- What is WordWorld?
- What is WordWorld’s target age group?
- What is the goal of WordWorld?
- What are “WordFriends™ and “WordThings™?”
- Can you tell me more about the WordFriends?
- What was Don Moody’s (co-creator) inspiration behind the idea of the show?
- How did Don Moody’s childhood influence WordWorld?
- What are the future plans for WordWorld?
Q: What is WordWorld™?
A: WordWorld is the first preschool series where words are truly the stars of the show! Come along for an adventure in a colorful world of words with the lovable WordFriends™–animals whose bodies are made up of the letters that spell the word they are. The WordFriends go on fun adventures and face problems that can only be solved with the right word. That word is built during the funky “Build a Word” song in each episode. Once the word is built, it “morphs”–comes alive–into the thing it is! In WordWorld, words come alive, words save the day and words become children’s best friends.
WordWorld, a 3D animated series, begins airing on Sept. 3, 2007 on PBS KIDS®. (Check local listings for times.) Check out WordWorld online at: www.pbskids.org/wordworld for great games, activities, information and more.
Q: What is WordWorld’s target age group?
A: WordWorld is designed for children who are beginning to learn how to read – preschoolers aged three to five.
Q: What is the goal of WordWorld?
A: WordWorld aims to fascinate children with words and to inspire a love of words and reading. Featuring loveable characters called WordFriends™, WordWorld allows preschoolers to see words as their friends. Providing constant opportunities for word play, WordWorld helps children make the important connections between letters, sounds, words and meaning that are necessary for reading.
The series also introduces literacy concepts, such as sounding out letters and rhyming. But most of all, WordWorld helps preschoolers get excited about words and reading.
Q: What are “WordFriends™ and “WordThings™?”
A: In WordWorld, words come alive as playmates called WordFriends, such as Duck and Dog, and familiar objects called WordThings, like Train and Truck. WordFriends and WordThings help introduce children to the wonderful world of reading by bringing words to life in a fun way. They show children that letters represent sounds, sounds make up words and words stand for real things.
Q: Can you tell me more about the WordFriends?
A: The WordFriends are characters first and words second. Sheep is very shy but loves to pretend. She will take on the role of detective, princess, super hero–anything to help her friends! Then there’s Frog, the cautious brainiac and word “expert,” whose crazy inventions sometimes don’t work exactly as planned. Frog’s neighbor and good friend is Duck. Just like a preschooler, Duck is still learning his letters–and social skills–and often needs Frog to help him out of trouble. Pig, a great chef and a bit of a ham, lives life moment by glorious moment. His best buddy, Ant, is a hard working bundle of energy who manages to keep Pig in check, run a radio station out of his ant hill, and lead a family of hundreds of ant cousins. Dog is a WordFriend’s best friend and is always ready to play, play, play (and build a word)!
Q: What was Don Moody’s (co-creator) inspiration behind the idea of the show?
A: Don explains, “When I discovered my wife was pregnant, I decided to pursue life differently, most importantly, living by example and practicing citizenship. Aligning my life with the progression of my child’s life, I set out to develop an imaginative television show that addressed children’s literacy and taught valuable life lessons. Based on more than two years of personal research, I realized literacy television shows would be much more effective if words were brought to life and I remember thinking, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool if the word ‘shark’ swam off the screen, or if the word ‘ice’ actually froze in front of you?’ From there, WordWorld was born.”
Q: How did Don Moody’s childhood influence WordWorld?
A: “I grew up with two other siblings as a Title I child raised by my mother,” Don states. “Based on my own childhood experience, I understand the importance of introducing early literacy techniques to a broad audience of kids. After my mother moved the family to a better neighborhood, a creative community helped raise and positively influence me. In fact, many of my childhood friends helped shape WordWorld’s ensemble cast of WordFriends.”
Q: What are the future plans for WordWorld?
A: Plans are already underway for new WordWorld television episodes. Also, in partnership with Target, WordWorld will be introducing new toy lines available in stores January 2008. The lines will include plush and educational toys, such as play sets and blocks, with books expected to be out in Fall 2008. Multiple WordWorld DVDs will be released in early 2008.
And…there are many exciting plans for kids and adults at WordWorld online. Check in often at: www.pbskids.org/wordworld.