more motivated to do so.


"Science, math, and engineering sound scary, even to adults," said CEG Senior Researcher Christine Paulsen, PHD. "As preschoolers, it's a very different thing. They're learning how to explore, they're learning how to be curious. Across all platforms, Curious George is an educational winner for kids."


The long-running, top-rated PBS KIDS television series, which airs weekdays on PBS stations across the country (check local listings), is designed to inspire kids to explore science, math, and engineering in the world around them in a fun and entertaining way. Based on the best-selling books published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, the TV series and tie-in books encourage inquiry and curiosity, promote hands-on exploration, and show parents and caregivers how to support children's science, engineering, and math-related play.


STUDY METHODOLOGY:

CEG's study employed the use of a rigorous, experimental research design to evaluate the impact of the Curious George TV tie-in books on children's (ages 4-5) knowledge of science and math concepts such as measurement, hibernation, colors, and weather. CEG also studied the impact of the Curious George television episodes on children's knowledge of buoyancy, sound, sorting, and plant life. Content for the book group and television group differed, so no comparisons can be made between how the two groups performed.


Families were recruited from preschools across the country and eligible families were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups or a control group. Study participants included 155 families representing 31 different states. Families received books and/or episodes on DVD for their participation. Families across the treatment and control groups were equivalent in terms of the children's age, gender, ethnicity, household socioeconomic status, parent education, prior exposure to Curious George, family interest in science and math activities, and children's curiosity about science and math.


KEY STUDY FINDINGS:

* Children who watched the Curious George episodes and read the Curious George TV tie-in books scored significantly higher on science and math concepts covered.

* The study found that children who watched the Curious George episodes scored better on a test of the science and math concepts covered (i.e., buoyancy, sound, sorting, and plant life) than children who did not watch the episodes. Children who read the Curious George TV tie-in books also scored better on a test of the science and math concepts covered in the books (i.e., measurement, hibernation, colors, and weather) than children who did not read the books.

* Curious George enabled parents to become more comfortable helping their children learn science and math.

*The majority of parents whose children watched the episodes (86%) or read the TV tie-in books (84%) reported that Curious George helped them feel more confident that they could help their children learn about science and math.

To access the complete study findings online, including an executive summary, please visit pbskids.org/curiousgeorge/research

Martha Speaks Premieres New Episode July 23 on PBS KIDS

This July, tune in to an all-new Martha Speaks! In "Dog Daze," when Carolina chastise Martha for her doggish mannerisms, Martha wishes Carolina could just see things from her point of view. That night, Carolina goes to sleep only to awake as...a dog! What will happen when she's forced to take on a furry, four-legged perspective?

Also airing that day is the brand-new "Monkeyshines Martha." In this episode, Helen's hefty schoolwork load leaves her with little time left to spend with Martha. At loose ends, Martha finds a friend in Professor Monkey, whose wacky inventions propel Martha into a world of new adventures.




Click on video below to watch the clip from the episode:



Tune in for these new Martha Speaks adventures airing Monday, July 23 on PBS KIDS (check local listings)!

Phineas & Ferb: The Perry Files DVD Giveaway - 3 Winners

Phineas and Ferb: The Perry Files (Two-Disc Combo: DVD + Digital Copy + In-pack Perry Activity Kit) will be available June 5th!

While Phineas and Ferb do it all to make every day the best day ever, evil lurks just around the corner! But there is hope for the unsuspecting citizens of Danville. Now, for the very first time, crack open the top-secret archives of O.W.C.A. (Organization Without a Cool Acronym) to expose... THE PERRY FILES!

Join Perry the Platypus (a.k.a. Agent P.) on his most exciting adventures as he thwarts his nemesis, Dr. Doofenshmirtz, at every turn. With groovy gadgets, mad skills and his trademark brown fedora, this semi-aquatic, egg-layin’ mammal of action is unstoppable! Experience the hilarious havoc as he defends the Tristate Area against Doof’s “inators,” battles rogue agent “Dennis the Bunny,” and much more. When it comes to secret agents, Perry’s not only the real deal, he’s real teal!

BONUS FEATURES:

· Nerves of Teal: Do you have nerves of teal? Then OWCA (Organization Without a Cool Acronym) wants you! See if you have what it takes to become like Agent P in this spy recruiting video.

· Platypus Tour: Take a look inside the Platybus, the traveling Phineas and Ferb exhibit that toured North America.




WIN IT

Three (3) lucky readers will have a chance to win their own copy of "Phineas & Ferb: The Perry Files DVD". Chosen winners will be selected via Random.org through Rafflecopter and is open to Canadian residents only (except Quebec) and ends June 8, 2012 at 11:59pm EST. Winners will have 48 hours to respond to claim their prize.

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PBS KIDS' Martha Speaks and Arthur Celebrate National Poetry Month

To celebrate National Poetry Month, PBS KIDS' Martha Speaks and Arthur have partnered with the Poetry Foundation on a special week of reading, writing, and poetry episodes April 2-6, 2012 featuring former United States Poet Laureate Billy Collins and Inaugural Children's Poet Laureate Jack Prelutsky. Kids also are invited to create and publish their own poetry online with an all-new game, Martha's Rhyme Time at pbskids.org/martha and Fern's Poetry Club at pbskids.org/arthur.



The Poetry Foundation and WGBH are teaming up to invite kids to celebrate National Poetry Month with Martha Speaks and Arthur. Tune in to PBS KIDS Monday, April 2, 2012 (check local listings) to join former United States Poet Laureate Billy Collins and inaugural Children's Poet Laureate Jack Prelutsky in episodes highlighting poetry. Kids also are invited to create and publish their own poetry online with an all-new game, Martha's Rhyme Time at pbskids.org/martha and Fern's Poetry Club at pbskids.org/arthur.

"Martha Speaks and Arthur share a focus on literacy and actively encourage creativity and love of words," says Carol Greenwald, Senior Executive Producer at WGBH. "Through this partnership with the Poetry Foundation, we hope to encourage and inspire the next generation of poetry readers and writers."

"Children who are exposed to the joys of poetry at a young age are most likely to become lifelong readers of poetry as adults," adds Stephanie Hlywak, Media Director of the Poetry Foundation. "How better to create a new generation of poetry lovers than to enlist the help of Martha, Arthur, Billy Collins, and Jack Prelutsky?"

Airing Monday, April 2, 2012, PBS KIDS will premiere the brand-new Martha Speaks episode Billy Collins Speaks (check local listings). In this episode, Billy Collins writes great poems about dogs, and Martha thinks she knows why. Obviously, the former poet laureate must be a canine himself! When Martha meets Billy Collins, she's in for a few surprises...as is he. Tune in to learn words like poem, poet, prose, imposter, and metaphor. Then in the classic Arthur episode "I'm a Poet," Arthur and his friends are challenged to write a poem for a contest to be judged by inaugural Children's Poet Laureate Jack Prelutsky. Though intimidated at first, everyone comes up with a poem that reflects his or her own unique approach.

Two new Martha Speaks episodes highlighting parts of speech and featuring a visit from the Bookbots air on PBS KIDS Tuesday and Wednesday, April 3-4, 2012 (check local listings). Additionally, past episodes of Arthur celebrating creative writing will air on PBS KIDS Tuesday-Friday, April 3-6, 2012 (check local listings).

New Games Highlight Poetry and Creative Writing Online at pbskids.org! Kids are invited to read, write, and share poetry online with Martha's Rhyme Time at pbskids.org/martha and Fern's Poetry Club at pbskids.org/arthur.



Martha's Rhyme Time
In Martha's Rhyme Time, kids can create rhyming couplets for Martha to perform. Building each from six different sets of words, there are—mathematically speaking—a bazillion combinations to create. Kids also can customize the performance stage and create a printed version to color and stick on the fridge. And, of course, with Martha being Martha, she'll introduce and explain many new vocabulary words along the way!

Fern's Poetry Club
Fern's Poetry Club is a long-running, popular poetry feature on the Arthur website that encourages children to write and share their poems online. Fern's Poetry Club contains information to help kids understand what poetry is, a description of different types of poems, and tips for kids on how to write their own poems, plus an archive of poems submitted to the site over the past 10 years. To celebrate National Poetry Month, new features will be added, including poetry-related video clips from Arthur. Kids will now see Fern, Arthur, and all their friends enjoying this wonderful form of expression!



Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

ABC.com Disney Prep & Landing Holiday Special December 23rd

Disney Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice (http://abc.go.com/shows/prep-and-landing ) was aired on December 5th, but will be re-aired tomorrow on December 23, 2011 on ABC at 9:00 PM EST (8:00 Central).

I just watched a couple of the episodes with little Brandon and we both really enjoyed it. We love the animated shows. I thought the little elves were really adorable. Since it's almost Christmas, the holiday special was perfect and gets us into the holiday spirit.

Brief Synopsis:

The yuletide adventures of Christmas elves Lanny and Wayne continue this season. With the Big 2-5 fast approaching, Wayne and Lanny must race to recover classified North Pole technology that has fallen into the hands of a computer-hacking Naughty Kid! Desperate to prevent Christmas from descending into chaos, Wayne seeks out the foremost Naughty Kid expert to aid in the mission, a bombastic member of the Coal Elf Brigade who also happens to be his estranged brother, Noel.

Visit ABC.com to view the rest of the webisodes, exclusive online content, and for more fun stuff!

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the company or PR firm to share. Thanks to Fanscape, Inc. The expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

All New Curious George is Back on PBS Kids

Everyone's favorite monkey, Curious George, is back with a new season of (mis)adventures beginning Labor Day, September 5, 2011 on PBS KIDS. Remember to tune in for the new adventures. Check your local listings for your schedule and times. In ten all-new episodes, follow George as he encourages preschoolers to find their own creativity and get curious about the arts.

The fun starts Monday, September 5 through Wednesday, September 7 with three brand-new episodes - "Auctioneer George/Sock Monkey Opera", "Hamster Cam/The Great Monkey Detective", and "George and the Giant Thumb/Shutter Monkey".

The Arts are actually a great vehicle to teach kids about science, engineering, and math," said WGBH Executive Producer Dorothea Gillim. With this new season, kids will be inspired to dance, sculpt and paint along with George, and they'll also come away with knowledge of important STEM concepts.


The fun continues on Tuesday, September 6, 2011 when George learns that clues are key to solving mysteries in the new episodes Hamster Cam and The Great Monkey Detective. In Hamster Cam, Steve's pet hamster, Hogie, is on the loose in the city streets with nothing but a small video camera tied to his back. George helps Steve track his whereabouts using clues from the hamster cam and his best monkeyish map-reading skills. But can a monkey with a map keep up with a hamster on the run? Then in The Great Monkey Detective, it's a mystery movie night at Chef Pisghetti's restaurant. But the big mystery really begins when Chef Pisghetti's cookbook suddenly vanishes! A fan of Detective Basil Know-it-All, George understands that clues are the key to solving a mystery. Will George be able to crack the case of the missing cookbook or will this mystery remain unsolved?

And on Wednesday, September 7, 2011, George explores sculpting and photography in George and the Giant Thumb and Shutter Monkey. In George and the Giant Thumb, a bored George and Allie decide to make a ginormous sculpture of Bills sprained thumb. The duo quickly run out of clay and turn to less conventional art supplies. Peanut butter proves too sticky and shaving cream too drippy, so George and Allie use mud to finish their masterpiece. But will Bill give their art a thumbs up? Then in Shutter Monkey, Betsy's Out of Sight Shapes entry for the photo contest is sure to win first prize that is until George and Steve accidentally ruin her pictures. With some help from Steve, George runs around town trying to re-shoot the photographs. But finding the hidden shapes in things is hard for a little monkey! Can George snap 4 pictures of 4 shapes by 4:00...or are Betsy's prize-winning photos out of sight for good?







Disclosure: I received a copy of the preview DVD from the PR Company in exchange for this post. The opinions expressed are my own personal and honest thoughts. No other compensation was given.