kids climate change press kit
TRANSCRIPT
SIMON SAYS “LET’S STOP CLIMATE CHANGE”
By Denis Thomopoulos, Hippo Works Press Notes
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SYNOPSIS Simon Says “Let’s Stop Climate Change” is the first animated DVD to tackle the issue of climate change for children ages 4 to 14. Using the Hippo Works cast of characters: Simon, the good-‐natured red hippo; Peep, a passionate environmentalist; Suzanne the Crystal Goddess, a bird with magical powers; and Bob, a skeptical rodent; children are taught through a direct, yet light-‐hearted narrative, about everything from the Greenhouse Effect and global warming to the food chain.
The DVD educates children not only about the causes and effects of climate change but also offers solutions for which children can take an active role (and even track by checking off and coloring each solution on the DVD's fold-‐out poster). Among the solutions are the "Three Rs," (reducing, reusing, recycling), composting, and carbon offsetting.
The creator and cartoonist, Denis Thomopoulos, does a brilliant job of both presenting scientifically accurate information and entertaining a young audience. Children are already embracing such catchy songs as “One by One, Ton by Ton” and “The Power of Poop!” Even complex concepts such as "carbon offsets" are explained simply and entertainingly -‐ so much so that super fan, Henry, age 4, took it upon himself to raise $83 to offset his 'carbon footprint' through hosting 'a climate change bake sale' (just like the animals do at the film's end!).
Henry at his Climate Change Bake Sale
In addition to the fold-‐out poster, the DVD offers several other features including downloadable songs, ringtones, screen savers, and bonus cartoons. For educational use, the DVD also offers film chapters correlated to National Science Standards, an interactive quiz, review questions, and a downloadable eHandbook with teacher lesson plans, vocabulary flash cards, coloring sheets, educational games, and more. Simon Says “Let’s Stop Climate Change” gives children their first opportunity to learn about climate change and become engaged with our world environment.
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EARLY PRAISE OF THE DVD “This film connects kids to their planet with an understanding of how climate change affects them and what they can do to stop it – all with characters my family just loves!” – Davis Guggenheim, Director of An Inconvenient Truth and Waiting for Superman “The global warming issues that the film communicated are scientifically sound. Plus the film will be great fun for students!” – Stephen H. Schneider, Ph.D., Stanford University and recipient of the 2009 collective Nobel Peace Prize “Simon the Hippo is joined by friends Peep the Bird, Bob the Rodent, and Suzanne the Crystal Goddess in this kid-‐friendly eco-‐program. The animals are worried–snow is melting on Mount Kilimanjaro, drought in Africa is spreading, and the heat is getting to them. Although Bob is reluctant to take on climate issues (“rats always survive,” he claims), the others know that everyone has to help to reverse these trends. This brightly colored, simply animated program tackles some big issues (global warming, carbon footprints, climate change, recycling, the food chain) in age-‐appropriate terms. Kids will love the catchy tunes and silly humor. While singing along, viewers gain solid information on the science behind the climate change as well as suggestions of ways they can help, including riding bikes instead of cars, turning off lights, choosing reusable products, planting gardens, and raising money for environmental projects. Extras include an extensive teachers’ guide with lesson plans, Spanish language translation, bonus cartoons, and more. “ — Candace Smith, Booklist “I love Simon the Hippo and want to help stop Climate Change!” – Will, age 5. "My students and I love this DVD! Colorful, engaging, the ‘Simon Says’ film really helped my class learn about and understand the complexities of Global Warming. We also loved the music and how it was infused into the messages." -‐ Kirsten Riley, elementary school teacher, NJ "My kids love this DVD! They've watched it 5 times in 2 days and are singing the songs and becoming little eco warriors! It even inspired them to have a Climate Change Bake Sale where they raised $83 for planting trees to offset their carbon footprints!" -‐ Megan, mother of two, CA “Simon Says, Let’s Stop Climate Change! created by Denis Thomopoulos uses music and character interactions, complete with a stubborn rat, both a magical bird and technologically savvy bird, and a curious hippo, to delight kids and impress key points about our environment. Global warming and climate change are difficult concepts to explain to anyone, but Thomopoulos successfully walks the line between important information and fun and engaging animation to keep kids interested while relaying big ideas. Through Thomopoulos‚ charming and relatable cast of characters, he emphasizes the idea that actions have consequences, while at the same time offering simple and tangible everyday acts for young kids to feel like part of the solution. Simon Says, Let’s Stop Climate Change! will not only broaden children’s understandings of climate change, but will do so in an engaging way that will excite them to learn more about fighting climate change in their own lives. Kids dictate the future of this planet, and Denis Thomopoulos is providing them with the essential foundation that will leave them inspired to make a difference!” -‐ Maggie Ollove, Earth Day Network A starred review is coming in the May 2011 issue of School Library Journal!
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ABOUT DENIS THOMOPOULOS Denis Thomopoulos drew his first hippopotamus while at Georgetown University when he created a best selling t-‐shirt on campus. He then earned a Masters in English Literature from Oxford University in England with the dream of becoming a professor and worked for filmmakers David Puttnam (Chariots of Fire), Costa-‐Gavras (Missing), and Irwin Winkler (Rocky) with the dream of becoming a movie producer.
Looking back at his successful college t-‐shirt, Denis realized though that his heart lay with the hippo (Simon the Hippo), through whom he now fulfills both ambitions of educator and entertainer.
Denis got his start online with licensing Simon and the gang to Lightspan, an education company which distributed his cartoons to schools throughout the United States. He then launched his weekly eco cartooonlet It’s A Jungle Out There!, which has been syndicated to sites ranging from AOL’s Kids Channel, National Geographic Kids, to eco portal Care2.com. The cartoonlet is also now viewed nationwide on video displays at retail outlets through Indoor Direct.
In addition to his weekly, Denis has licensed his characters for cartoons and promotional products to clients such as National Geographic, Paramount Vantage, Con Edison, EarthDayNY.org, SWAPE (Soil Water Air Protection Enterprise), Wildsalmon.org, among others.
“Simon Says ‘Let’s Stop Climate Change!,’” Denis’ newly released DVD, was inspired by the requests of fans, teachers, and non-‐profits who asked that he create a longer cartoon about Climate Change and what can be done to help stop it. The new online myHippoWorks club also offers fans a place where they can manage their carbon footprints and play games to earn ‘Green Dollars’ towards the purchase of actual square feet of rainforest to offset their carbon footprints.
ABOUT HIPPO WORKS As a green company, Hippo Works' website is powered by renewable energy, clothing is produced with organic cotton, and offsets are purchased to make all products carbon neutral.
Past and present clients include: AOL Kids, National Geographic Kids, Paramount Vantage, AT&T, T-‐Mobile, Infospace, Bell Mobility, Zingy, Con Edison, Rogers Canada, Lightspan, Bonus.com (the SuperSite for Kids), Earth Day New York, Wildlife Works, and Care2.com.
More about Hippo Works
http://www.hippoworks.com/
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HIPPO WORKS PRESENTS SIMON SAYS, “LET’S STOP CLIMATE CHANGE!” Languages: English and Spanish Available subtitled in: English and Spanish Total Runtime: 00:41:31 Feature Runtime: 00:28:28 Genre: Animated Short Sound: Stereo Date of Completion: Dec. 2010
CREDITS Denis Thomopoulos, Peter Giles, Traylor Howard Featuring the characters from the cartoonlet “It’s A Jungle Out There!”® by Denis Thomopoulos Songs by Denis Thomopoulos Additional Music by Douglas Pipes John Wood Executive Producers: Anne Thomopoulos and Simon Mathew Producers: Denis Thomopoulos and Adam Kulakow Written and Directed by Denis Thomopoulos
PRESS CONTACTS AT FITZGIBBON MEDIA CJ Frogozo [email protected] 310 570 26222 Naomi Seligman [email protected] 310 617 4577