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This September, PBS KIDS will premiere the first-ever movie from the beloved series from Fred Rogers Productions, DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD, which will explore social/emotional-based school-readiness themes. PBS Kids is releasing Daniel Tiger’s Nighborhood’s first hour-long movie, which revolves around a new family moving into the neighborhood of Make-Believe.   It’s up to Daniel and his community to welcome the family with open arms, forging new friendships in this much-anticipated movie event.

“The Daniel Tiger Movie: Won’t You be Our Neighbor?” introduces fans to a new character, Jodi Platypus, and her family.

It’s set to premiere the week of September 17 on PBS Kids and PBS Kids 24/7 channel and live stream. It will also be available for free on pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS Video App.

“School readiness is crucial, and social-emotional learning lies at its core,” stated Lesli Rotenberg, the senior VP and general manager for children’s media and education at PBS. “We need today more than ever some of the lessons that Fred divined in terms of inclusiveness and community and what it means to be a good neighbor,” Rotenberg said.

“PBS Kids’ goal is to use the power of media to prepare every child for success in school and life.  Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is a prime example of this approach.  Research shows that the fan-favorite series nurtures empathy and enhances emotional recognition—important skills for preschoolers as they start school.”

“The movie gave show writers a chance to tell a big story about what happens when the new character Jodi Platypus arrives, but also several stories within that one,” show creator Angela Santomero told USA Today. “One of her favorite books gets lost. Daniel helps her find it and she is forever grateful and the fact they have time to bond, it helps Jodi as she starts school,” Santomero said.

Additionally, two new episodes from DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD will debut throughout the week of September 17, focusing on themes such as making new friends and navigating unfamiliar social situations. New two-minute shorts from DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD can now be seen alongside season four episodes on-air. They will debut on the PBS KIDS YouTube channel, PBS KIDS Video app and PBS KIDS Facebook page weekly beginning Saturday, August 25. In each segment, one of the neighbors will open their door and show us around from their unique perspective, allowing preschoolers to develop empathy skills by better understanding the lives and experiences of others.

Movie and Episode Descriptions

THE DANIEL TIGER MOVIE: WON’T YOU BE OUR NEIGHBOR??
Premieres Monday, September 17, Airs September 19-21
A new family is moving into the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, and Daniel wonders if there will be a new friend for him. The Tiger Family welcomes the neighbors and helps them adjust to their new surroundings. Daniel lends an extra hand to help his neighbors make their new place feel like home.

Jodi’s First Day at School/Daniel Plays at Jodi’s House
Premieres September 18
“Jodi’s First Day at School” – Jodi is nervous on her first day at a new school, so Teacher Harriet explains to Jodi that she can find something or someone she knows to help herself feel better. She spots Daniel Tiger, who is someone she knows! Daniel takes on the duties of “First Day Friend” to help Jodi feel comfortable at her new school.
“Daniel Plays at Jodi’s House” – Daniel goes to Jodi’s house after school. At first, Daniel feels a little nervous because he’s never played at Jodi’s house after school before. Then Daniel finds things he knows—like blueberries—to make himself feel better at Jodi’s house.

A New Friend at School/A New Friend at the Playground
Premieres September 20
“A New Friend at School” – Daniel can’t wait to race the crafty car he made at school with Prince Wednesday! But Prince Wednesday is busy playing with Jodi now. Is Prince Wednesday still Daniel’s friend? Of course he is.
“A New Friend at the Playground” – Daniel and Miss Elaina are playing together at the park. When their new friend Jodi shows up to play, Daniel worries that Miss Elaina likes Jodi more than him, but then Daniel is reminded that they’re all still friends.