Let’s Go Super Readers! We are thrilled to share that Super Why! is back with brand new adventures, in a fresh format, and ready to inspire the next generation of Super Readers, in Super Why’s Comic Book Adventures!
Premiering on PBS KIDS this October 18, this new series of animated musical shorts will carry on the legacy of the original Super Why! show, with storyline adventures that help grow the literacy skills of young readers. Super Why’s Comic Book Adventures is produced by 9 Story Media Group and animated by our award-winning studio Brown Bag Films out of Toronto, Canada. Read the full series announcement via the PBS KIDS press release below and check out the LA Times exclusive here. And for our Super Readers in the US, watch the first episode of Super Why’s Comic Book Adventures now streaming on the PBS KIDS YouTube channel.
Press Release via PBS KIDS:
Arlington, VA, September 20, 2023 – On October 18, PBS KIDS will premiere SUPER WHY’S COMIC BOOK ADVENTURES, a series of 2D animated shorts aimed at helping to expand the literacy skills of preschool- and kindergarten-age children. The shorts are inspired by the well-loved, Emmy® Award-nominated SUPER WHY! series, which premiered in 2007. A hit across PBS KIDS platforms, the series was proven to boost children’s early literacy skills and help them learn to read*. In the new shorts, the literacy-powered superheroes leap into a stylized comic book world for a new storytelling twist, complete with catchy original songs that break down key skills for early readers. The series is produced by 9 Story Media Group and animated by its award-winning studio Brown Bag Films.
“We are so excited to introduce SUPER WHY’S COMIC BOOK ADVENTURES, with its fresh, musically-driven format, to a new generation of SUPER WHY! fans,” said Sara DeWitt, Senior Vice President and General Manager, PBS KIDS. “The dynamic comic book design makes it an aspirational Super Reader superhero experience that will support and encourage today’s budding readers.”
Research suggests that early literacy instruction should focus on developing awareness of the segments of sounds in speech and how they link to letters** though systematic instruction of phonological awareness and phonics skills. Each of the 20, 3-minute shorts focus on these foundational reading and writing skills, including letter-sound identification and decoding words, blending sounds and alliteration, spelling, punctuation, and more, all wrapped up in an action-packed, humor-filled, and kid-relatable story. Many of the familiar fairytale characters, known as Super Readers, from the original series are back, including Super Why, who loves comic books and has the power to read, along with Princess Presto and Wonder Red. New to the series is “super fan” Power Paige, a Super Reader who joins the team with her power pencil, which has the ability to write and erase words, letters, and punctuation. Together, the Super Readers set things straight for the readers of Reader Valley – and young viewers across the country.
“It’s exciting to see SUPER WHY! return to PBS KIDS with fresh adventures in a brand new format,” said Wendy Harris, SVP & Head of Creative Affairs for 9 Story Media Group and co-creator of the original SUPER WHY! series. “We’re so proud of its remarkable staying power, engaging kids and teaching early literacy skills for over fifteen years. We can’t wait to offer parents and kids SUPER WHY’S COMIC BOOK ADVENTURES and create a whole new generation of Super Readers!”
SUPER WHY’S COMIC BOOK ADVENTURES also introduces audiences to quirky Literacy Villains who mix up reading rules that the Super Readers must correct. These characters include: More Man, who adds an “s” to the end of words to make them plural, adding more words and sentences; The Shuffler, who likes to mix things up; The Eraser, who erases letters and words; and Outta Space, an extraterrestrial who zaps spaces from between words.
SUPER WHY’S COMIC BOOK ADVENTURES is created and developed by Alex Breen (CHARLIE’S COLORFORMS CITY, SUPER WHY!) and Sarah Wallendjack (DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD, CHARLIE’S COLORFORMS CITY), who also serves as Executive Producer with Angela C. Santomero (DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD, BLUE’S CLUES). Geri Bertolo is the director and Stefan L. Smith is the series composer. 9 Story holds worldwide distribution and consumer product rights.
The multi-award-winning SUPER WHY! series created by Angela C. Santomero (based on a concept co-created with Traci Page Johnson and Jennifer Twomey) for PBS KIDS, from which the new shorts are inspired, was the first preschool show designed to help children learn to read through interactive storybook adventures. The series follows the magical adventures of four fairytale friends who jump into books and become reading-powered superheroes to save the day.
“When I first created SUPER WHY! as my Master’s Thesis at Teachers College, Columbia University, I put a lot of care, thought, and research into it, but never imagined it would influence kids to learn and love to read – 20 years later! It’s a dream come true,” said Santomero.
Since its premiere, SUPER WHY! has been one of the most popular PBS KIDS series, generating nearly 180 million streams per year across PBS KIDS-owned digital platforms and more than 40 million views per year on the PBS KIDS YouTube channel**. In addition to the series, SUPER WHY! has impacted kids across the country through the SUPER WHY! app and SUPER WHY! Reading Camps, which build on the signature early literacy approach of the popular series to extend its unique interactive reading approach into communities across the country. Research indicates that these camps boost reading skills, with participants showing gains in all literacy skills presented in the program, and preschoolers showing an 84% gain in phonics skills and a 139% gain in word recognition skills after attending a 5-day camp***.
About PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS believes the world is full of possibilities, and so is every child. As the number one educational media brand for kids, PBS KIDS helps children ages 2-8 learn lessons that last a lifetime. Through media and community-based programs, PBS KIDS wants children to see themselves uniquely reflected and celebrated in lovable, diverse characters who serve as positive role models, and to explore their feelings and discover new adventures along the way. Families can stream PBS KIDS for free anytime, no subscription required. A large collection of mobile apps and pbskids.org provide accessible content that spark kids’ curiosity. PBS KIDS and local stations across the country support the entire ecosystem in which children learn and grow – including their teachers and caregivers, parents, and community – providing resources accessible anytime and anywhere. For more information, visit pbs.org/pressroom, or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
About 9 Story Media Group
9 Story Media Group is a leading creator, producer, and distributor of kids and family-focused intellectual property. Its award-winning animation studio, Brown Bag Films, is recognized around the world for best-in-class brands such as Doc McStuffins, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Octonauts, Wild Kratts, and Blue’s Clues & You. The company’s international distribution arm, 9 Story Distribution International based in Dublin, represents 4,400 half-hours of animated and live-action programming, seen on some of the most respected international channels and platforms. Its in-house consumer products division, 9 Story Brands, builds international entertainment brands for kids, with expertise across creative, brand marketing, and licensing. 9 Story’s Creative Affairs Group creates, develops, and produces award-winning branded properties using groundbreaking formative research. With facilities in Toronto, Dublin, New York, and Bali, 9 Story Media Group employs over 1,000 creative and corporate staff.
About Brown Bag Films
Brown Bag Films is one of the world’s most exciting, original, and successful creative-led animation studios. With studio locations in Dublin, Toronto, and Bali, Brown Bag Films creates cutting-edge animation for the international market. Founded in Dublin, Ireland in 1994 by Managing Director Cathal Gaffney and Creative Director Darragh O’Connell, and acquired by 9 Story Media Group in 2015, Brown Bag Films is creatively-driven with a focus on producing the highest quality, cross-platform animation with strong stories and engaging characters. The studio’s much-loved TV shows are viewed by millions of children worldwide and include Doc McStuffins, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Karma’s World, Bing, Peter Rabbit, Wild Kratts, Olivia, Ada Twist, Scientist, Vampirina, and Octonauts. Brown Bag Films has earned numerous awards and nominations, including 19 Emmy® Awards and two Oscar nominations.
*Source: Linebarger, D. L., McMenamin, K., & Wainwright, D. K. (2009). Summative evaluation of Super WHY!: Outcomes, dose and appeal. A final report prepared for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania, Annenberg School for Communication.
**Souce: https:/ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/practiceguide/21
***Source: Google Analytics, July 22 – June 23, pbskids.org, mobile and OTT apps. Tubular, July 22 – June 23, YT views.
****Source: Phillips, B. M. (2008). SUPER WHY summer camp assessment findings. A report prepared for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Tallahassee, FL: Florida Center for Reading Research, Florida State University.