Alma's Way

Last updated

Alma's Way
AlmasWayLogo Color.png
Genre Animation
Adventure
Fantasy
Created by Sonia Manzano
Directed byDave Barton Thomas
Shawn Seles
Voices of
  • Summer Rose Castillo
  • Julian Lerner
  • Jesus E. Martinez
  • Annie Henk
  • Neo Vela
  • Danny Bolero
  • Sharon Montero
  • Marco Antonio Rodriguez
  • Jacob Crespo
  • Dave Droxler
  • Emily Isabel
  • Al Quagliata
  • David Howard Thornton
Theme music composer
Opening theme"It's Alma's Way!", performed by Flaco Navaja and Summer Rose Castillo
Ending theme"It's Alma's Way!" (instrumental)
Composers
  • Asher Lenz
  • Stephen Skratt
  • Fabiola Mendez
Country of origin
  • Canada
  • United States
Original languages
  • English
  • Spanish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes48 (94 segments + 1 special) (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Sonia Manzano
  • Ellen Doherty
Running time25 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network PBS Kids
ReleaseOctober 4, 2021 (2021-10-04) 
present

Alma's Way is an animated children's television series from Fred Rogers Productions created and executive produced by former Sesame Street actress Sonia Manzano and animated by Canadian animation studio Pipeline Studios. The series premiered on PBS Kids on October 4, 2021.

Contents

The show is set in The Bronx, New York and revolves around Alma Rivera, a 6-year-old Puerto Rican girl, as she ventures out into her Latino neighborhood to demonstrate decision making and social awareness skills. [1] [2] [3] The title's meaning refers to Alma's ability of thinking things through, to help her solve problems within each episode. [4]

On August 2, 2022, it was announced the series was renewed for a second season which premiered on September 18, 2023. [5] The second season introduced a new female character named Yolette, new voice actors for Eddie and André, and a new live-action, post-episode segment called My Way.

Plot

Alma Rivera is a 7-year-old girl who lives in the Bronx with her family and friends. She faces lots of problems every day, and always stops, listens, looks, thinks, and explains to help her solve everyday problems.

Characters

The Rivera family

Supporting

Episodes

SeasonSegmentsEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
1 7639October 4, 2021 (2021-10-04)June 5, 2023 (2023-06-05)
2 TBATBASeptember 18, 2023 (2023-09-18)TBA

Interstitial shorts

Jelly, Ben & Pogo

Starting from the show's premiere, television airings are followed up by Jelly, Ben & Pogo, which are shorts that focus on Filipino culture. [6]

Other shorts

On November 1, 2022, it was replaced by Molly of Denali: The Big Gathering, which are shorts based on Molly of Denali . On December 26, 2022, television airings are also followed up by City Island, a series of shorts centered on civics that follows a group of sentient object characters. [7]

Reception

Adiba Nelson of The Washington Post wrote, "Afro-Latino children finally have characters they can relate to." [8]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNomineeResultRef.
2022 Imagen Awards Best Voice-Over Actor (Television)Summer Rose CastilloWon [9]
Best Youth ProgrammingAlma's WayWon
2023Alma's WayWon [10]

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References

  1. Del Rosario, Alexandria (December 3, 2020). "'Alma's Way': PBS Kids Announces New Animated Series From Sonia Manzano & Fred Rogers Productions" . Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  2. Graeber, Laurel (October 4, 2021). "In 'Alma's Way,' a Young Latina Thinks for Herself, Like Her Creator". The New York Times. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  3. Zorrilla, Monica Marie (October 6, 2021). "'Sesame Street' Alum Sonia Manzano on Animating the Bronx and Latina Representation in 'Alma's Way'". Variety. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  4. "Alma's way is to think things through". Twitter. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  5. "Fred Rogers' Hit 'Alma's Way' Greenlit for S2 on PBS KIDS". August 2, 2022.
  6. Ong, Giannina (February 21, 2022). "Pinoys Are Loving "Jelly, Ben & Pogo," A New Animated Series for Kids". Mochi Magazine. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  7. Eakin, Marah (January 27, 2023). "PBS' "City Island" teaches civics with short-form cartoons". Current. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  8. Nelson, Adiba (October 5, 2021). "With 'Alma's Way' on PBS Kids, Afro-Latino children finally have characters they can relate to". The Washington Post.
  9. Reul, Katie (October 3, 2022). "'Encanto' Co-Director Shocked by Best Director Win Over Steven Spielberg at 2022 Imagen Awards: 'That's Serious Bragging Rights'". Variety. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  10. Tinoco, Armando (December 4, 2023). "Imagen Awards 2023 Complete Winners List: Eva Longoria & 'Flamin' Hot' Take Top Honors In Film". Deadline. Retrieved December 4, 2023.

Notes