SESAME STREET'S FAVORITE BIRD LEARNS BIG LESSONS BY BEING LITTLE
Special Two-Part 'Mini' Series for Entire Family Features 'Little Big Bird' to Air
December 29 and 30 on PBS KIDS®
Award-Winning Songstress Alicia Keys to Make Debut on the Famous Street on December 30
New York, December 12, 2005-Sesame Workshop offers some family fun for the holidays with a two-part "mini" series of Sesame Street on PBS Kids on December 29 and 30 (check your local listings). Starring Big Bird, one of the most revered characters for generations, the storylines include terrific special effects and warm humorous writing that will appeal to the entire family.
This special "mini" series follows Sesame Street's tallest bird as he learns what it's like to be the little guy after he's mistakenly transformed into "Little Big Bird," making him the size of a chess piece! Everything...an ant, even a penny...is so big! Big Bird gets discouraged when no one hears him even though he's talking as loud as he can. In order to achieve his goal of returning to his original size, he enlists the help of his new friend, Mike the ladybug (yes, ladybug!). Mike helps Big Bird learn the importance of task persistence, the reward of taking chances and the importance of self esteem. "It sure is hard to get big people's attention when you're so little," comments Little Big Bird. "Just 'cause I'm little, doesn't mean that I can't do big stuff," adds his new friend, Mike the ladybug.
Rosemarie Truglio, Ph.D., Vice President Education and Research, Sesame Workshop, comments: "In life, you'll always come up against new challenges that require problem solving skills and the ability to look at things from a different point of view. This storyline allows Big Bird to see his environment in a new way - something that's important for us all." She adds: "We worked with PBS Kids to schedule the shows during the holidays so that the whole family can watch together. Hopefully, this will initiate discussions at the home about the important developmental and social issues addressed on the show."
While Big Bird is teaching children and their caregivers about trying new things and task persistence, the award-winning songstress, Alicia Keys, makes her debut appearance on the famous Street, entertaining parents and their children alike. As part of Sesame Street's health curriculum, Keys and Elmo sing "Dancin'" a parody of her hit song, "Fallin'," about dance, movement and spatial relations.
Season 36 of Sesame Street, currently airing on PBS Kids, is funded in part by a Ready To Learn, No Child Left Behind grant from the U.S. Department of Education through the Public Broadcasting Service and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Public Television Viewers and PBS. Sesame Street is underwritten in part by Beaches Family Resorts and McDonald's Corporation.
Sesame Workshop is a nonprofit educational organization making a meaningful difference in children's lives around the world. Founded in 1968, the Workshop changed television forever with the legendary Sesame Street. Today, the Workshop continues to innovate on behalf of children in 120 countries, using its proprietary research methodology to ensure its programs and products are engaging and enriching. Sesame Workshop is behind award-winning programs like Dragon Tales and Sagwa, The Chinese Siamese Cat and ground breaking multimedia productions in South Africa, Egypt and Russia. As a nonprofit, Sesame Workshop puts the proceeds it receives from sales of Sesame Street, Dragon Tales and Sagwa products right back into its educational projects for children around the world. Find the Workshop online at www.sesameworkshop.org.
PBS KIDS is committed to providing the highest quality non-commercial content and learning environment for children across the country. Providing age-appropriate, diverse programming for kids, PBS KIDS' programs consistently earn more prestigious awards than any other broadcast or cable network. Only PBS KIDS has earned the unanimous endorsement of parents, children, industry leaders and teachers. With additional PBS resources to complement its programming, including PBS KIDS online (www.pbskids.org), PBS KIDS GO! (www.pbskidsgo.org), PBS Parents (www.pbsparents.org), PBS TeacherSource (www.pbsteachersource.org), PBS Ready To Learn services and literacy events across the country, PBS KIDS is providing the tools necessary for positive child development. PBS is a nonprofit media enterprise owned and operated by the nation's 348 public television stations, serving nearly 90 million people each week and reaching 99% of American homes.
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