All Star Alphabet - New Direct-to-Video DVD/VHS from Sony Wonder - Guest Stars Nicole Sullivan and Stephen Colbert

All Star Alphabet - New Direct-to-Video DVD/VHS from Sony Wonder - Guest Stars Nicole Sullivan and Stephen Colbert

Features Alphabetical Talents of Melissa Etheridge, The Dixie Chicks, Norah Jones, Sheryl Crow, Larry King and 26 Letters!

- DVD/VHS Presents Fun Ways to Explore the Alphabet and Encourage Children to Look for Letters and Words in their Everyday Environment -

NEW YORK, Aug. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Move over A, B and C -- letters like I, Y and W get top billing as they star with such celebrities as Sheryl Crow, Norah Jones and Larry King in Sesame Street All Star Alphabet, a new direct- to-video DVD/VHS by Sony Wonder and Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street.

Co-hosted by comedians Stephen Colbert (The Daily Show) and Nicole Sullivan (King of Queens), All Star Alphabet brings fun to phonics in a way that captivates kids and encourages early literacy skills. Starring as costumed letters "A" and "Z", Colbert and Sullivan roam a mall interviewing shoppers and children about the letters they depict. Mall snippets are interspersed between classic Sesame Street footage featuring the neighborhoods' favorite lettermen -- Elmo, Cookie Monster, Bert & Ernie and others. Among highlights:

* Norah Jones croons I Don't Know "Y" with Elmo

* Dixie Chicks harmonize No Letter Better Than "B" with Big Bird

* Larry King interviews the letter "W"

* Sheryl Crow and monsters sing "I" Gonna Soak Up the Sun

"Most of my characters are of course not roles my children relate to or appreciate," says Stephen Colbert, who is a father of two and the upcoming star of his own show, The Colbert Report. "But when they heard Dad was playing the letter 'Z' -- now that's something to tell all their friends in the sandbox."

Available in DVD and VHS format, All Star Alphabet runs 48 minutes and arrives at retail on September 6. Suggested Retail Price is $12.98 for the DVD and $9.98 for VHS. DVD bonus features include: DVD-ROM downloadable Alphabet Matching Game, five classic Sesame Street Alphabet segments, and Kid- Friendly Instant Play, in which the program starts automatically and plays continuously.

"L" is for Life Lessons

"Learning about letters, letter sounds and words fosters early literacy skills that can help children develop language and a lifelong love of reading and writing," says Rosemarie Truglio, Vice President of Research, Sesame Workshop. "All Star Alphabet introduces these concepts in a context relevant and entertaining to preschoolers -- as well as parents."

A first-of-its-kind A to Z performance, the video uses a child-friendly formula of music, colors, shapes and Muppets of Sesame Street(TM) to show how letters are embedded in words and how different letters can be put together to create words. Children learn how to identify and name both upper and lowercase letters, and to recognize the unique sounds of each letter.

Sesame Workshop is a nonprofit educational organization making a meaningful difference in children's lives around the world. Founded in 1968, the Workshop changed television forever with the legendary Sesame Street. Today, the Workshop continues to innovate on behalf of children in 120 countries, using its proprietary research methodology to ensure its programs and products are engaging and enriching. Sesame Workshop is behind award- winning programs like Dragon Tales and Sagwa, The Chinese Siamese Cat, and groundbreaking multi-media productions in South Africa, Egypt and Russia. These are among many Workshop endeavors recognized for their deep understanding of children's developmental needs and the most effective ways to address them. As a non-profit, Sesame Workshop puts the proceeds it receives from sales of Sesame Street, Dragon Tales and Sagwa products right back into its educational projects for children around the world. Find the Workshop online at http://www.sesameworkshop.org/.

Sony Wonder is the children's and family division of SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT.

About Sony BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT

SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT is a global recorded music joint venture with a roster of current artists that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars, as well as a vast catalog that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. Sony BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT is 50% owned by Bertelsmann A.G. and 50% owned by Sony Corporation of America.

Source: Sony Wonder; Sesame Workshop

CONTACT: Tamara Jacobs of Element Six, +1-770-971-0677

Web site: http://www.sonywonder.com/
http://www.sesameworkshop.org/

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