Help Rosie take care of important things like Benito the Puppy, Dragon the Bunny, and so much more in the new game ‘Rosie Care’ now on PBSKIDS.org and the PBS KIDS Games app.
Rosie Care is based on the adorable new series Rosie’s Rules from 9 Story Media Group, which launched on PBS KIDS last fall. The show follows the adventures of Rosie Fuentes, a 5-year-old Mexican American girl who is starting to learn all about life with her blended, multicultural family by her side. As Rosie learns new lessons she shares her “rules” about life with viewers, teaching kids how to navigate their world.
In the Rosie Care game, players join Rosie in helping her busy family by taking care of a variety of important things – like taking Tía and Javi’s puppy for walks, bunny-sitting her sister’s pet rabbit, and many more! Kids will learn the difference between needs and wants, how to use tools and supplies to accomplish tasks, as well as the importance of routines. No job is too big or small!
Rosie Care is the third supertastical game to launch in the Rosie Rule’s interactive suite of play, joining the wildly popular Rosie’s Slime Store and Riding with Rosie games.
To get the inside scoop on this new game and all of the amazing features waiting for kids to explore, we spoke with 9 Story’s Producer of Interactive, Jamie Cohen! Read on below to learn all about how these amazing games came to be.
Tell us about the creative process for developing the Rosie Care game! How did it begin?
Like most of the Rosie interactive content, the “Rosie Care” game began with the wonderful stories and themes from the show itself! And after noticing how much audiences loved Gatita and Rosie’s role as the special “Kitty Helper” we wondered, could we learn into the show’s unique curriculum and give players the chance to interact one-on-one with the animals from the world of the show (with Rosie by your side)? Not only that, could we also expand on what the show is modeling and teach them about different animals in the process, and how they all have their own wants and needs? Well, we learned early in testing that kids did indeed want the chance to pet Gatita, take Benito for a walk, and even open up a window curtain to give a Jalapeño plant some much needed sunshine!
Tell us more about Rosie Care and how it fits into the wider Rosie’s Rules world!
The “Rosie Care” game really is its own special peek into the Fuentastic world of Rosie’s Rules! From behind the scenes we wanted to make sure that we were including themes from countless episodes, not just ones about pets. There are so many amazing episodes that are incredibly informative for tiny thinkers – episodes with themes like resource management, and self care. Which is how the interactive team eventually came to the idea of Rosie having her own “pet daycare” for her family and closest friends. It was a great way to have fun and learn, all from the perspective of our very own Rosie.
What are you most proud of when it comes to the creation of the Rosie Care game?
I’m bursting with pride for the fantastic team that brought the “Rosie Care” game to life! It wasn’t just a game for us; it’s a labor of love from an incredible group of collaborators, including the folks at 9 Story Media Group, PBS KIDS, and our amazing developer, Curious Media. What’s even more heartwarming is that every critter featured in the game is like an old friend to us – there wasn’t a single animal in the game we couldn’t connect with on a personal level, as these were all animals we had loved and cared for at one point. It added an extra layer of love to the game because we saw our own quirky pets in each and every character.
What do you hope kids will take away from these games when playing?
Our hope in making this game is that kids will gain a special understanding of the difference between what our furry friends want and what they truly need. Just like how we all need food and water to thrive, pets do too. But it’s also important to learn that not every animal wants cuddles 24/7. We want kids to discover that taking care of animals means not just meeting their basic needs but also respecting their personal space and preferences. It’s truly meant to be a lesson about being a kind, responsible and loving pet helper!
Can you share any challenges you faced during the development of Rosie Care and how you overcame them?
One unique challenge that might sound a bit silly was figuring out what our animal friends should sound like in the game. I mean, how does a cat say, “Please clean my litter box” anyway? But it turned into a really fun puzzle! As we dove into each animal’s unique personality, it was like they started speaking for themselves, and their sounds just flowed naturally, making our game even more special!
Are there any unique features or interactive elements in Rosie Care that make it stand out from other games in the Rosie’s Rules series?
We’ve hidden some super fun Easter eggs in the game for some curious players to discover! Exploring the scenes will unveil hidden animations and playful surprises. Here’s a little tip/spoiler: If you spot a mess on the carpet, head to the kitchen and grab the vacuum – it’ll clean the mess up like magic!
How do you incorporate educational elements into the gameplay of Rosie Care without compromising the fun factor for kids?
Who said learning can’t be fun?! In the “Rosie Care” game we keep the fun factor sky-high by tapping into the irresistible humor and charm of our furry friends. As their moods change and they express themselves, it naturally prompts kids to figure out what they need while having a blast doing it. It’s a playful learning experience that lets kids be heroes in the world of Rosie’s pets, all while soaking up important lessons without even realizing it!
Are you willing to share any hidden surprises today?
There are so many surprises in the works that I would love to share! But I can’t reveal too much yet! For now, mark your calendars for September 22nd, because something new, or rather someone will be coming over for some extra love and care!
A supertastical congratulations to our 9 Story Interactive team, PBS KIDS, and Curious Media who have come together to make something incredible.
If you’d like to play Rosie Care, or any of the other games in the WOWMAZING suite of Rosie games, you can visit the Rosie’s Rules page on PBSKIDS.org. And don’t miss all the other fun and engaging Rosie’s Rules activities available on PBSKIDS while you’re there!
You can also watch brand-new episodes of Rosie’s Rules now! Check local playtimes for PBS KIDS, or use the PBS KIDS Video App or PBSKIDS.org to watch today.