Author: Brooke Wehrle

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Tell us about yourself and how you came to edit sound for children’s television shows.
I come from a musical family. My mother was a music teacher, so I took up piano and voice at a very young age, and followed that up with more and more instruments as I grew older. I pursued music in university as well, and played in a variety of popular bands. The latter gave me the opportunity to work in a recording studio, and learn the art of recording and mixing. That experience inspired me to move to Toronto to further my studies in recording arts.

I was picked up by Technicolor Creative Services in Toronto right out of school, and worked my way up through the ranks to the position of sound editor. As for getting my chance to work in children’s television, I think my passion for science fiction really worked in my favor. Odd Squad is a show full of “gadgets” and otherworldly sounds, and producer J.J. Johnson was happy to have someone who spoke the same language. He showed a lot of faith in me.

What was your favorite television show growing up?
I grew up long before the advent of streaming, so cartoons on Saturday morning, and the original 1970s Star Trek on Saturday afternoon, were what I waited for all week. But for me, it all started with Star Wars in 1977. Ben Burtt created the most amazing sound effects for that movie series, sound that stands up well even today. His work has always inspired me, and that movie sparked my passion for science fiction. I'm kind of a Star Wars super fan.

In your role as Sound Effects Designer, what goes into an episode of Odd Squad?
First, I start by watching the entire episode and cataloguing all of the events that will require added sounds. This includes all of the different locations, actor interactions, and numerous CGI shots. These all get marked, and the work gets distributed between myself and the other two sound effects editors; Bill Turchinetz, who handles the gadgets, and James Robinson, who handles the real world sounds like cars and doors. My job is to maintain overall sound continuity.

We’ve built a very rich library of designed sound effects for this show, so I make sure we are always sticking to the formula that J.J. established from the beginning. I start by editing all of the atmospheres, many of which are the pre-established ones I designed for the very first episode, but there’s usually always a new location to design in almost every episode, and I do my best to catalogue them in case they recur again in the future. After that, I edit all of the specific effects I have on my list: bullpen doors, tube system, computers, the Odd Squad Mobile Unit van taking off or landing, and any creatures or sci-fi elements particular to the episode.

Every episode has a “sound moment,” whether it’s a dragon, a “pie-nado,” or a gigantic robot, and not only do I have to figure how it’s going to sound, but I have to figure out how it plays into the educational theme of the show. We want the sounds to be huge and awesome, but we also don’t want them to distract from the dialogue, because the actors are trying to impart an important math lesson, which is always the key mission of the episode. My job is to make sure all of those criteria are being met.

What’s your favorite episode of Odd Squad?
That’s actually tougher than you think. There are so many great episodes! I have a soft spot for the very first episode, “Zero Effect,” because I worked very hard to establish all of the key locations, like the bullpen, the lab, and Ms. O’s Office, and all of the recurring sounds like the “squish-inator,” the tube travel system, and tube system arrival sounds. And we had so many CGI characters in that opening bullpen sequence: flying goldfish, aliens, robots, and unicorns. The episode flowed from one great sound moment to another.

I also loved “Crime at Shapely Manor,” which featured members from the Kids in the Hall comedy group. There were always lots of little pop culture references and Easter eggs built into every episode. I enjoyed that the writers had something in there to make the adults watching smile as well.

What do you like to do when you’re not working on the show?
I love spending my free time with my young family, but I also have a passion for video games, tabletop games, and board games. In the case of the latter, my friends and I have been playing them online throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

What were your first thoughts when you learned your team won an Emmy award?
I had a hard time actually believing it was true. They announced the technical arts awards via social media, so I was on the Daytime Emmy Awards Facebook page, constantly refreshing the page, and when the winner for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Live Action Program came up and I saw “Odd Squad," my heart started beating a mile a minute.

I still had to tap “read more,” concerned this was just the list of nominees or something, but the only name was Odd Squad. I even watched the video they attached before I was finally able to accept it was true. I was excited for myself, and for my sound team, and excited for the entire Sinking Ship Entertainment family.

These shows are full of so many talented people working and imagining together, so when one of the nominated team wins, we all share in the victory. I also come from Canada’s smallest province, Prince Edward Island, on Canada’s east coast. So, this win is something I am proud to share with all of my friends and family back home. All the musical and technical skills I learned while living there helped to win this award.

Watch Odd Squad weekdays on PBS KIDS.

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Fred Rogers Productions, the award-winning children’s entertainment company behind the much-loved, Emmy-winning PBS KIDS series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Odd Squad, and Peg + Cat, has named Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing master publishing partner for Donkey Hodie, its multiplatform puppet series for preschoolers launching early next year on PBS KIDS. A wide range of books inspired by the new show and the work of Fred Rogers will begin rolling out at retail Q1 2022.

“We’re very excited to build on our successful relationship with Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing for our newest brand, Donkey Hodie,” said Paul Siefken, President and CEO, Fred Rogers Productions. “Donkey Hodie shows children that they can accomplish great things with a can-do attitude, perseverance, and a little help from their friends.”

“We’re delighted to develop books for this stunning new series and build on its timely messages about creative problem-solving and goal-setting for preschoolers beyond the screen,” said Valerie Garfield, VP, Publisher, Novelty & Licensed Publishing, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. “We’re thrilled to expand our relationship with Fred Rogers Productions with another standout brand that will inspire kids and families to learn and play together.”

Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing’s broad assortment of titles for Donkey Hodie will encompass storybooks; Ready-to-Read beginning readers; board books; novelty titles, including pop-up and lift-the-flap titles; early chapter books; and e-book formats. As master publishing partner for Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, the company has produced more than 10 million books in print across a range of formats for that license.

Inspired by the funny, quirky side of children’s television pioneer Fred Rogers, Donkey Hodie is an imaginative puppet series that follows the adventures of Donkey Hodie, a sweet, yellow donkey with a magenta mohawk, and her pals—Purple Panda, Duck Duck, and Bob Dog—who live in the land of Someplace Else. Donkey Hodie is the granddaughter of the original Donkey Hodie character (now known as “Grampy Hodie”) from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, who appeared in 59 episodes of the beloved classic children’s series. The new Donkey Hodie series, produced by Fred Rogers Productions and Spiffy Pictures
(Nature Cat), is designed to empower children ages 3-5 to dream big and overcome obstacles in their own lives, to work hard and persevere in the face of failure, to be resourceful and discover they can solve problems on their own—and to laugh themselves silly along the way.

The series is currently in production on 40 half-hour episodes and will feature new music along with reimagined versions of Fred Rogers’ original songs to reinforce and underscore each story’s positive message. Each episode of Donkey Hodie will include two 11-minute, character-driven stories. Executive producers are Ellen Doherty, Chief Creative Officer of Fred Rogers Productions, and Adam and David Rudman, co-founders of Spiffy Pictures.

About Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, one of the leading children’s book publishers in the world, comprises the following imprints: Aladdin, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Beach Lane Books, Libros para niños, Little Simon®, Margaret K. McElderry Books, Paula Wiseman Books, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Simon Pulse, and Simon Spotlight®. While maintaining an extensive award-winning backlist, the division continues to publish acclaimed and bestselling books for children of all ages. Simon & Schuster publishes numerous Caldecott, Newbery, and National Book Award winners. For more information about Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, visit our website at www.simonandschuster.com.

About Fred Rogers Productions
Fred Rogers Productions was founded by Fred Rogers in 1971 as the non-profit producer of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for PBS. In the years that followed, it not only created hundreds of episodes of this much-loved program, but also extended Fred’s values and approach to other efforts in promoting children’s social, emotional, and behavioral health while supporting parents, caregivers, teachers, and other professionals in their work with children. Fred Rogers Productions continues to build on Fred’s legacy in innovative ways through a wide variety of media and engages new generations of children and families with his timeless wisdom. The company’s highly-rated, Emmy Award-winning children’s series include Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Peg + Cat, Odd Squad, and Through the Woods as well as Donkey Hodie, the eagerly-anticipated puppet series, inspired by the character from Mister Roger's Neighborhood, launching early 2021 on PBS KIDS. For more information, visit www.fredrogers.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Press contacts:

Grand Communications

Alison Grand
212-584-1133; Alison@grandcommunications.com

Laura Liebeck
845-440-7974; Laura@grandcommunications.com

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Alexandra and Jill are writers for the acclaimed PBS KIDS series. The pair were nominated for a 2020 Daytime Emmy award in Outstanding Writing for a Preschool Animated Program, and co-wrote the upcoming Daniel Tiger special, "Won't You Sing Along with Me?"

Tell us about yourselves and how you each became writers for a children’s television show.

Alexandra Cassel Schwartz: I always knew I wanted to work with kids. While studying in undergrad at Colgate University, I studied Child Psychology as well as Film & Media Studies, and was determined to meld these two interests into a fulfilling career. I went on to receive my Master’s in Developmental Psychology from Teachers College at Columbia University, where I continued to leverage my passion, creativity, and interest in entertainment. I specifically honed in on the preschool audience, and am so fortunate to work for 9 Story Media who values research and the needs of the child.

Jill Cozza-Turner: I knew I wanted to write for children and families, so after college I took a job as a receptionist at an animation studio and spent as much time as I could reading scripts, sitting in on meetings, and getting to know the writers, producers, directors, and artists. I eventually started pitching story ideas and once I wrote my first preschool script, I was hooked! Since then, I've written for over 30 children's shows, and it is truly the best job in the world!

What was your favorite television show growing up?

ACS: Rugrats! I have always been obsessed with babies so was initially drawn to the adorable and simplistic character designs and details. But what I’ve come to appreciate about the show now more than ever is the witty writing. I knew even as a child that Rugrats was clever (I mean, a baby brother named Dil Pickles? Hilarious!), but I’m certain many of the jokes went over my head, and that’s okay as it didn’t take away from my comprehension. When I watch the show now (and I do!), I can see why my older sibling, babysitters, and even parents tolerated and enjoyed watching the series with me. I love a show that succeeds in reaching a whole family and encourages laughter and discussion, even once the TV set is turned off.

JCT: I watched mostly PBS, and of course I loved Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and Sesame Street. I remember being mesmerized when I would visit the Crayon Factory or the Pasta Factory with Mister Rogers and how excited I would get when I would hear Trolley's music, because it meant that we were going to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe! The fact that I've been able to brainstorm and create with people who actually worked on the original Mister Rogers' Neighborhood is a dream come true!

What goes into writing an episode of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood?

ACS: We are so fortunate to work closely with the Fred Rogers Productions team and child development advisors, many of whom worked with Fred himself on Misters Rogers’ Neighborhood. We are often asking, “What would Fred say about [insert emotion or behavior]?” We work together to identify a socio-emotional issue, the “Freddish” approach or strategy, for effectively managing that issue, and then frame it around a preschool-relatable and engaging storyline.

A key part of our writing is our research process, where we run the scripts by our most critical consultants: kids themselves! Our research team tests for attention, comprehension, interest, and engagement. Even with the seemingly straight-forward topics, the kids always provide fascinating insights. The writers are then tasked with making the necessary edits to get the script polished and ready for production!

JCT: The care that goes into every episode of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is truly inspiring and totally unique from any other show I've worked on. We partner closely with the advisors from Fred Rogers Productions to make sure we're approaching each topic the way Fred would, and we also listen to parent feedback and draw on our own experiences with the little ones in our lives to generate stories! Research also plays a huge part in how we craft every episode of Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. Watching our very (sometimes brutally) honest young audience react to an episode in the early scripting stage is a phenomenal tool to ensure we're keeping our stories age-appropriate and having a real impact on their lives.

What’s your favorite episode of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood?

ACS: Too hard to pick just one! The “Won’t You Be Our Neighbor?” movie, which introduced a new character named Jodi and her Platypus Family, was a true labor of love. It was an exciting challenge to take on a special of this magnitude and length, and enabled the writing team to really capture the emotional rollercoaster that comes with moving and making new friends. The movie also included several new, can’t-get-out-of-your-head songs, and it was such a joy to collaborate with the amazing composers at Voodoo Highway to make this special truly “special.” It’s been so rewarding hearing from fans that Jodi has quickly stolen their hearts and become a favorite character.

But like I said, I can’t pick just one episode! “Daniel’s Grr-ific Grandpere” also holds a special place in my heart. We’ve heard many times that fans feel like better parents and grandparents after watching and learning from Daniel Tiger. I feel so fortunate to work on a show that has the ability to strengthen inter-generational bonds. I wrote “Daniel’s Grr-ific Grandpere” with my own “Poppa” in mind, and much of the story was inspired by the time we spent together when I was a child. Though he passed away shortly before the episode premiered, I feel so proud to have shared his love, spirit, and humor with children everywhere.

JCT: I love when we can give families concrete strategies for coping with emotions. In the episode "Mama Travels for Work," Dr. Platypus needs to travel away from home for a few days, but gives her children "Love You Loops" as a way to mark how long she'll be gone and remind them that “grown-ups come back.” Now I actually make Love You Loops for my own children whenever I travel, and it's become one of our favorite traditions!

 What do you like to do when you’re not working on the show?

ACS: I like to play games with friends, pickle my own vegetables, and go for nature walks. If these sound familiar, it’s because they are the activities featured in some of our Daniel Tiger “shorts”! My writing (like most writers!) is very much inspired by my real life and interests… and now that I’m growing a future Daniel Tiger fan of my own (due in December!), I’m sure the next few years will inspire even more themes to write into the “Neighborhood”!

JCT: I crochet, run, play games with my kids, and bake, but it's a running joke in my family that my favorite thing to do when I'm not writing for the show is... write! Like most writers, I have new ideas, screenplays, and lots of stories in my head, so when I have downtime I like to work and tinker on those.

What were your first thoughts when you learned you were nominated for a Daytime Emmys award?

ACS: What was I going to wear?! (Just kidding, especially because this year’s Emmys were handled virtually). It’s such an honor to be recognized and while a shiny trophy sure would look good on the mantel, it’s the feedback from fans that’s even more rewarding. We receive photos, letters, and social media posts daily from little tigers around the world who are using Daniel Tiger’s ditties in their own lives. It’s such a good feeling that the thought and care we put into each and every message is making a positive impact on the next generation.

JCT: What a thrill to be nominated with this amazing team of writers! We truly love what we do, so to be recognized is such an honor and an incredible privilege.

What was your inspiration behind the upcoming special, “Won’t You Sing-Along with Me?”

ACS: These are truly unprecedented times. We started conceptualizing this special with Fred Rogers Productions and PBS KIDS back in March, and one of the biggest challenges was predicting what issues and practices would still be relevant when the episode would air a couple months later in August. Sad to say, not much has improved, so we are glad to be giving kids and caregivers tools to help manage this ‘new normal.’

We worked with consultants to identify what the most challenging facets of quarantine have been for this young audience, and asked the age-old question, “WWMTD?” (What would Mom Tiger do?!) One thing we were most excited to address was that Mom Tiger doesn’t ALWAYS have the answers! COVID has been frustrating for kids and parents alike because there is still so much uncertainty, and we wanted to address that even Mom Tiger doesn’t know when things will get back to normal; but she DOES have several strategies up her sleeve to help cope.

JCT: When we started conceptualizing this special, we asked ourselves how we could help our littlest neighbors and their caregivers cope with this unprecedented situation, but of course we didn't want to bring up any new fears. We decided that exploring the disappointment children (and grown-ups!) feel when things are different or uncertain would be the most relatable approach, and what's more disappointing than missing the annual Neighborhood Carnival?! Of course, this pandemic has brought up lots of other emotions, so we were so fortunate to pull from our catalog of beloved songs and episodes so children can sing along and help them deal with feelings of anger, sadness, frustration, and, of course, missing loved ones.

Since the Sing-Along special also kicks off the series’ fifth season, what are you most excited about in Season 5?

ACS: Season 5 has not one, not two, not three, but FOUR “specials”! While these episodes were conceptualized prior to COVID, we’re covering some BIG topics (and putting poor Daniel through the ringer!) that will help kids cope with things like nerves, stress, and changing circumstances, all of which feel especially poignant during the current climate.

JCT: This season is going to be grr-ific! I can't say too much, but our favorite tiger will be going to new places, experiencing very BIG emotions, and even meeting some new neighbors!

 

Watch new episodes of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood beginning August 17 on PBS KIDS.

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

ODD SQUAD picked up a Daytime Emmy Award last night, this time for Outstanding Sound Editing in a Live-Action Program. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the historically live ceremony looked different this year; many winners were announced virtually via the Daytime Emmys Twitter account. Read the full list of winners at the Daytime Emmys official website.

Congratulations to our partners at Sinking Ship Entertainment, who picked up the Emmy for Outstanding Children’s or Family Viewing Series for a second consecutive year, this time for Ghostwriter, and our partners at PBS KIDS.

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Today, PBS KIDS announced a special and new episodes of DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD, beginning Monday, August 17. Preschoolers and their families from neighborhoods across the country can hop on Trolley and “ride along” with Daniel Tiger, his family, and friends for a brand-new season of exploring big feelings, learning, and having fun. The top-rated, Emmy-winning series from Fred Rogers Productions will premiere on PBS stations nationwide (check local listings), the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel, and PBS KIDS digital platforms.

The new season of the hit show kicks off with “DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD: Won’t You Sing Along with Me?,” a timely, music-filled special that helps address some of the challenges and disappointments “little tigers” and their families may be experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the special, when Daniel learns he can’t gather with all of his neighbors at the Neighborhood Carnival this year, it leads to a lot of big feelings and questions, including what to do when he misses the people he loves, how to keep himself and others healthy, and how to find ways to enjoy the extra time at home with his family. Mom and Dad Tiger use new and fan-favorite songs from the series to help reassure him – as well as young viewers and their parents at home, who are encouraged to sing along! The special was created with major funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

“As COVID-19 continues to pose challenges to families across the country, PBS KIDS is uniquely positioned to meet the needs of children, parents, and caregivers,” said Lesli Rotenberg, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, Children’s Media and Education, PBS. “Learning lies at the heart of our mission, and we’ve been proud to be able to step in and offer at-home learning solutions, content and resources, like this timely special from DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD, that reach kids where they are with age-appropriate lessons – especially in areas where families may have limited or no access to broadband internet.”

In addition, five new episodes, including a 22-minute special, “Daniel’s Substitute Teacher,” will premiere throughout the week. A new digital game from DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD will be available later this summer on pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS Games app. In “Dance Party,” kids can dance along with Daniel and his friends, follow their dance moves, or simply listen to the music and dance in their own way. To further support families and educators as school time approaches, whether it be at-home learning or an adjusted back-to-school schedule, new DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD activities and resources will be available on PBS KIDS for Parents and PBS LearningMedia.

“Season 5 of DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD will showcase even more relatable storylines and fresh musical strategies to help keep preschoolers learning, growing, and navigating the world around them,” said Paul Siefken, President and CEO of Fred Rogers Productions. “In addition to the upcoming special, the season will include episodes about sudden changes at school, separation from family members, staying safe, hospital stays, respecting one’s personal space, disappointment, generosity, and grown-ups taking care of you.”

Throughout 20 new Season 5 episodes, Daniel and his friends will learn gentle lessons about managing sibling rivalry, missing people when they’re far away, being “big enough” to do things alone, coping with accidents, the importance of listening and following rules, and much more. New friends will also join the Neighborhood of Make-Believe.

Each episode of DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD showcases two distinct stories starring 4-year-old Daniel Tiger and his friends, who invite viewers to join them on their adventures as they explore the colorful Neighborhood of Make-Believe. Irresistible musical strategies reinforce the unique theme of every show, so preschoolers and parents can sing along and incorporate them into their daily lives. The executive producers of the popular animated series are Angela C. Santomero, Chief Creative Officer at 9 Story Media Group; Ellen Doherty, Chief Creative Officer of Fred Rogers Productions; and Vince Commisso, President & CEO, 9 Story Media Group.

The animated show has garnered a host of prestigious awards, including the 2019 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Preschool Children’s Animated Series, the 2020 Parents’ Choice Gold Award for Television, the 2018 Common Sense Media Seal of Approval, and is nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Youth Programming by the Television Critics Association in 2020. Apps, games, activities, and more from DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD can be found
on pbskids.org/daniel.

DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD Premiere Week – Episode Descriptions and Air Dates (check local listings):

“DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD: Won’t You Sing Along with Me?”
Premieres and streams beginning Monday, August 17
This sing-along special helps address some of the challenges and changes preschoolers and families have been facing lately. When Daniel learns he can’t gather with all of his neighbors at the Neighborhood Carnival this year, it leads to lots of big feelings and questions, including what to do when he misses people he loves, how to keep himself and others healthy, and how to find ways to enjoy the extra time at home with his family. Young fans will revisit their favorite songs from the show in this timely and topical DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD event.

“Daniel’s Substitute Teacher”
Premieres and streams Monday, August 17
Daniel is so excited for the Spring Sing at school today, but when he arrives, he discovers that Teacher Harriet is not there to teach the routine to the students. The class meets a substitute teacher named Mr. Malik. Daniel is hesitant at first, but learns that different can be fun, too.

“Prince Wednesday’s Accident/ Daniel and Miss Elaina’s Kite Accident”
Premieres and streams Tuesday, August 18

“Prince Wednesday’s Accident”
During a beach party at school, Prince Wednesday spills paint on his pants and the floor! He’s really upset, but telling Teacher Harriet what happened makes him feel so much better. Later, Daniel accidentally breaks someone else’s project, but he learns that accidents happen to everyone, and telling a grown-up about it is a good choice.

“Daniel and Miss Elaina’s Kite Accident”
Daniel is playing at Miss Elaina’s house when they accidentally break her dad’s old kite. They feel bad, but when they tell Music Man Stan what happened, he explains that accidents happen to everyone, even adults!

“Quiet Time at School/ Naptime in Blanket City”
Premieres and streams Wednesday, August 19

“Quiet Time at School”
It’s Quiet Time at school, but Daniel and Miss Elaina don’t want to stop playing with their trains. Teacher Harriet shows the kids the different ways they can settle down, like stretching, reading a book, or closing your eyes. After Quiet Time, Daniel and Miss Elaina are reenergized to continue playing trains, right where they left off.

“Naptime in Blanket City”
Daniel and Jodi make a pretend city out of all of the blankets in the Platypus house. When it’s nap time for Teddy and Leo, Jodi finds Leo’s missing blankie for him to snuggle—that’s what he needs to help him rest. Later, Daniel finds something to help him rest, too: cuddling with his favorite stuffie.

“The Fire Drill/ Daniel and Mom Go to the Market”
Premieres and streams Thursday, August 20
“The Fire Drill”
At school, Teacher Harriet shows the class what to do to stay safe during a fire drill. While Daniel and his friends are playing, the fire alarm starts to ring, and the class practices their fire drill, following Teacher Harriet’s instructions. The Neighborhood firefighters arrive to check on their classroom and teach the kids all about staying safe during an emergency.

“Daniel and Mom Go to the Market”
Daniel and Mom Tiger are making a yummy breakfast at home when a mug falls and shatters. Daniel is about to help pick up the pieces, but his mom tells him to stop and listen to stay safe while she cleans up. When they go to the market afterwards, Daniel gets lost in one of the aisles. With the help of Prince Tuesday, he stops and listens, and Mom Tiger is able to find him.

“Daniel Waits with Dad/ Margaret’s New Shoes”
Premieres and streams Friday, August 21

“Daniel Waits with Dad”
Daniel is SO excited for the new “Tigey the Adventure Tiger” book to come out, but before he can get it, he has to go to Dr. Plat’s office with Dad Tiger. Waiting can be hard, but playing and imagining make the waiting go faster. Once they’re at the library, Daniel and Jodi pretend while they wait in line, and soon he gets to read the book with Dad.

“Margaret’s New Shoes”
Daniel is excited to play at the playground, but first they need to go to the store to get new shoes for Margaret. It can be very hard to wait, but Daniel learns to sing and imagine to pass the time. Soon it’s time to go the playground—playing made the waiting easier!

About PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers children ages 2-8 the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, digital media and community-based programs. PBS KIDS and local stations across the country support the entire ecosystem in which children learn, including their teachers, parents and community. Provided by stations, the free PBS KIDS 24/7 channel and live stream is available to more than 95% of U.S. TV households. Kidscreen- and Webby Award-winning pbskids.org provides engaging interactive content, including digital games and streaming video. PBS KIDS offers mobile apps to help support young children’s learning, including the PBS KIDS Video app, which is available on a variety of mobile devices and on platforms such as Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Samsung TV and Chromecast. PBS KIDS also offers parent and teacher resources to support children’s learning anytime and anywhere. For more information on PBS KIDS content and initiatives supporting school readiness and more, visit pbs.org/pressroom, or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

About Fred Rogers Productions
Fred Rogers Productions was founded by Fred Rogers in 1971 as the non-profit producer of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for PBS. In the years that followed, it not only created hundreds of episodes this much-loved program, but also extended Fred’s values and approach to other efforts in promoting children’s social, emotional, and behavioral health while supporting parents, caregivers, teachers, and other professionals in their work with children. Fred Rogers Productions continues to build on Fred’s legacy in innovative ways through a wide variety of media and engages new generations of children and families with his timeless wisdom. The company’s highly-rated, Emmy Award-winning children’s series include Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Peg + Cat, Odd Squad, and Through the Woods as well as Donkey Hodie, the eagerly-anticipated puppet series, inspired by the character from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, launching winter 2021 on PBS KIDS. For more information, visit www.fredrogers.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

About 9 Story Media Group
9 Story Media Group is a leading creator, producer and distributor of kids and family focused intellectual property. Its award-winning animation studio, Brown Bag Films, is recognized around the world for best-in-class brands such as Doc McStuffins, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Octonauts, Wild Kratts, Peter Rabbit and The Magic School Bus: Rides Again. The company’s international distribution arm, 9 Story Distribution International based in Dublin, represents over 4,000 half-hours of animated and live-action programming, seen on some of the most respected international channels and platforms. Its in-house consumer products division, 9 Story Brands, builds international entertainment brands for kids, with expertise across creative, brand marketing, and licensing. With facilities in Toronto, Dublin, Manchester and New York, 9 Story Media Group employs over 800 creative and corporate staff. www.9story.com

About the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a private, nonprofit corporation created by Congress in 1967, is the steward of the federal government’s investment in public broadcasting. It helps support the operations more than 1,500 locally owned and operated public television and radio stations nationwide. CPB is also the largest single source of funding for research, technology and program development for public radio, television and related online services. For more information, visit www.cpb.org and follow us on Twitter @CPBmedia, Facebook and LinkedIn, and subscribe for email updates.

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Both Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood and Odd Squad have been nominated for a Television Critics Association (TCA) award. Both series are nominated in the "Outstanding Achievement in Youth Programming" category. Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood took home a win in this category in 2016.

Congratulations to our partners at 9 Story Media Group, Brown Bag Films, Sinking Ship Entertainment, and PBS KIDS.

Since 1984, the members of the TCA have voted for outstanding achievements in television. As professional consumers of the medium, TV critics are often the first to spot exemplary work in television. Read the official press release here.

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Tell us about yourself and how you came to work on Odd Squad.

I’ve been playing with computers since I was very young, and also making art, and so it took a while to find a job that satisfied both sides of my brain. Programming games, it turns out, is an excellent fusion of creativity and analytical thinking. And Odd Squad games aren’t just exercises in escapism; they help kids explore math and science topics, which is something I’m proud to be able to contribute to.

What was your television show when you were growing up?

I don’t know that I had a favorite, but I do have to mention: growing up in Canada, and in a small town to boot that only got a few TV channels with decent reception, I never got to see Mister Rogers' Neighborhood as a child, but I sure did love its Canadian kindred spirit show, Mr. Dressup! The theme song for that show was the first song I learned to play on the recorder.

What are the steps that go into making a game or other interactive experience for Odd Squad?

Our main goal in designing an Odd Squad game is to respect the zany spirit of the show and to present the learning goals within a fun, off-beat play experience. We brainstorm game ideas as a team, and then as a programmer, I write the code that brings the game to life, working with artists, writers, and educational advisors.

One of my favorite steps is watching kids playtest games that are in development. That’s how I learn which parts the kids find engaging and work well at conveying the learning goals, and which parts need to be made clearer, or more or less challenging, to deliver the best experience.

What’s your favorite episode of Odd Squad?

My favorite episodes are the ones that feature Soundcheck. I love the musical bits and can’t get enough of a boy band singing about arithmetic. So Odd Squad: The Movie was pretty great. It includes cast members from both Seasons 1 and 2 and (spoilers) has a VAN that goes to SPACE. What’s not to love?

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

I paint and read, and I love to take long walks and explore parts of the city I’m not familiar with. Lately I’ve been playing around in virtual reality a lot. I feel a bit conflicted about VR because I know not a lot of people have the privilege to experience it, but it’s such an exciting technology that I’m looking forward to it becoming more accessible to more people down the road.

If you could create any Odd Squad gadget, what would it do and what would it be called?

Hmmm, I think I’d have to make a Clone-inator, to make copies of myself for short periods of time. I feel like that way we could get the boring parts of my work done much more quickly, and have more time to get on to the fun stuff! That’s the kind of thing that could easily get out of control, but you have to live dangerously sometimes when you’re fighting oddness.

Play Odd Squad digital games here, and watch Odd Squad weekdays on PBS KIDS.

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Common Sense Media has named Odd Squad: Odd Beginnings as a Common Sense Selection for Families. The hour-long special kicked off the series' third season, featuring the newly-formed Odd Squad Mobile Unit. The new unit is a "team of kid agents who form a mobile unit response team tasked with investigating any and all odd happenings. To do so, they use math and science skills like units and means of measurement or simple machines as well as teamwork and strong problem-solving skills." The article mentions the special's focus on team-building and teamwork, as well as the concept of using math and science in everyday applications.

Read the full review on Common Sense Media's website. Watch Odd Squad weekdays on PBS KIDS.

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Can you share a little bit about yourself and how you came to work at Fred Rogers Productions?

Oh, mine is just a story about a girl who grew up in New Jersey, loved TV like it was her best friend, thought she’d become a journalist, went to a liberal arts college for English, landed happily in the world of educational media after college, and got really lucky when she moved to New York City in 2008 and landed a job working on the PBS KIDS series Cyberchase. I was there for 11 years, and by the time I left, was executive producer and story editor, overseeing all broadcast and digital content and beyond.

When I learned that Fred Rogers Productions had a new puppet series greenlit that was inspired by characters from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and that they needed someone to produce it, I couldn’t say no. I feel there are few, fortunate chances in children’s media to be part of an honored legacy like Fred Rogers’—not to mention launch something completely new. I had visited Pittsburgh a couple times and knew it was a cool town with lovely people. So, I packed up and headed (slightly further) west.

What was your favorite television show when you were growing up?

Where do I begin? There were honestly so many! All my favorite shows, from when I was young to my teenage years, helped me feel like I could “make it”—in small, everyday ways and big, “life” ways. I gravitated toward female characters who were independent and confident (for sure Punky Brewster), fearless and fun (Pippi Longstocking, anyone?), imperfect and relatable (paging Angela Chase from My So-Called Life), and aspirational go-getters (hello, Angela Bower from Who’s the Boss?). I’m so excited that Donkey Hodie is a little bit of all these things—and will be a role model for resilience and perseverance.

What are the steps that go into your role in making Donkey Hodie?

I help guide the series’ curriculum, character and story development, and creative vision overall, and work closely with our amazing partners at Spiffy Pictures. First, I collaborate with our child development advisors to determine which curricular themes we’ll address in our episodes (themes like taking things slowly or facing fears are two examples). The writing team at Spiffy takes those themes and develops stories around them, and I help shape them along the way. Once scripts are complete, the team heads into pre-production, which includes things like set and prop design, puppet design, and songwriting. Then, we shoot! And from there, post production begins, with review of rough cuts, visual effects, audio mixes, and more...

What is your favorite part about working on Donkey Hodie (without giving spoilers)?

Without question, it’s the people. I’m surrounded by talented, passionate, kind, funny, and dedicated people every direction I turn. From our puppeteers and production design team to our writers, crew, and post-production team, everyone’s creative input is making this series so special. I can’t wait to share it with the world soon. (No spoilers yet!)

Is there anything else you can share about Donkey Hodie and her pals?

Well, we’ve created a neighborhood full of quirky, hilarious, and lovable characters in the world of Someplace Else. Some are brand new, like Donkey Hodie herself. She’s the granddaughter of the original Donkey Hodie created by Fred Rogers, now known in our show as Grampy Hodie. Other friends like her best pal, Purple Panda, are also inspired by characters from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. It’ll be fun to watch the audience discover old and new friends along the way.

What do you like to do when you’re not working on the show?

Right now, my main hobbies include following home designers on Instagram and scouting local home and vintage shops (and yes, Target) to pull together my new apartment in Pittsburgh. It’s getting there!

What is it like to be a new Pittsburgher, and do you have any favorite things to do or places to go?!

I’m still learning the ropes! I’ve finally figured out “the Pittsburgh left,” which feels huge. Exploring food spots around my neighborhood has been a top priority, and some of my early favorites are KLVN Coffee Lab, Commerce Bar, Bitter Ends Luncheonette, and East End Brewing/Larder of East End. I have so much more to see and do!

Donkey Hodie is coming to PBS KIDS in 2021.

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you came to work with Schell Games.

I didn’t always know I wanted to work in games, I didn’t even realize that was a thing you could do as a job when I was really young. But in the mid 90s, I remember visiting Walt Disney World with my family and being invited to a “sneak peek” of a virtual reality play test. It was for Aladdin’s Magic Carpet Ride. I recall hearing all the developers talk about designing and making this experience and for the first time realized: people make these things; I could make these things!

After that I got into computer programming, applied to Carnegie Mellon University, and took a game design course, and fell in love. I asked the professor if there were any jobs at the university I could do around his course, and he instead told me he had started a studio, Schell Games, in Pittsburgh, and wanted to know if I wanted to work there.

That was 2005, and I’ve been at Schell Games almost all of that time (I did take some time off to finish graduate school). During that time, I’ve been able to work on theme park attractions, MMOs (massively multiplayer online games), mobile games, interactive toys, and of course several Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood games!

P.S. It turns out that my professor/ boss, Jesse Schell, actually worked on Aladdin’s Magic Carpet Ride. I didn’t realize this until years later. It really is a small world after all!

What was your favorite television show when you were growing up?

This is a hard choice, but I think I’d have to say Sailor Moon. It featured strong women leaders who value their friendships, justice, and themselves. The main character, Sailor Moon/Usagi, wasn’t the strongest or smartest person in the show, but she was the leader because she was the heart of the group. Her empathy and ability to bring love to every situation was really inspiring.

I think the reason the show sticks out so strongly in my childhood is also because my sister and I shared a special bond over the show. We would get up at 5 AM every morning to watch it. We ended up being so in love with the show, we built a fan website together in the 90s. That time together working on a passion project with my older sister was really important to me and further cemented my love of making interactive experiences for people.

What are the steps that go into your role in making a Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood game?

Typically to start a new Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood project, Schell Games and Fred Rogers Productions will meet and decide on a game theme or lesson we’d like to provide. We then explore how we can take that lesson and make it a fun and engaging experience for kids. What pre-existing games, toys, or lessons can we draw from? What’s a new way of looking at this issue that isn’t explored by other games? What is the strength of the show for this topic so we can lean into it?

As the game designer and project director on the Schell Games’ side, a large part of my job is listening to all the important parties—the show, the production team, the game development team, and most importantly, the kids and their parents. I take all their ideas and needs and try to combine them into a cohesive design.

Once we have a design we like and believe in, we prototype and immediately start testing with kids. I try to run a playtest once a week, and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh has been gracious enough to let us playtest there often. Observing kids and their parents engaging with the games allows us to iterate on the design to ensure that it’s hitting the lesson we want, easy to use, and, of course, that they enjoy playing it!

What is your favorite Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood project that you have worked on?

I love them all for different reasons, but I think if I had to pick it would be the Neighbor Day game. The concept of the game is simple—you and Daniel visit all the Neighborhood kids, and together you complete some task for Neighbor Day at every neighbor’s house. This could be decorating a cake, or cleaning off the party picnic table. I just love that it highlights the simple tasks that we can all do in service of one another, and that by doing these things together, we become a closer community. I like to think that this game, as well as others, answers in some part Fred’s call to “make goodness attractive.”

It’s also one of the last games I got to work on with Cathy Droz (former digital producer for Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood) before she retired from Fred Rogers Productions. Her wisdom and insight into kids as well as her experience with Fred Rogers himself were really valuable to the games and a treasure for myself. She became a dear friend of mine through the years of working on these games.

What do you like to do when you’re not working on the show?

Well of course, as a game designer, I play a lot of  games. My personal favorites are Minecraft and Stardew Valley. But when I’m not playing games, I’m usually crafting. My crafting includes sewing costumes, needle felting cute little figures, building box mazes for the neighborhood Halloween party, painting, and everything in between! I’m an equal opportunity crafter and love trying new things out. I guess I just really like making things!

With the COVID-19 quarantines going on, I’ve been putting my crafting hobby to use sewing face masks for my coworkers, neighbors, and family. It’s really helped me feel less helpless during this situation. Together we can help make the world a better place.