Archives for 2013

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

Iron Man 3 is the newest edition in this exciting superhero series. Rated PG-13 for intense and often violent scenes, this film proves that a sequel can more than live up to it’s predecessors. Age 15, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Raven D. was extremely impressed with the action and says the “special effects, are outstanding and I absolutely love all of the different suits that Tony has created in this movie.”

Iron Man 3

Reviewed by Raven D.