Daniel Tiger is going to be a movie star. Well, kind of. PBS Kids will debut a new animated film titled The Daniel Tiger Movie: Won’t You Be Our Neighbor? This September. The one-hour movie will feature social/emotional-based school-readiness themes.
The Daniel Tiger Movie finds Daniel and the rest of his community welcoming the new Platypus family to the neighborhood. The special will premiere the week of September 17 on PBS Kids and the PBS Kids 24/7 channel and live stream. It will also be available via the network’s website and video app.
“School readiness is crucial, and social-emotional learning lies at its core,” stated Lesli Rotenberg, the senior VP and general manager for children’s media and education at PBS. “We need today more than ever some of the lessons that Fred divined in terms of inclusiveness and community and what it means to be a good neighbor,” Rotenberg said.
“PBS Kids’ goal is to use the power of media to prepare every child for success in school and life. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is a prime example of this approach. Research shows that the fan-favorite series nurtures empathy and enhances emotional recognition—important skills for preschoolers as they start school.”
“The movie gave show writers a chance to tell a big story about what happens when the new character Jodi Platypus arrives, but also several stories within that one,” show creator Angela Santomero told USA Today. “One of her favorite books gets lost. Daniel helps her find it and she is forever grateful and the fact they have time to bond, it helps Jodi as she starts school,” Santomero said.
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is PBS Kids’ most streamed show. You can learn more at http://pbskids.org/daniel/
