NEW YORK – August 31, 2010 – A nationwide hoopla of promotional activities and events are underway this week to herald the debut of THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT! an animated television series starring Dr Seuss’s iconic character that premieres Monday, September 6 on PBS KIDS (check local listings).

Anchoring the promotional campaign are premiere launch events at family friendly science locations across the country that mirror the themes of the show. These launch events will offer sneak peeks at the widely-anticipated TV series and, through a variety of customized Cat in the Hat activities, entice preschoolers and their families to join in the celebration.

Key screening launch events will take place in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, New York, San Diego and Washington DC during the Labor Day weekend. In addition, celebrations hosted by PBS affiliates take place from coast to coast throughout September. Details for the major launch events are as follows:

• The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo in New York City will host a three-day launch extravaganza, featuring an animal-inspired scavenger hunt, screenings of the series’ first episode, a red-and-white-festooned “Cat in the Hat Tree of Knowledge” in the Zoo’s historic Astor Court, costume character appearances, story-time readings from The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library book series on which the television series is based, and more.
• Zoos and aquariums figure prominently into THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT! launch celebrations. The National Aquarium in Washington DC hosts two days of Cat programming on September 4 and 5, complete with screenings and other activities. Also, the Dallas Zoo, Zoo Atlanta, and New England Aquarium in Boston will host events, scavenger hunts and visits from the Cat on Monday, September 6.
• The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, which maintains a close relationship with Dr. Seuss Enterprises and members of Dr. Seuss’s family, offers screenings in its main theater space, plus family photo opportunities with the Cat and other fun activities.

THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT! was created in response to recent findings that children graduating from kindergarten are less prepared to learn about science than about other subjects. The series supports young children’s science learning by introducing scientific inquiry skills, teaching core science concepts and vocabulary, and preparing preschoolers for kindergarten and first grade science curriculum — all in whimsical style.

Voiced by award-winning actor Martin Short in the new animated series, Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat guides friends Sally and Nick – with a little help from the Fish, Thing 1 and Thing 2 – on fun-filled adventures where they make natural-science discoveries, from how bees make honey to why owls sleep during the day.

Produced by Portfolio Entertainment Inc. and Collingwood O’Hare Productions, in association with Dr. Seuss Enterprises, Random House Children’s Entertainment, Treehouse, and PBS KIDS, THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT! is based on Random House’s bestselling Beginner Book collection, The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library.

MEDIA CONTACTS

For more information on these events and other “The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That!” marketing projects pre- and post-launch, contact us at:

John Michael Kennedy/Jennifer Marcus
Goodman Media International (for Random House)
212-576-2700, jmkennedy@goodmanmedia.com