PBS KIDS offers new specials for "Molly of Denali", "Wild Kratts"

PBS KIDS will celebrate summer - and the great outdoors - with brand new one-hour specials from two fan favorite series coming in the next couple of months. From rescuing wild cats and dogs in the African savannah with Wild Kratt to trek to the top of Denali in an action-packed new Molly of Denali adventure, these special offers filled with fun and learning will allow children and families to discover new places, learn about the natural world and meet new friends along the way.

The specials are part of a flurry of activities, resources and content from PBS KIDS and PBS LearningMedia designed to encourage children to play and learn their way during the break, offering new possibilities for youth, educators and caregivers after a year of learning at distance.

"After a year unlike any other, we recognize that parents and children are eager to celebrate the learning and fun potential that every summer day brings," said Lesli Rotenberg, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, Children's Media and Education, PBS. "With PBS's wealth of flexible, ready-to-carry resources, families can face the coming summer months in any way they choose, pursuing children's curiosities and seeking new discoveries from their stay in the park and beyond."

Molly of Denali: Molly and the Great One - June 7 preview (check local listings) Molly learns of her grandfather Nat's dream of climbing Denali, the tallest mountain in North America, in honor of the first person to do so, the true native of Alaska, Walter Harper. Inspired, Molly tries to convince her grandfather and father, a guide in the wilderness, to make the climb. I agree, but tell Molly that she is too young to take the perilous journey to the top. Never gives up, Molly convinces them to let her and Tooey join them on their journey to base camp and follow the climber's journey.

Meanwhile, Trini is busy preparing for another big event - her mother Joy is on leave from the army and visiting Qyah for the first time! On the eve of the expedition, an unexpected guest shows up: the famous outdoor man Mac McFadden, also intent on climbing the summit of Denali. On foot and in dog sleds, they arrive at base camp and learn more about Walter Harper's pioneering expedition. But the journey becomes dangerous when Mac decides to leave alone during a storm. Trini's mother, a helicopter pilot, makes a brave rescue, but is it too late for her grandfather to make his dream come true?

Wild Kratt: cats and dogs - July 12 preview (check local listings) As "creatures venture" into the African savannah, Chris and Martin observe many wild dogs and cats interacting with each other. Soon, Wild Kratts kids are calling from all over the world to inquire about wild dogs and cats and if they are like their pets. Zach, who secretly listened to all the children's questions, devised a diabolical plan to capture and sell these creatures as "special" pets. The brothers, Aviva, Koki and Jimmy race to save the wild animals and help ensure they can continue to "live free and in the wild".

In addition to new specials airing on local PBS stations, families can tune in to PBS KIDS Family Night on the PBS KIDS channel 24/7 every weekend starting June 4 for themed programming - including nature, space, family traditions, art, friends and neighbors, water, animals, storytelling and routine. Each of these 10 themes has been selected to support key learning areas identified by educators and experts and curated to provide flexible play and learning opportunities, matching additional resources and games that will be sent out weekly via the PBS KIDS for Parents newsletter.

Additionally, PBS KIDS will encourage families to play all summer with activities and resources on PBS KIDS for Parents (www.pbs.org/parents/summer) - from a summer activity book with treasure hunts to a checklist summer. Kids can also find curated game collections on pbskids.org and video playlists on the PBS KIDS Video app and PBS KIDS YouTube channel.

PBS KIDS Read-Alongs, which featured PBS KIDS friends like the Kratt Brothers and special readers like Michelle Obama, Christian Robinson, Kristen Bell, Jenna Bush Hager and many more, will continue this summer on PBS KIDS 'Facebook and YouTube.

Additionally, for the many educators who continue to teach, prepare for the next school year, or seek professional learning opportunities over the summer, PBS LearningMedia (pbslearningmedia.org) provides up-to-date collections.