The Hub: Holiday Lineup, Full of Family Favorites!

The week culminates with a three-day holiday weekend of programming that includes two new episodes of “R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series,” from the best-selling author and master of scary tales, R.L. Stine.

Highlights of The Hub holiday schedule follow:

• Hub Special Presentation: “The Christmas Toy” (Friday, December 24, 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. ET; encore presentation: Saturday, December 25, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. ET) Celebrate the magic of the season in this one-hour, Jim Henson Christmas special where the toys in the playroom magically come to life when people are not around.

• Hub Special Presentation: “Atomic Betty: NO-L 9” (Friday, December 24, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. ET; encore presentation Saturday, December 25, 11 a.m. – noon ET) Atomic Betty (Tajj Isen) has to stop Maximus from turning singing planets from a forgotten constellation into ornaments for his Christmas tree.

• A special Hub holiday-themed episode of “Hubworld” (Friday, December 24, 6:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. ET) The Hub presents a special holiday-themed episode of the weekly, live-action pop culture magazine show “Hubworld,” that infuses what's happening in the life of everyday kids with what's happening on The Hub. Actor-magician Justin Willman hosts.

• A special holiday-themed episode of “Family Game Night” (Friday, December 24, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. ET) The Hub presents a special holiday-themed episode of the new live-action series “Family Game Night,” featuring your favorite Hasbro board games that become larger-than-life experiences where families compete for cash and prizes!

• Hub Family Movie Night: “Muppets Christmas Carol” (Friday, December 24, 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. ET; encore presentation Saturday, December 25, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. ET) The Muppets take on the Dickens classic about the miserly Scrooge (Michael Caine) learning the true meaning of Christmas after being visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future.

• “The Adventures of Chuck & Friends” (Friday, December 24, 10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. ET; encore presentation Saturday, December 25, 10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. ET) A new holiday-themed episode of the animated series “The Adventures of Chuck & Friends.”

• Hub Original Series Premiere: “R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series” (Saturday, December 25, 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. ET; encore presentations Saturday, December 25, midnight and 12:30 a.m. ET) Anthological storytelling returns to television in this half-hour live-action children’s series, based on the works of best-selling author and master of scary tales, R.L. Stine. The Hub will premiere two new episodes “A Creature Was Stirring” (8 p.m.) and “The Dead Body” (8:30 p.m. ET.)

• Hub Family Movie Night: “Muppets Take Manhattan” (Saturday, December 25, 9 p.m. – 11 p.m. ET; encore presentation Sunday, December 26, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. ET) Kermit, Fozzie Bear and the entire cast of Kermit's musical Manhattan Melodies head for the Big Apple with plans to turn their small play into a big hit!

• Hub Family Movie Night: “Larger Than Life” (Sunday, December 26, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. ET; encore presentation Sunday, December 26 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. ET) Jack Corcoran (Bill Murray) is left an Elephant in his father's will and has to get the animal from the East Coast to California in just 5 days so he does not miss his big speaking engagement.

• Hub Family Movie Night: “Good Boy!” (Friday, December 31, 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. ET; encore presentation Saturday, January 1, 2011, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. ET) A canine agent, Hubble (Matthew Broderick), from the star Sirius has been sent to verify the rumors that dogs have failed to take over the Planet Earth. Starring Molly Shannon, Kevin Nealon, and Cheech Marin.
Additional Hub holiday programming includes: (All time ET)

• “The Wonder Years”
(Monday, December 20, 9 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.; Tuesday, December 21, 9 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.; Wednesday, December 22, 9 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.; Thursday, December 23, 9 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. and Thursday, December 30, 9 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.)

• “Happy Days” - (Monday, December 20, 10:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.; Tuesday, December 21, 10 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.; Wednesday, December 22, 10 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.)

• “Laverne & Shirley” - (Tuesday, December 21, 11 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.; Wednesday, December 22, 11 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. and Thursday, December 30, 11 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.)

• “Pictureka!” - (Wednesday, December 22, 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Thursday, December 23, 4 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Friday, December 24, 4 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.)

• “Family Ties” - (Wednesday, December 22, 8 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.; Thursday, December 23, 8 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.)

• “Doogie Howser, M.D.” - (Wednesday, December 22, 9:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.)

• “Fraggle Rock” - (Wednesday, December 24, 2:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.)

• “Atomic Betty” - (Friday, December 24, 2:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.)

• “Honey I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Series” - (Saturday, December 25, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.)

• “The Adventures of Chuck & Friends” - (Monday, December 27, 9 a.m. – 1p.m.)

• “The Twisted Whiskers Show” - (Monday, December 27, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.)

• “The WotWots” - (Tuesday, December 28, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

• “My Little Pony Friendship is Magic” - (Tuesday, December 28, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.)

• “Animal Mechanicals” - (Wednesday, December 29, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
• “Pound Puppies” - (Wednesday, December 29, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.)

• “Dennis and Gnasher” - (Thursday, December 30, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.)

• “G.I. Joe Renegades” Marathon - (Thursday, December 30, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.)

• “Cosmic Quantum Ray” - (Friday, December 31, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.)

• “Hub Exclusive: “G.I. Joe Renegades” and ‘Transformers: Prime’” - (Friday, December 31, 4 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.)

• “Transformers Prime” Marathon – A Hub Original Series:

• “Transformers Prime”- Part 1 of “Darkness Rising” (Friday, December 31, 4:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.)

• “Transformers Prime” - Part 2 of “Darkness Rising” (Friday, December 31, 5 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.)

• “Transformers Prime” - Part 3 of “Darkness Rising” (Friday, December 31, 5:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.)

• “Transformers Prime” - Part 4 of “Darkness Rising” (Friday, December 31, 6 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.)

• “Transformers Prime”- Part 5 of “Darkness Rising” (Friday, December 31, 6:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.)
In addition to great holiday programming, The Hub will host a special “Naughty or Nice” contest on Saturday, December 25, 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. ET. Children can vote online beginning Monday, December 6 for their picks of The Hub’s naughtiest and nicest animated characters. The top two winners from each category will be featured on The Hub. For additional contest information and to vote for your favorite characters, visit www.hubworld.com/vote

The Hub

The Hub is a multi-platform joint venture between Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) and Hasbro, Inc., (NYSE: HAS) with a goal of entertaining, enlightening, empowering and educating children and their families. The cable and satellite television network features original programming as well as content from Discovery's library of award-winning children's educational programming; from Hasbro's rich portfolio of entertainment and educational properties built during the past 90 years; and from leading third-party producers worldwide. The Hub lineup includes animated and live-action series, specials and game shows, and the network extends its content through a robust and engaging online presence at www.hubworld.com. The Hub rebranded from Discovery Kids on October 10, 2010, and reaches approximately 60 million U.S. households. The Hub logo and name are trademarks of Hub Television Networks, LLC. All rights reserved.

-The Hub--

For press materials and show art, visit press.discovery.com

Contact Information:

Crystal Williams Miranda Gooding
The Hub Bender Helper Impact
818-531-3673
Crystal_Williams@hubtv.com
Miranda_Gooding@bhimpact.com

Cool Stuff Every Kid Should Know - About Cities Around the USA!

Arcadia's series "Cool Stuff Every Kid Should Know" is awesome! After I read the six titles I was sent, I let my niece read them, and then we read them together, and she agreed: "Aunt Jane, now I want to go to these places and see this stuff for real!" I agreed. Even cities I'd already seen took on new wonder, after I read these simple little books.

I read "Cool Stuff Every Kid Should Know" about Buffalo, NY; Charleston, SC; Orlando, FL; Atlanta, GA;, and Cincinnati, OH.

Each book had 48 pages and 70 color photographs, and each page was laid out in a very easy and interesting way, making it fun for Stephanie and me to read and point things out to each other.

The books are suggested for readers age 7 - 11, but seriously, I think anyone of any age would enjoy learning about the various cities in our country.

Each book is $9.99.

I am seriously considering putting together a trivia competition at school, based on the information in these books. I think they're perfect for such things, at home or at school. Homeschoolers, especially, might be interested in this series.

The author, Kate Boehm Jerome, loves to write educational books for kids! Her award-winning programs are avidly read by thousands of young people in homes and schools throughout the United States. Kate is an active volunteer in her local school district and is a member of various Boards and organizations that promote both child and adult literacy - and, in particual, science literacy.

the publisher, Arcadia Publishing, is committed to American manufacturing. All books are manufactured entirely in South Carolina on American-made, FSC certified paper. the FSC logo assures consumers that the paper comes from forests tht are managed to meet the social, economic, and ecological needs of present and future generations.

What happened in 1927 that helped Canada and the United States become even better neighbors?

How do the streets in Charleston stay so clean?

What do Orlando's animals and its waste water have in common?

What does Atlanta's "Celebration of the Century" have to do with ancient Greece?

What city is nicknamed "Porkopolis?"

See what I mean? These books are masterpieces of important trivia and information about the cities in our own country.

P.S. Do you know the answers? Prove it in the comments!

The Day Leo Said "I Hate You"

I was especially interested in this book because of my nieces and nephews; it will soon be Christmas and I love to give the gift of books. I was already familiar with the author, Robie H. Harris, and am a fan of her book It's Perfectly Normal, so I approached this new book already smiling.

When I finished reading the book, I was still smiling.  It's just simply lovely.  I can't wait to read it to my little nieces and nephews!

Here is the release, and every word of it is true.  I know.  I've got the book on my lap as I type!

The moment those dreaded words - "I hate you! - pop out of a young child's mouth, almost every child wishes they had never been said.  In The Day Leo Said, "I Hate You!" (Little, Brown), now available in paperback, renowned author Robie H. Harris shows how strong but perfectly normal feelings like anger and frustration can lead to such outburst, and how one child and his mother successfully deal with those feelings and ultimately reaffirm their love for each other.  In a few short pages and in a caring and reassuring manner, Harris and three-time Caldecott Honor illustrator Milly Bang convey some big emotional truths about the inner lives of young children.


Leo hates it when Mommy says "No," and today it feels like she just won't stop saying it.  "No string beans in the fish bowl!"  "No toothpaste down the toilet!"  "No drawing on the wall!"  Leo is angry and frustrated.  But when the words "I hate you!" pop out of his mouth, he instantly wishes he could stuff them back in.  Then his biggest fear sets in: Will Mommy hate him for saying those three words?


But the mother in The Day Leo Said, "I Hate You!" handles the moment beautifully, explaining to Leo that while words have the power to hurt others, she never stops loving him, even when he expresses strong, angry feelings.  It's a powerful lesson about empathy and love, one that affirms Leo's inner experience and leads him - and the book's audience, young children - toward greater emotional understanding.  Once Leo's anger is acknowledged and dealt with, he can bond with Mommy over their hatred of broccoli, smelly cheese, and runny noses and, in a sweetly satisfying ending, Leo draws a loving picture of his mommy.


The Day Leo Said "I Hate You" pairs Harris for the first time with Molly Bang, whose rich, saturated colors and expressive figures add depth and emotional resonance to a story that readers will find both entertaining and comforting.  The book received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal, which praised "Harris' wisdom and sense of humor regarding early childhood behavior," wile Kirkus wrote that "Harris' patient take on a difficult topic will make this must-have reading for many a parent and child."


Robie H. Harris is known for portraying the emotional lives of young children with wisdom, honesty, and humor.  A master at expressing complex human emotions in simple scenarios with simple language and a compelling story, Harris helps young children and their parents understand and deal with those strong, but perfectly normal feelings like anger, frustration, and jealousy.  By creating characters who not only express, but also move through these feelings, Harris' candid, insightful- and at moments humorous - stories ultimately reaffirm the importance of love and acceptance in human relationships, especially those of young children and their parents.

The Day Leo Said, "I Hate You"
Written by Robie H. Harris
Illustrated by Molly Bang
Published by Little, Brown
November 2010
Ages 3-6 - 32 pages
$6.99 Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-08350-8

I want to add something else:  this book was, of course, written with very young children in mind, to soothe them when they utter words of hate and frustration that hurt someone else.  However, very often, a young parent will find comfort in a book such as this, just as much as their child will.  

Harriet the Spy

I have loved the book Harriet the Spy since I was a kid, and when I heard there was going to be a movie about a blogging Harriet, I was ecstatic, and now, here it is!

Not only that, but there's an awesome contest going on as well!  Enter NOW!

It's a war of words on the World Wide Web when Harriet the Spy: Blog Wars premiers on DVD on September 28 from 9 Story Entertainment and Vivendi Entertainment.  In this contemporary take on the popular book series by Louise Fitzhugh, Disney Channel star Jennifer Stone ("The Wizards of Waverly Place") plays the iconic character Harriet "The Spy" Welsch, who is vying for a chance to become the official blogger of her high school class.  Standing in her way is the popular Marion Hawthorne whose blog is already getting tons of traffic.  To beat Marion in the war for web dominance, Harriet turns to blogging about the star of her producer father's big movie, teen heartthrob Skander Hill.  But although her on-set snooping is winning her readers, Harriet finds that her nosy online reporting may jeopardize her father's big movie and Skander's career.


The highest rated telecast of the day among tweens during its March 26 premiere on Disney Channel, Harriet the Spy: Blog Wars was directed by Emmy-nominated Ron Oliver (Goosebumpsa") and co-stars Wesley Morgan (Degrassi: The Next Generation"), Kristin Booth (This Beautiful City), Doug Murray (Man of the Year) and Shauna MacDonald ("Aaron Stone.


The basic price for the DVD will be $19.93, and will become available on September 28, 2010.  The language is English, and it runs for 90 minutes.

Ok, I LOVED this film!  The actors were all perfect for their parts, and the topic - blogging - was right-on-timely! As a long time Harriet fan, I was leery at first but now I'm sold.  Harriet the Spy: Blog Wars rocked!


Aaaaand, don't forget to enter the contest!    The Harriet the Spy: Blog Wars contest empowers kids to think like a journalist and have a voice. In the film, Harriet becomes a blogger getting to the bottom of the juiciest news at her school. We wanted to use this opportunity to empower kids to become journalists by getting them start blogging on their own blog or on their parents’ blog (depending on their age). With the help of parents, contestants will submit a blog post about why they want to become a blogger and report on any topic that interests them. Once the post is done, contestants just have to post the link to the official Facebook page and they are entered to win!

The winner will receive a trip for themselves and three other people to Los Angeles to meet Jenna Stone, star of Harriet the Spy: Blog Wars. The contest ends November 5th and full contest details are available at: http://www.harrietthespymovie.com/.

P.S.  Read the books, too!

Glee! And Yes, I'm Now a Gleekster. It's Official

I am a recent convert to Gleeksterism. My daughter has tried for a year now to get me interested in the series, but something held me back. I wasn't sure what it was then, but I know now: I KNEW, I just instinctively knew, that Glee was going to become such a part of my life, that I had to wait until I had sufficient time to absorb it all.

How much time did it take to hook me? I'd guess around ten minutes.

Let me put it this way: I own the complete Season One 7-disc set, and once I started watching, I could not stop until I'd seen all seven discs. It's a good thing I'm basically a vampire who stays up all night anyway. I was absorbed. I didn't even get up to refill my diet Coke or make popcorn.

I'm hooked. It's official.

Glee follows an optimistic teacher who - against all odds and a malicious cheerleading coach - inspires McKinley High's Glee Club to conquer the world one singing competition at a time.


Glee stars Dianna Agron, Chris Colfer, Jessalyn Gilsig, Jane Lynch, Jayma Mays Kevin McHsle, Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Matthew Morrison, Amber Riley, Mark Salling, and Jenna Ushkowitz. Television's most award-winning series, Glee was honored with a Golden Globe for Best Television Series, Comedy or Musical: A Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series; a People's Choice Award for Favorite New TV Comedy; and an Emmy award for Outstanding Director of a Comedy Series and Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.


Blu-ray and DVD Specs:

Glee: The Complete First Season "The GLEEK Edition" Blu-ray and DVD are bursting with exclusive bonus materials and extended episodes, a sing-along karaoke, a behind-the-scenes look at "The Power of Madonna": episode, Glee Makeovers, never-before-seen "Sue's Corners" and a dance tutorial titled "Staying in Step with Glee."  GLEE: The Complete First Season "The GLEEK Edition" will be available in a four-disc Blu-ray and seven-disc DVD set for the suggested retail price of $69.99 U.S. ($89.99 Canada and $59.98 U.S./$69.98 Canada, respectively.

Your age doesn't matter.  Neither does your gender.  Nor does your location or your state of mind; Glee is awesome, fantastic, and mind-bending.  It will empower you.  It will engross you. 

It will make you want to sing.

Letters to God

Ordinarily, "faith based" movies are not my cup of tea, but I saw the trailer for this movie and it intrigued me. I read the synopsis and it intrigued me further. When this movie comes anywhere near where I live, I intend to be there, and I'm bringing my mother and my kids. If I can go on a night when my best friend Janice is free, I'm bringing her, too.

Synopsis:

A heartfelt tale of inspiration, hope and redemption, Letters to God is the story of what happens when one boy's walk of faith crosses paths with one man's search for meaning - the resulting transformational journey touches the lives of everyone around them.


Tyler Doherty (TANNER MAGUIRE) is an extraordinary eight-year-old boy.  Surrounded by a loving family and community, and armed with the courage of his faith, he faces his daily battle against cancer with bravery and grace.  To Tyler, God is a friend, a teacher, and the ultimate pen pal - Tyler's prayers take the form of letters, which he composes and mails on a daily basis.


The letters find their way into the hands of Brady McDaniels (JEFFREY S.S. JOHNSON), a beleaguered postman standing a ta crossroads in his life.  At first, he is confused and conflicted over what to do with the letters.  Over time, he begins to form a friendship with the Doherty family - getting to know not just Tyler but his touch, tender yet overwhelmed mom (ROBYN LIVELY), stalwart grandmother (MAREE CHEATHAM) and teen brother Ben (MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER BOLTEN) - who are each trying to stand strong against the doubts that come with the chaotic turn their lives have taken.


Moved by Tyler's courage, Brady realizes what he must do with the letters, a surprise decision that will transform his heart and uplift his newfound friends and community - in an exhilarating act of testament to the contagious effect of one boy's unwavering faith against the odds.


Inspired by a true story, Leetters to God is an intimate, moving and often funny story about the galvanizing effect one child's belief can have on his family, friends, and community.

This film is rated PG for Thematic Material.  Run time:  113.30

Letters to God was written by Patrick Douglas, who also co-wrote the screenplay along with Art D'Alessandrom, Sandra Thrift, and Cullen Douglas.  I always have more faith in a book-based film if the original author is part of the screenwriting team.

Distrubuted by Vivendi Entertainment.

Production Company:  Possibility Pictures

Produced by Cameron "Kim" Dawson and David Nixon; Nixon also directed the film.

Executive Producer:  Tom Swanson

Cast:

Robyn Lively
Jeffrey S.S. Johnson
Maree Cheatham
Tanner Maguire
Michael Christopher Bolten
Bailee Madison
Ralph Waite

P.S.  I read the book last weekend.  It made me want to see this film even more. Here's the trailer; watch it and I'm betting you'll be right there with me when this movie comes to town.