Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

PBS KIDS Announces MOLLY OF DENALI, Premiering July 15, 2019

01/02/2019

Tooey, Molly and Trini

2018 WGBH Educational

New Animated Adventure Comedy is First Nationally Distributed Kids' Series to Feature Native American Lead

Pasadena, CA, February 1, 2019 - From Alaska to homes all across the U.S., MOLLY OF DENALI, a groundbreaking new PBS KIDS series produced by WGBH Boston, will premiere nationwide July 15, 2019 on PBS stations, the 24/7 PBS KIDS channel and PBS KIDS digital platforms.

The first nationally distributed children's series to feature a Native American lead character, MOLLY OF DENALI is about Alaska Native Molly Mabray, a feisty and resourceful 10-year-old Gwich'in/Koyukon/Dena'ina Athabascan girl, who takes viewers ages 4 to 8 along with her on adventures and fosters literacy skills along the way. With an emphasis on family and intergenerational relationships, episodes of MOLLY OF DENALI model Alaska Native values, such as respecting others, sharing what you have and honoring your elders, while showcasing contemporary aspects of rural life, including strong female role models and how technology aids in communication.

PBS KIDS has a longstanding commitment to celebrating inclusiveness and diversity, and we're delighted to further that mission through MOLLY OF DENALI, said Linda Simensky, Vice President, Children's Programming, PBS. We can't wait for families to meet MOLLY OF DENALI, who will introduce them to some of the richest cultures in our nation.

MOLLY OF DENALI is grounded in a pioneering curriculum focused on informational text, a foundational aspect of literacy education. Informational texts are designed to convey information and can include written words, images, graphics, video and oral language. In every episode, Molly navigates her world and solves problems with the help of books, online resources, field guides, historical documents, maps, tables, posters, photos, Indigenous knowledge from elders, her very own vlog and more.

We're excited to bring the world of MOLLY OF DENALI to audiences everywhere, said WGBH Executive Producer Dorothea Gillim. What began with the idea of creating a show based on the joy children find in playing store' has evolved into the story of kids and community, and an authentic reflection of life in Alaska, with an important Informational Text curriculum to support it.

MOLLY OF DENALI includes Alaska Native voices in all aspects of the production, both on camera and behind the scenes. Every Indigenous character is voiced by an Indigenous actor, including the lead character of Molly, who is voiced by Alaska Native Sovereign Bill (Tlingit and Muckleshoot). Alaska Native screenwriters and producers are also part of bringing the series to life. WGBH Boston developed MOLLY OF DENALI with a working group of Alaska Native advisors, and is creating opportunities for developing Alaska Native talent via a Scriptwriting Fellowship. The show also gives young viewers a window into the Alaskan experience through live-action interstitials featuring local children and regions filmed by Alaskan production teams, including Alaska Public Media, KUAC, UAF Frame and Channel Films. The theme song was sung by Phillip Blanchett and Karina Moeller of the Yupik Alaska Native band Pamyua, and the Athabascan fiddle and traditional drum in the song were played by Gwich'in fiddler Brenna Firth.

I'm thrilled that Alaska Native children will get to see themselves and our vibrant cultures represented in MOLLY OF DENALI, said Princess Daazhraii Johnson, Creative Producer of the series. Equally important is having a positive representation of Alaska Native culture shared with a broader audience. The show also reinforces for children that no matter where they're from or where they live, we are all much more alike than we are different.

MOLLY OF DENALI is being developed as part of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and PBS Ready To Learn Initiative with funding from the U.S. Department of Education. The Ready To Learn Initiative brings educational television and digital media resources to children ages 2-8, and aims to promote early science and literacy learning, with an emphasis on supporting children from underserved communities.

As a signature component for the CPB-PBS Ready To Learn Initiative, MOLLY OF DENALI presents high-quality, innovative educational content promoting literacy skills while exposing young learners to cultural diversity in a positive and authentic way, said Deb Sanchez, CPB Senior Vice President, Education and Children's Content. CPB supports both education and diversity through its investments in the MOLLY OF DENALI production, ensuring that Alaska Natives are involved in all aspects and all levels of production and the creation of multi-station educational resources focused on rural children.

Each episode of MOLLY OF DENALI will include two 11-minute stories as well as a live-action interstitial. The first season will feature 38 half-hour episodes, along with a one-hour special.

Starting in May 2019, kids and families can share in the early adventures of Molly and her friends through a new eight-part podcast series, a prequel to the PBS KIDS show debuting in July. Drawing on Native storytelling to introduce Molly and her home, The Molly of Denali podcast is a first from WGBH, in partnership with PRX and Gen-Z Media.

The series is co-produced by WGBH and its animation partner, Atomic Cartoons, in association with CBC Kids. MOLLY OF DENALI is developed and produced with funding from CPB, the Department of Education's Ready To Learn Grant, public television viewers and the Province of British Columbia Production Services Tax Credit. Corporate funding provided by Homer.

Alaska Native working group: Adeline P. Raboff, Dewey Kk'o eyo Hoffman, Luke Titus and Rochelle Adams. Language Advisors: Adeline P. Raboff, Lance X'
LINK: http://www.pbs.org/about/blogs/news/pbs-kids-announces-molly-of-denali...
See more stories from pbs

More from PBS

19/08/2020

PBS Offers At-Home Learning Broadcast and Digital Resources, Providing Free Educational Access for Students Across the Country

As the school year begins, PBS stations offer free broadcast TV programs that su...

14/08/2020

PBS Announces SELF-EVIDENT, a New Digital Series Inspired by AMERICAN PORTRAIT

The Companion Series Explores American Perseverance in 2020 Through Personal Stories from Around the Country ARLINGTON, VA; August 13, 2020 - PBS announced tod...

07/08/2020

PBS Programs Lead News and Documentary Emmys with 48 Nominations

For the seventh consecutive year, PBS programs have earned more News & Documentary Emmy Award Nominations than any organization, with 48 nominations. The Natio...

30/07/2020

New Animated STEM Series ELINOR WONDERS WHY Premieres on PBS KIDS September 7, 2020

Olive, Elinor and Ari in Animal Town Pipeline Studios, SHOE Ink Multiplatfor...

29/07/2020

PBS Distribution Announces New Prime Video Channel: PBS Documentaries

-- KEN BURNS, NOVA, FRONTLINE, AMERICAN MASTERS, NATURE, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE AMONG THE PROGRAMS FEATURED ON THE PRIME VIDEO CHANNEL -- -- ENTIRE KEN BURNS COLL...

29/07/2020

PBS and PBS NEWSHOUR Announce Intimate Series with New York Times Bestselling Author Kelly Corrigan

Arlington, VA (July 28, 2020) -PBS and PBS NEWSHOUR today announced TELL ME MORE...

29/07/2020

PBS's Independent Lens to Premiere Mr. SOUL! in Its Upcoming Season, Bringing America's First Black Variety Show Back to Public Television

Documentary Illuminates Groundbreaking Show SOUL! and Its Trailblazing Producer ...

29/07/2020

New PBS KIDS Talk About: Race and Racism Special to Debut on October 9

July 28, 2020 - Today, PBS KIDS announced a new special, PBS KIDS Talk About: Race and Racism, premiering October 9. The half-hour program will feature authen...

29/07/2020

PBS Recognized With Six Primetime Emmy Nominations

PBS programs received six nominations for the 72nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) announced the nomin...

27/07/2020

Public Television Receives Three Daytime Emmy Awards

On Sunday July 26, 2020, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) announced the winners of the 47th Daytime Emmy Awards in the Childrens, Lif...

24/07/2020

PBS PROGRAMMING GUIDE FALL 2020: SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER

NEW PBS PRIMETIME PREMIERES *Please Check Local Listings* ELECTION 2020 FRONTLINE The Choice 2020: Trump vs. Biden Premieres: Tuesday, September 22 at 9:0...

16/07/2020

PBS AMERICAN PORTRAIT To Air Two New Specials Exploring Families and Different Generations Today

Content Initiative Capturing Expressions of American Life and Struggle, As It Ha...

15/07/2020

Lucy Worsley s Royal Photo Album

Lucy Worsley in a carriage on The Mall, London Credit: Lorian Reed-Drake Premieres Sunday, August 16, 2020 on PBS From Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth II, ...

15/07/2020

New DANIEL TIGER'S NEIGHBORHOOD Special, Created in Response to COVID-19, Premieres August 17 on PBS KIDS

Season 5 of Emmy-Winning Hit Kicks Off with Sing-Along Special to Support Famili...

30/06/2020

PBS Returns to the Rio Grande Valley

ARLINGTON, VA; June 30, 2020- Today, PBS joined Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) to announce the return of public television in South Texas. This initiative was sp...

30/06/2020

PBS Strengthens Technology Leadership with the Promotions of Rhonda Holt and Scott Nourse

ARLINGTON, VA; June 30, 2020- PBS today announced the promotions of Rhonda Holt ...

27/06/2020

Amy Wigler Joins PBS as Vice President, Marketing

ARLINGTON, VA; June 11, 2020- PBS today announced the hiring of Amy Wigler as Vice President, Marketing. She will begin her post on June 22, 2020 and will repor...

25/06/2020

PBS KIDS and Little Free Library Team Up for Story-Times This Summer

Dwyane Wade, Camila Alves McConaughey, Tim Gunn, Carla Hall, Anthony Ramos, Marley Dias, Boris Kodjoe & Nicole Ari Parker, and Misty Copeland Are Latest Special...

19/06/2020

The Ninth Annual PBS Short Film Festival Celebrates Independent Filmmakers and Showcases Diverse Storytelling

Twenty-Five Films Exploring Culture, Environment, Family, Humanity and Race Rela...

12/06/2020

PBS Promotes Jeremy Teres to Vice President, Business Development

ARLINGTON, VA; June 11, 2020- PBS today announced the promotion of Jeremy Teres to Vice President, Business Development. He will report to Ira Rubenstein, PBS C...

12/06/2020

Amy Wigler Joins PBS as Vice President, Multiplatform Marketing and Content

ARLINGTON, VA; June 11, 2020- PBS today announced the hiring of Amy Wigler as Vice President of Multiplatform Marketing and Content. She will begin her post on ...

11/06/2020

PBS NewsHour's Yamiche Alcindor Named Recipient of WHCA's Aldo Beckman Award for Overall Excellence in White House Coverage

The White House Correspondents' Association today named PBS NewsHour White H...

11/06/2020

PBS Programs Receive More Peabody Awards Than Any Other Organization

On June 10, 2020, the Peabody Awards Board of Jurors announced 30 winners for the 79th Annual Peabody Awards honoring the most compelling and empowering stories...

09/06/2020

Families Invited to Join PBS for a Summer of Learning

PBS and member stations across the country are helping families adjust to a different kind of summer with distance learning broadcast schedules, new free digita...

03/06/2020

PBS to Address Race and Racism in America Through Broadcast and Streaming Content

RACE MATTERS: AMERICA IN CRISIS: A PBS NEWSHOUR SPECIAL Premieres Friday, June 5...

22/05/2020

PBS Earns 18 Daytime Emmy Nominations

On May 21, 2020, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) announced the nominees for the 47th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards. PBS and PBS KIDS pr...

15/05/2020

Discover the Legacy and Impact of Three of Europe's Most Iconic Queens in LUCY WORSLEY'S ROYAL MYTHS & SECRETS, Sundays, June 21-July 5 on PBS

Lucy Worsley at the Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval college, Greenwich New Three-Part Series Hosted by the Popular British Historian Premieres During PBS's ...

11/05/2020

Mondays with Michelle Obama Extended

Four Additional Storytimes with Penguin Random House and PBS KIDS to Stream on YouTube and Facebook on May 18 and May 25, Featuring Special Surprise Guests (Mo...

07/05/2020

PBS Programs Honored With More Peabody Nominations Than Any Other Organization

On May 6, 2020, finalists for the 79th Annual Peabody Awards, honoring the most compelling and empowering stories released in broadcasting and digital media dur...

05/05/2020

PBS KIDS Encourages Families to Thank Those Making a Difference in Our Communities Amid COVID-19

Thank You Neighbors Campaign Promotes a Month-Long Celebration of Teachers and ...

05/05/2020

PBS Announces Educators Selected For 2020 Class of Digital Innovator All-Star Program

Program recognizes 19 teachers nominated by their local PBS stations as leaders ...

02/05/2020

PBS Coronavirus-Related Programming and Resources Guide

PBS is committed to providing accurate and timely information to Americans throughout the coronavirus pandemic. The following special primetime programs, stream...

29/04/2020

PBS Receives 16 Webby Nominations

On Tuesday, April 28, 2020, nominees of the 24th annual Webby Awards were announced by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS). PBS, PBS ...

20/04/2020

PBS to Provide Access to Ken Burns Films to Support Educators and Students with Distance Learning

PBS LearningMedia to Include Full Films in Ken Burns in the Classroom Hub, to ...

06/04/2020

Created Equal: Clarence Thomas In His Own Words Airs on PBS May 18, 2020

Supreme Court Justice Offers Rare Interview in New Documentary Featuring One of America's Most Powerful Figures Arlington, VA - April 6, 2020 - CREATED EQU...

31/03/2020

PBS ELECTS TINA SHARKEY TO ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ARLINGTON, VA; March 31, 2020- PBS today announced the election of Tina Sharkey to serve as a member of its Board of Directors. Sharkey has driven innovation i...

27/03/2020

PBS and WGBH to Provide At-Home Learning Programs for Students and Educators Nationwide During School Closures Through WORLD Channel

March 26, 2020 - As schools across the country close in response to the COVID-19...

24/03/2020

PBS to Make THE ROOSEVELTS Available as Part of American History Night with Ken Burns" on Thursday Nights Beginning March 26

Series to be Followed by Re-release of THE NATIONAL PARKS and THE WAR PBS Lear...

16/03/2020

PBS Responds to Coronavirus Pandemic With Programming and Online Content to Keep Americans Informed and Support Families and Educators

ARLINGTON, VA; March 16, 2020 - As concern about the coronavirus (COVID-19) glob...

12/02/2020

PBS KIDS Wins Kidscreen Award for Channel of the Year

Winners of the 2020 Kidscreen Awards were announced on Tuesday, February 11 during the Kidscreen Summit in Miami. The annual awards celebrate the year's bes...

11/02/2020

For 17th Consecutive Year, Americans Name PBS and Member Stations as Most Trusted Institution

ARLINGTON, VA; Feb. 10, 2020- As PBS celebrates its 50th anniversary, it has onc...

11/02/2020

PBS STATEMENT: Trump Administration Proposes Elimination of Federal Funding for Most Trusted Institution

ARLINGTON, VA; Feb. 10, 2020- In response to the Trump Administration's prop...

07/02/2020

PBS Opens Request for Information Process for Public Television's Interconnection System

Interested Parties Can Submit Responses through Feb. 20, 2020 RFI Precedes Pote...

31/01/2020

PBS Announces Comprehensive Slate of Special Election Programming with The Vote 2020

ARLINGTON, VA; Jan. 30, 2020- On the eve of the Iowa Caucus, PBS announces a com...

28/01/2020

HERO ELEMENTARY to Premiere on PBS KIDS June 1, 2020

New Superhero Series from Twin Cities PBS and Portfolio Entertainment to Bring Science-Powered Fun to Young Viewers Nationwide Arlington, VA, January 28, 2020 ...

23/01/2020

PBS Digital Studios Serves Up New Original Series, GOOD GUMBO, Showcasing the South's Rich Food and Heritage

PBS Web Series Premieres January 16, 2020, on PBS Digital Studios' New YouT...

11/01/2020

PBS KIDS and Fred Rogers Productions to Debut New Season and First Podcast From Odd Squad

The Fred Rogers Company Premiering February 17, 2020, STEM-Fueled Season 3 of M...