Super Bunny, Curious George, Edgar and Ellen, and Phineas and Ferb, among others -- all popular children's television characters -- are getting into the action.
They are all recommending books for children to read and the importance of literacy as part of a joint effort between the National Education Association (NEA) and the Smart Television Alliance (STA) in support of NEA's Read Across America project.
NEA is the nation's largest professional organization with 3.2 million members.
In a major contribution to this effort, Disney Channel has enlisted one of its popular television characters, Super Bunny, star of the new Playhouse Disney series, BUNNYTOWN, to help impart the importance of reading, especially whimsical book A BOY AND HIS BUNNY.
As part of NEA's annual Read Across America project (highlighted at www.nea.org/readacross), Disney Channel produced a Public Service Announcement exclusively for Smart Television Alliance promoting reading with characters from the comedic hit Playhouse Disney series for preschoolers, BUNNYTOWN.
BUNNYTOWN was created and executive-produced by SESAME STREET veterans David Rudman and Adam Rudman, and Todd Hannert (each of Spiffy Pictures, producer of JACK'S BIG MUSIC SHOW), and is produced by Jim Henson Company veterans, Martin Baker and Pete Coogan at Elstree Film Studios in the UK.
The series invites viewers to experience life through the eyes of the endearing, giggly bunny residents of Bunnytown.
Author Sean Bryan and Illustrator Tom Murphy created the book, A BOY AND HIS BUNNY, published by Arcade Publishing that is featured in the short film. It is a Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbon Winner 2005. The book is a humorous way to show kids that being different can be a lot of fun.
The pair have also created A GIRL AND HER GATOR and A BEAR AND HIS BOY. Due out next month is the THE JUGGLING PUG, a fun way to teach kids how to juggle good behavior and the spotlight. All of these titles are published by Arcade Publishing.
This special presentation can be viewed here: http://www.smarttelevisionalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=bunnytown
This is also the first time that characters from a wide range of popular children's television programs have come together to collectively promote book reading by children.
The Smart Television Alliance is a new collaboration of national nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving children's television programming.
Led by the NEA, National Parent Teacher Association (PTA), the largest volunteer child advocacy association in the nation; and the National Council of Women's Organizations (NCWO), a coalition of more than 200 organizations representing more than 11 million women, the STA promotes utilizing technology to take control of TV viewing.
This makes it easy for families to make and implement smart viewing choices, watching shows recommended by children's media experts on their family's schedule, and continuing learning beyond the program, especially by reading.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
