Weston Woods Studios

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Weston Woods Studios
TypePublishing Company
IndustryFilm
Founded1953
FounderMorton Schindel
Headquarters
Norwalk, Connecticut
,
U.S.
Key people
Richard Robinson (CEO)
OwnerThames Television, Saatchi & Saatchi North America, the Program Exchange
ParentScholastic Corporation
Websitewestonwoods.scholastic.com

Weston Woods Studios (or simply Weston Woods) is a production company that makes audio and short films based on well-known books for children.[1] It was founded in 1953 by Morton Schindel in Weston, Connecticut, and named after the wooded area near his home. The company's first project was Andy and the Lion in 1954, and its first animated film was The Snowy Day in 1964.[2] Starting in 1968, Weston Woods began a long collaboration with animator Gene Deitch and opened international offices in Henley-on-Thames, England, UK, in 1972; Canada in 1975; and Australia in 1977. In addition to making the films, the company also conducted interviews with the writers, illustrators, and makers of the films. The films appeared on children's television programs such as Captain Kangaroo, Pinwheel, The Great Space Coaster, Lunchbox, Eureeka's Castle, and Mister Moose's Fun Time.[3] In the mid-1980s, the films were released on VHS under the Children's Circle titles, and Wood Knapp Video distributed these releases from 1988 to 1995.

Beginning in 1968, the company also made filmstrips and audio recordings synchronized to them, which became known as the Picture Book Parade. Many of these recordings were narrated by actor Owen Jordan and were often different or expanded recordings from the films.

In 1996, the company was acquired by Scholastic Corporation.[4]

Selected filmography[]

  • 1954 – Andy and the Lion
  • 1955 – Make Way for Ducklings
  • 1955 – The Red Carpet
  • 1955 – The Story about Ping
  • 1955 – Stone Soup
  • 1955 – Millions of Cats
  • 1956 – The Circus Baby
  • 1956 – The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge
  • 1957 – Lentil
  • 1958 – Curious George Rides a Bike
  • 1958 – The Five Chinese Brothers
  • 1959 – Harold and the Purple Crayon
  • 1963 – The Snowy Day
  • 1964 – Lively Art of Picture Books
  • 1964 – Robert McClosky[5]
  • 1965 - The Tale of Custard the Dragon (spoofed by RiffTrax)[6][7]
  • 1966 – Maurice Sendak
  • 1969 – Drummer Hoff
  • 1969 - The Happy Owls
  • 1970 – Rosie's Walk
  • 1971 – The Twelve Days of Christmas
  • 1971 – A Picture for Harold's Room
  • 1971 – In a Spring Garden
  • 1971 – The Foolish Frog
  • 1972 – The Three Robbers
  • 1972 – Changes Changes
  • 1973; 1988 – Where the Wild Things Are
  • 1974 – The Beast of Monsieur Racine [8]
  • 1974 – Anansi the Spider
  • 1975 – Really Rosie
  • 1976 – How a Picture Book is Made
  • 1977 - Strega Nona
  • 1977 – Gene Deitch: The Picture Book Animated [9]
  • 1979 – Smile for Auntie [10]
  • 1980 – Georgie
  • 1980 – Teeny-Tiny and the Witch-Woman
  • 1981 – Moon Man
  • 1981 – Morton Schindel: From Page to Screen
  • 1982 – Fourteen Rats and a Rat Catcher
  • 1982 – The Hat
  • 1982 – Morris's Disappearing Bag[11]
  • 1984 – Corduroy
  • 1984 – Doctor DeSoto (Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film nominee) [12][13][14]
  • 1985 – Happy Birthday, Moon
  • 1985 – The Amazing Bone
  • 1986 – Sendak
  • 1986 – The Mysterious Tadpole
  • 1987 – In the Night Kitchen
  • 1988 – Joey Runs Away
  • 1988 – The Caterpillar and the Polliwog
  • 1988 – Max's Christmas
  • 1988 – The Three Little Pigs (with Erik Blegvad illustrations)
  • 1989 – Brave Irene
  • 1989 – What's Under My Bed?
  • 1990 – The Happy Lion
  • 1990 – The Pigs' Wedding
  • 1990 – Danny and the Dinosaur
  • 1991 – Flossie & the Fox
  • 1991 – Max's Chocolate Chicken
  • 1991 – The Three Little Pigs
  • 1991 - Wings: A Tale of Two Chickens
  • 1992 – Red Riding Hood
  • 1992 - Christmas in Connecticut (with Walt Disney Productions)
  • 1993 - Goldilocks and the Three Bears
  • 1993 – Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
  • 1994 – Amazing Grace
  • 1994 – Noisy Nora
  • 1995 – Owen
  • 1995 – Who's In Rabbit's House?
  • 1996 – Harry the Dirty Dog
  • 1997 – All the Colors of the Earth
  • 1997 – And Then What Happened, Paul Revere?
  • 1997 – Officer Buckle and Gloria
  • 1998 – A Weekend With Wendell
  • 1998 – Angus and the Ducks
  • 1998 – Chicken Little
  • 1998 – Good Night, Gorilla
  • 1998 – One Zillion Valentines
  • 1999 – Chrysanthemum
  • 1999 – Chicka Chicka Boom Boom [15]
  • 1999 – Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin!
  • 1999 – Miss Nelson Is Back
  • 1999 – Miss Nelson Has a Field Day
  • 2000 – Antarctic Antics
  • 2000 – How Much is a Million?
  • 2000 – Miss Rumphius
  • 2000 – Pete's a Pizza
  • 2000 – The Island of the Skog
  • 2000 – The Scrambled States of America
  • 2001 – Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type
  • 2001 – I, Crocodile
  • 2001 – Is Your Mama A Llama?
  • 2001 – Trashy Town
  • 2001 – Space Case
  • 2001 – Joseph Had a Little Overcoat
  • 2002 – There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly
  • 2002 – Waiting for Wings
  • 2002 – Goose
  • 2002 – How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?
  • 2002 – If You Made a Million
  • 2002 – The Nutshell Kids Library (AKA Really Rosie DVD version)
  • 2002 – Merry Christmas, Space Case
  • 2003 – Dem Bones
  • 2003 – Bark, George
  • 2003 – Come On, Rain!
  • 2003 – Chato and the Party Animals
  • 2003 – Giggle, Giggle, Quack
  • 2003 – Merry Christmas Space Case
  • 2003 – The Teacher From the Black Lagoon
  • 2004 – Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3
  • 2004 – Duck for President
  • 2004 – I Lost My Bear
  • 2004 – Over in the Meadow
  • 2004 – The Dot
  • 2004 – This Is The House That Jack Built
  • 2004 – The Wheels on the Bus
  • 2005 – Arnie the Doughnut
  • 2005 – Roberto the Insect Architect
  • 2005 – Bear Snores On
  • 2005 – Diary of a Worm
  • 2005 – How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon?
  • 2005 – Planting A Rainbow
  • 2005 – Stars! Stars! Stars!
  • 2005 – The Man Who Walked Between The Towers
  • 2005 – T Is for Terrible
  • 2005 – Wild About Books
  • 2005 – Bear Wants More
  • 2006 – Dinosaur Bones
  • 2006 – James Marshall's Cinderella
  • 2006 – Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale
  • 2006 – Emily's First 100 Days of School
  • 2006 – Reading To Your Bunny
  • 2007 – Dooby Dooby Moo
  • 2007 – Leonardo the Terrible Monster
  • 2007 – Open Wide: Tooth School Inside
  • 2007 – The Librarian From the Black Lagoon
  • 2008 – Do Unto Otters
  • 2008 – The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
  • 2008 – What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?
  • 2009 – Crazy Hair Day
  • 2009 – Duck On a Bike
  • 2009 – Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
  • 2009 – Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity
  • 2009 – The Gym Teacher From the Black Lagoon
  • 2009 – The Scrambled States of America Talent Show
  • 2010 – Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed
  • 2010 – Splat the Cat
  • 2010 – The Doughnuts
  • 2010 – The Pigeon Finds A Hot Dog
  • 2011 – All the World
  • 2011 – Children Make Terrible Pets!
  • 2011 – Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late
  • 2011 – Robot Zot!
  • 2011 – Scaredy Squirrel
  • 2011 – Too Many Toys
  • 2012 – Edwina, the Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct
  • 2012 – Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion
  • 2012 – Merry Christmas, Splat!
  • 2013 – I Want My Hat Back
  • 2013 – Hooray for Amanda and Her Alligator
  • 2013 – The Night Before Christmas
  • 2013 – The Ant and the Grasshopper
  • 2013 – And Then, It's Spring
  • 2013 – Bear Has a Story to Tell
  • 2014 – The Duckling Gets a Cookie!?
  • 2015 - I'm Brave!
  • 2015 – Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs
  • 2015 – That is NOT a Good Idea! [16]
  • 2017 - Duck On a Tractor
  • 2017 - Mother Bruce
  • 2018 – Groovy Joe: Dance Party Countdown
  • 2018 – Groovy Joe: Ice Cream & Dinosaurs
  • 2018 – Nanette's Baguette
  • 2018 – Du Iz Tak?
  • 2019 – The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet!
  • 2019 – The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!
  • 2019 - Potato Pants!
  • 2020 – The Very Impatient Caterpillar
  • 2020 - Dog Breath: The Horrible Trouble with Hally Tosis
  • 2021 - Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug
  • 2021 - Chicken Little: The Real and Totally True Tale

DVD releases[]

In 2002, a DVD collection of Weston Woods films entitled Scholastic Video Collection was released.[17] Many compilations of Weston Woods films have been released under the title Scholastic Storybook Treasures.

  • Where the Wild Things Are and more Maurice Sendak Stories (2002)
  • Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and Lots More Learning Fun (2002)
  • Chrysanthemum and More Kevin Henkes Stories (2002)
  • The Night Before Christmas and More Christmas Stories (2002)
  • Click Clack Moo – Cows That Type & More Fun on the Farm (2003)
  • Pete's a Pizza... and More William Steig Stories (2003)
  • Harold and the Purple Crayon... and More Harold Stories (2003)
  • Miss Nelson Has A Field Day and Miss Nelson Is Back (2003)
  • Red Riding Hood And More James Marshall Fairy Tale Favorites (2003)
  • The Snowy Day & More Ezra Jack Keats Stories (2003)
  • Good Night Gorilla and More Bedtime Stories (2003)
  • Harry the Dirty Dog & More Terrific Tails (2003)
  • Is Your Mama a Llama?... and More Stories About Growing Up (2004)
  • Corduroy... and More Stories About Friendship (2004)
  • The Scrambled States of America... and More Stories to Celebrate Our Country (2004)
  • Make Way for Ducklings... and More Robert McCloskey Stories (2004)
  • Strega Nona... and More Caldecott Award-Winning Folk Tales (2004)
  • There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly... and More Stories That Sing (2004)
  • Curious George Rides a Bike... and More Tales of Mischief (2004)
  • Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears... and More Stories from Africa (2004)
  • The Teacher from the Black Lagoon... and More Slightly Scary Stories (2004)
  • Giggle, Giggle, Quack... and More Funny Favorites (2004)
  • How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night... and More Stories That Rhyme (2004)
  • Bark, George... and More Doggie Tails (2004)
  • Swimmy... and More Classic Leo Lionni Stories (2005)
  • The Emperor's New Clothes... and More Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tales (2005)
  • Sylvester and the Magic Pebble and more magical tales (2005)
  • The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash... and More Back-to-School Stories (2005)
  • Tikki Tikki Tembo... and More Favorite Tales (2005)
  • Danny and the Dinosaur... and More Friendly "Monster" Stories (2005)
  • Bear Snores on & More Beary Adorable Tales (2005)
  • The Wheels on the Bus... and More Sing-Along Favorites (2005)
  • The Dot...and More Stories to Make You Feel Good (2005)
  • I Love You Like Crazy Cakes...and More Stories About Families (2006)
  • Chicka Chicka 123 & More Stories About Counting (2006)
  • Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel... and 3 More Stories about Trucks (2006)
  • The Man Who Walked Between the Towers... and More Inspiring Tales (2006)

TV broadcast[]

In February 2021, it was announced that a new preschool block, a USA import of the hit UK preschool channel Cartoonito would be launched onto WarnerMedia's cable TV network Cartoon Network and SVOD app/channel HBO Max on September 13, 2021.

In July 2021, it was announced that the company's Mo Willems book adaptations would be broadcast on the channel under the series name Mo Willems' Storytime Shorts! which will include all 14 of the company's Mo Willems book cartoons made so far as one of the launch programs on the September 13th opening date.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Turning Picture Books into Art House Films: The Story of Weston Woods|WIRED
  2. ^ Obituary: Morton Schindel-Publishers Weekly
  3. ^ "Hand-to-hand Comedy" (7 September 1990). Retrieved on 25 October 2008
  4. ^ "Scholastic—About Us", Retrieved on 25 October 2008
  5. ^ "DVD Movie Reviews: Robert McCloskey". Archived from the original on 2012-09-07. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
  6. ^ WorldCat.org
  7. ^ RiffTrax: A Guide to Christmas and Holiday Episodes - Den of Geek
  8. ^ Cartoons Considered For An Academy Award-1975-Cartoon Research
  9. ^ Internet Archive
  10. ^ Cartoons Considered For An Academy Award-1979-Cartoon Research
  11. ^ Cartoons Considered For An Academy Award-1983-Cartoon Research
  12. ^ Short Film Oscar® Winners in 1985-Oscars on YouTube
  13. ^ 1985|Oscars.org
  14. ^ "Cartoons Considered For An Academy Award – 1984 -". cartoonresearch.com.
  15. ^ Weston Woods Studios Directory, Page 3-BCDB
  16. ^ Weston Woods Studios, Willems win 2016 Carnegie Medal for “That Is NOT a Good Idea!”-News and Press Center
  17. ^ Villa, Joan (July 3, 2002). "Retailers Will Get Scholastic to Reissue Popular Children's Titles Under New Distribution Deal". hive4media.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2002. Retrieved September 12, 2019.

External links[]

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