Last Minute Easter Gift Ideas -- Kohl's Cares Dr. Seuss Books and Plush Toys (Review)

I was so excited last year when a Kohl's opened up right down the street from our house. Not only did it bring new jobs to local residents, but it made picking up the Kohl's Cares book and plush sets so much easier, as I used to order them online, as we didn't have a Kohl's within driving distance. Are you not familiar with the Kohl's Cares program?  If so, here is some information about this great community giving program from Kohl's:

"Kohl’s Department Stores is bringing the charming stories from legendary author Dr. Seuss to children and families across the country with playful and affordable books and plush toys that will delight readers with their magical rhymes and quirky illustrations. This spring, Kohl’s offers exclusive hardcover editions of classic Dr. Seuss books including The Cat in The Hat, Horton Hears a Who!, Sleep Book, ABC’s and Happy Birthday to You! along with coordinating plush toys for just $5 each through the Kohl's Cares cause merchandise program. Since the program’s inception in 2000, the Kohl’s Cares philanthropic program has raised more than $208 million for children’s health and education programs in local communities across the country.

Kohl’s will once again feature Dr. Seuss story books in the Kohl’s Cares cause merchandise program. Children will be enchanted as they learn to read the whimsical tales from Dr. Seuss, and customers will be proud to support the program knowing Kohl’s donates 100 percent of the net profit to children’s health and education initiatives nationwide.

In addition to the merchandise program, Kohl's Cares features a scholarship program, which recognizes more than 2,200 young volunteers each year with scholarships and prizes; the Associates in Action program, which encourages associate volunteerism and has donated more than $61 to youth-focused nonprofit organizations to date; and fundraising gift cards for schools and youth-serving nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit www.kohlscorporation.com".

As part of this community giving program, Kohl's offers a line of children's hard cover books and matching plush toys throughout the year.  And, in celebration of Dr. Seuss' birthday this month, they are offering the following products:

Kohl’s Cares Cause Merchandise for Kids

 

·         The Cat in The Hat and Cat in the Hat plush: Join Dick and Sally as they embark on an unexpected adventure with a giant cat wearing a hat, transforming a rainy day into a fun-filled afternoon. 

·         Horton Hears a Who! and Horton plush: Children adore the story of loveable Horton, an elephant who hears a cry for help from a tiny speck of dust and does his best to protect the tiny creatures who live on it from those who see them as insignificant.

·         Dr. Seuss’s Sleep Book and Sleeps plush: The perfect bed time story that is sure to help everyone wind down from the hustle and bustle of the day – including the grown-ups!

·         Dr. Seuss’s ABC book and Alligator plush: A quick and colorful way to learn the alphabet with Dr. Seuss and his colorful friends.

·         ONLINE EXCLUSIVE - Dr. Seuss’s ABC book’s Rhino plush: Fun to snuggle and huggle this adorable Rhino plush, kiddos will have a new friend to read with.

·         ONLINE EXCLUSIVE - Happy Birthday to You!: Everyone loves their birthday and with Dr. Seuss’s joyous tale, readers will see firsthand the thrill of celebrating a birthday as it is done in Katroo.

Kohl’s Cares Cause Merchandise for Grown-Ups

·         Good Housekeeping Light & Healthy Cooking and Good Housekeeping Drop 5 Lbs: Spring into Healthy Eating with two great books! Following the treats and sweets from the holiday season, testing out new recipes from Good Housekeeping Light & Healthy Cooking and getting diet and healthy eating tips from Good Housekeeping Drop 5 Lbs is the perfect way to stay true to New Year resolutions.

·         Dr. Seuss All Occasion Note Cards: As a thank you note or just to connect with a friend or loved one, these delightful all occasion note cards are sure to bring smiles to the faces of recipients with their colorful and quirky illustrations.

I was recently sent the Dr. Seuss’s ABC book and Alligator plush and The Cat in The Hat and Cat in the Hat plush, of which both books are Dr. Seuss Collector's Editions, to enjoy with the girls.  Like any other child, they were excited to see and hold the two plush toys.  Our youngest is the cuddler, and loves to give her dolls and teddy bears hugs and kisses.  So, when she got her hands on the Cat in the Hat, she planted a big wet, drooling kiss on him. ;-) 

But, the real fun began when I was able to read to them the other night, these two classic Dr. Seuss books, which I loved having my mom read to me as a child.  As I sat their with the girls by my side, they cuddled with their new plush toys, as I read all about the ABC's and the Cat in the Hat to them.  And, when I was done, they wanted more.  But, they would have to wait until morning to get their Cat in the Hat fix on PBS Kids.  :-)

I received these two Kohl's Cares books over the weekend, but have already taken turns with my husband reading them to the girls.  And, when we are not reading the Dr. Seuss books to them, we oftentimes find Savannah flipping through the books herself, or giving her own rendition of the story to Arabella and their two new Dr. Seuss cuddly pals.  Here are just a few photos I took of Arabella  playing with these new Dr. Seuss plush toys, from the Kohl's Cares merchandise program, which donates 100% of the net profit to children's health and education initiatives nationwide:

I am so happy to add these two new Dr. Seuss books to our ever growing Kohl's Cares book collection, and can't wait to see what new titles and matching toys are added this year.  So, with Easter right around the corner, why not head to your local Kohl's store and pick up these Dr. Seuss books and/or plush toys, which are available for only $5.00 each, and add to your child's Easter basket?  These books will be enjoyed and treasured for years to come, and make for great beginner reader books. ;-)

Disclosure: I was sent samples from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.     

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Join Read Across America and CostumeSuperCenter.com in Celebrating Dr. Seuss's Birthday (Costume Review)

If you have young children at home, then you are probably hearing all the buzz about Dr. Seuss' upcoming birthday, on March 2nd.  PBS Kids will be having a on-air celebration, while a slew of events will be taking place in Dr. Seuss' honor.

I recently had the opportunity to review the Dr. Seuss Who Costume, which is available from CostumeSuperCenter.com.  

"Horton Hears A Who is one of the great stories about Who's, and now your little one can become a magical tiny Who of his or her very own. This costume (which is currently on sale for only $19.99) is a fleece jumpsuit with front zipper, attached footsies and a Who head. It's a wonderful costume for Halloween or to wear when reading the book or watching the movie. This whimsical and wonderful costume will keep him comfortable all day and give him his own sense of Who-ness. It's also just fun when your little one wants to explore his inner Who and wear it for a make believe visit to Whoville. Grandparents are going to adore your little one when he or she comes to visit - they'll never forget what an adorable Who it is!"

Savannah is a fan of Dr. Seuss, and especially the animated movie, Horton Hears a Who.  So, when she saw me taking this fleece jumpsuit out of its package, all I could hear was "Mommy, look Horton Hears a Who" as she quickly ran over to touch the costume.  When I told her it was for her, her eyes lit up and she began taking off her pajamas in hopes of trying it on right then and there.  And, how could I say, "No."  Here are just a few photos I snapped of her wearing her new Dr. Seuss Who costume, from the folks at CostumeSuperCenter.com.  

Even though it was a little big for her, she didn't want to take it off.  You will notice a photo of her pouting, as she was fighting with me to keep her costume on. :-)   And, by the time Halloween rolls around, this costume will fit just right, and she will be on e of the most adorable Who's you have ever seen :-)

In addition to this cute Dr. Suess Who Costume, which can be worn by both boys and girls, the CostumeSuperCenter.com also offers other fun Cat in the Hat costumes, so that the whole family can get in on the fun of celebrating the birthday of one of children's most treasured and enjoyed authors, Dr. Seuss.  Here are just a few of the costumes available that would making celebrating Dr. Seuss' upcoming birthday, which is being promoted and celebrated through Read Across America.

 

 

And, make sure you bookmark this online costume retailer, so that when Halloween rolls around, you can do all your costume shopping in one place, for the entire family, while saving $$$.  Once you try out a costume from CostumeSuperCenter.com, you will not want to look elsewhere, when it comes to shopping for costumes.

  

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

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Coming to DVD and Blu-Ray Next Tuesday -- Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax (Review)

BRING HOME THE #1 ANIMATED FILM OF THE YEAR FROM THE CREATORS OF DESPICABLE ME AND THE IMAGINATION OF DR. SEUSS!

DR. SEUSS’ THE LORAX

AUGUST 7, 2012

 

Plus Get Three Never-Before-Seen Mini Movies Available only on

Blu-ray^™ Combo Packs for the Ultimate Experience

 

Universal City, California, June 5, 2012 – The colorful and captivating world of Dr. Seuss bursts onto the screen as never before on August 7, 2012 in the hilarious and captivating adventure, Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax from Universal Studios Home Entertainment.  Available on Blu-ray™ 3D Combo Pack and Blu-ray™ Combo Pack -- both featuring DVD, Digital Copy and UltraViolet™ so you can watch it anytime, anywhere -- Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax is non-stop family fun that includes three delightfully entertaining mini movies not shown in theaters,available only on the Blu-ray^™ Combo Packs.  The film will also be available on DVD and Digital Download.   To view a trailer of the new mini movies, visit http://youtu.be/3DXU1348PHg

Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax transports viewers into a fantastical landscape imagined by Dr. Seuss and vividly brought to life by Chris Meledandri and his acclaimed filmmaking team at Illumination Entertainment (Despicable Me). Directed by Chris Renaud (Despicable Me) from a screenplay adapted by Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul (Despicable Me, HOP, Horton Hears a Who) from the 1971 children’s classic, the film is an imaginative journey that begins in the town of Thneedville, where a boy searches for the one thing he knows will win the heart of his dream girl. But in order find it, he must discover the story of the Lorax, the often grumpy but loveable protector  of Truffula Valley, in an exciting adventure filled with comedy and heart that USA Today’s Claudia Puig calls, “The right blend of funny, silly, and sweet.”

Danny DeVito (“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” Twins, L.A. Confidential) lends his unmistakable voice to the Lorax, the remarkable creature who “speaks for the trees,” with Ed Helms (The Hangover, The Hangover Part II, “The Office”) as his enigmatic nemesis, the Once-ler. The all-star cast also includes Zac Efron (High School Musical, The Lucky One, 17 Again) as Ted, an idealistic 12-year-old searching for the Lorax; Grammy^® Award winner Taylor Swift (Valentine’s Day) as Audrey, the girl of Ted’s dreams; Rob Riggle (The Hangover, Big Miracle) as the villainous O’Hare; Jenny Slate (Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked, “SNL”) as Ted’s protective mother; and five-time Emmy^® Award winner Betty White (The Proposal, “Hot in Cleveland”) as Ted’s wise Grammy Norma.

One of the best-selling children’s book authors of all time, Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel created more than 40 cherished books that have been published in 95 countries and 17 different languages, selling more than half a billion books worldwide. The Lorax, which Geisel named his favorite work, is included on the “Educator’s All Time Top 20 List of Children’s Books.”

Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax Combo Packs contain a Blu-ray™, DVD and a Digital Copy of the film compatible with iTunes^®, iPad^®, iPhone^®, iPod^™, Android (or select online retailers), as well as UltraViolet^™.  UltraViolet^™ is the revolutionary new way for consumers to collect movies and TV shows in the cloud to instantly stream and download to computers, tablets and smart phones. Consumers can now truly enjoy their movies anytime, anywhere on the platform of their choice.

BLU-RAY 3D COMBO PACK AND BLU-RAY^TM COMBO PACK BONUS FEATURE EXCLUSIVES

• MINI MOVIES

• Serenade -- Two Bar-ba-loots -- one love shy and the other suave and confident -- battle for the heart of their would-be sweetheart with the help of a colorful cast of characters, including the Humming-Fish and Swomme-Swans.
• Wagon-Ho—Two Bar-ba-loots take The Once-ler’s wagon on a ride they won’t soon forget.
• Forces of Nature—Determined to scare The Once-ler out of Truffula Valley, The Lorax decides to create the illusion of ominous forces of nature.

• MAKING OF THE MINI MOVIES—Go behind the scenes at Illumination Mac Guff to see the joys and challenges of continuing the characters’ stories in the dynamic format of the mini movie.
• DELETED SCENE
• SEUSS TO SCREEN—A fascinating look into the translation of Seuss’ iconic style from book into the big feature film canvas.
• SEUSS IT UP!— A great tutorial on how to draw the Lorax, a Humming-Fish and a Bar-ba-loot in the unique Seuss style.
• TRUFFULA RUN—The player moves left and right to avoid obstacles while attempting to pick up berries with modes for easy, medium and hard.  As difficulty increases, the player will have more obstacles to avoid. 
• “LET IT GROW” SING ALONG— Karaoke-style sing along to the end credit version of Let It Grow.
• FEATURE COMMENTARY WITH CO-DIRECTORS CHRIS RENAUD & KYLE BALDA
• ONCE-LER’S WAGON— While the Once-ler is away peddling his wares, the curious forest creatures have fun with his belongings.  Users can select an item for the creatures to mimic or play with and then watch the adorable antics of all the forest friends.

BONUS FEATURES EXCLUSIVELY ON THE BLU-RAY^TM:

• GET OUT OF TOWN—In this game, the player must help Ted navigate through town on his scooter in order to make it to the Lerkim and meet the Once-ler.  At the end of each level, Ted must solve an obstacle puzzle to advance to the next section. There are three levels and three puzzles to complete to win the game. 
• O’HARE TV— Watch the Lorax with hilarious commercial interruptions courtesy of O’Hare TV.
• EXPEDITION TO TRUFFULA VALLEY—Explore and navigate within the Truffula Valley to learn more about how the characters and creatures come to life.

ADDITIONAL EXCLUSIVE COMBO PACK FEATURES

·      ULTRAVIOLET^™—The revolutionary new way for consumers to collect movies and TV shows, store them in the cloud, and download and stream instantly to computers, tablets and smartphones. Currently available in the United States only.

·      DIGITAL COPY—Viewerscan redeem a digital version of the full-length movie from a choice of retail partners to watch on an array of electronic and portable devices.

• uHEAR™:  Never miss another line of dialogue with this innovative feature that instantly skips back a few seconds on your Blu-ray™ disc and turns on the subtitles to highlight what you missed.

·      pocket BLU^™ APP—The popular free pocket BLU^™ app for smartphones is now even better with newly updated versions for iPad^®, Android^™ tablets, PC and Macintosh computers, with features made especially to take advantage of the devices’ larger screens and high resolution displays.

• Advanced Remote Control: A sleek, elegant new way to operate your Blu-ray^™ player. Users can navigate through menus, playback and BD-Live^™ functions with ease.
• Video Timeline: Users can easily bring up the video timeline, allowing them to instantly access any point in the film.
• Mobile-To-Go: Users can unlock a selection of bonus content with their Blu-ray^™ discs to save to their device or to stream from anywhere there is a Wi-Fi network, enabling them to enjoy content on the go, anytime, anywhere.
• Browse Titles: Users will have access to a complete list of pocket BLU^™-enabled titles available and coming to Blu-ray^™. They can view free previews and see what additional content is available to unlock on their device.
• Keyboard: Entering data is fast and easy with your device’s intuitive keyboard.

SYNOPSIS

The imaginative world of Dr. Seuss comes to life like never before in this visually spectacular adventure from the creators of Despicable Me! Twelve-year-old Ted will do anything to find a real live Truffula Tree in order to impress the girl of his dreams. As he embarks on his journey, Ted discovers the incredible story of the Lorax, a grumpy but charming creature who speaks for the trees. Featuring the voice talents of Danny DeVito, Ed Helms, Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Rob Riggle, Jenny Slate and Betty White, Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax is filled with hilarious fun for everyone!

Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax is the third feature created by Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment (Despicable Me, Hop). 

For more information, please visit www.theloraxmovie.com.

CAST AND FILMMAKERS  

Cast: Danny DeVito, Ed Helms, Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Rob Riggle, Jenny Slate and Betty White

Based on the Book by: Dr. Seuss

Screenplay By: Cinco Paul & Ken Daurio

Executive Producers: Audrey Geisel, Ken Daurio, Cinco Paul

Produced By: Christopher Meledandri, Janet Healy

Directed By: Chris Renaud

Co-directed By: Kyle Balda

Music By: John Powell

Edited By: Ken Schretzmann ACE, Claire Dodgson, Steven Liu

Art Director: Eric Guillon

Production Designer: Yarrow Cheney

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

BLU-RAY^™ 3D COMBO PACK

Street Date: August 7, 2012

Copyright: 2012 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Selection Numbers: 61123232 (US), 61123231 (Canada)

Running Time: 1 hour 27 minutes

Layers: BD-50

Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 1.85:1

Rating: PG for brief mild language

Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French 

Sound: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1/DD DVS 2.0², Spanish DTS Digital Surround 5.1, French DTS Digital Surround 5.1(Canadian), Bonus Audio (English) DTS Surround 5.1/Dolby Digital 2.0

BLU-RAY^™ COMBO PACK

Street Date: August 7, 2012

Copyright: 2012 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Selection Numbers: 61120933 (US), 61122759 (Canada)

Running Time: 1 hour 27 minutes

Layers: BD-50

Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 1.85:1

Rating: PG for brief mild language

Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French 

Sound: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1/DD DVS 2.0², Spanish DTS Digital Surround 5.1, French DTS Digital Surround 5.1(Canadian), Bonus Audio (English) DTS Surround 5.1/Dolby Digital 2.0

DVD

Street Date: August 7, 2012

Copyright: 2012 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Selection Numbers: 61118810 (US), 61122758 (Canada)

Running Time: 1 hour 27 minutes

Layers: DVD-9

Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1

Rating: PG for brief mild language

Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French 

Sound: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital 5.1 (Canadian), Bonus Audio (English) Dolby Digital 2.0

 ---------------------

My Thoughts:

Even though I received this combo pack in the mail yesterday to review, I was planning on waiting until the weekend to watch it.  But, both my husband and I missed The Lorax when it was in theaters, and really wanted to see it.  Also, my daughter, Savannah has become a huge Dr. Seuss fan, and as such, we have been introducing her to The Lorax through bedtime readings.  So, earlier this evening, we sat down after dinner to watch this film as a family.  The girls had been hyper all day, so we were looking for a way to get them to calm down and relax.  As soon as we put the movie on, Savannah grabbed her blankie and nap mat and got comfortable on the floor.  She clapped like crazy when she saw the Lorax.  

We knew the girls wouldn't last through the entire movie, and we were right.  Half way through, Savannah fell asleep, and shortly thereafter so did Arabella.  My husband enjoyed quiet time for once, as we watched this amazing animated film.  I can see why so many people raved about this film when it was in theaters.  It is such a great family film, and a must see movie for Dr. Seuss fans.  And, with a star-studded cast of voice overs, including Taylor Swift, Zac Efron and Betty White, both parents and children will be drawn in.  My husband and I plan to watch this film again over the weekend, as we couldn't get over the visual appeal of this film.  We only briefly scanned through the bonus features on the combo pack and can't wait to spend hours watching how this film was made, deleted scenes and so much more.

Did you see The Lorax when it was in theaters?  If so, what did you think?  I am blown away each and every time I see animated family friendly movies, and this movie is definitely going to become a family favorite, and enjoyed over and over again for years to come.

About Universal Studios Home Entertainment

In honor of its Centennial anniversary, Universal Pictures proudly salutes 100 years of unforgettable films that have entertained audiences and touched the hearts of millions around the globe. In celebration of our first 100 years, Universal Studios Home Entertainment is proud to present a selection of our many beloved movies as part of an extensive year-long program that underscores the studio’s rich cinematic history and indelible cultural impact.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group and world-renowned theme parks. Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBC Universal, with GE holding a 49% stake.

Disclosure:  I was sent a copy of this movie from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.

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PBS KIDS Celebrates Dr. Seuss’ Birthday on March 2 with THE CAT IN THE HAT-A-THON Multimedia Event (Review)

On March 2, PBS KIDS will celebrate the 108^th birthday of Dr. Seuss on-air, online, and on mobile. PBS stations nationwide will feature THE CAT-IN-THE-HAT-A-THON, a two-hour marathon of THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT! (check local listings). Kids will also be able to engage with the Cat and friends through games and video content online and on mobile, and parents will be able to enjoy a new Birthday Party Builder Tool on the PBS KIDS Shop website.

“THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT! is designed to help young children learn core science skills to prepare them for success in school – while taking them on Seussian adventures that inspire their curiosity,” said Lesli Rotenberg, Senior Vice President, Children’s Media, PBS. “Families, schools and communities around the country pay tribute to Dr. Seuss at this time each year, and we join them in honoring his legacy with content that encourages kids to explore the world around them.”

THE CAT IN THE HAT-A-THON will feature two brand new episodes, “Seasons – Spring and Summer/Fall and Winter,” which takes the Cat, Nick and Sally on a journey through the four seasons, and “When I Grow Up/Doing It Differently,” in which Nick and Sally explore what it means to grow up and learn that trying a different approach can sometimes be the best way to solve a problem. The marathon will also include encore presentations of “Hooray for Hair/Ice Is Nice” and “Chasing Rainbows/Follow the Prints.”

The celebration will continue online and on mobile. Video clips from all four episodes featured in THE CAT IN THE HAT-A-THON will be available for free online at PBSKIDS.org/video and on the PBS KIDS Video App for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. The PBS KIDS Shop will also launch a Birthday Party Builder Tool – a one-stop-shop for parents’ every party need – on March 1. From tableware and party banners to clothing and gifts, the Party Builder offers customized recommendations based on the number of guests and exclusive, personalized products. It’s a fun and easy way for parents to plan the perfect party featuring their kids’ favorite characters, including the Cat in the Hat.

THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT! has ranked among the top ten programs for children ages 2 to 5 since it premiered on PBS KIDS in September 2010.* The series is a key part of PBS KIDS’ commitment to helping kids build critical STEM – science, technology, engineering and math – skills through engaging content across platforms.

Following is a listing of the episodes airing during the March 2 CAT-IN-THE-HAT-A-THON (check local listings for air dates and times).

 

“Seasons – Spring and Summer/Fall and Winter” *NEW*

“Seasons – Spring and Summer” – For Show and Tell at school, Nick and Sally must bring something from their favorite season. But how can they choose which is their favorite? The Cat in the Hat takes them to the magical Garden of Seasons, where they can visit any season they like, any time they like! They meet three young animals and journey with them as they begin to grow up. Sally decides that she has two favorite seasons, and with the pictures taken from the Snaparama camera, she now has a scrapbook of pictures to show why!

“Seasons – Fall and Winter” – It’s Nick’s turn to choose a favorite season. Back to the Garden of Seasons to visit Fall and Winter! In Fall, they meet up with their friends from Spring and Summer to have a going away party for Candy the goose who’s about to fly south. In Winter, they have a great time playing with Sam the hare while all his other friends hibernate. Nick can’t decide on just one season, so he makes a picture of all the fun they had in both seasons!

“When I Grow Up/Doing Things Differently” *NEW*

“When I Grow Up” – Sally and Nick are trying to guess what they’ll be when they grow up when the Cat drops in for a visit. Cat is sure Nick and Sally will never guess what his friend Puggle will be when she grows up. When they see her, they start guessing right away! A frog? A duck? No, a beaver! They discover that, while Puggle may have some similarities to other creatures, she will grow up to be a duck billed platypus.

“Doing It Differently” – Nick and Sally can’t seem to find Harvey the guinea pig. They find the Cat in the Hat instead! Cat suggests that Sally and Nick might find Harvey by meeting three friends who always do things differently – like a bird that runs instead of flies, or a cat that swims, or a fish that walks on the mud! Nick and Sally are sure to find Harvey now – by doing it differently!

“Hooray for Hair/Ice Is Nice”

“Hooray for Hair” – Sally and Nick are getting their hair cut today; maybe they should try new hairstyles! A trip to meet three of Cat’s friends (and some styling help from the Wig-o-lator) will help them decide! Should they have Yak hair? No, too hot! How about hair like a fur seal? Not quite, too short. A porcupine? No way! How will they ever get a hug from their moms with hair that spiky? They decide that the hair they have is what’s perfect for them!

“Ice Is Nice” – Nick and Sally want some nice cold lemonade, but there are no more ice cubes in Sally’s fridge! A trip to Freeze-your-knees Snowland will fix that! They meet Cat’s friend Polly the polar bear who introduces Sally and Nick to all the different kinds of ice that make up her home. After trying many types of ice, they find the kind that will be perfect for their lemonade!

“Chasing Rainbows/Follow the Prints”

“Chasing Rainbows” – The kids are painting a picture of a rainbow but can’t remember all the colors to use. Luckily for them, Cat takes them to Color-ga-lore to meet King Kaleidoscope, an expert on rainbows! A musical number teaches them the proper color order, and a silly spray of water leads them to discover how to make their very own rainbow!

“Follow the Prints” – Nick and Sally are enjoying a backyard picnic when they discover their last strawberry has gone missing! Who could have taken it? Cat’s friend Cluey Looey can help them! They are off to Muddyfeet Waterhole where they learn about how the differently shaped feet, paws, or hooves of various animals make differently shaped footprints. Back home, they follow the prints and discover their strawberry was taken by a squirrel! Luckily, the Cat has some more!

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My Thoughts of the Two New Episodes:

Savannah is a huge Dr. Seuss fan, and go a day without seeing The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That on PBS Kids.  So, when I received an advanced screener of the two new episodes premiering as part of the THE CAT IN THE HAT-A-THON, I knew she would be excited and would want to watch them right away.  And, I was right.  As soon as I showed her the DVD, she asked to watch it.  So, the other night before bed, I put this DVD on and we watched “Seasons – Spring and Summer/Fall and Winter,” which takes the Cat, Nick and Sally on a journey through the four seasons, to help Nick and Sally decide which is their favorite to present at show-and-tell.  I have always been a fan of The Cat in the Hat, and love this new animated series on PBS, which began airing in 2010.  I love the rhyming and fun adventures the Cat takes Nick and Sally on.  And, the colorful and bright animation is very eye pleasing for both kids and adults.  Out of all Savannah's favorite shows, this is one of my favorite to cuddle up with her and watch.  Even though children are having fun with the Cat, viewers also learn valuable lesson, which is great.  This was my favorite of the two new episodes because of all the vibrant colors and depictions of the seasons.  I could see why Sally and Nick chose their seasons to share with their class.  I would have chosen Spring/Summer!  Well, maybe even Fall/Winter!  All the seasons offer something unique and beautiful.  I could just do without the cold in the winter!

I didn't want to keep Savannah up late, so we waited until the next night to watch, "When I Grow Up/Doing It Differently,” in which Nick and Sally explore what it means to grow up and learn that trying a different approach can sometimes be the best way to solve a problem.   This turned out to be Savannah's favorite episode, as she has asked to watch it repeatedly since then.  I can only imagine what Savannah will be when she grows up, but right now I am enjoying her being little, and having her imagine get carried away by the Cat in the Hat.

So, if you and your child like watching The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That on PBS Kid, then you must tune in to watch this birthday marathon, which will air these two new episodes as encore presentations of “Hooray for Hair/Ice Is Nice” and “Chasing Rainbows/Follow the Prints,” on March 2.  When you are done watching the marathon, I'd love to hear what your family thought of these new episodes.  I can't wait to take part in the fun activities PBS has planned online for kids that day, too.

About PBS KIDS

 

PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, online and community-based programs. For more information on specific PBS KIDS programs supporting literacy, science, math and more, visit PBS.org/pressroom. Follow PBS KIDS on Twitter and Facebook.

*Ratings Source: NTI NPower, PBS KIDS’ Monthly Ranker | September 2010 – December 2011

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