NOGGIN Presents New Hour-Long Special 'I'll be Home for Christmas,' Based on Best-Selling Toot & Puddle Book Series by Holly Hobbie Wednesday, December 13

NOGGIN Presents New Hour-Long Special 'I'll be Home for Christmas,' Based on Best-Selling Toot & Puddle Book Series by Holly Hobbie Wednesday, December 13

'NOGGIN's Warm and Fuzzy Holiday Party' (Dec. 11 - Dec. 25) to Include Holiday Episodes From 15 Preschool Series, and Cutie Karaoke - Homemade Videos Submitted by Families Across the US

NEW YORK, Nov. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- NOGGIN, the commercial-free, educational preschool network from Nickelodeon, will present its annual "NOGGIN's Warm and Fuzzy Holiday Party," featuring the premiere of "I'll be Home for Christmas," a new hour-long holiday special based on the best-selling Toot & Puddle book series by Holly Hobbie and the first animated kids program from National Geographic Kids' Entertainment. "I'll be Home for Christmas" will premiere on Wednesday, December 13 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. (ET).

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061113/NYM046 )

Beginning Monday, December 11 through Friday, December 22, NOGGIN's feel-good fete will present holiday-themed episodes from the network's acclaimed preschool series, every day of the week. The seasonal lineup will include episodes of Pinky Dinky Doo, Miffy and Friends, Franklin, Miss Spider, The Backyardigans, Go, Diego, Go!, Dora the Explorer, The Wonder Pets!, LazyTown, Maisy, Max & Ruby, Little Bear and others, in addition to a countdown of animated music videos featuring original songs crooned by the network's popular hosts Moose and Zee. The entire holiday programming slate will encore in a three-day marathon from Saturday, December 23 through Christmas Day on Monday December 25 (6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. ET).

Throughout the month of December, "NOGGIN's Warm and Fuzzy Holiday Party" will also feature "Cutie Karaoke," a new interstitial series of homemade videos submitted by families across the country, featuring preschoolers singing their favorite Moose and Zee songs.

"I'll be Home for Christmas" follows two best friends, Toot and Puddle, as they set out on their respective holiday adventures. After he receives an invitation from overseas, Toot, the world traveler, hops the Pond to Scotland, to join his Great Great Aunt Peg in the celebration of her 100th birthday. When Toot lands in Edinburgh, he is greeted by his cheerful Uncle Bertie and the duo travel across the Scottish highlands, passing the Old Sterling Bridge, Edinburgh Castle and the famous Loch Lomand, until they finally reach Aunt Peg's grand castle. Meanwhile, back in Woodcock Pocket, Puddle makes his own holiday excitement right at home with his little cousin, Opal, who has come to spend the holidays. Puddle and Opal keep busy preparing the house for Toot's return. Together, they find the perfect Christmas tree, skate on a frozen pond, dress up the house with festive lights and create homemade holiday decorations. Christmas Eve finally arrives, but Toot is nowhere to be found. Will he make it home for the big day or will he get caught in the terrible snowstorm that has engulfed Scotland and Woodcock Pocket?

The Toot & Puddle book series, created by famed author/illustrator Holly Hobbie, follows the journey of two very different best friends who share a love for adventure whether in various locations around the world or right in their backyard.

The rundown for "NOGGIN's Warm and Fuzzy Holiday Party" is as follows (All times are ET):

Monday, December 11

4:30 p.m. - "Franklin's Magic Christmas

Their car brimming with luggage and Christmas presents, Franklin and his family set off on a trip to Faraway Farm to visit Grandma and Grandpa. His enthusiasm for the holiday visit fades however when he learns that Harriet left his favorite toy back at Woodland and he has to share a room with his little sister. Franklin concludes that "being a big brother is big trouble" but finds consolation in helping his Grandma refurbish an old sleigh as a Christmas surprise for Grandpa. When Grandma's story about a childhood encounter with a magical creature leads to Franklin's discovery of a beautiful silver bell, they agree to include it in their Christmas surprise.

Tuesday, December 12

5:00 p.m. - Miss Spider "Hum Bug/Dashing Through the Snow"

It's the day before the winter solstice -- the longest night of the year -- and the bugs are finishing up their good deeds to ensure the Dream Bug brings them a long night of good dreams. When Bounce enlists Spiderus' help to deliver seeds to Eunice Earwig, Spiderus can't resist keeping the goodies for himself. As a result, he is in for a long solstice night that includes a dream that turns his attitude around.

5:30 p.m. - Oswald "Catrina's First Snow/The Snow Festival"

Oswald babysits Catrina and takes her outside on a snowy day. Oswald comes across his friends who are building snow forts and making snow angels. When Oswald puts Catrina down so he can join in with his friends, she begins to cry. Catrina wants to participate in the snow play, too!

Wednesday, December 13

5:00 - 6:00 p.m. - "I'll Be Home for Christmas" (See above description)

Thursday, December 14

5:00 p.m. - The Wonder Pets! "Save the Reindeer"

The Wonder Pets are celebrating Christmas Eve when they get a call from Santa's baby reindeer. They head to the North Pole and find her stuck on cracking ice. After being rescued with a net made from Ming-Ming's sweater, the reindeer tells the Wonder Pets she ran away because she didn't think she was good enough to be one of Santa's reindeer. The Wonder Pets encourage her and she finally takes her place among Santa's grown-up reindeer.

5:30 p.m. - Pinky Dinky Doo "Pinky's Wintery Dintery Doo"

Tyler wants to go sledding but he has a cold, so Pinky tells him a story to cheer him up. One hot summer day, Pinky looks out the window and sees something bizarre -- snow is coming down! She discovers the snow is coming from a snow cone vendor whose machine won't shut off. Pinky and Nicholas take the opportunity to build a snow fort and a pair of polar bear tourists joins. Everyone has such a good time they forget Daffinee is having a pool party. When Pinky's fort melts into a giant puddle, she coaxes Daffinee to have her party in the wet fort.

Friday, December 15

5:00 p.m. - The Backyardigans "The Secret of Snow"

Uniqua travels way up North to ask Ice Lady Tasha to tell her the secret of snow. During her adventures, Uniqua befriends cowboy Pablo and Tarzan Tyrone, who join her on her quest. With the help of the Ice Lady's assistant, Austin, they defeat every obstacle. But when Tasha gets angry after discovering her assistant Austin has betrayed her, will Uniqua, Pablo, and Tyrone still be able to learn the secret of snow?

5:30 p.m. - Moose & Zee Music Video Countdown

Sing along with NOGGIN's animated hosts Moose and Zee as they countdown all of their favorite songs.

Saturday, December 16

4:00 p.m. - Franklin "Franklin's Magic Christmas" (See above description)

5:30 p.m. - Miffy and Friends "Miffy's Happy New Year"

It's the last day of school before winter break, and Miffy and her friends draw pictures and talk about their holiday plans. Miffy asks Melanie to help her plan a New Year's party and they turn their winter drawings into invitations. Miffy and Melanie tie the invitations to colorful balloons and plan to deliver them after school. But on their way home, the invitations fly away in a gust of wind! Miffy and Melanie are sad because they think no one will know about their party. That night, Poppy Pig and Grunty are finishing a bedtime story when they notice something outside the window. Could it be an invitation to Miffy and Melanie's party? One by one, everyone finds their invitations and join Miffy and Melanie to celebrate the New Year.

Sunday, December 17

4:00 p.m. - The Backyardigans, "The Secret of Snow" (See above description)

4:30 p.m. - The Wonder Pets!, "Save the Reindeer" (See above description)

5:00 p.m. - Pinky Dinky Doo, "Pinky's Wintery Dintery Doo" (See above description)

5:30 p.m. - Moose & Zee Music Video Countdown (See above description)

Monday, December 18

5:00 p.m. - Go, Diego, Go! "Diego Saves Christmas"

Santa's sleigh is stuck under a snow hill and Diego must find Linda the Llama, who is strong and can pull heavy objects. Diego and Linda the Llama tiptoe up the mountain and sing the "Jalen" song to pull Santa's sleigh out of the snow. Santa sprinkles magic Christmas sparkles on Linda so she can fly with all of the other reindeer and help Santa deliver the Christmas presents.

5:30 p.m. - Little Bear "Little Bear and the North Pole"

Curious about where snow comes from, Little Bear takes a compass and Duck on an adventure to the North Pole.

Tuesday, December 19

5:00 p.m. - LazyTown "The LazyTown Snow Monster"

The Mayor has told the kids of LazyTown they can play outside, but they must read and pay attention to the signs - like the one telling them to be careful on the frozen lake! Robbie poses as a scary snow monster to frighten the kids from playing outside in the snow. The kids have some tricks up their sleeves and in the end Robbie has to flee in a hurry. In his rush, he fails to read the signs near the frozen lake and falls into the icy waters. It's up to Sportacus to rescue Robbie Rotten.

5:30 p.m. - Maggie & the Ferocious Beast "The Snow Show"

A winter snowfall blankets Nowhere Land and we follow Maggie, Hamilton and the Beast through a series of activities that eventually take them to the frozen pond where the Moo Sisters sing and help Hamilton overcome his apprehension of skating.

Wednesday, December 20

5:00 p.m. - Maisy "Christmas Tree/Christmas"

Maisy and Tallulah set off to choose a Christmas tree, but they find that decorating is not as easy as they think!

5:30 p.m. - Max & Ruby "Max's Christmas"

Max is full of questions when Ruby hurries to bed on Christmas Eve so Santa Claus can come. No one ever stays up to see Santa, except Max.

Thursday, December 21

5:00 p.m. - Dora the Explorer "A Present for Santa"

It's Christmas Eve, and Dora and Boots are going all the way to the North Pole to deliver a present to Santa. They'll have to get over the snowy mountains and across an icy river, and at the end of the journey, all will be filled with the spirit of giving -- even Swiper. Howie Dorough from The Backstreet Boys voices Santa.

5:30 p.m. - Franklin "Franklin's Christmas Gift"

It's Christmas time and Franklin and his friends all agree to contribute a "gently used" toy of their own to a needy child.

Friday, December 22

5:00 - 6:00 p.m. - Holly Hobbie "Christmas Wishes"

It's Christmas in Clover and Holly and the Hey Girls Club are in the town pageant. Kyle's in a Santa suit, Robbie's an elf and Cheddar's a rein-pig. But not everyone in town is caught up in the joy of the season. When Holly, Amy and Carrie go caroling, they meet a young widow and her twin sons who could really use some Christmas cheer. This heartwarming story features LeAnn Rimes as the voice of the young widow, singing a classic Christmas carol.

NOGGIN, the commercial-free, educational preschool network from Nickelodeon, currently reaches 52 million households via cable, digital cable and satellite TV. NOGGIN, which airs from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (ET), is like preschool on TV, with educational programming both on-air and online at http://www.noggin.com/. NOGGIN and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061113/NYM046
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN3
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: NOGGIN

CONTACT: Sharyn Traub, +1-212-846-6381, Sharyn.traub@noggin.com, or
Heather Brown, +1-212-846-6240, Heather.brown@nick.com

Web site: http://www.noggin.com/
http://www.nick.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Screeners and artwork available upon request.

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