A Small Act: HBO Documentary about Transformation on $15 a Month

Posted on July 17, 2010 at 3:55 pm

One of the most inspiring films of the year is A Small Act. It is a documentary about Chris Mburu, a human rights advocate for the United Nations, whose life was transformed when a Swedish woman he never met decided to send $15 a month so that he could go to school.

Mburu is from Kenya. Hilda Back, now 85, survived the Holocaust but lost her family. She worked as a schoolteacher and never married. She hoped that the $15 a month she sent, her “small act,” would make a difference in the life of a child by making it possible for him to get an education. Mburu was so successful in school that he graduated from Harvard Law School and now spends his life fighting genocide and injustice.

In this film, Mburu, who has already set up a scholarship fund in Ms. Back’s name, meets her for the first time. She comes to his village, sees where he is from, celebrates with his people. And three students compete for a chance like the one Back gave Mburu. What small acts will they benefit from? What small acts will they make possible? What will you?

A Small Act

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Documentary Television

Preview: The Jensen Project

Posted on July 9, 2010 at 8:00 am

The people behind the sensationally popular “Secrets of the Mountain” have a new family movie called “The Jensen Project,” starring Kellie Martin and premiering July 16 on NBC. It’s the story of a couple who once worked at a secret retreat for top scientists who must return when one of their former colleagues goes rogue. As they work to keep the world safe they reconnect to each other and their son.

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.

While You Wait for ‘Glee’s’ Second Season: Try ‘The Choir’

Posted on July 2, 2010 at 3:59 pm

Gareth Malone is a choir director who brings music to people who never thought they could be a part of something so purely glorious. This award-winning series comes to American television on July 7. Guaranteed to produce laughter, goosebumps, and a couple of tears, and very likely to inspire you to try some singing, too.

The Choir

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!