Archives for May 12, 2013

“The power of music can break barriers and build a friendship.” This is a beautiful statement by Jailene A., 12-year-old KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, after seeing the animated film “Monster in Paris.” Rated PG for some action violence involving gun play and mild rude humor, this film is set in the year 1910 in Paris, and the story begins by documenting the flooding of the River Seine that year. With a lovely message, amusing characters and interesting story line, this animated film is perfect for the whole family. Available now on DVD. In addition to Jailene’s review, you can hear more about this film on the KIDS FIRST!

“A Monster In Paris”

Reviewed by Jailene A.

Disney/ABC Television Group’s Digital Media team has launched the “Doc McStuffins: Time For Your Check Up!” App based on the popular Disney Junior series, “Doc McStuffins.” The new activity based app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch allows players to join Doc, along with Hallie, Lambie and the rest of her friends for a fun-filled time fixing, sorting, exploring and caring for toys, dolls and more. Inside Doc’s clinic players can choose from four entertaining and engaging developmental activities.

 Game features include:

• Check-Up – At Check-Up players stop by the clinic to help Doc diagnose and cure patients based on a number of different ailments and can stay for a loving cuddle from Lambie.
• Mixupitis – Help Doc make sure each of her toys have the correct corresponding parts by taking them apart and putting them back together again.
• Doctor’s Kit – This open-ended activity allows you to turn your iOS device’s camera into a virtual stethoscope, octoscope or X-Ray machine.
• Picture Stickers – Here players can use a variety of Doc McStuffins themed stickers to decorate pictures of their family and friends or favorite toys.

The Big Book of Boo Boos saves the names and diagnoses of cured patients so players can go back and look at them at anytime. Additionally, throughout the game players will be able to earn Doctor’s Notes prescribed with “lots of love,” “kisses” and “cuddles.”

The “Doc McStuffins: Time For Your Check Up!” App is available for $3.99 from the App Store on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.

Disney/ABC Television Group’s Digital Media team has launched several new groundbreaking apps that have been a hit with kids and parents. Beginning with the multi-award winning “The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Road Rally Appisode” app last year, the new Disney Junior Appisode app is the first that enables kids to interact with full episodes of the shows and characters they love. “WATCH Disney Channel,” “WATCH Disney Junior” and “WATCH Disney XD” make full length episodes of popular shows available on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Authenticated customers can access live feeds of the networks, as well as first looks and sneak peeks.

An imaginative animated series about a six-year-old girl who communicates with and heals stuffed animals and broken toys out of her backyard playhouse clinic, “Doc McStuffins” ranked as 2012’s #1 cable TV series in Kids 2-5 and the #1 preschool cable TV series in Total Viewers and Women 18-49. The series stars the voices of Kiara Muhammad as Doc; Loretta Devine as Hallie; Lara Jill Miller as Lambie; Robbie Rist as Stuffy; Jess Harnell as Chilly; Jaden Betts as Donny McStuffins; Kim Brooks as Mom McStuffins; and Gary Anthony Williams as Dad McStuffins. The series’ theme song is performed by the star of Disney Channel’s hit series “A.N.T. Farm” and Hollywood Records recording artist, China Anne McClain.

Created and executive-produced by Humanitas Prize and Emmy Award-winning Chris Nee (writer on “Little Bill” and producer of “Deadliest Catch: Crab Fishing in Alaska”) and directed by Emmy-winning Norton Virgien (“Rugrats”), “Doc McStuffins” is a production of Dublin, Ireland’s Brown Bag Films in association with Disney Channel. The Hollywood Health & Society division of the USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center serves as its health and medical consultants, advising on basic health issues that are relevant to young kids and families.

Disney Junior reflects the emotional connection generations of consumers have to Disney storytelling and Disney characters, both classic and contemporary. It invites mom and dad to join their child in the Disney experience of magical, musical and heartfelt stories and characters, while incorporating specific learning and development themes designed for kids age 2-7. Disney Junior’s series blend Disney’s unparalleled storytelling and characters kids love deeply with learning, including early math, language skills, healthy eating and lifestyles, and social skills. Disney Junior launched in February 2011 with a daily programming block on Disney Channel. In its first year, Disney Junior posted the network’s biggest yearly audience in the daypart in Total Viewers, Kids 2-5, Boys 2-5 and Women 18-49, increasing by double-digit margins among preschooler demographics over year-ago levels.  The magic continues in 2013, with the block currently home to the Top 3 cable TV series in Kids 2-5 and Top 4 preschool cable TV series in Total Viewers. On March 23, 2012 Disney Junior added a cable and satellite channel in the U.S.  Disney Junior channels in Japan, India and Disney Junior Portugal launched in fall 2012, bringing the total number of channels to 33 worldwide.