New York — June 8— Scholastic Media, a division of Scholastic Inc, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, announced today that the Emmy® Award-winning series WordGirl® will helps kids beat the summer heat with a weeklong programming event airing July 11-15 on PBS KIDS GO! (check local listings). WordGirl’s Ludicrously Literate Library Week pits WordGirl against a variety of familiar vocabulary villains in episodes that focus on books and reading. Her adventures during the five-day festival include dastardly doings that disrupt distribution of a popular book series and a race against time to rapidly return library books. In support of this programming event, a new area will premiere on PBSKIDSGO.org/wordgirl that invites fans to answer a WordGirl trivia question and unlock her secret spaceship hideout to access exclusive content.

This news comes on the heels of the recent announcement that iVillage, Scholastic and PBS KIDS launched an alliance between one of the largest online communities for moms and two leaders in children’s educational media. With the goal of sustaining children’s reading during the summer months, the three brands are running two summer reading challenges designed to be entertaining and convenient enough to fit into every family’s busy summer schedule. Both challenges, the Scholastic Summer Challenge and the iVillage PBS KIDS Summer Reading Community Challenge, are available through www.SummerReadingCentral.com. In support of the annual Scholastic Summer Challenge, WordGirl is also serving as the national “Ambassador of Summer Reading” for the second year in a row. She has adopted summer reading as her cause to encourage kids to read books over the summer because reading introduces new words, and new words make better readers. "WordGirl’s Ludicrously Literate Library Week" is just one week of ten weeks of special on air programming PBS KIDS is presenting to promote summer reading this year.

"WordGirl is not only a superhero, she’s an avid reader too,” said Scholastic Media President Deborah Forte, who also serves as Executive Producer of WordGirl and Executive Vice President of Scholastic Inc. “Scholastic is proud to bring this special week of programming to fans of all ages in the hope that WordGirl can motivate and inspire good reading practices all summer long."

The episodes featured in "WordGirl’s Ludicrously Literate Library Week" include:

Monday, July 11
"Princess Triana and the Ogre of Castlebum" WordGirl battles with Tobey, who is determined to steal a copy of the newest sequel to everyone's favorite book series so he can read it first. Featured vocabulary words: reveal and devotion.
“Heat Wave, Crime Wave” On the hottest day of the summer, Granny May uses her air-conditioned jetpack/suit of armor to go on a crime spree - and WordGirl and Captain Huggy Face just might be too darn hot to stop her. Featured vocabulary words: swelter and opportunity.

Tuesday July 12
"Robo-Camping" It's off to the woods for a serene camping trip with Becky, Violet, Tobey… and his robots. While the other campers attempt to “rough it,” Tobey commands his robots to do all of his tasks and create a luxurious weekend free from work. But will Tobey and his robots survive an unexpected thunderstorm? Featured vocabulary words: independent and serene.
"The Stew, the Proud..." Time is running out for Becky to return her library books and maintain her perfect record when Raul Demiglasse and the Butcher go head-to-head in a culinary showdown. Featured vocabulary words: overdue and superior.

Wednesday, July 13
"Book Ends" When WordGirl accuses Tobey of being too predictable with his crimes, he responds by using his robots to hold the City’s library hostage until she partakes in a winner-takes-all dodge ball game. Featured vocabulary words: destroy and predictable.
"Mr. Big" Mr. Big, a slick business man up to no good, introduces his new product: “The Thing” that does "stuff." WordGirl must figure out his secret motive and save the city. Featured vocabulary words: vague and specific.

Thursday, July 14
"Opposite Day" Becky's Opposite Day Extravaganza is in full swing until the festivities are interrupted by Nocan the Contrarian. The party guests must find a way to send Nocan back to the land of Contraria. Featured vocabulary words: extravaganza and antonym.
"Granny’s Book Club" The Association of Villains threatens to retire Granny May unless she's able to capture WordGirl. She lures WordGirl into a trap by starting a book club. Can WordGirl read between the lines and escape Granny May’s clutches? Featured vocabulary words: feisty and retire.

Friday, July 15
"When Chuck’s Mom Is Away" When Two-Brains catches wind of the fact that Chuck is home alone, he invites all of the villains to his house. WordGirl makes a surprise appearance at the villain gathering only to discover that she is surrounded by her most dangerous foes. In an effort to preserve his house, Chuck teams up with WordGirl to stop the other villains in their tracks. Featured vocabulary words: reckless and immaculate.
"That’s Entertainment" The Energy Monster’s latest prison break interrupts the Botsford’s family television time. While Tim, Sally, and TJ brainstorm new forms of entertainment, WordGirl hunts down the Energy Monster and returns him to his prison cell. Featured vocabulary words: entertainment and persistent.

WordGirl airs on PBS KIDS GO! (check local listings) and has won numerous industry excellence awards since its debut, including seven Emmy nominations and a 2008 Emmy Award win for "Best Writing in Animation." The show has also won two Gracie awards for its portrayal of a strong female character, a Television Critics Award for "Outstanding Achievement in Children’s Animation," a KidScreen Award for Best Voice Talent, and an iParenting Media Award. WordGirl books are published by Scholastic, series-related games and puzzles are available from Briarpatch and an app is available for iPhone.

For more information on WordGirl, please visit mediaroom.scholastic.com/wordgirl, PBSKIDSGO.org/wordgirl and PBS.org/pressroom.

For additional information, screeners and stills, please contact: Emma Mittelstadt, Goodman Media International / emittelstadt@goodmanmedia.com or 212-576-2700 x 250