NEW YORK — May 11, 2009 — Scholastic Media's (www.scholastic.com) Emmy Award®-winning WordGirl® (pbskidsgo.org/wordgirl) and her monkey sidekick Captain Huggy Face galaxy-hopped from planet Lexicon several years back, to battle Earth-bound villains with bad grammar and even worse vocabularies. But her alter ego Becky Botsford embarks on a much more exciting adventure with friends and family during the "WordGirl Summer Road Trip," airing July 13-17, 2009 on PBS KIDS GO!sm (Check local listings.) The special week of programming will be supported by on-air promotion and new "road trip"-related online content at pbskidsgo.org/wordgirl.

New episodes airing Monday and Tuesday (July 13-14) find Becky and the gang roughing it on a serene camping trip marred by a giant robot, and saving the city’s candy supply during an all-but-routine field trip. Fan favorites re-air the rest of the week, including episodes in which WordGirl protects the local amusement park and averts a major cheese heist during a family vacation.

"WordGirl fans may be on summer vacation, but a nine-and-a-half-year-old super heroine's work is never done," says Deborah Forte, President of Scholastic Media, Executive Producer of WordGirl, and Executive Vice President of Scholastic Inc., the global children's publishing, education and media company. "Scholastic is proud that its award-winning show will bring viewers brand-new adventures to enjoy, and new words to use all summer long."

Designed to enrich children's vocabulary, instill a love of language, and foster better reading comprehension, WordGirl debuted as on-air and online shorts in November 2006 and has been airing 5 days a week since 2008. A popular website, pbskidsgo.org/wordgirl, supports the program’s goals with free interactive games, activities for parents and children, and lesson plans for teachers to enhance vocabulary development and general literacy.

The show has won numerous parenting and industry excellence awards since its debut, including an Emmy Award for "Best Writing in Animation," a Television Critics Award for "Outstanding Achievement in Children's Animation," a Gracie Award for its portrayal of a strong female character, an iParenting Media Award, a Parents Choice Silver Honor Award and many more. Scholastic recently released books based on the popular show – and Scholastic Media has announced plans for further expansion of the franchise featuring educational board games, puzzles and more.

"WORDGIRL SUMMER ROAD TRIP" – FEATURED EPISODES

Monday, July 13 (repeats Friday, July 17) -- Premiere Episode
"Robo-Camping"
It's off to the woods for a serene camping trip with Becky, Violet, Tobey…and Tobey's giant robot. While the others attempt to rough it, Tobey commands his robot to do his tasks and create a luxurious work-free weekend. But can the hulking metal monster survive an unexpected thunderstorm?
Vocabulary Words: independent; serene

"The Stew, The Proud..."
Time is running out for Becky to return her library books and maintain a perfect borrowing record, just as Raul Demiglasse and the Butcher go head-to-head in a culinary showdown.
Vocabulary Words: overdue; superior

Tuesday, July 14 -- Premiere Episode
"Who Wants Candy?"
On a field trip to the local candy factory, The Birthday Girl goes on a candy-eating spree. WordGirl must find a way to save the city's candy, while winning back her best friend and field trip buddy, Violet.
Vocabulary Words: Awestruck, Mastermind

"Chuck’s Brother"
Chuck the Evil Sandwich Making Guy's successful brother Brent is in town and being honored for his latest invention…crust-less bread! As the city prepares for the celebration, Chuck’s envy gets the better of him. Can WordGirl stop Chuck from stealing the precious Golden Sandwich Award?
Vocabulary Words: Sibling, Envious

Wednesday, July 15
"Theme Park Wham-Page"
Becky and Bob eagerly wait in line for a turn to ride The Coaster -- the ultimate new amusement park ride. But the Whammer's enthusiasm for chocolate hot dogs and Hi-Striker machines could ruin a totally fun day. Will WordGirl forfeit her place in line to stop Whammer from destroying the park?
Vocabulary Words: patience; enthusiastic

"Chuck Makes a Buck"
WordGirl helps Chuck get a job as the spokesman for Edible Edibles Sandwiches hoping he will give up a life of crime to stay on the straight and narrow. But Chuck becomes determined to show people what a real sandwich is. Vocabulary Words: Stupendous, Edible
 

Thursday, July 16
"Highway to Havarti"
The Botsford family vacation gets diverted when Becky discovers that Dr. Two-Brains is planning his latest heist at the International Cheese Exposition.
Vocabulary Words: leisure; berserk

"Tiny Big"
Mr. Big manufactures the ultimate teen idol, Tiny Big, to steal WordGirl's thunder and brainwash the town into spending all their money on pop-star merchandise.
Vocabulary Words: fad; limelight

MEDIA NOTES

REVIEW SCREENERS AND STILLS
• Still photos and digital clips from “WordGirl Summer Road Trip” episodes are available.

BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO
•Brand-new, behind-the-scenes b-roll and pre-produced videos, featuring WordGirl actors recording and talking about new episodes, is available for use by multimedia news outlets.

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES
• Executive Producer Deborah Forte and others (including on-air and behind-the-scenes talent) are available to talk about the WordGirl phenomenon.

CONTACT

Goodman Media International
John Michael Kennedy
jmkennedy@goodmanmedia.com
212-576-2700 x 243

Goodman Media International
Jennifer Marcus
jmarcus@goodmanmedia.com
212-576-2700 x 239

ABOUT SCHOLASTIC
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology and children’s media. Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys. The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs and school-based book fairs, retail stores, schools, libraries, television networks and the Company's Internet Site, www.scholastic.com.

ABOUT SCHOLASTIC MEDIA
Scholastic Media, the entertainment and media division of Scholastic, is a leading producer of quality, family-oriented content across multiple platforms, including feature films, television programming, videos, interactive and audio products, and websites, and is a major developer and marketer of children's brands worldwide.

ABOUT PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS GO!
PBS KIDS for preschoolers, and PBS KIDS GO! for early elementary school kids, offer all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, online and outreach programs. With positive character role models and content designed to nurture a child’s total well-being, PBS's online and community resources – including PBS KIDS online (pbskids.org), PBS KIDS GO! online (pbskidsgo.org), PBS Parents (pbsparents.org), PBS Teachers (pbsteachers.org), PBS KIDS Raising Readers and literacy events across the country – leverage the full spectrum of media, technology and community to build knowledge, critical thinking, imagination and curiosity. Empowering children for success in school and in life, only PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS GO! have earned the unanimous endorsement of parents, children, industry leaders and teachers. PBS is a nonprofit media enterprise owned and operated by the nation's 356 public television stations, serving more than 115 million people on-air and online each month and reaching 99% of American homes.