Move Over, Big Bird: 'The Lions' Is Ready To Hit PBS Stations

By Kathleen Kennedy Manzo

After children outgrow Big Bird and his friends at "Sesame Street," few other TV programs are around to help them through their first years of school. But now, some of the creators of that long-running public-television series are hoping that a new show and new characters will fill the gap and build reading skills in children ages 4 to 7.

"Between the Lions," a daily half-hour series featuring music, animation, puppetry, and live-action video, is scheduled to have its premiere on Public Broadcasting Service stations throughout the country next month.

It will bring skills-based lessons and read-aloud adventures to life...