Archives for May 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.

New Free Mothers’ Day Coloring Card, New Pajanimals Episodes Airing On Sprout, Online Activities In Support Of Universal Family Week And National Family Month 

May is not only the month that brings spring flowers; it also celebrates families with National Family Month, Universal Family Week (May 12-18, 2013) and Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 12)! 

 KidsPeace, a private charity founded in 1882, created National Family Month.  This month-long celebration helps raise awareness and highlights the importance of family – kids, mothers, fathers, relatives and caregivers – and encourages supporting one another. National Family Month also provides an opportunity for families to share special time together, to develop or renew relationships, and to remind everyone about the importance of family involvement in raising healthy, confident kids.

 Underscoring the importance of family, the International Society of Friendship and Good Will proclaimed the second full week in May as Universal Family Week (May 12-18, 2013). And of course we celebrate and honor mothers, motherhood, maternal bonds and the influence of mothers on families and society on Mother’s Day, which falls on Sunday, May 12, this year.

 Joining in the month long celebration of families and mothers, The Jim Henson Company’s adorable PAJANIMAL characters have a number of fun family activities created to encourage and support family togetherness.

In celebration of Mother’s Day on May 12, Sprout will air two family-centric Pajanimals episodes on Saturday, May 11, and Sunday, May 12. “Missing Mom and Dad:” At bedtime, Sweet Pea Sue misses Mom and Dad and wishes she could sneak into their bed where it feels so “warm and safe.” The Pajanimals travel to The Night Sky where The Moon comforts her and tells Sweet Pea Sue that her parents are very close by and will always be there (if she needs them). And the episode, “Mom is Amazing!:” Tomorrow is Mother’s Day and the Pajanimals have decided to help Mom with her chores, but they quickly realize that Mom does A LOT of chores for the family.  Not sure what to do, the Pajanimals travel to the Night Sky, where The Moon tells them that just recognizing all that Mom does and offering to help her is a great gift not just for Mother’s Day, but any day.

 Pajanimals are also offering a free Mother’s Day Coloring Card, which can be downloaded[http://www.sproutonline.com/printables/Pajanimals-mothers-day-card] and printed, allowing kids to add their own personal artistic vision to the card (and a photo, too).  Attached artwork.

 During the month of May, Sprout will also air a special on-air spot for its Kindness Counts campaign featuring the Pajanimals.

 Sprout’s Kindness Counts campaign helps parents teach young children the importance of kindness and encourages children to perform random acts of kindness such as helping, sharing, making a new friend, etc. The Kindness Counts website features a Kindness Counter where families can document these kind acts with the goal of reaching 1 million acts of kindness.

Additionally, www.sproutonline.com offers fun Pajanimals’ themed activities for the entire family, including:

·      Printable Pajanimals Bedtime Activity Cards which parents and kids can use to learn about and reinforce healthy bedtime routines!

·      The site also features fun family games like Sweet Pea Sue’s Heart Catcher — this fun, online game keeps kids and parents on their toes as they try to catch all of the falling hearts by moving the basket left or right; and Pajanimals Adventure Game, which takes the whole family on an adventure with The Pajanimals, including a visit to Jerry the Bear’s house in the Friendly Forest!

·      There are also fun family craft projects like Big Blue Sea Felt Aquarium, which instructs families on how they can create an indoor aquarium out of felt; and Apollo’s Night Time Memory Game, which helps families to create their own special memory game to play again and again.

·      Nothing brings a family together like meal times, and the Pajanimals have a number of easy recipes the whole family can make and enjoy, including CowBella’s
S-moo-thie, Apollo’s Moon and Stars snacks and Sweetpea Sue’s Horseshoe Bread, a sweet snack that’ll be fun to make for mom on Mother’s Day.

There’s also tons of family fun available through:

·      Pajanimals DVDs, available through NCircle Entertainment  at retail outlets nationwide, including the latest release, Pajanimals Playdate, as well as perennial favorites Meet the Pajanimals and Good Night Pajanimals

·      Parents can also share the fun of the Pajanimals Light in the Sky App with their toddlers.  This interactive adaptation of the Light in the Sky episode,” developed by N Fusion Interactive, recently earned a coveted Parents’ Choice Award in the mobile app category.  Staying true to the Pajanimals origins in look, character, pacing and sound, the app includes options to read along, choose a page, or play some games along the way, providing kids with the opportunity to play along with their favorite Pajanimals characters. Filled with engaging activities, charming music and colorful animation, the fully 3D app extends the reach of the Pajanimals TV series onto iPhone, iPad and iPod touch and sells for $3.99.  Also check out the new Pajanimals Play Time app! Turn bedtime into fun time with the Pajanimals! Preschoolers will love playing games with all their friends from the Pajanimals series on Sprout!  Available on iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/Pajanimals-play-time/id628503554?mt=8.

·      Pajanimals, co-produced by The Jim Henson Company, Sprout and Sixteen South Television, follows an adorable quartet of Henson puppets as they take young viewers on exciting imaginary adventures. With music and new friends in every story, Pajanimals teaches the skills that preschoolers need to move through their days successfully, especially getting ready for and going to bed.  Pajanimals airs nightly at 8 p.m. ET on 24-hour preschool television channel Sprout® during its The Good Night Show programming block and also airs on NBC on Saturday mornings as part of the NBC Kids programming block. 

 Pajanimals: Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Pajanimals

Follow The Jim Henson Company: Facebook: www.facebook.com/hensoncompany 

Twitter: @hensonparents

Follow Sprout: Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sprout

Twitter: @SproutTV