Curious World & Fred Rogers Team for Short-Form Series

NEW YORK: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s (HMH) Curious World has partnered with The Fred Rogers Company to launch original short-form videos for kids and families.

The Fred Rogers Company has premiered Through the Woods, a new series of animated shorts, on Curious World, marking the company’s foray into original programming for mobile. Each episode follows a young boy and his dog as they go on adventures in their backyard woods. The show is meant to teach young viewers to respect nature while encouraging self-guided play, curiosity and loving relationships.

“I cannot overstate how thrilled we are to be working with the amazing team at The Fred Rogers Company,” said CJ Kettler, the executive VP and chief of consumer brands and strategy at HMH. “Curious World’s philosophy aligns perfectly with The Fred Rogers Company’s commitment to creating kids’ media that families can trust to inspire off-screen learning and support an interest in life science and nature. Our viewers are going to love joining Rider and Wolfie as they explore the natural world.”

“As an innovative, mobile content service, Curious World is ideal for showcasing Rider’s and Wolfie’s outdoor adventures,” noted Paul Siefken, the president and CEO of The Fred Rogers Company. “Viewers can reenact these familiar and relatable encounters with nature in their own neighborhoods. At the same time, the shorts display key early-learning skills like self-regulation, persistence and inquiry—as well as sharing new experiences with loving parents and grandparents. The Fred Rogers Company recognizes that it’s important for positive, developmental content to be everywhere kids and families are today.”

Curious World has also bolstered its short-form offerings with the addition of the STEAM-themed animated series Melia and Jo, created by Peg + Cat‘s Jennifer Oxley and Billy Aronson. The show centers on two 5-year-old best friends who inspire children to use their imaginations and think outside of the box.

“We always love doing shows about strong girls and the power of friendship,” stated Oxley. ”But the timing of this show makes those things really urgent! Melia and Jo shows how kids can use their brains, their hands, their guts to change the world.”

“HMH is grateful to be working with such talented folks on Melia and Jo, as we know Jennifer and Billy share Curious World’s goal to make quality kids’ programming that is both educational and lots of fun,” remarked Kettler. “Melia and Jo are a STEAM Dream Team, showing that when science and art come together, the results are innovative and groundbreaking. Their exuberance is contagious and will no doubt inspire kids to get creative in their own environments.”

“All the elements came together so well,” added Aronson. “The upbeat jazz, the goofy language, the gorgeous animation. And the girls we cast are so charming and hilarious! They have an awesome rapport that makes the Melia and Jo friendship really sing.”