Tag: Children’s

Animated ‘Last Kids on Earth — Book Three’ Due on DVD April 18 From Distribution Solutions and NCircle

NCircle Entertainment will release Atomic Cartoons’ The Last Kids on Earth — Book Three, featuring 10 episodes of the tween series, on DVD April 18 from Distribution Solutions.

In the series, life after the zombie apocalypse is pretty good for 13-year-old Jack Sullivan. He lives in a cool tree fort with his best friends, speeds through town playing real-life Mario Kart, has a crew of monster buddies, battles zombies regularly, and generally treats life like a video game. But then Jack’s friends make a startling discovery — they may not be the last kids on earth after all. This is great news for everyone — except Jack, who fears he’ll lose his friends and his fabulous life. It’s also hard convincing his friends everything’s great when they are being hunted by a monstrous Nightmare King and an ancient evil that won’t rest until the earth has been devoured.

The series features the voices of Nick Wolfhard (“Smiling Friends,” “My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic”), Montse Hernandez (“Jane the Virgin,” “Elena of Avalor”), Garland Whitt (Training Day, Save the Last Dance), as well as a celebrity cast members including Mark Hamill, Rosario Dawson, Bruce Campbell and Catherine O’Hara. 

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Based on the No. 1 New York Times best-selling children’s book series, the animated series won the 2020 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Class Animated Program. 

Season Two of ‘Rugrats’ Debuting April 14 on Paramount+

Paramount+ has released the official trailer and key art for season two of the original animated series “Rugrats” reboot, which debuts with the first 13 episodes of the season April 14, exclusively on the service in the United States and Canada.

(Photo courtesy of Nickelodeon/Paramount+)

The series will also be available to stream on Paramount+ in the United Kingdom, Australia, Latin America, Brazil, South Korea, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria at a later date.

The series reboot follows the iconic babies — Tommy, Chuckie, Angelica, Susie, Phil and Lil — as they explore the world and beyond. In the second season of “Rugrats,”the babies are back and ready to take on the world with their pint-sized perspectives. New episodes follow Tommy, Chuckie, Angelica, Susie, Phil and Lil as they cross the frozen tundra, discover the treasures of ancient babies and go on the greatest adventure of all: meeting Tommy’s new brother.

Returning to the playpen is Tommy’s little brother Dil, voiced by Tara Strong (“Teen Titans Go!”) who is reprising her role in this new series. Also joining the series this season are guest stars Yvette Nicole Brown (“Community”) as Miss Mellie, the friendly and silly tour guide at re-created Old West town Tot Springs; Wendie Malick (“The Owl House”) as Judith, Charlotte’s glamorous yet often condescending mother; Sarah Niles (“Ted Lasso”) as Nanny Pip, a proficient and encouraging robotic nanny who watches Angelica; and Alia Shawkat (“Severance”) as Trish, Betty’s new girlfriend who is eager to make friends with everyone.

The series stars E.G. Daily (Tommy Pickles), Nancy Cartwright (Chuckie Finster), Cheryl Chase (Angelica Pickles), Cree Summer (Susie Carmichael) and Kath Soucie (Phil and Lil DeVille), all of whom are reprising their roles in this new series.

The original voice cast is joined by new voices, including Ashley Rae Spillers and Tommy Dewey (Tommy’s parents, Didi and Stu Pickles); Tony Hale (Chuckie’s father, Chas Finster); Natalie Morales (Phil and Lil’s mother, Betty DeVille); Anna Chlumsky and Timothy Simons (Angelica’s parents, Charlotte and Drew Pickles); Nicole Byer and Omar Miller (Susie’s parents, Lucy and Randy Carmichael); Michael McKean (Grandpa Lou Pickles); Charlet Chung (Kimi); and Grey Delisle (Begley). Also returning as guest stars in season two are Henry Winkler (Boris); Swoosie Kurtz (Minka); Telma Hopkins (Celeste); Raini Rodriguez (Gabi); Keith Carradine (Bob Brine); and Richard Ayoade (Duffy).

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Produced by Nickelodeon Animation, the new “Rugrats” is based on the series created by Arlene Klasky, Gabor Csupo and Paul Germain. The original “Rugrats” series launched Aug. 11, 1991, and was in production for nine seasons over the course of 13 years. It earned four Daytime Emmy Awards, six Kids’ Choice Awards and its own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

 

Episodes of ‘Nature Cat’ Among Content Added to PBS Kids Prime Video Channel in March

New episodes of “Odd Squad,”  “Let’s Go Luna!,” “Molly of Denali,” “Nature Cat” and “Cyberchase” are streaming on the PBS Kids Prime Video Channel in March.

The subscription rate for the channel is $4.99 a month with an Amazon Prime or Prime Video subscription.

Four episodes in volume 14 of “Cyberchase” began streaming March 3. Among the episode adventures, the Northern Frontier ducks are off on their annual migration, and the CyberSquad join the flock. Next, a mysterious creature is trampling through Crestwood Park, leaving visitors too scared to enter. The CyberSquad investigate, and along the way, experience the wonders of nature, learning why it’s important to leave nature as you find it. Then, something is heating up the ocean waters of Coralina, harming its lush coral reef. With the help of an action hero crab, will the CyberSquad solve this underwater mystery before it’s too late? And Jackie wins the chance of a lifetime to apprentice with the incomparable fashion designer Fabio DeZine. Jackie quickly learns it takes more than just a pretty drawing to design something with real, sustaining impact.

Four episodes in volume 13 of “Let’s Go Luna!” start streaming March 10. During the adventures, in Switzerland, Carmen breaks her favorite clock and must recall what she has learned about how clocks and watches work. And Leo loves “Swiss Cheese,” but becomes obsessed with finding out who or what is making the holes. Next, in Paris, Andy gets inspired by French movie-magic innovator George Méliès. And when Honey rides off in a helium balloon over Paris, worried Carmen and pals give chase. Then in Dubrovnik, Croatia, Andy is convinced his dad is a caveman, and Carmen is assigned the “joyful” task of cheering up her grumpy grandpa. Also in Dubrovnik, Leo, the kids and Luna use a Tesla Coil to power Fabuloso’s broken reading-light hat and a perfect storm of misunderstanding and mistaken identity lead to Andy being accidentally recruited into a folkdance troupe.

Five episodes in volume 14 of “Nature Cat” arrive on the channel March 24. In the episodes, when Nature Cat comes across petrified wood, the gang is curious as to how it formed. And the pals want to build a new clubhouse but buying new stuff hurts nature. Can the gang find a different way? Next, Squeeks doesn’t want to step down as Moss Queen. Can her old buddies create their own Moss Kingdom to get her back? And when leaf-moving machines threaten to ruin everyday life, the crew fights back. Can the small gang make a big change? Then, Nature Cat is squeamish around creepy-crawlies, but the Agents need to get to know a daddy longlegs to complete their mission. And a moon-munching monster is munching the moon. Next, the pals want their favorite sunflower to stick around a little longer, but the growing season is over. And when the gang gets lost during a treasure hunt, Nature Cat says to follow mossy trees home. But will his camping trick do the trick? Plus, it’s way too hot to complete Nature Cat’s Warrior Challenge. Can the gang find a way to cool off? And Nature Cat’s friend Screechy the screech owl is an expert at hide-and-go-screech. Can Nature Cat finally win a game with his friends’ help?

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Three episodes in volume 14 of “Molly of Denali” begin streaming March 24. In “The Qyah Ice Classic/The Great Qyah Clean Up,” spring is coming and soon the river ice will break, but when? All of Qyah is making their guesses, and the one that comes closest earns a special prize. Then, spring has sprung, and the whole village pitches in to clean up Qyah. Molly and Tooey discover a mystery piece of trash that turns out to be treasure. Next, in “Puppy Sitting/Big Dreams and Blue Skies,” while Tooey and his family are away in Japan, Trini offers to puppy-sit his newest sled dog. Then, Molly is thrilled to learn about Ellen Paneok, who inspired her mom to become a pilot. Meanwhile, in “Sticker Shock/A Song for Lola,” Tooey’s brothers won’t stop using Tooey’s stuff. To keep track of who owns what, Tooey labels everything he can. And Vera’s Lola Miranda is coming back to Qyah on a visit from the Philippines, and Vera wants to surprise her with a special song.

Finally, five episodes in volume 19 of “Odd Squad” begin streaming March 31. First, three villains team up with Bonnie Blaster and her high-powered, oddness-causing gadget. Next, Jamie Jam and Marty Marmalade join forces  to trade tips to throw off the Agents and avoid getting Scaught. Then, globetrotting villain Stu Venir is turning monuments into keychains. The Agents must uncover a pattern to predict where he will strike next. And it’s Oswald’s birthday. After running into a Party Crasher creature, there are suddenly four of him who seem identical. The Mobile Unit is called upon when a lost Baby Laser Chicken is found in the Austrian countryside, and when struck with oddness, the Odd Squad Timekeeper that keeps time for all the clocks around the world suddenly stops working. Also in this volume: Orla thought she was the only ancient Agent left, but when a distress call comes through, it’s clear that she was wrong. Ancient Agent Olando heads into the field with the Mobile Unit, and in a two-part special, the Odd Squad Mobile Unit must stop a group of villains who want to break into Headquarters to steal an artifact. Little do the Agents know, their greatest challenge will come from someone inside.

Genius Brands Launches Its First AI-Generated Children’s Series ‘Kidaverse Fast Facts’

Genius Brands International has announced the launch of its first AI-generated children’s series “Kidaverse Fast Facts,” utilizing OpenAI’s ChatGPT, among other AI technologies.

The series will include new and exclusive shorts and will first premiere in March across Genius Networks’ YouTube and social channels, and then broaden its footprint under both Kartoon Channel! and Ameba across multiple AVOD, SVOD and FAST platforms including Amazon Prime Video Channels, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Apple iOS, Android TV, Android Mobile, Pluto, Roku, Samsung, LG and Vizio Smart TVs.

“Kidaverse Fast Facts,” for children 4-11, utilizes AI for scripts, images, voices and animation. The series will include new and exclusive shorts hosted by History Henry, Science Sally and Sporty Steve, and each video will educate children, featuring lessons and facts about science, history, music, literature and more.   

“We’re excited to bring this innovative series to market and, by using ChatGPT, the series is able to quickly and effectively adapt and deliver our content and concepts in a kid-friendly, snackable format,” Andy Heyward, chairman and CEO of Genius Brands, said in a statement. “The future of children’s entertainment is here, and we’re thrilled to be at the forefront of this revolution.”

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“AI is a game changer for us, providing significant cost efficiencies and speed to market, allowing us to expand our content initiatives and fuel our programming pipeline in a way that couldn’t have been possible before,” Todd Steinman, president of Genius Networks, said in a statement. “These AI tools and the content they create will certainly have a huge impact in children’s entertainment and beyond. With its innovative use of AI, we are confident that ‘Kidaverse Fast Facts’ will be a hit with kids and parents around the world.”

PBS Kids Bows New Episodes of ‘Pinkalicious & Peterrific’ for Valentine’s Day

PBS Kids is celebrating Valentine’s Day with new episodes of “Pinkalicious & Peterrific.”

The new season kicks off Feb. 10 during PBS Kids Family Movie Night with the re-air of the hour-long special “Cupid Calls It Quits.” In the special, Pinkalicious and Peter befriend Cupid who overs them a trade: he’ll become a real kid for a day while Pinkalicious become cupid.

The new episodes premiere on Feb. 13. In the new lineup, audiences will join Pinkalicious and her friends in Pinkville on new adventures, including taking advantage of the last days of snow, becoming immersed in an art exhibit, and working together to help their community. 

The new episodes are available to watch on PBS Kids (check local listings), streaming on PBS Kids, the PBS Kids YouTube channel.

In “Snow Alarm,” after a winter with no snow, Pinkalicious and Peter learn that they may have one last chance at a snow day when it’s forecasted for that very night. Together they invent a snow alarm to alert them when the first snowflake touches the ground.

In “The Pinkest Reward,” when Pinkalicious earns a ribbon for her good deeds the rest of her friends are inspired to make ribbons too, but this leaves Pinkalicious feeling hers is less special. To make her feel better, her friends come together to give back to the community just like she did.

In “Giganto Powder,” Pinkalicious and Peter use Mommy’s new invention — Giganto Powder — to make things grow big.

In “The Extraordinary Art Experience,” Pinkalicious and Rafael get to go to a special art museum exhibit where the paintings come to life. When a girl from a painting, named Fuchsia, jumps out of her painting and doesn’t want to go back, they have to show her why her painting is so special.

In “The Pinkminster Dog Show,” Pinkalicious helps Rafael train his dog Rusty to enter the Pinkminster Dog Show, but the judges are in for a big surprise when Rusty’s tricks are very different from the other dogs performing.

In “Do Over Ray,” Mommy’s new invention, the Do-Over Ray, gives people the chance to try something again if they mess up. But when the machine malfunctions and ruins one of her paintings, Pinkalicious learns that sometimes it’s better to fix things yourself.

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In addition to the new episodes, the Pinkamusical Garden game will be available in a Valentine’s Day season mode all month, available on pbskids.org or the PBS Kids Games app.

Episodes of ‘Work It Out Wombats!’ Among Titles Streaming on PBS Kids Prime Video Channel in February

Episodes of the new series “Work It Out Wombats!,” as well as “Rosies’ Rules,” “Pinkalicious & Peterrific” and “Donkey Hodie,” will arrive on the PBS Kids Prime Video Channel in February.

The subscription rate for the PBS Kids Prime Video Channel is $4.99 per month with an Amazon Prime or Prime Video subscription.

Three volumes (14 episodes) of the new series “Work It Out Wombats!,” an animated program for kids ages 3-6, start streaming Feb. 6. The series stars a trio of marsupial siblings — Malik, Zadie and Zeke — who live with their grandmother Super in their treehouse apartment complex.

In volume one, Super, Zadie and Malik tackle a big mess by breaking it into little jobs and the Wombats make a new hat for Ellie using measuring. Then, when Malik wrecks the instructions, Operation “Wash Stinky Snout” doesn’t go as planned. Next, the Wombats ask their friends for help to make a special thank you treat for Super. Zadie and Malik then retrace their steps to locate Zeke’s beloved stuffy. After this, when Zadie messes up Mr. E’s shell garden, she learns the key to finding the pattern is in JunJun’s song. Then Zadie helps Malik design a faster route to sick-and-sniffly Sammy so Sammy’s ice cream won’t melt on the way. Following this, when Zadie doesn’t take the time to plan what they need for a fun campout, “fun” quickly becomes unfun.

In volume two, Zeke transforms into The Mighty Zeke in the hopes of getting over his fear of riding a two-wheeler and the Wombats are invited to the Fishmans’ baby shower. Then the Wombats help find the mystery of a scary-weird sound that has frightened Carly, CeCe and Clyde. Following this, the Wombats become “Hopping Helpers,” packaging jars of super-sticky Ooey Gooey Goo. Next, Malik learns the key to a successful “Brother Day” and Zeke and Louisa learn how to be successful waiters. Then, Zeke learns how to manage a sleepover when the bedtime routine is different than at home. Plus, the Wombats navigate an exciting network of tunnels beneath the Treeborhood, they decide to celebrate a summer version of Halloween, and finally, they build Zeke a giant snow globe.

In volume three, the Wombats create the perfect “Me Time,” and Zadie yearns to make some noise with her Really Big, Really Loud Noisy Thing. The Wombats then need to work out what to do when you have too many pairs of Sparkle Pants and what kind of game Zadie, CeCe, Clyde and Carly can play that’s fun for all. Then, Louisa hatches a plan to trade mud pies for stickers, but Zeke can’t remember the recipe, and Zadie learns how to take a photo that will bring students to a class to help inspire Mr. E. Next, Zeke’s sorting choices prove interesting when he volunteers to be Mr. E’s “Helper for the Day.” After this, the Wombats are psyched to race in the Treeborhood Derby, but they can’t get their homemade car out of the house. Plus, the Wombats organize a talent show, and then, feeling left out of the Treeborhood’s Collection Bonanza, Zeke goes in search of a collection he can call his own.

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In the latest volume (four) of “Rosie’s Rules,” streaming Feb. 3, Rosie tries to make tomorrow come faster, and looks for missing walkie talkies. Next, Rosie helps Mom set up for story time and makes a strawberry horchata stand. Then Rosie hurries to bring Tía her lucky spoon and Crystal’s flying disc gets stuck in a tree. And Rosie and Javi are making a chalk town in the circle drive and Rosie wants to fix the community garden.

In volume 14 (three episodes) of “Pinkalicious & Peterific,” streaming starting Feb. 17, Pinkalicious and Peter build a special alarm so they don’t miss out on a snow day and Pinkalicious earns a ribbon for helping out Pinkville. Then Pinkalicious and Peter use Mommy’s new invention — Giganto Powder — to make things grow big, and Pinkalicious and Rafael attend a special art exhibit where they can jump into paintings. Next, Pinkalicious helps Rafael train his dog for the Pinkminster Dog Show, and Mommy creates a special invention that lets Pinkalicious and Peter try something again if they mess up.

In volume nine (four episodes) of “Donkey Hodie,” streaming starting Feb. 24, Gameshow Gator wants to come up with a new game everybody can play, and Donkey and her pals try to cheer themselves up. Donkey finds ways to have fun on her own for a day, and when she wants to be just like Fashion Penguin, she thinks about how she can discover her own Donkey passion. Then, Donkey and Panda attract glowing bugs with music and Panda has a day without purple things. Finally, the friends find a box of Golden Crunchdoodles cereal, but it won’t open. And Donkey, Panda, and Bob Dog want to play different things and must learn to compromise.

Also arriving in February are volume one of “Plum Landing” on Feb. 9 and volume two of “Plum Landing” on Feb. 16.

Apple TV+ Unveils Spring 2023 Kids and Family Slate

Apple has announced its spring lineup of new original series, specials and returning content for kids and families. 

The new lineup will kick off on March 31 with the animated series “Eva the Owlet,” inspired by the best-selling book series from Scholastic. The new series “Jane,” from Emmy Award winner J.J. Johnson, Sinking Ship Entertainment and the Jane Goodall Institute, launches April 14; and “Frog and Toad,” based on Arnold Lobel’s beloved characters of over five decades, launches April 28. 

Also on tap are new seasons of “Pinecone & Pony” on Feb. 3; “Pretzel and the Puppies,” featuring the voice talents of Emmy nominee Mark Duplass and Nasim Pedrad, on Feb. 24; animated series “Harriet the Spy,” starring SAG Award nominee Beanie Feldstein and Emmy Award winner Jane Lynch, on May 5; and Peabody and Daytime Emmy Award-winning series “Stillwater” on May 19. The “Sago Mini Friends” Earth Day special will launch on April 14. 

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Also, more classic Peanuts titles, including “A Charlie Brown Valentine” will be made available to fans, many for the first time in decades. 

New and returning original series and specials for kids and families premiering globally on Apple TV+ include (in air order):

  • “Pinecone & Pony,” season two (of eight) of which premieres Feb. 3, is based on the book “The Princess and the Pony” by New York Times best-selling author Kate Beaton and hails from DreamWorks Animation. The animated comedy for kids and families is about a young warrior-in-training, Pinecone, and her best friend Pony, whose adventures together teach them how to be brave in the face of adversity, to speak truth to power, and what it truly means to be a hero. 
  • The “Peanuts Classics” special A Charlie Brown Valentine premieres Feb. 9. In the special from Mendelson/Melendez Productions and Peanuts Worldwide, warm and fuzzy feelings fill the air and an inspired Snoopy writes poems about Valentine’s Day. Charlie Brown tries to impress the Little Red-Haired Girl. Sally and Lucy hope to get cards from their crushes. Peppermint Patty asks “Chuck” to the dance. 
  • The animated “Pretzel and the Puppies,” season two of which premieres Feb. 24, features Pretzel, the world’s longest dachshund and a playful, supportive dad to five frisky puppies. Together with his wife, Greta, they encourage their pups to get their paws up to solve problems and “make their bark” on the world. The series stars the voice talents of Emmy nominee Mark Duplass (“The Morning Show”), Nasim Pedrad (“Chad,” “Aladdin”) and newcomers Milo Stein, Alex Jayne Go, Max Mitchell, Amari McCoy and Gracen Newton.
  • Prior to the launch of the new season of “Stillwater,” Apple TV+ will premiere three new shorts on the platform March 15 that will also be made available for non-subscribers on Scholastic’s YouTube. In time for International Panda Day, viewers can follow Jasper the cat in “Jasper’s Journey” on a mindful journey through Stillwater’s garden, join Stillwater in “Making Waves” as he makes new patterns in his Zen garden, and watch Karl join Stillwater in “Breathing” to learn how breathing can help make him feel better when he has angry feelings.
  • New animated series “Eva the Owlet” premieres March 31. The series is based on the New York Times best-selling Scholastic book series “Owl Diaries” by award-winning author Rebecca Elliott. “Eva the Owlet” stars Eva, a creative, cheeky owlet who lives next door to her best friend Lucy in the woodland world of Treetopington. With big ideas and an even bigger personality, Eva goes on high-flying adventures, expressing herself in her journal along the way.
  • “Jane,” which premieres April 14, is a new live-action-CGI blended, 10-episode, mission-driven series for kids and families inspired by the work of Dr. Jane Goodall from Emmy Award winner J.J. Johnson (“Ghostwriter” “Dino Dana”), Sinking Ship Entertainment and the Jane Goodall Institute. Ava Louise Murchison (“Reacher”) stars as Jane Garcia, a 9-year-old budding environmentalist on a quest to save endangered animals. Using her imagination, Jane takes her best friends David, played by Mason Blomberg (“Shameless”), and Greybeard the chimpanzee on epic adventures to help protect wild animals all around the world because, according to her idol Dr. Jane Goodall: “Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help, can they be saved.” The cast also includes Tamara Almeida (“Secrets at the Inn”), Dan Abramovici (“Wayne”), newcomer Jazz Allen, and Sam Marra (“Stumptown”).   
  • The “Sago Mini Friends” Earth Day Special premieres April 14. In “Treasure It,” an old lunch box finds new life when Harvey transforms it into a treasure box full of unique items for his friends. Produced by Spin Master Entertainment, animated by 9 Story Media Group’s Brown Bag Films — Toronto, and based on the award-winning Sago Mini World app, developed by Sago Mini, the animated preschool series “Sago Mini Friends” is a nod to gratitude, featuring Harvey the floppy-eared dog and his best friends Jinja the cat, Jack the rabbit and Robin the bird. Along with a unique cast of residents, the four friends play, explore, imagine and celebrate daily in their joyful town of Sagoville.
  • In the new animated series “Frog and Toad,” which premieres April 28, Frog and Toad are best friends who know that the true secret to friendship is not only enjoying the things you have in common, but embracing the things that make you different. “Frog and Toad” is based on the Caldecott and Newbery Award-winning four-book series by Arnold Lobel published by HarperCollins Children’s Books. The voice cast includes Academy Award winner Nat Faxon (“Our Flag Means Death,” “The Connors”) and Emmy Award nominee Kevin Michael Richardson (“The Simpsons,” “Family Guy”) as Frog and Toad, as well as appearances by Ron Funches (“Trolls”), Fortune Feimster (“Good Fortune,” “Kenan”), Cole Escola (“At Home with Amy Sedaris”), Aparna Nancherla (“The Great North”), John Hodgman (“Up Here”), Yvette Nicole Brown (“Disenchanted,” “Act Your Age”), Stephen Tobolowsky (“The Goldbergs”), Emmy Award nominee Tom Kenny (“SpongeBob SquarePants”), Selene Luna (“Coco”), Emmy Award nominee Margaret Cho (“Fire Island“) and Betsy Sodaro (“Duncanville”). 
  • “Peanuts Anthology III,” new to Apple TV+ and premiering May 5, features more classics available to watch from Mendelson/Melendez Productions and Peanuts Worldwide in the Peanuts Classics collection, including “It’s an Adventure, Charlie Brown,” “It’s Spring Training, Charlie Brown,” Emmy Award winner “Life is a Circus, Charlie Brown,” “Lucy Must Be Traded, Charlie Brown,” Emmy Award nominated “Play it Again, Charlie Brown,” Emmy Award nominated “Snoopy’s Getting Married, Charlie Brown” and Emmy Award winner “You’re a Good Sport, Charlie Brown.” 
  • Season two of “Harriet the Spy” premieres May 5. Based on the iconic children’s novel chronicling the coming-of-age adventures of the irrepressible Harriet M. Welsch and produced by the Jim Henson Company, the animated series stars Beanie Feldstein (Lady Bird, Booksmart) as Harriet, a fiercely independent and adventurous 11-year-old girl, alongside Emmy Award winner Jane Lynch (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) as Ole Golly, Harriet’s larger-than-life, no-nonsense nanny. Set in 1960s New York when the original book was published, “Harriet the Spy” follows the outspoken and perpetually curious Harriet, who more than anything, wants to be a writer. In order to be a good writer, she thinks she’ll need to know everything, and to know everything means she’ll need to spy — on everyone. In season two, viewers follow Harriet as she navigates letting go, growing up, and celebrating the gift of today. Joining Feldstein and Lynch, the series features Lacey Chabert (Mean Girls) as Marion Hawthorne, the ringleader of a group of popular girls at Harriet’s school, and additional voice cast Kimberly Brooks (“Baby Shark’s Big Show”), Crispin Freeman (“Young Justice”), Grey Griffin (“The Loud House”), Bumper Robinson (“The Owl House”) and Charlie Schlatter (“Big Nate,” “For All Mankind”). Guest stars this season include Jaeden Martell (It), Emmy Award winner Brad Garrett (“High Desert,” “Bupkis”), Emmy Award nominee Michelle Trachtenberg (“Gossip Girl”) and more.
  • Season three of “Stillwater” premieres May 19. The Peabody and Daytime Emmy Award-winning series centers on siblings Karl, Addy and Michael, who encounter everyday challenges, which sometimes feel insurmountable. Fortunately, they have Stillwater, a wise panda, as their next-door neighbor. Through his example, stories and gentle humor, Stillwater gives the children a deeper understanding of their feelings as well as tools that help them face their own day-to-day challenges. “Stillwater” is based on the award-winning and bestselling Scholastic book Zen Shorts by Jon J Muth and is produced by Gaumont and Scholastic Entertainment.

‘Gigantosaurus Season 2 — We’re in This Together!’ Headed to DVD Nov. 15 From NCircle and Distribution Solutions

NCircle Entertainment and Distribution Solutions will release season two of Cyber Group Studios’ animated “Gigantosaurus” on DVD Nov. 15. Gigantosaurus Season 2: We’re in This Together! features 90 minutes and eight episodes.

In season two, four little dino heroes — Rocky, Tiny, Bill and Mazu — are as brave and inseparable as ever and are off on new adventures in Cretacia. Whether running, flying or singing, the four friends explore brand-new corners of their land and make cool discoveries as they seek to learn the secrets of their new and mysterious friend Gigantosaurus, the biggest and fiercest dinosaur of all the dinos in Cretacia. Through great adventures and belly laughs alike, Rocky, Tiny, Bill and Mazu overcome all sorts of fears and obstacles.

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The animated series features the voices of Dylan Schombing (“Pup Academy,” “Watchman”), Nahanni Mitchell (“The Powerpuff Girls,” “Dragon Prince”), Nicholas Holmes (“Batwoman,” “Arrow”) and Heather Doerksen (Pacific Rim, The Cabin in the Woods). 

The children’s entertainment brand “Gigantosaurus” spans not only books and DVDs, but also toys and video games.

The U.K.’s first Gigantosaurus Land will open in 2024.

Animated ‘The Last Kids on Earth — Book One’ Due on DVD and Digital Nov. 8 From NCircle and Distribution Solutions

NCircle Entertainment and Distribution Solutions will release Atomic Cartoons’ The Last Kids on Earth — Book One on digital and DVD Nov. 8.

Based on the No. 1 New York Times best-selling children’s book line, the animated series launches on DVD with a 66-minute special episode that won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Class Animated Program. The release includes the bonus episode “Happy Apocalypse to You.”

The hugely popular tween series features the voices of Nick Wolfhard (“Smiling Friends,” “My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic”), Montse Hernandez (“Jane the Virgin,” “Elena of Avalor’), Garland Whitt (Training Day, Save the Last Dance), as well as a celebrity cast that includes Mark Hamill, Rosario Dawson, Bruce Campbell and Catherine O’Hara. 

In the series, ever since the monster apocalypse hit town, 13-year-old Jack Sullivan has been living in his tree house. He’s armed it to the teeth with catapults, crossbows and a moat, not to mention video games and an endless supply of snacks scavenged from abandoned stores. But Jack alone is no match for the hordes of Zombies and Winged Wretches and Vine-Thingies, and especially not for the eerily intelligent monster known only as Blarg. 

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So he builds a team: his genius best friend Quint; the reformed middle school bully Dirk; lone wolf survivor June Del Toro; and Jack’s loyal pet monster Rover. With their help, Jack plans to slay Blarg and achieve the ultimate feat of apocalyptic success.

 A 10-episode Book Two DVD and a 10-episode Book Three DVD will be released in the first quarter of 2023.

 

Family Adventure ‘Maika: The Girl From Another Galaxy’ Due on Digital Sept. 6 From Well Go

The Vietnamese family-friendly adventure Maika: The Girl From Another Galaxy will debut on digital Sept. 6 with a new English dub from Well Go USA Entertainment.

In the film, after losing his mother to illness and his best friend to an unexpected move, a grieving 8-year-old boy investigates a mysterious falling star, discovers a crashed spaceship and makes a new friend, an alien girl named Maika with awesome powers (although she does need a little help with her earthly social skills). Together, they embark on a zany, fun-filled adventure while taking on the bad guys and helping Maika find her way home.

From award-winning writer and director Ham Tran (Journey from the Fall), the film stars Phu Truong Lai, Diep Anh Chu, Tin Tin, Ngoc Tuong and Kim Nha. 

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The film, which premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival in the kids section, is Vietnam’s first children’s sci-fi feature and the country’s second-ever entry to the sci-fi genre. The family-friendly adventure is based on a 1970s Czechoslovakian television series that became a cultural sensation in Vietnam throughout the 1980s and ’90s, to the extent that the titular character has been cited as influencing consumer behaviors ranging from children’s haircuts to baby name choices.

During its theatrical window, Maika: The Girl From Another Galaxy was selected as an official Common Sense Selection for Families from Common Sense Media. The film also has been named a final nominee for Shine Global’s inaugural Children’s Resilience in Film Award, an accolade that honors filmmakers who highlight and celebrate the power of children globally.