The Jim Henson Company has
finalized an agreement with PBS KIDS to debut the all-new
CGI-animated series, DINOSAUR TRAIN, in September 2009. The new series
embraces and celebrates the fascination that preschoolers have with
both dinosaurs and trains while encouraging basic scientific
thinking and skills as the audience learns about natural science,
natural history and paleontology.
DINOSAUR TRAIN is seen through
the eyes of Buddy, a preschool-aged Tyrannosaurus Rex. Buddy and his
adoptive family of Pteranodons go for adventures on the Dinosaur
Train to meet all kinds of dinosaurs in different eras and learn
fascinating new facts about these incredible creatures.
Listen to the official
Henson.com podcast with creator of Dinosaur Train, Craig Bartlett!
DINOSAUR TRAIN will:
Spark children’s interest in science,
especially life science, natural science and paleontology.
Develop children’s inquiry skills to help
children think like scientists, by engaging in the following
behaviors: asking questions, making observations, making
predictions, making connections, forming hypotheses / developing
possible explanations, investigating and exploring the natural
world, drawing conclusions, and sharing findings with others.
Provide core science knowledge to enable
children to explore the worlds of life science, natural science and
paleontology.
Inspire children to visit local science and
natural history museums, go on “fossil hunts,” and conduct their own
explorations and investigations about the animal kingdom.
The show’s website will provide online and offline games,
activities and resources that will reinforce and further expand the
show’s themes including animal behavior, comparing and contrasting
animal features, ecology, natural science and more! The site will
also reinforce understanding paleontology as a living science and
celebrate the new discoveries of this ever-changing and exciting
science.
Buddy, a curious, funny, and intelligent T-Rex is the star of
the show. He is cautious, but always ready to jump into action
and start asking questions. While on the Dinosaur Train, Buddy
makes a hypothesis and begins searching for the answers to his
questions with the help of his Mom, the Conductor, and the new
dinosaurs he meets on the train. When Buddy isn't taking
exciting trips on the Dinosaur Train, he is playing with his
siblings, Don, Tiny, and Shiny and anticipating their next
adventure.
Tiny
Tiny, who loves to make rhymes, is quite clever and very
brave. Tiny approaches every dinosaur she meets with the
confidence of a news reporter trying to get the full scoop. Tiny
is so brave that she often wanders a little bit too far; but,
Buddy is always there to help her get back on the right track.
And in return, Tiny is fiercely protective of her brother Buddy.
Tiny also has two Pteranodon siblings: Don and Shiny.
Shiny
Shiny is more "girly" than Tiny and proud of her shiny
exterior, but can become shy in social situations. Shiny is
outgoing with her siblings and acts as if she is the "wisest."
She can be a bit of a show-off and loves role playing with her
brothers and sister. Shiny is happiest at home in Pteranodon
Terrace hanging out with Dad and Don, while her Mom, Buddy, and
Tiny take trips on the Dinosaur Train.
Don
Don is a sweet, mellow little Pteranodon. Although he has a
goofy streak, he is steady as a rock and very focused on the
task at hand. Don is loyal to all his siblings and graciously
waits his turn. Once his mind is made up, though, Don goes
enthusiastically head-first into every challenge.
Mrs. Pteranodon
Mrs. Pteranodon: teacher, companion, and tour guide
extraordinaire. But, first and foremost, she is "Mom" to Buddy,
Don, Tiny, and Shiny. She is always there to listen to Buddy's
questions about being an adopted member of the Pteranodon
family. Mrs. Pteranodon is intent on a good education, but she
is also always looking for ways to let her kids explore their
world.
Mr. Pteranodon
The kids' devoted, hands-on "sports dad," Mr. Pteranodon
loves to approach parenting like coaching a team. He can even
make a squawk that sounds like a whistle when he needs to call
"time out!" He exhorts his kids to work together towards their
goals, often calling out, "Go Team Pteranodon!" He is fun, can
be a little silly, and encourages the kids to "be adventurous."
The Conductor
The Conductor is a Troodon and a special friend to Buddy and
his family. He becomes one of Buddy's heroes because he is the
Conductor of one the most awesome trains of all, the Dinosaur
Train! The Conductor is very intelligent and is happy to explain
facts about dinosaurs, the places they visit and even how the
Dinosaur Train works.
“Based on input from
paleontologists, science educators and early childhood education
experts, DINOSAUR TRAIN has developed an ambitious and creative
curriculum that harnesses children’s enthusiasm for and curiosity
about dinosaurs, sparking children’s interest in life science and
natural history,” states Henson. “PBS KIDS has been an incredible
partner with our current series SID THE SCIENCE KID, and our new
project DINOSAUR TRAIN extends our mutual vision of creating
quality, educational preschool programming by encouraging even more
young viewers to get excited about science and the role it plays in
our lives every day.”
“PBS is thrilled to bring in a second series from The Jim Henson
Company,” said Boland. “There is a great need for future leadership
in science, technology, engineering and math, and with series like
DINOSAUR TRAIN, PBS is leveraging its media assets to help guide
children through these core curriculum areas.”
Stay tuned for more details on
the show and the great children's toy train sets that are on their
way for 2010....
If you love this, you'll love the new BBC TV series
coming to the USA in the Fall of 2009 called
Chuggington.
