New Live-Action Series Odd Squad Premieres 11/26 on PBS Kids

Last April at the PBS annual meeting in San Francisco, I heard about a new PBS Kids series ODD SQUAD that is designed to help kids ages 5-8 years old build math skills.  Coming from a student who was deathly afraid of math growing up – I am absolutlely thrilled that PBS Kids has created this series that shows that math can be fun!  You see, the show follows two young government agents, Olive and Otto, who use math skills and collaboration to investigate weird and unusual phenomena. ODD SQUAD will premiere today, Wednesday, November 26, 2014, on PBS KIDS with a special one-hour broadcast of two back-to-back episodes, along with integrated digital and offline content. The series will air on weekdays following the premiere (check local listings).

ODD SQUAD is created by Tim McKeon (The Electric Company, Fosterʼs Home for Imaginary Friends, Adventure Time) and Adam Peltzman (The Electric Company, The Backyardigans, Wallykazam!) and produced by The Fred Rogers Company and Sinking Ship Entertainment. I mentioned to Tim and Adam at our Q & A session with them that my daughter loves anything to do with detective work or spy adventures. In fact, this year she wanted to be a spy for Halloween and took it quite seriously as you can see in her expression below!

In each episode of ODD SQUAD, the young agents use math to put things right when oddness strikes. Olive and Otto solve cases ranging from disappearing zeroes to runaway dinosaurs, and the agents often find additional clues in the “Mathroom,” a futuristic space that is just a teleport away.  Last night, my daughter and I had a chance to preview the Christmas-themed episode of ODD SQUAD, that premieres on December 1st.  Olive and Otto are trying to help Santa track down his missing reindeer, while Oscar is trying to help Ms. O get off of Santa’s Naughty List. My daughter loved it so much she asked to watch another episode!

“We are excited to bring a new math show to the PBS KIDS line-up this November, particularly at a time when STEM education is proving to be so important,” said Lesli Rotenberg, General Manager, Children’s Programming, PBS. “Research shows that kids perform better when exposed early to math concepts, and ODD SQUAD introduces these topics in a fun and engaging way. And as viewers join Olive and Otto on their extraordinary adventures, they will also learn the importance of working together, communication and perseverance — skills that are integral to problem-solving and success in school and in life.”

The ODD SQUAD television series is part of a multiplatform media experience that will include interactive content online and on mobile. With ODD SQUAD’s digital content, kids will have the opportunity to solve cases and stop oddness, just like Olive and Otto and the rest of the Odd Squad. The show’s interactive features will include games, parent resources, mobile apps and more.

ODD SQUAD is part of PBS KIDS’ ongoing commitment to use the power of media to help open up worlds of possibilities for children. PBS KIDS serves young audiences wherever they live, learn and play — through educational apps, on TV, online and in the classroom.

And make sure to check out the return of the classic family favorite CURIOUS GEORGE: A Very Monkey Christmas and new holiday episodes from ODD SQUAD and PEG + CAT.  Premiering November 26th, CURIOUS GEORGE: A Very Monkey Christmas finds George and The Man with the Yellow Hat not sure what to get one another for Christmas!  And on December 1st, the Christmas-themed ODD SQUAD premieres.

To celebrate the holidays we are handing out one Curious George Christmas Plush and his Snowy Day book to a dandelion mom!

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway