“Special Agent Oso” In “Dr. Off,” Oso learns that conserving water and power can be as simple as the flip of a switch.

“Handy Manny” – In “Arbor Day,” Manny and the tools help park groundskeeper Jackie transplant an ailing tree to a sunnier spot.

“Handy Manny” - In “Jackie’s Old Shed,” Manny and the tools build a recycling storage area using recycled wood from an old shed.

The episode run down for the week of the 11th is below:
Monday, May 11 (11:00 a.m.) - #202 “The Dinosaur Balloon”–Kai-lan, Rintoo and Stompy are making a special dinosaur-shaped balloon for Lulu’s hot air balloon festival. But when Kai-lan accidentally breaks her balloon, Stompy doesn’t think he needs to help put it back together, since it’s not his fault. Rintoo and the viewer need to encourage Stompy to help Kai-lan before it’s time for the balloons to sail into the sky.

Emotion/Issue: Pitching In
Chinese Target Word: Ge1 bo (arm)

Tuesday, May 12 (11:00 a.m.) – #205 “Kai-lan’s Big Play” — Kai-lan and her friends are putting on a play based on the traditional Chinese folktale about the Monkey King. Hoho loves the Monkey King, and he really wants to play the part, but he doesn’t speak up. When Rintoo gets the part of the Monkey King instead, Hoho gets so mad that he quits the play. Kai-lan and the viewers must help Hoho calm down so he can say what’s bothering him in time to do the play.

Emotion/Issue: Anger
Chinese Target Word: Tiao4 (jump)

Wednesday, May 13 (11:00 a.m.) – #203 “Playtimes at Tolee’s” — Everyone’s going over to Tolee’s boat house to play. All the friends have a great time… until Rintoo accidentally rips Tolee’s new panda painting. Rintoo apologizes, but Tolee just won’t forgive him. With a little inspiration from the Peking Mice, Kai-lan and the viewers help Tolee forgive his friend so everyone can play together again.

Emotion/Issue: Forgiveness
Chinese Target Word: Ping2 guo3 (apple)

Thursday, May 14 (11:00 a.m.) – #204 “The Moon Festival” – Kai-lan is so excited about the traditional Chinese Moon Festival. Hoho is thrilled because he’s finally old enough to stay awake with his friends so they can make lanterns, eat mooncakes, and best of all: watch the moon come out! But when the sky is so cloudy that Hoho can’t see the moon at all, he breaks into tears. Kai-lan and the viewer have to help Hoho find a way to make everything better.

Emotion/Issue: Disappointment
Chinese Target Word: Yue4 bing3 (mooncake)

Friday, May 15 (11:00 a.m.) - #206 “Kai-lan’s Big Surprise” — Kai-lan needs help to plan a very special party for Yeye to thank him for all he does. But when everything she plans goes wrong, Kai-lan gets very frustrated and starts to cry - much to the surprise of her friends! Rintoo, Tolee, and Hoho need the viewer’s help to show Kai-lan how to use laughter to feel better when she’s disappointed. Then they must get everything ready for the big party!

Emotion/Issue: Disappointment / Humor
Chinese Target Word: Wo3 ai4 (I love…)

Nickelodeon

By “it” I mean the whole situation. I don’t know why folks are getting upset about a toy. But beyond that I don’t know why Dora is growing up in the first place. the creators say they are just keeping up with the times. Um yeah. Because Dora has been around so long? It’s not like we’re talking about a 25 year old show here.

The creators also say:

“Girls really identify with Dora and we knew that girls would love to have their friend Dora grow up with them, and experience the new things that they were going through themselves.

“The brand captures girls’ existing love of Dora and marries it with the fashion doll play and online experiences older girls enjoy.”

I don’t see this. Dora is a preschool icon. Kids want to be older than they are, they don’t want to go backwards. They move on from one phase to the next. I don’t know how many would want to grow up with Dora. And even if they did, I think they’d be hesitant to mention it much less dive into the merchandise.

The “ARTHUR/All Kids Can Character Search” invites children ages 6-12 to send in their ideas for a new character for Arthur. And not just any character—one who can show that having a unique ability, character trait, or disability might make life a little bit different, but not any less fun. Kids need to mail in their entries, and include a drawing of their character and a description of what makes them special, by March 31, 2009. The child with the selected idea, along with their character, will be featured in a live-action segment on the ARTHUR show. In addition, he or she will receive a visit from ARTHUR creator and author Marc Brown at the child’s school, local library, or PBS member station.

The character search is designed to educate children about the importance of inclusion and how children of all abilities can play together. It also encourages parents and children to think about what life is like for someone they know who has a disability.

“We’re looking for an exciting new character, who can show the gang in Elwood City that children come in all shapes, sizes and abilities,” said ARTHUR Senior Producer Jacqui Deegan. “Over the years, ARTHUR has helped children to embrace other kids’ unique characteristics as well as their own, and this new character will continue that tradition.”

To enter go to PBSKidsgo.org. Entries must be received by March 31st.

The week of February 9 will premiere five episodes that provide a basic introduction to physical science and engineering featuring simple machines, like levers, wheels and pulleys.  The five episodes debuting the week of February 16 will explore backyard science, giving kids a chance to take a closer look at the nature all around them, including dogs, birds, bugs, leaves and nests.  This week will also introduce Sid’s newest friend, Philbert, a dog Sid’s Grandma adopts who will help Sid investigate animal communication.

Check your local listings to find when the shows will air in your area.

Olivia & her family - cr Chorion

Nick Jr. is set to bring children’s book character Olivia to animated life. The series, which has 26 episodes in its first season, is based on the Olivia series from Ian Falconer.

For those unfamiliar with the books, Olivia is a six year old who believes she can do anything and with her vivid imagination she often can. She has self confidence in spades and promotes independent thinking, ingenuity, and persistence.

She is joined by her 4 year old brother Ian (my son’s favorite character), William the baby, her parents, her dog Perry and her cat Edwin, and her friends Julian and Francine.

The premiere episode opens with a charming sequence where Edwin firmly plants himself in the middle of Olivia’s work (if you have a cat this will look familiar). Short sketches like this appear to be the way most episodes will open, as the second story had a similar intro.

Each episode has 2 stories. The first story in this episode has Olivia battling the thought that her little brother will likely be bigger than her one day. Olivia then concocts ways to keep Ian from growing.

The second episode features a snow day which results in Olivia running an imaginary hotel with Julian and Francine (and some unintended participation from Ian).

I’ll be honest and admit that I haven’t read the Falconer books so this was my first introduction to Olivia. That said the first impressions are favorable. I used the word charming earlier, and it’s a fairly apt description of the show. It is nicely animated and not overly invasive for you parents (you can live be in the same room with the show and have it not be distracting). And my kids seemed to really enjoy the screener, asking to watch it a half dozen times in the first week we had it.

If you’re a fan of the book series, drop me a line with your impressions once you’ve seen it. It will premiere at 11:30 on January 26th with new episodes all week.

In “Ladybug Festival,” Kai-lan and her friends are hiking through the woods to the big Ladybug Festival.  Tolee knows the way, but Rintoo and Hoho talk so loudly that they can’t hear Tolee tell them which path to take.  A frustrated Tolee refuses to continue hiking with his friends.  Kai-lan and the viewer must help Rintoo and Hoho listen to Tolee so they don’t miss the festival filled with ladybug bumper cars, popsicles and a special ladybug fan dance.  

The episode will air at 8 p.m.

Penguins of Madagascar

Prior to that a Madagascar - Escape 2 Africa & Nick Penguins 2-Disc Set is being released on February 6th.

The new series embraces and celebrates the fascination that preschoolers have with both dinosaurs and trains while encouraging basic scientific thinking and skills as the audience learns about natural science, natural history and paleontology. It’s the type of show that PBS Kids has been embracing with many of their newer shows focusing on typical school subjects (Super Why, Word World, It’s a Big Big World).

The series is a second partnership The Jim Henson Company as it joins SID THE SCIENCE KID, which premiered in fall 2008.

DINOSAUR TRAIN is seen through the eyes of Buddy, a preschool-aged Tyrannosaurus Rex.  Buddy and his adoptive family of Pteranodons go for adventures on the Dinosaur Train to meet all kinds of dinosaurs in different eras and learn fascinating new facts about these incredible creatures.

The Playhouse Disney block now only runs from 8 a.m. to noon. This makes the start of the block two hours later than in the past. Jo-Jo’s Circus, Johnny and the Sprites and The Doodlebops have been completely removed from the station. Higglytown Heroes now only airs on the weekends at 6 a.m. Also being de-emphasized is The Wiggles which is being pushed back to 11:30 a.m. from it’s “primetime” 7 a.m. slot.

Phineas and Ferb, Handy Manny, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Imagination Movers are the shows receiving more exposure. The new schedule is below: