Julia — Sesame Street’s First Character With Autism

Posted on March 28, 2017 at 3:03 pm

Sesame Street’s television series has a new character. Her name is Julia, she loves bubbles, and she has autism.

Julia has already been a Sesame Street online character, and it is great to see her on ths whow, letting families see “the amazing in all kids” and learn how to make friends with different kinds of people.

And Sesame Street gets a visit from Sia, who shows a bit of her face for a change as she sings about songs!

Matt Fagerholm on Julie Andrews’ New Show for Kids About Performing Arts

Posted on March 25, 2017 at 9:15 pm

My friend and fellow critic Matt Fagerholm has an excellent essay at rogerebert.com about the adorable new Netflix series “Julie’s Greenroom,” starring Julie Andrews, the Muppets, and a dazzling gallery of guest stars.

Andrews has a natural chemistry with her pint-sized students, treating them as she would any human performer, while gently reprimanding her mischievous dog, Toby (John Kennedy), who also happens to be a puppet. The first 13 episodes of “Julie’s Greenroom” debuted on March 17th, and though the series is every bit as delightful as one would expect, it succeeds as far more than a nostalgia-fest.

In fact, there may not be a better defense for saving the National Endowment for the Arts than this program, which has coincidentally arrived during a period in which the President of the United States has proposed cutting it for the first time in history.

The show is a delight for any age.

Family Movies for Black History Month

Posted on February 5, 2017 at 3:48 pm

Great choices for Black History Month from Scholastic:

Duke Ellington… and more stories to celebrate great figures in African American history.

The DVD includes gently animated and beautifully narrated versions of four books about important figures in black history.

Duke Ellington Forest Whitaker reads this tribute to one of the 20th century’s most celebrated and influential musicians.

Ellington Was Not a Street Phylicia Rashad reads Ntozake Shange’s story about growing up amidst many of the great figures of African-American history.

Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa She had an exquisite voice and unsurpassed musicianship to use it like a jazz instrument. Billy Dee Williams tells the story of how she got her sound.

John Henry Samuel L. Jackson reads the story based on the famous legend and folk ballad about the hammer-driving man who could beat anyone, even the machine.

March On!… and More Stories About African American History

March On! The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King’s story is lovingly told by his sister, Christine King Ferris.

Martin’s Big Words Dr. King’s story shows how big ideas compellingly described change the world.

Rosa A brave woman decides to be the one to lead the fight against segregation in this story of Rosa Parks.

Henry’s Freedom Box Henry “Box” Brown was a slave who mailed himself to freedom in a daring escape.

New CD: Best of Raffi

Posted on January 31, 2017 at 3:49 pm

There is nothing better for building happy family memories than singing along with Raffi to classics like “Baby Beluga” and “Down by the Bay.” This collection of Raffi favorites, released February 10, 2017, with the best from 40 years of delighting children and their parents is sure to become a family essential. This is the best there is when it comes to music for families — a must-have for car trips and bedtimes. And with this new release, the kids who grew up with Raffi can share these timeless melodies with their own children.

Raffi will also be on tour, with family concerts in California in late January, Minneapolis and Chicago in April, and Philadelphia and Pittsburgh in May.

Behind the Scenes: Pinocchio

Posted on January 12, 2017 at 8:00 am

One of the greatest animated films of all time is Disney’s Pinocchio, possibly the most beautiful hand-drawn film of all time. It is remarkable to think that it was made just three years after the groundbreaking but much simpler “Snow White.” It also has one of the all-time classic Disney soundtracks, with songs like “I Got No Strings” (featured in last year’s “Suicide Squad”) and the song that is still the Disney theme: “When You Wish Upon a Star.”

The Signature Edition is available today on Digital HD and Disney Anywhere, and will be out on Blu-Ray January 31, 2017, featuring extras like these:

Walt’s Process

Pinocchio – Creating Pleasure Island