
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 28, 1994                   TAG: 9406280060
SECTION: PARENT'S GUIDE                    PAGE: WPG4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DONNA MUSSELWHITE
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

PUBLIC TELEVISION OFFERING GREAT VIEWING FOR CHILDREN

Thanks perhaps to the long-term success of "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" and "Sesame Street," there is now a wealth of television programming for children on public television. The shows can be seen on WBRA.

Topping the list these days is "Barney & Friends" and "Shining Time Station." Barney, of course, is the larger than life purple and green dinosaur who teaches lessons of creativity and self-esteem.

Created in 1988 by a Texas teacher who was frustrated by the lack of quality educational entertainment for her own son, Barney is a lovable character who gently leads pre-schoolers through lessons about childhood and the complicated business of growing up. The shows incorporate dance and popular children's songs. Barney is joined by Baby Bop, a fluffy green almost 3-year-old Triceratops, and an ethnically diverse cast of children.

"Shining Time Station" features George Carlin as Mr. Conductor, Thomas the Tank Engine, his spunky steam engine friends, and an ensemble cast. The show weaves music, live animation, creative play and railroad legend, and is geared to young children and their families. It is set in a timeless present at a colorful, sleepy whistle-stop on the mythical Indian River Railroad, and revolves around the day-to-day activities of its eclectic citizens.

Each program includes live-action animated segments featuring Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends in a storyline about a basic human value or common social dilemma. The show also features the Juke Box Puppet Band.

Another popular program is "Reading Rainbow" hosted by actor LeVar Burton. Guest stars read stories, and the program also includes book reports by children.

Still going strong are "Sesame Street" and "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood." After 25 years, Mister Rogers is still teaching children social values, respect for themselves and others, and encouraging them to feel good about themselves. In recent episodes, Mr. Rogers has dealt with such issues as divorce, going back to school and the Gulf War.

"Sesame Street" continues to be very popular with young children, teaching the basics of ABCs and counting, and featuring Jim Henson's Muppets.

"With these programs, parents don't have to worry about the contents of the programs themselves, and they don't have to be concerned about the content of the commercials inbetween. There is good children's programming on commercial TV, but you have to do more monitoring. We feel really good about what we offer children and their families," said Jon Boettcher, vice president of programming for WBRA.

by CNB