Super Why -

PBS Kids has announced new episodes of Super Why! and WordWorld for the holiday season. They will also be airing holiday themed episodes of Caillou, Arthur, and others. Episode descriptions are below.

SUPER WHY!

’Twas the Night Before Christmas
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas – ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, and all through Storybrook Village, not a creature was stirring…except for Whyatt, who has an important question for Santa! The Super Readers catch up with Santa and his reindeer as they gallop from rooftop to rooftop and unravel the mystery of Santa’s childhood, discovering along the way how to help spread the magic of the holiday.

WORDWORLD

The Christmas Star / A Christmas Present for Dog
“The Christmas Star”
It’s the night before Christmas and Frog needs a star to hang on his Christmas tree. Duck thinks this will be the perfect present for Frog, and tries to lasso one out of the sky for him. Try as he might, Duck is unable to catch a star for Frog, and cries himself to sleep. But while he sleeps, someone leaves him a wonderful present: the letters S-T-A-R…

“A Christmas Present for Dog”
It’s Christmas morning, and all the WordFriends are excited by the presents Santa has brought for them! Pig has a sled, Bear has a doll and Ant has a cookie. But not all the letters for Dog’s present came down his chimney. All he has is a B-A-L. Bear gets filled with the Christmas spirit and makes a sacrifice to ensure Dog’s Christmas will be merry!

Air dates and times vary by market so you’ll need to check your local listings.

“This show is designed to be education, whereas some shows use research more for appeal,” explains Freeman. “Appeal is also part of our goal; but it’s there to help them learn.”

Taking Reading to New Heights

The kids on the show are inspired from famous fairy tales and include:

• Whyatt Beanstalk (Jack’s younger brother)
• Red of “Little Red Riding Hood” fame
• Littlest Pig from “The Three Little Pigs”
• Princess Pea of the classic “The Princess and The Pea.”

As soon as a problem arises, Whyatt calls his friends to the Book Club, where they transform into reading-powered superheroes: Alpha Pig with Alphabet Power, Wonder Red with Word Power, Princess Presto with Spelling Power, Super Why with the Power to Read and Super YOU with the Power to Help. Together, they are the “Super Readers,” jumping into books (literally) to find answers to everyday preschool challenges.

In the premiere episode Jill keeps knocking down Pig’s tower and he wants her to stop! The Super Readers fly into the Three Little Pigs story and come face to face with the big bad wolf himself. Along the way viewers learn about friendship, opposite words, and words ending with ALL (small, tall, etc.). Both my 4 year old and 6 year old enjoyed it, and especially my younger daughter who is looking to be able to read like her big brother can.

The story moves along at a nice pace, and the characters are likable. Plus kids probably will learn key elements of reading, without feeling like they’re learning something.

PBS Kids has made a huge commitment to this show, with an initial agreement for 65 episodes. The first season which debuted on September 3rd appears to have 20 episodes.

For more see Children’s Media Consultant’s review of the bevy of literacy focused TV shows debuting this fall.

The second season will include the following:

PBS KIDS is strengthening the preschool setting in season two with new age-appropriate curriculum themes presented in a structured format such as “Music Time,” “Math Time,” “Art Time,” and “Reading Time.” Using letters, shapes, colors and other elements designed to get kids involved and engaged, as well as familiar environmental elements such as smocks, easels, mini tables and chairs, books and more, children will feel like they have entered a real preschool each morning on PBS KIDS.

PBS Kids also announced a new show titled SUPER WHY! would join the block.

This animated superhero series is designed to boost literacy skills through interactive fairytale adventures that encourage viewers to participate through entertaining and engaging games. Whyatt Beanstalk, younger brother of Jack from “Jack in the Beanstalk,” and his three fairytale character friends transform into the “Super Readers,” with special literacy-charged powers. The Super Readers jump into books to discover answers and find solutions to everyday preschooler questions and challenges.

PBS Kids(R) Launches Second Season of Popular Interactive Preschool Destination on September 3, 2007