Come On Over: Blast Off!
Genre: Christian Children’s DVD
Ages: 4-8
24 Minute Episodes
Release Date: September 2011
Publisher: Zonderkidz, a division of Zondervan

Come On Over: Groovy!
Genre: Christian Children’s DVD
Ages: 4-8
24 Minute Episodes
Release Date: September 2011
Publisher: Zonderkidz, a division of Zondervan

 Emmy Award Winner Joel Tanis Invites Kids and Families to Come On Over with Two New DVDs from the Upcoming Fun-Filled Season of the Hit Series!

Five years after the Emmy Award-winning children’s TV show “Come On Over!” first captured the hearts of children ages 4-8 with its friendly vibe, surprise guests-including Grammy Winners Jars of Clay-and fun antics, executive producer and star Joel Tanis returns with brand new content for the musical series that models creative play for kids and their families.

Using his art studio and backyard as the primary setting, Joel and his quirky cast of friends and neighbors-including Ceci LeBarge, Brandy, Grandma Zippy, Hedge, and Mr. Flabbinjaw-burst into music videos, whimsical make-believe, hands-on arts-based projects and a number of faith-building activities for kids.

The new “Come on Over!” DVD series promises more hilarious fun as it kicks off with the first two episodes that follow Joel and the others from one adventure to another. In Blast Off! (Zonderkidz; September 2011; $9.99), the crew goes on an imaginative ride on giant tinfoil spaceships. And, in Groovy! (Zonderkidz; September 2011; $9.99), they help a shy friend come out of her shell using faith-building exercises and song.

This fall, children will be able to watch the wonderfully wacky shenanigans of Joel and the gang on TBN’s Smile of a Child network on Saturdays at 1:30pm in September and on Wednesdays at 4:00pm starting October 5th.

Magically blending the heart of “Mister Rogers Neighborhood” with the silliness of “Pee Wee’s Playhouse,” both Blast Off! and Groovy! DVDs include a series of video shorts that take the themes of the day and show how they fit into God’s Creative World. Other video shorts give families fun ways in which they can creatively play together.

The following is a list of other ways each 24-minute episode inspires children and families:

• Kids get to learn through creative play. Children learn useful social skills through play, like how to cooperate, how to negotiate and how to act kindly. They also develop their minds and bodies through play as they explore, imagine and create.
• Each episode models playing with the arts, playing to learn and playing for a better life. The arts include music, dance, theatre and visual art – and have characters that model these areas. Playing to learn is when play helps us discover parts of God’s joyful world like bubbles or bees or reading. Playing for a better life means using play to explore things like moods or fears or family.
• It encourages families to play together. All of the great things children explore through play can be accented when interacting with grown-ups. When playing, grown-ups can model cooperation, kindness and joy. Playing allows families time to deliberately interact. Both Blast Off! and Groovy! DVDs include written and video material to help families play and pray together.

ABOUT “COME ON OVER!:” “Come On Over!” is an Emmy Award-winning musical comedy for kids and families that models creative play. The 24-minute episodes follow Joel and his friends as they play through all sorts of situations and model healthy choices and family values. As needed, regular friends bring enthusiasm, encouragement, smarts, and even skepticism to the show. The themes of COO! are enhanced by faith-building activities that are a part of the DVD booklet. These materials include fun discussion points, games, and scripture that encourage families to play and pray together. To date, the show has won twelve regional Emmy awards.It also won two National Bronze Telly Awards. Joel Tanis is based in Holland, Michigan.

www.comeonover.com

Zonderkidz™, a division of Zondervan, inspires young lives through imagination and innovation. As the leader in Christian children’s communications, it produces bestselling and award-winning Bibles, books, board books, graphic novels, audio, video and digital products that awaken the hearts and touch the souls of kids under 16 and the people who love them, from family members to educators. Zonderkidz is the publisher of the NIrV (New International Reader’s Version) Bible translation, the 3rd-grade reading level edition of the NIV that is ideal for children and those who speak English as a second language. Visit Zonderkidz on the Internet at www.zonderkidz.com.

Zondervan, a HarperCollins company headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a world leader in Christian communications and the leading Christian publishing brand. For more than 75 years, Zondervan has delivered transformational Christian experiences through general and academic resources authored by influential leaders and emerging voices, and has been honored with more Christian Book Awards than any other publisher.