PBS KIDS presents “Donkey Hodie”
Leslie Rotenberg (Chief Programming Executive and General Manager,
Children’s Media and Education) opened the PBS KIDS session by providing highlights on how the organization has continued serving children, families and schools during the global health pandemic. During her remarks, Leslie introduced critics to two new programs fom Fred Rogets Productions coming to PBS KIDS this year, ALMA’S WAY and DONKEY HODIE.
Inspired by the funny, quirky side of children’s TV pioneer Fred Rogers, this new puppet series for preschoolers follows the adventures of Donkey Hodie, the granddaughter of the original Donkey Hodie character (now known as “Grampy Hodie”) from MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD.
In every episode, Donkey Hodie and her pals, Purple Panda, Duck Duck and Bob Dog, empower kids ages 3–5 to dream big and overcome obstacles in their own lives — and to laugh themselves silly along the way. New, original music will be featured in DONKEY HODIE — along with reimagined versions of Fred Rogers’ iconic songs.
As a special treat, Donkey Hodie and her pals treated the television critics to a fun, original song before puppeteers Frankie Cordero (Purple Panda) and Haley Jenkins (Donkey Hodie) joined series executive producers Ellen Doherty, David Rudman and Adam Rudman for discussion.
