Happy 40th Birthday, Sesame Street!

Posted on November 10, 2010 at 3:36 pm

40 years ago today, I watched the very first episode of “Sesame Street” and I have been a big fan ever since. My dad, Newton Minow, helped the show’s creator, Joan Ganz Cooney, get the funding for its first season, and we spent many family dinners talking about how exciting and revolutionary it would be. But what made me fall in love with it on that very first broadcast was how much fun it was, how imaginative, how respectful of its audience.

Here is one of my favorite moments from “Sesame Street.” It still inspires me.

Here’s a classic moment:

And here’s a treat from the new season:

Exclusive Clip from Veggie Tales’ ‘It’s a Meaningful Life’

Posted on October 1, 2010 at 2:58 pm

Angelina Ballerina: Love to Dance

Posted on August 31, 2010 at 10:00 am

Angelina Ballerina: Love to Dance, the first chance to see the new CGI makeover for everyone’s favorite dancing mouse, comes out this week. I have three DVDs to give away and a special prize for everyone who writes to me. Read on for details.

The DVD features:

“Angelina’s New School ” – Angelina is excited, yet nervous, about her first day of school at Camembert Academy . When she finds her new classmates proficient in other styles of dance, she tries to copy their moves – without success. Angelina soon discovers that when she’s true to her own style of dance – ballet – she excels, and soon understands that everyone is different, and different is good.

“Angelina’s Dance Partner” – Angelina is ecstatic to have the opportunity to dance with her best friend, Alice, at Camembert Academy ‘s “Dance With a Partner Day.” Angelina likes to choreograph the routine down to the very last detail and Alice is happy to oblige! Unfortunately, when Alice gets the sniffles Angelina must partner with Viki, whose style of improvisation contradicts with Angelina’s style. Angelina learns the importance of collaboration, cooperation and adaptability when working with a partner.

“Angelina’s Oldest Friend” – Angelina loves her new Camembert Academy friends and also loves her old friend Alice. She expects that both sets of friends will love each other too. Unfortunately, their first encounter is not as smooth as Angelina would have liked so the new and old friends work together to find a new way to play so all can have fun.

“Angelina’s Sleepover” – Angelina, Viki and Gracie decide to have a sleepover the night before a rehearsal for the big performance, but they do everything except sleep! The next day they are too tired for the morning rehearsal and have to choose between an afternoon rehearsal or attending the annual Silly Hat Carnival, a fun tradition in Mouseland. Angelina and her friends decide to rehearse and learn that being prepared is the best fun of all!

“Angelina and the Hip Hop Kid” – Angelina is very excited to be directing her very first Hip Hop Show when suddenly her star, AZ, falls and hurts his foot! Who can step into his shoes at the last minute? Marco is the number one choice. However, though he can play Hip Hop music, dancing Hip Hop is another thing. The show is in danger of not going on… unless Angelina can come up with a solution in time!

Bonus features are the “Angelina Says” Game and two music videos: “Get Up and Dance” and “I Will Be A Star”

Send me an email at moviemom@moviemom.com with Ballerina in the subject line and tell me why you love to dance. Don’t forget to include your address. The first three will receive the DVD and everyone who writes will get a special coloring page about Angelina Ballerina.

Free Download of Shows for Kids

Posted on July 5, 2010 at 8:00 am

Just in time for summer vacation, Front Row Fun has a free download of more than three hours of selections from children’s programming including Sid the Science Kid, Pocoyo, Hopla, Hermie and Friends, Hurray for Huckle, WordWorld, Will & Dewitt, Animal Atlas, Tiny Planets and Dive Olly Dive. It can be played on For PC, Mac, DVD Player, or PlayStation 3.

Teacher Giveaway: The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!

Posted on July 1, 2010 at 3:51 pm

I’ve got something very special for the first teacher to write me — directions below. At the American Library Association’s annual conference in Washington DC last weekend I attended a reception in honor of The Cat in the Hat and his new television series about science for PBS, starting this fall.
Dr. Seuss revolutionized books for early readers with his riotously entertaining stories, classics that are beloved by generations like The Cat in the Hat, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, The Lorax, Yertle the Turtle, Horton Hears a Who, and many more. Now, in partnership with PBS, The Cat in the Hat will help preschoolers and early readers learn about science. The Cat’s voice will be provided by the perfectly appropriate Martin Short. He will guide best friends Sally and Nick through stories that will teach children vocabulary, science facts, and the fun of curiosity. And he will have help, of course, from Thing One and Thing Two, the red Fish, and a Thinga-ma-jigger vehicle that adapts to become whatever transportation the group needs to explore the world. PBS will make resources available for parents and educators to provide support, encouragement, and coordinate with curriculum.
I have a beautiful Cat in the Hat canvas tote bag with two Dr. Seuss science books and some information about the show to give to the first PreK-1st Grade teacher who writes to me at moviemom@moviemom.com to tell me your favorite Dr. Seuss character and why. Good luck and thanks for all you do for your students and their families!