Press Release from The Jim Henson Company
HOLLYWOOD, Calif., April 27 -- Did you ever wonder why your stomach growls when you're hungry, why your face can hurt when you laugh, or how your brain and muscles interact? Five new SID THE SCIENCE KID episodes will explore these and other intriguing topics pertaining to how the body works -- all presented in a fun, engaging half-hour format created to inspire preschoolers' natural curiosity. Starting Monday, May 4, the episodes will premiere over a one-week period on the popular PBS KIDS preschool destination, an educational, hosted two-hour morning television block. (Please check local listings.) An interactive site at pbskids.org/sid extends the series' fun and learning.
"Special Mom Day Meal," a celebration of Sid's appreciation for his mother, will air May 4 and again on May 10, Mother's Day (check local listings). In this episode, as Sid helps prepare a French toast breakfast for mom, his stomach starts gurgling -- and he wonders why and how it makes that noise. When Sid and his friends investigate at school, they discover many fascinating facts about what happens to your food once you've eaten it. Filled with science-themed activities kids and parents can do at home together, "Special Mom Day Meal" also promotes healthy eating and teamwork.
Beginning on Monday May 4th, kids can visit Sid's website at www.pbskids.org/sid to download printable Mother's Day cards to personalize for mom. They can also explore the show's weekly theme about the body by playing its newest game, "Muscle Memory," where kids learn all about muscles while helping Sid and his Dad move their bodies. Other online Sid activities launching May 4th include a free ringtone for mom of the show's popular "I Love My Mom" song available for a short time at http://www.pbs.org/parents/special/mothersday.html and the launch of the Sid the Science Kid Soundtrack Volume 1, available at www.amazon.com.
Developed to inspire a lifelong curiosity and love for learning in young children, SID THE SCIENCE KID appeals to children's instinctive quest to figure things out, using humor and music as key teaching tools. The series was created using the groundbreaking Henson Digital Puppetry Studio, which allows performers to puppeteer and voice digital characters in real-time, creating an unprecedented level of spontaneity and warmth. To learn more about the Henson Digital Puppetry Studio, visit www.creatureshop.com.
Sid, the show's energetic and inquisitive preschool star, starts each episode with a new question and then embarks on a fun-filled day of exploration and discovery as he encourages preschoolers to think about how to find answers to their own questions. Joining Sid are his friends Gabriela, May and Gerald; his teacher Susie; his dog Philbert; Grandma; Mom; Dad and Zeke, Sid's baby brother.
Week Of May 4: "The Body" Episode Synopses:
"Special Mom Day Meal" -- Sid declares that it's a special Mom Day, so he makes Mom French toast for breakfast. When Sid smells the French toast and his stomach growls, he wonders if his stomach is trying to talk to him. When Sid and his friends investigate at school, they discover that the stomach makes noise when it's getting ready for digestion.
"I Have Muscles Where?" -- When Sid's Dad tells him a really funny joke, Sid laughs so hard that his face hurts. Sid wonders why his face would hurt if the joke was funny? When Sid and his friends investigate at school, they learn that they have muscles all over their bodies, even in their faces!
"Sid's Amazing Lungs" -- Sid races around his room and finds himself breathing really fast. Sid then wonders where all the air is going in his body when he breathes in? At school, Sid and his friends discover that our bodies have lungs to help us breathe in oxygen!
"How Did My Dog Do That?" -- When Sid's dog Philbert uses his foot to scratch his ear, Sid tries the same maneuver, but can't do it. Sid explores skeletons, and discovers that animals have different bones and joints than people, which allows them to do lots of cool stuff like swing from trees, fly in the air, or even scratch their ears with their feet!
"Now That's Using Your Brain" -- When Sid figures out a new way to get ready for school super fast, Mom says to him, "Now that's using your brain!" Sid wants to know what that means, and discovers that the brain controls all kinds of things like walking, thinking, breathing, and getting ready for school!
Major funding for SID THE SCIENCE KID is provided by First 5 California, The Boeing Company, The Rose Hills Foundation, The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations and PBS.
SID THE SCIENCE KID is a co-production of The Jim Henson Company and KCET/Los Angeles for PBS KIDS. Brian Henson, Lisa Henson and Halle Stanford of The Jim Henson Company, along with Bradley Zweig, serve as executive producers. Joyce Campbell is executive producer for KCET. Mary Mazur is executive in charge of production for KCET. The Jim Henson Company is handling all ancillary use of the property including licensing, video and merchandising. The Web site at pbskids.org/sid is being produced by KCET New Media, which has partnered with multimedia design studio FableVision. Executive producer of the Web site is KCET's Jackie Kain.