On Wednesday, November 25, PBS KIDS kicks off a full slate of holiday programming with the premiere of WILD KRATTS: A CREATURE CHRISTMAS. In this hour-long movie event, the Kratt Brothers race to return disappearing baby animals to their families in time for Christmas. In the tradition of PBS KIDS favorites CURIOUS GEORGE: A VERY MONKEY CHRISTMAS and THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT CHRISTMAS!, WILD KRATTS: A CREATURE CHRISTMAS is sure to be an instant classic and a holiday event for the whole family. In addition to its premiere on the day before Thanksgiving, A CREATURE CHRISTMAS will re-air throughout November and December. Clips from the special will be available starting November 25 on pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS Video App, and exclusive clips will be available in Kart Kingdom, PBS KIDS’ new online world.
“The Kratt Brothers’ adventures in nature encourage children to learn about and explore the world around them,” said Lesli Rotenberg, General Manager, Children’s Media, PBS. ”We know that families love WILD KRATTS, so we are excited to debut a new movie that families can enjoy together during this special time of year.”
Produced by the Kratt Brothers Company and 9 Story Media Group, WILD KRATTS transforms Martin and Chris Kratt, creators of the award-winning KRATTS’ CREATURES and Emmy-winning ZOBOOMAFOO, into animated versions of themselves, allowing the real-life zoologists to visit wild animals in their little-seen habitats and showcase key science concepts along the way. The series airs daily on PBS stations nationwide (check local listings).
“In WILD KRATTS: A CREATURE CHRISTMAS, we showcase a variety of creature powers, helping our viewers discover that animals can help them explore many different science concepts,” said Chris Kratt, co-star, co-creator and co-executive producer of WILD KRATTS. “Kids will also learn about conservation of wildlife from the special, as the Wild Kratts team races against the clock to rescue baby animals and return them safely home,” added Martin Kratt, co-star, co-creator and co-executive producer of the series.
PBS KIDS will also feature additional holiday programming in December. New holiday-themed episodes of DINOSAUR TRAIN and SUPER WHY! premiere on December 7 and repeat throughout the month. Beloved PBS KIDS holiday specials will also return in December, including CURIOUS GEORGE: A VERY MONKEY CHRISTMAS, ARTHUR’S PERFECT CHRISTMAS, PEG + CAT + HOLIDAYS and THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT CHRISTMAS!. Favorite seasonal episodes from DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD, ODD SQUAD and other series will encore as well.
ODD SQUAD and PEG + CAT are funded in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and the U.S. Department of Education through the Ready To Learn Initiative, which supports the development of innovative educational television and digital media targeted at preschool and early elementary school children and their families. CPB also provides funding for SUPER WHY! and DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD.
Program descriptions and airdates follow (check local listings). Press materials related to WILD KRATTS: A CREATURE CHRISTMAS and other PBS KIDS holiday programming are available on PBS PressRoom.
PBS KIDS Holiday Program Descriptions & Airdates (check local listings)
WILD KRATTS: A CREATURE CHRISTMAS
Premieres Wednesday, November 25; encore presentations on November 26, 27, 28 and 29; December 7, 18, 20, 24 and 25
In this one-hour special, it’s Christmas time and the Wild Kratts are taking a break from creature adventuring to celebrate. But when the Wild Kratts receive an alert that their favorite creatures are suddenly disappearing around the globe, their holiday party quickly turns into a rescue mission. The Wild Kratts must race against time to thwart their greedy archrivals’ most miserly scheme yet! Will they be able to travel to the ends of the earth and return their baby animal friends to their homes in time for the holidays?
DINOSAUR TRAIN - “Trains, Submarines and Zeppelins"
Premieres December 7; encore presentations on 12/17, 12/25, 12/27
When Mr. Pteranodon and Larry go out to the Big Pond to find some red platanoids for the Winter Solstice Celebration, they accidentally miss the last train home. Will Larry and Mr. Pteranodon stop bickering long enough to figure out a way home, or will they be stranded in the middle of nowhere and miss the family Winter Solstice Celebration?
SUPER WHY! - "Judith's Happy Chanukah"
Premieres December 7; encore presentation on December 9
Whyatt is excited to have been invited to Red's Gramma's house to celebrate Chanukah, but doesn't know much about the holiday. To learn more, the Super Readers jump into the book Judith’s Happy Chanukah, where they meet Judith, who loves Chanukah so much that she can't wait to share it with her new friends.
ARTHUR’S PERFECT CHRISTMAS
Airs December 7, 12 and 25
Everyone’s favorite aardvark gives kids a new spin on seasonal traditions in this one-hour special, showing children the many ways to celebrate. Plans are underway in Elwood City for the best holiday season ever as Arthur, D.W., their family and friends make preparations for perfect gifts, perfect parties and perfect family traditions for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and even “Baxter Day” (Buster and his mom’s special celebration). However, just as in real life, perfection is hard to attain and Arthur learns that the real joy of the holidays is spending it with his family.
PEG + CAT + HOLIDAYS
Airs December 7 and 24
“The Hanukkah Problem” - When Albert Einstein invites Peg and Cat over for Hanukkah, he shows them how to make a 2D piece of paper into a 3D dreidel. Later, they need to use this process to bring peace to Al’s home and save his Hanukkah.
“The Christmas Problem” - When Santa Claus is in trouble, Peg and Cat have to solve their biggest problem ever: how to make and wrap presents for all the children of the world and then deliver them using 100 sleighs.
“The Penguin Problem” - Peg and Cat coach a team of skiing penguins, who would have a shot at the Olympic gold medal if only they knew “over,” “under,” and “in between.”
CURIOUS GEORGE: A VERY MONKEY CHRISTMAS
Airs December 7, 12, 20, 24 and 25
Join George and The Man with the Yellow Hat as they count down the days until Christmas. There’s only one puzzle: neither of them can figure out what to give the other for a present. The Man is having trouble reading George’s wish list and George doesn’t have a clue about what to get for the Man who has everything. Will they be able to find the answers before Christmas morning?
THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT CHRISTMAS!
Airs December 8, 16 and 24
This adventure finds the Cat in the Hat, Nick and Sally on a journey around the world to help a lost reindeer find his way home to Freezeyourknees Snowland in time for Christmas. On the way, the Thinga-ma-jigger breaks down and they depend on a variety of animals – from African bush elephants to bottlenose dolphins to red crabs – and their remarkable abilities to help them make an amazing journey home.