Miss Lori and Hooper
Encyclopedia
The PBS Kids Preschool Block is a block
of children's television shows
which airs
on PBS Kids
. The block premiered with Curious George
on Monday, September 4, 2006 (Labor Day
2006). The block is aired weekdays at 8:00 AM local time on most PBS member stations.
), an actress and teacher who currently resides in New Jersey.
Mr.Steve/SteveSongs: Mr. Steve leads "Music Time with SteveSongs", which is a :60 song, usually performed on guitar, relating to the day's curriculum. Children join Mr. Steve by singing along and sometimes perform choreography. Mr. Steve is performed by Steve Roslonek
, also known as SteveSongs, a professional recording artist.
Sally: Sally is a computer-animated salamander
who attends the P Juinoir.
Hooper: Hooper is a computer-animated guinea pig who attends the PBS Kids preschool. He appears throughout the programming block and in a segment called Adventures with Hooper. At one time in pre-production, the name "Bobo" was considered for this character. Max Marko a Middle School student in Amherst, New York is the voice of Hooper. He was in elementary school when he was picked to be the voice of Hooper.
Dash: Dash is the computer-animated boy from the PBS Kids logo. He hosts Dash's Secret Treasure Game and Dash's Dance Party, Like Hooper, Dash is one of the three characters (Including Dot) that is voiced by an unknown, although a behind the scenes photo from Myspace shows a boy in front of a green screen presumably portraying Dash.
Miss Lori: Miss Lori was a PBS Kids preschool teacher until fall 2009. She led lessons based on a daily curriculum, singing and playing games with children who appear on the show. Miss Lori was the first live host in the program's history. Miss Lori is performed by Lori Holton Nash, an actress and educator who currently resides in Chicago, IL.
Dot: Dot was included in the hosted segments of the programming block from 2007 and onwards. She was featured in Dot's Story Factory, a storytelling game that kids can play online at the PBS Kids site. The stories are now seen after various episodes of Martha Speaks
, Franny's Feet
, and Wishbone
, which are not in the block. http://pressroom.pbs.org/_/Document/_/subject_pbs_kids_season.doc She is also one of the three characters in this block that the voice over for Dot is an unknown, Although however, that one of the live action kids in this block could also be the voice of Dot.
, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Dragon Tales
, and It's a Big Big World
. Each day, Miss Lori and Hooper would try to solve a problem, which was related to a daily curriculum. After Clifford the Big Red Dog, there was a short dance as well as a song, performed by Rebecca Frezza and Big Truck, Milkshake
, or Miss Lori herself. Dash's Game of the Day aired just before Dragon Tales. Dash showed viewers how to play a game on the PBS Kids website.
Season 2 premiered on September 3, 2007 and introduced Dot to the character cast. Dragon Tales was moved to make room for Super Why!
which replaced It's a Big Big World. Dot's Story Factory started this season. Dot showed a story created online by kids at the PBS Kids site. It was shown at the end of every Super Why! episode. In other brief activities between the shows, Miss Lori and Hooper emphasized basic literacy and numeracy skills, fine arts, movement, music, and health. Dash's Game of the Day continued to air, and new music videos were produced.
In Season 3, two new live-action characters were introduced: Miss Rosa and Mr. Steve. All characters seen in previous seasons were also in this season. http://www.pbs.org/aboutpbs/news/20080416_spanishcontent.html Season 3 started on May 5, 2008, and it included the same programs as the previous season. Dash's Secret Treasure, a matching game to match the theme of the day, replaced Dash's Game of the Day. Miss Rosa hosted Spanish-language and other curriculum-based segments, and Mr. Steve hosted Music Time. Miss Lori was still seen but less frequently. Hooper continued to be seen, along with Dot's Story Factory.
Season 4 started on September 1, 2008. Sid the Science Kid
premiered, pushing Clifford the Big Red Dog to a new time and removing Dragon Tales from the block. Dot's Story Factory was usually shown at the end of every show rather than only one show. Miss Rosa, Hooper, Mr. Steve, and this is the last season were Miss Lori appears in, and Dash's Secret Treasure continued to air.
Season 5 started on September 7, 2009. Clifford the Big Red Dog was replaced by Dinosaur Train
. A new segment called Dash's Dance Party encourage children to be active and dance. It alternates daily with Dash's Secret Treasure Game. Miss Rosa, Mr. Steve and Hooper continue to be seen throughout the two hours. As of this season, Miss Lori is no longer seen. The entire programming block is now in high-definition, except for some funding promos and older episodes of Curious George.
Season 6 started on September 6, 2010. The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!
premiered on this date, and retired Sid the Science Kid from the block. Two new segments were introduced this season. Everyday Miss Rosa brings children on the PBS Kids Field Trip. Viewers are taken out to the real world to explore and discover. Where in the World is Hooper? also began this season. Hooper visits a new place to learn new things. New SteveSongs segments were also performed, and Dash's Dance Party was revised to include The Cat in the Hat in the online dancing game.
as well as a song
. This portion of the show was abandoned, when Mr. Steve joined.
Milkshake
Rebecca Frezza and Big Truck
Miss Lori
Starting with season five, all of these segments were discontinued, except for Music Time. Adventures with Hooper was introduced.
Returning shows (as of that year) are in green, new shows (as of that year) are in red.
Block programming
Block programming or television block is a strategy of broadcast programming and radio programmers. Block programming occurs when the television network schedules similar television programs back-to-back. The concept is to provide similar programming to keep the viewers. Radio stations use it...
of children's television shows
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
which airs
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
on PBS Kids
PBS Kids
PBS Kids is the brand for children's programming aired by the Public Broadcasting Service in the United States founded in 1993. As with all PBS programming, PBS Kids programming is non-commercial. It is aimed at children ages 2 to 10...
. The block premiered with Curious George
Curious George
Curious George is the protagonist of a series of popular children's books by the same name, written by Hans Augusto Rey and Margret Rey. The books feature a curious brown monkey named George, who is brought from his home in Africa by "The Man with The Yellow Hat" to live with him in a big city.When...
on Monday, September 4, 2006 (Labor Day
Labor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
2006). The block is aired weekdays at 8:00 AM local time on most PBS member stations.
Characters
Miss Rosa: Miss Rosa is the PBS Kids preschool teacher. She incorporates Spanish language into the daily curriculum and leads children through educational games and activities. Miss Rosa is performed by Jennifer Pena (not to be confused with Grammy-nominated Latin singer Jennifer PenaJennifer Peña
Jennifer Marcella Peña , is an American Latin Pop/Tejano singer and actress who has sold over 3.5 million records internationally. Peña is the third and youngest daughter of Jaime and Mary Peña with other siblings Janet and Jackie...
), an actress and teacher who currently resides in New Jersey.
Mr.Steve/SteveSongs: Mr. Steve leads "Music Time with SteveSongs", which is a :60 song, usually performed on guitar, relating to the day's curriculum. Children join Mr. Steve by singing along and sometimes perform choreography. Mr. Steve is performed by Steve Roslonek
Steve Roslonek
Steve Roslonek is an American children's music performer whose band SteveSongs has garnered several awards from parenting organizations, such as the Parents' Choice Award and the iParenting Media Awards. His music is featured on the Miss Lori and Hooper segments of PBS Kids Preschool Destination,...
, also known as SteveSongs, a professional recording artist.
Sally: Sally is a computer-animated salamander
Salamander
Salamander is a common name of approximately 500 species of amphibians. They are typically characterized by a superficially lizard-like appearance, with their slender bodies, short noses, and long tails. All known fossils and extinct species fall under the order Caudata, while sometimes the extant...
who attends the P Juinoir.
Hooper: Hooper is a computer-animated guinea pig who attends the PBS Kids preschool. He appears throughout the programming block and in a segment called Adventures with Hooper. At one time in pre-production, the name "Bobo" was considered for this character. Max Marko a Middle School student in Amherst, New York is the voice of Hooper. He was in elementary school when he was picked to be the voice of Hooper.
Dash: Dash is the computer-animated boy from the PBS Kids logo. He hosts Dash's Secret Treasure Game and Dash's Dance Party, Like Hooper, Dash is one of the three characters (Including Dot) that is voiced by an unknown, although a behind the scenes photo from Myspace shows a boy in front of a green screen presumably portraying Dash.
Miss Lori: Miss Lori was a PBS Kids preschool teacher until fall 2009. She led lessons based on a daily curriculum, singing and playing games with children who appear on the show. Miss Lori was the first live host in the program's history. Miss Lori is performed by Lori Holton Nash, an actress and educator who currently resides in Chicago, IL.
Dot: Dot was included in the hosted segments of the programming block from 2007 and onwards. She was featured in Dot's Story Factory, a storytelling game that kids can play online at the PBS Kids site. The stories are now seen after various episodes of Martha Speaks
Martha Speaks (TV series)
Martha Speaks is an animated children's television sitcom based on the 1992 children's book of the same name by Susan Meddaugh about a talking dog named Martha , who is owned by ten-year-old Helen Lorraine...
, Franny's Feet
Franny's Feet
Franny's Feet is an animated series for children. It is produced by DHX Media/Halifax Film in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and created by Cathy Moss and Susan Nielsen. The show follows the adventures of four-year-old Frances "Franny" Fantootsie as she tries on various pairs of shoes and travels to...
, and Wishbone
Wishbone (TV series)
Wishbone is a television show which aired from 1995 to 1998 and reruns from 1998 to 2001 in the United States featuring a Jack Russell Terrier of the same name. The main character, the talking dog Wishbone, lives with his owner Joe Talbot in the fictional modern town of Oakdale, Texas...
, which are not in the block. http://pressroom.pbs.org/_/Document/_/subject_pbs_kids_season.doc She is also one of the three characters in this block that the voice over for Dot is an unknown, Although however, that one of the live action kids in this block could also be the voice of Dot.
Throughout the block
Season 1 premiered on September 4, 2006. Characters included Miss Lori, Hooper, and Dash, who were featured before and after each program. Shows in Season 1 were Curious GeorgeCurious George (TV series)
Curious George is an animated television series based on the Curious George children's book series, which features Jeff Bennett as the voice of The Man with the Yellow Hat. Frank Welker, who voiced George in the 2006 feature film, returns here as the voice of Curious George. The stories of Season...
, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Dragon Tales
Dragon Tales
Dragon Tales is an American animated pre-school children's television series chronicling the adventures of two siblings, Max and Emmy and their dragon friends Cassie, Ord, Zak, Wheezie, and Quetzal...
, and It's a Big Big World
It's a Big Big World
It's A Big Big World is an American children's television show on PBS Kids, that debuted January 2, 2006. It was originally part of Miss Lori and Hooper's schedule block, but it was replaced in that block on September 3, 2007, though ran for a few years that followed...
. Each day, Miss Lori and Hooper would try to solve a problem, which was related to a daily curriculum. After Clifford the Big Red Dog, there was a short dance as well as a song, performed by Rebecca Frezza and Big Truck, Milkshake
Milkshake (band)
Milkshake is a rock band that writes and performs songs for children. Milkshake was founded by Lisa Mathews and Mikel Gehl, both members of the rock group LOVE RiOT. After becoming new parents , they found themselves thinking up songs to entertain their toddlers, and consequently recorded an album...
, or Miss Lori herself. Dash's Game of the Day aired just before Dragon Tales. Dash showed viewers how to play a game on the PBS Kids website.
Season 2 premiered on September 3, 2007 and introduced Dot to the character cast. Dragon Tales was moved to make room for Super Why!
Super Why!
Super Why! or The Reading Adventures of Super Why! is a CGI animated show developed by Angela C. Santomero and Samantha Freeman Alpert. The TV series is produced by New York City-based Out of the Blue Enterprises and Toronto-based DHX Media through its Decode Entertainment division. The show...
which replaced It's a Big Big World. Dot's Story Factory started this season. Dot showed a story created online by kids at the PBS Kids site. It was shown at the end of every Super Why! episode. In other brief activities between the shows, Miss Lori and Hooper emphasized basic literacy and numeracy skills, fine arts, movement, music, and health. Dash's Game of the Day continued to air, and new music videos were produced.
In Season 3, two new live-action characters were introduced: Miss Rosa and Mr. Steve. All characters seen in previous seasons were also in this season. http://www.pbs.org/aboutpbs/news/20080416_spanishcontent.html Season 3 started on May 5, 2008, and it included the same programs as the previous season. Dash's Secret Treasure, a matching game to match the theme of the day, replaced Dash's Game of the Day. Miss Rosa hosted Spanish-language and other curriculum-based segments, and Mr. Steve hosted Music Time. Miss Lori was still seen but less frequently. Hooper continued to be seen, along with Dot's Story Factory.
Season 4 started on September 1, 2008. Sid the Science Kid
Sid the Science Kid
Sid the Science Kid is a half-hour PBS Kids series that debuted on September 1, 2008. The computer generated show is produced by Jim Henson Productions and then-PBS member KCET in Los Angeles, California using the Henson Digital Puppetry Studio...
premiered, pushing Clifford the Big Red Dog to a new time and removing Dragon Tales from the block. Dot's Story Factory was usually shown at the end of every show rather than only one show. Miss Rosa, Hooper, Mr. Steve, and this is the last season were Miss Lori appears in, and Dash's Secret Treasure continued to air.
Season 5 started on September 7, 2009. Clifford the Big Red Dog was replaced by Dinosaur Train
Dinosaur Train
Dinosaur Train is an American animated series created by Craig Bartlett. The series features a curious young T. rex named Buddy who, together with his adopted Pteranodon family, takes the Dinosaur Train to meet, explore, and have adventures with all kinds of dinosaurs.It was the second show by The...
. A new segment called Dash's Dance Party encourage children to be active and dance. It alternates daily with Dash's Secret Treasure Game. Miss Rosa, Mr. Steve and Hooper continue to be seen throughout the two hours. As of this season, Miss Lori is no longer seen. The entire programming block is now in high-definition, except for some funding promos and older episodes of Curious George.
Season 6 started on September 6, 2010. The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!
The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!
The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! is an American/Canadian/British animated television series that premiered August 7, 2010 on Treehouse TV in Canada, on September 6, 2010 on PBS Kids in the US and also in the UK on CITV and Cartoonito...
premiered on this date, and retired Sid the Science Kid from the block. Two new segments were introduced this season. Everyday Miss Rosa brings children on the PBS Kids Field Trip. Viewers are taken out to the real world to explore and discover. Where in the World is Hooper? also began this season. Hooper visits a new place to learn new things. New SteveSongs segments were also performed, and Dash's Dance Party was revised to include The Cat in the Hat in the online dancing game.
Bands and their songs
During Season One, each day's segments included a short danceDance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
as well as a song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
. This portion of the show was abandoned, when Mr. Steve joined.
Milkshake
- It's My Birthday!
- Help Me Help You
- Picture This
- Rainy Day or Rainy Day Fun
- Rhyme Time
- Sally's Garden (Originally aired in the PBS Kids Share the Earth Day special for one minute and thirty seconds and was called "Plant a Garden". Now it is only one minute.)
- This is Our Earth (Originally aired in the PBS Kids Share the Earth Day special for one minute and thirty seconds, but now it is only one minute.)
- What's That Sound?
- You Can Be
Rebecca Frezza and Big Truck
- Baby Brother
- Oh No!
- Five Senses
- A Place To Call Home
- Reach Up High
- The Rhythm in Your Heart
- Jump Jump Jump!
- S-H-A-R-E
Miss Lori
- Me and My Postcards
- Mouse on the Run
- This Song About This Song
Segments
From season two to season four, there were between-show segments with the participating children. These brief activities, generally assisted or narrated by Hooper, emphasize basic literacy and numeracy, fine arts, movement, music, and health.- Art Time
- Computer Time
- Hooper Time
- Math Time
- Movin' and Groovin' Time
- Music Time with SteveSongs
- Nature Time
- Reading Time
- Singing Time
- Science Time
- Snack Time
Starting with season five, all of these segments were discontinued, except for Music Time. Adventures with Hooper was introduced.
Shows Aired on the Block
- Curious GeorgeCurious George (TV series)Curious George is an animated television series based on the Curious George children's book series, which features Jeff Bennett as the voice of The Man with the Yellow Hat. Frank Welker, who voiced George in the 2006 feature film, returns here as the voice of Curious George. The stories of Season...
(2006–present) - Clifford the Big Red Dog (2006-2009)
- Dinosaur TrainDinosaur TrainDinosaur Train is an American animated series created by Craig Bartlett. The series features a curious young T. rex named Buddy who, together with his adopted Pteranodon family, takes the Dinosaur Train to meet, explore, and have adventures with all kinds of dinosaurs.It was the second show by The...
(2009–present) - Dragon TalesDragon TalesDragon Tales is an American animated pre-school children's television series chronicling the adventures of two siblings, Max and Emmy and their dragon friends Cassie, Ord, Zak, Wheezie, and Quetzal...
(2006–2008) - It's a Big Big WorldIt's a Big Big WorldIt's A Big Big World is an American children's television show on PBS Kids, that debuted January 2, 2006. It was originally part of Miss Lori and Hooper's schedule block, but it was replaced in that block on September 3, 2007, though ran for a few years that followed...
(2006-2007) - Sid the Science KidSid the Science KidSid the Science Kid is a half-hour PBS Kids series that debuted on September 1, 2008. The computer generated show is produced by Jim Henson Productions and then-PBS member KCET in Los Angeles, California using the Henson Digital Puppetry Studio...
(2008–2010) - Super Why!Super Why!Super Why! or The Reading Adventures of Super Why! is a CGI animated show developed by Angela C. Santomero and Samantha Freeman Alpert. The TV series is produced by New York City-based Out of the Blue Enterprises and Toronto-based DHX Media through its Decode Entertainment division. The show...
(2007–2011) - The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! is an American/Canadian/British animated television series that premiered August 7, 2010 on Treehouse TV in Canada, on September 6, 2010 on PBS Kids in the US and also in the UK on CITV and Cartoonito...
(2010–present)
Returning shows (as of that year) are in green, new shows (as of that year) are in red.
| PBS Kids | 8:00 a.m. | 8:30 a.m. | 9:00 a.m. | 9:30 a.m. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 4, 2006 | Curious George Curious George Curious George is the protagonist of a series of popular children's books by the same name, written by Hans Augusto Rey and Margret Rey. The books feature a curious brown monkey named George, who is brought from his home in Africa by "The Man with The Yellow Hat" to live with him in a big city.When... |
Clifford the Big Red Dog | Dragon Tales Dragon Tales Dragon Tales is an American animated pre-school children's television series chronicling the adventures of two siblings, Max and Emmy and their dragon friends Cassie, Ord, Zak, Wheezie, and Quetzal... |
It's a Big Big World It's a Big Big World It's A Big Big World is an American children's television show on PBS Kids, that debuted January 2, 2006. It was originally part of Miss Lori and Hooper's schedule block, but it was replaced in that block on September 3, 2007, though ran for a few years that followed... |
| September 3, 2007/May 5, 2008 (2 seasons) | Curious George Curious George Curious George is the protagonist of a series of popular children's books by the same name, written by Hans Augusto Rey and Margret Rey. The books feature a curious brown monkey named George, who is brought from his home in Africa by "The Man with The Yellow Hat" to live with him in a big city.When... |
Clifford the Big Red Dog | Super Why! Super Why! Super Why! or The Reading Adventures of Super Why! is a CGI animated show developed by Angela C. Santomero and Samantha Freeman Alpert. The TV series is produced by New York City-based Out of the Blue Enterprises and Toronto-based DHX Media through its Decode Entertainment division. The show... |
Dragon Tales Dragon Tales Dragon Tales is an American animated pre-school children's television series chronicling the adventures of two siblings, Max and Emmy and their dragon friends Cassie, Ord, Zak, Wheezie, and Quetzal... |
| September 1, 2008 | Curious George Curious George Curious George is the protagonist of a series of popular children's books by the same name, written by Hans Augusto Rey and Margret Rey. The books feature a curious brown monkey named George, who is brought from his home in Africa by "The Man with The Yellow Hat" to live with him in a big city.When... |
Sid the Science Kid Sid the Science Kid Sid the Science Kid is a half-hour PBS Kids series that debuted on September 1, 2008. The computer generated show is produced by Jim Henson Productions and then-PBS member KCET in Los Angeles, California using the Henson Digital Puppetry Studio... |
Super Why! Super Why! Super Why! or The Reading Adventures of Super Why! is a CGI animated show developed by Angela C. Santomero and Samantha Freeman Alpert. The TV series is produced by New York City-based Out of the Blue Enterprises and Toronto-based DHX Media through its Decode Entertainment division. The show... |
Clifford the Big Red Dog Clifford the Big Red Dog Clifford the Big Red Dog is an American children's book series first published in 1963. Written by Norman Bridwell, the series helped establish Scholastic Books as a premier publishing company.... |
| September 7, 2009 | Curious George Curious George Curious George is the protagonist of a series of popular children's books by the same name, written by Hans Augusto Rey and Margret Rey. The books feature a curious brown monkey named George, who is brought from his home in Africa by "The Man with The Yellow Hat" to live with him in a big city.When... |
Sid the Science Kid Sid the Science Kid Sid the Science Kid is a half-hour PBS Kids series that debuted on September 1, 2008. The computer generated show is produced by Jim Henson Productions and then-PBS member KCET in Los Angeles, California using the Henson Digital Puppetry Studio... |
Super Why! Super Why! Super Why! or The Reading Adventures of Super Why! is a CGI animated show developed by Angela C. Santomero and Samantha Freeman Alpert. The TV series is produced by New York City-based Out of the Blue Enterprises and Toronto-based DHX Media through its Decode Entertainment division. The show... |
Dinosaur Train Dinosaur Train Dinosaur Train is an American animated series created by Craig Bartlett. The series features a curious young T. rex named Buddy who, together with his adopted Pteranodon family, takes the Dinosaur Train to meet, explore, and have adventures with all kinds of dinosaurs.It was the second show by The... |
| September 6, 2010 | Curious George Curious George Curious George is the protagonist of a series of popular children's books by the same name, written by Hans Augusto Rey and Margret Rey. The books feature a curious brown monkey named George, who is brought from his home in Africa by "The Man with The Yellow Hat" to live with him in a big city.When... |
The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! is an American/Canadian/British animated television series that premiered August 7, 2010 on Treehouse TV in Canada, on September 6, 2010 on PBS Kids in the US and also in the UK on CITV and Cartoonito... |
Super Why! Super Why! Super Why! or The Reading Adventures of Super Why! is a CGI animated show developed by Angela C. Santomero and Samantha Freeman Alpert. The TV series is produced by New York City-based Out of the Blue Enterprises and Toronto-based DHX Media through its Decode Entertainment division. The show... |
Dinosaur Train Dinosaur Train Dinosaur Train is an American animated series created by Craig Bartlett. The series features a curious young T. rex named Buddy who, together with his adopted Pteranodon family, takes the Dinosaur Train to meet, explore, and have adventures with all kinds of dinosaurs.It was the second show by The... |
Specials
- PBS Kids Friend Day - Friday, November 24, 2006
- George to George Marathon - Monday, February 19, 2007
- PBS Kids Share the Earth Day - Friday, April 20, 2007
- PBS Kids Hurray for Heroes! - Monday, May 25, 2009