LPWire: Little Einsteins, a new Playhouse Disney series debuts in 2005

Little Einsteins, A New Series for Preschoolers, To Debut During Playhouse Disney on Disney Channel

Disney's "Little Einstein," an innovative new TV series focused on sparking curiosity through exploration will premiere in October during the daily Playhouse Disney programming block on Disney Channel. The series and a Disney DVD/video release in August will build on the cachet of the #1 infant/preschool brand Baby Einstein and will anchor the emergence of a new preschool franchise from The Baby Einstein Company. The joint announcement was made today by Rich Ross, President, Disney Channel Worldwide, and Russell Hampton, Senior Vice President and General Manager, The Baby Einstein Company, LLC.

Hampton said, "Parents who know and trust the Baby Einstein brand have been clamoring for quality products that will continue to expose their children to music, art and nature in new ways as they grow from toddlers to preschoolers. 'Little Einsteins' is the result of creative geniuses who took the essence of Baby Einstein and combined it with Playhouse Disney's philosophy of teaching skills that help develop 'well-rounded' children to create a series that is like no other."

Acclaimed two-time Emmy nominee Eric Weiner ("JoJo's Circus," "Dora the Explorer") is executive producer of the series. Child development expert Dr. Valeria Lovelace ("Dora the Explorer," and former head of research for "Sesame Street") is the curriculum adviser and Cordelia Bergamo, who has taught classical music to preschoolers for three decades, is the musical advisor.

The "Little Einsteins" series builds on the experiences of the Baby Einstein brand and will provide preschoolers with new ways to hear and see music and art. In every episode, the characters journey through the landscape of at least one renowned painting or work of art from a range of cultures. Classical music takes an active role in the "Little Einsteins" stories, affirming the pleasurable appeal of music while teaching preschoolers to make music themselves. Young viewers and their parents/caregivers are invited to participate in the storyline by rocking, patting, clapping, marching, conducting or playing simple instruments to the steady beat of the music. Studies show that the "steady beat" skill helps children learn and develop on multiple levels including reading. Rather than just hearing such compositions as Beethoven's "Ode to Joy," preschoolers will meet a caterpillar that "sings" it; and when birthday balloons bump together, they "play" Mozart's "Eine Kleine Nachmusik."

Ross said, "'Little Einsteins' is a key addition to Playhouse Disney's 2005 schedule. The series will add depth to our strong learning-based program line up. We're privileged to be working with our colleagues at The Baby Einstein Company and once again with the talented Eric Weiner on what we know will be both a welcome series for parents and a favorite for preschoolers."

Marking a "first" in preschool animation, the loveable band of 2D "Little Einsteins" characters is set against vibrant, real-world backdrops - including footage of the African jungle, Arctic Lapland, outer space, a Monarch butterfly habitat in Mexico, the Great Wall of China, the Green Mountains of Vermont, the Grand Canyon, the Sahara desert and the ocean. Each 24-minute, highly interactive mission is the result of extensive feedback from real preschoolers and brings five learning elements to life - responding to music, listening to music, creating music, music collaboration and music and art appreciation - in ways that preschoolers enjoy and understand.

A team of four relatable "peers" will take preschoolers on grand adventures around the world. They are: six-year-old Leonardo who acts as the conductor, his four-year-old sister Annie, who loves to sing, their neighbors, a five-year-old African American boy named Quincy who is a musical virtuoso, and six-year-old June, a talented dancer of Asian descent. The four heroes meet in Leo and Annie's backyard clubhouse and, before long, they have a dilemma to solve and a specific goal to reach. The heroes enlist their amazing escort, the dynamic Rocket, and together they blast off on "the mission of the day" which can include Rocket taking them dipping through Van Gogh's Starry Night among other interesting new "places." When they encounter obstacles, the heroes enlist the viewer's help to help them on their quest.

The characters engage viewers to respond verbally and physically, as they hear music, see nature, explore amazing locales and discover classic works of art while using problem-solving skills applicable to the real world.

"With preschoolers, it is extremely important to get them up, moving and involved with what's happening on the screen," said Dr. Lovelace. "Not only does 'Little Einsteins' encourage them to sing, hum, conduct and create their own music, but it also helps them recognize the sounds of different instruments and the beauty in art when they see and hear things in the real world."

The timeslot and premiere date for "Little Einsteins" will be announced at a later date. "Little Einsteins" is a production of Curious Pictures.

"Little Einsteins'" first mission, entitled "Our Huge Adventure," will blast off on Disney DVD/Video in August. It all begins when Annie befriends an adorable little caterpillar in the middle of Van Gogh's "Wheat Field with Cypresses." The team's mission: to get little caterpillar to the tree so he can turn into a beautiful Monarch butterfly. This exciting, storm-filled journey is set to the dramatic music of Beethoven's 9th Symphony and features other classic artworks including Hokusai's "Under the Wave Off Kanagawa."

The Baby Einstein Company, LLC, is the award-winning creator of the infant developmental media category. The company is famous for its best-selling Baby Einstein™ brand of videos, books, music CDs and toys specifically designed for babies and toddlers, from birth. Little Einsteins™, debuting in 2005, is the company's newest venture, specifically created for the preschool market. Headquartered in Glendale, CA, The Baby Einstein Company is a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. For more information, visit www.babyeinstein.com or www.LittleEinstein.com.

--Posted March 2, 2005
Source: Disney Company Release