By Allison Watkinson
TLL Reporter
PBS Kids has released new information on its 2023 summer programming slate for new episodes, films and licensed games.
PBS Kids summer content will include new movies for Alma’s Way, Molly of Denali, and Ready Jet Go!, and additional episodes for Work It Out Wombats! and Rosie’s Rules. PBS Kids will also release three games inspired by Alma’s Way, Rosie’s Rules, and Sesame Street.
PBS Kids will also debut a free serialized podcast series from GBH Kids called Keyshawn Solves It on May 29 through its distribution partner PRX. The Keyshawn Solves It podcast was created and executive produced by Ed Jenkins and Dorothea Gillim.
It follows the adventures of a 10-year-old African-American boy who inherits a set of keys that he uses to help solve the mystery of disappearing bikes in his neighborhood.
The podcast also introduces and explains the origins of Juneteenth, an American holiday that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the US in 1862.
The podcast will include eight episodes and will be available on the PBS Kids Video App, the PBS Kids YouTube channel, and all major podcasting platforms.
“Summer is a perfect time for families to play and discover together, and we’re so excited to present brand-new content, activities, and resources to help inspire and support them in all their exploration this season,” said PBS Kids SVP, Sara DeWitt. “From adventuring with friends like Alma and Molly to getting inspired to explore something new, PBS KIDS is a trusted resource for supporting summer fun and learning, wherever kids and families are.”
The upcoming Alma’s Way movie called Alma Goes to Puerto Rico will officially launch on June 5. The hour-long movie follows Alma as she travels to Puerto Rico to celebrate her Bisabuela’s 100th birthday.
Scheduled for release on June 10, the Molly of Denali movie, Wise Raven & Old Crow, will feature Molly and her family as they travel to a traditional Gwich’in village to honor their late Grandma Catherine.
The upcoming feature-length film Space Camp for PBS Kids’ Ready Jet Go! franchise will debut on June 20. The Space Camp film’s release is intended to line up with the anniversary of the moon landing.
The Alma’s Way-inspired video game is called Boom Boom Bah / ¡Tutún Pà!. The game gives players the chance to create and remix music with licensed characters from the Alma’s Way franchise.
The new Rosie’s Rules-themed game, Rosie Care, allows players to help Rosie take care of jobs and daily responsibilities such as watering plants, feeding pets, and more.
The licensed Sesame Street game, Elmo and Grover’s Farm Time Fun allows players to plant and harvest food, sort animals, and more.
PBS KIDS is an educational media brand and free public broadcasting network that creates and distributes multi-platform content for children aged two to eight.
Sesame Street Learns the ABCs of Licensing With New Breakfast Cereal