Using popular Nickelodeon characters, the newly launched animated show teaches kids about the contributions of Black people to American culture and features iconic figures such as Ruby Bridges, Thurgood Marshall, Katherine Johnson, and Guion Steward Bluford Jr.
Nickelodeon’s preschool interactive learning service Noggin has launched a new animated musical series Rhymes Through Times. The three-episode short-form series celebrates the Black experience and showcases the contributions of Black people to American culture, focusing on civil rights and leadership, performing arts, and science. The series features original music and lyrics written and performed by award-winning actor/singer/songwriter/composer Christopher Jackson (Hamilton, Moana), and Nick’s fan-favorite preschool characters.
The first episode, “Hero,” follows Ruby Bridges and Thurgood Marshall, portrayed by the Bubble Guppies’ Zooli and Goby, as they take a stand against segregation. Subsequent episodes, “My Best,” which celebrates Katherine Johnson (portrayed by Nella) and Guion Stewart Bluford Jr.’s (portrayed by Goby) contributions to space exploration; and “Why We Dance,” sees Nella from Nella the Princess Knight as Katherine Dunham, and AJ from Blaze and the Monster Machines as Alvin Ailey, express themselves through dance. New episodes will roll out every week on Noggin and the Nick Jr. YouTube channel. The episodes will also air on the Nick Jr. channel.
Concurrent with the launch of their respective episodes, each of the songs from Rhymes Through Times will be available on over 200+ digital streaming platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify, iTunes, Tidal, Amazon Music, and Pandora.
Character development, animation, and design for the series are by Lion Forge Animation, LLC (Oscar-winning Hair Love). Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum served as educational consultant.
Rhymes Through Times incorporates a social and emotional curriculum, highlighting the value of kindness, perseverance, and fairness. The series is the latest addition to Noggin’s content slate which includes the recently launched series Noggin Knows, Kinderwood, School of Yum, Word Play and Imagination Trips.
In Noggin, learning is led by the Nickelodeon preschool characters kids know and love. It is developed by education and child development experts. The interactive service offers an ever-expanding library of books, learning games, activities, exclusive shorts and 1,000+ ad-free episodes of preschool favorites like PAW Patrol, Peppa Pig and Blue’s Clues & You!
Source: Nickelodeon
