The Magic School Bus

Last updated

The Magic School Bus
Created by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen
Owner Scholastic Corporation
Years1986–present
Print publications
Book(s) The Magic School Bus book series (1986–2021)
Specific books include:
Films and television
Animated series
Games
Video game(s) The Magic School Bus video game series (1994–2001)

The Magic School Bus is an American edutainment media franchise which includes a book series, a TV series, a streaming series, and video games. Each of the stories within the franchise focuses on the antics of a fictional elementary school teacher, Ms. Valerie Frizzle, and her class (with Carlos, Keesha, Phoebe, Arnold, Tim, Ralphie, Dorothy Ann, and Wanda) who board a "magic school bus", which takes them on field trips to unusual times and locations, such as the Cretaceous Period, outer space, and inside a human body. [1]

History

The first medium in which this franchise was developed was the Magic School Bus book series. Craig Walker, vice-president and senior editorial director at Scholastic Co., stated that the concept began with the idea of combining science with fictional stories, and Joanna Cole (who had written both science and humor before) and Bruce Degen were then approached with creating such a series. Walker also explains that his own memories of school field trips and of a teacher he had once, served as further inspiration. [2] The first book, The Magic School Bus at the Waterworks, was published in 1986. [3] [4]

Cole and Degen started a new series called Ms. Frizzle's Adventures in 2001, which teaches social studies, eventually producing three books in that series. Microsoft Home began publishing Magic School Bus software in 1994, the same year The Magic School Bus concept was also adapted into an animated television series of the same name by Scholastic Entertainment along Canadian animation studio Nelvana. The series premiered on PBS in September 10, 1994, with musician Little Richard performing its theme song. Scholastic Entertainment president Deborah Forte says that adapting the books into an animated series was an opportunity to help kids "learn about science in a fun way". [5] Around that time, Forte had been hearing concern from parents and teachers about how to improve science education for girls and minorities. [5] As noted by Marcel LaFollette, "accomplished women were exceptions in a universe of male luminaries" when it came to science television. [6] : 185  Ms. Valerie Frizzle, the magic school teacher, was the closest approximation to an expert female host. [7] [6] : 183, 185–195  She was voiced by Lily Tomlin in the series. [8] The series was followed by another animated series, The Magic School Bus Rides Again, which premiered on Netflix in 2017. [9]

Scholastic Entertainment, the American Meteorological Society and Texan Children's Museum of Houston created a Scholastic's the Magic School Bus Kicks Up a Storm, a 2,600 sq ft (240 m2) traveling exhibit funded in part by the National Science Foundation, which premiered at the Children's Museum of Houston in 2003 (a copy of it opened in New Jersey the month after that). [10]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scholastic Corporation</span> American publishing company

Scholastic Corporation is an American multinational publishing, education, and media company that publishes and distributes books, comics, and educational materials for schools, teachers, parents, children, and other educational institutions. Products are distributed via retail and online sales and through schools via reading clubs and book fairs. Clifford the Big Red Dog, a character created by Norman Bridwell in 1963, is the mascot of the company.

The Magic School Bus is a series of children's books about science, written by Joanna Cole and illustrated by Bruce Degen. Designed for ages 6-9, they feature the antics of Ms. Valerie Felicity Frizzle and her class, who board a sentient anthropomorphic mini school bus which takes them on field trips to impossible locations, including the solar system, clouds, the past, and the human body. The books are written in the first person from the point of view of an unnamed student in "the Friz's" class. The class has a pet lizard named Liz, who accompanies the class on their field trips.

<i>The Magic School Bus at the Waterworks</i> 1986 book by Joanna Cole

The Magic School Bus at the Waterworks is the first book in The Magic School Bus classic series books. Written by Joanna Cole and illustrated by Bruce Degen, it is a picture book and introduces most of the main characters of the series, including Ms. Frizzle, Arnold, Dorothy Ann, Ralphie, Tim, Wanda and Liz as well as several students who did not appear in the TV series or any other multimedia outside of the original series books. Carlos, Keesha and Phoebe do not appear in this book, though a student called "John" in the book bears an uncanny physical resemblance to Carlos.

<i>The Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System</i> 1994 childrens book

The Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System is the fourth book in Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen's The Magic School Bus classic series books. Published in 1990, the book depicts arguably the most well-known adventure of the series and introduces the character of Janet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joanna Cole (author)</span> American author (1944–2020)

Joanna Cole was an American author of children's books, best known as the author of the Magic School Bus series, which sold more than 93 million copies in 13 countries. She wrote more than 250 books, ranging from her first book Cockroaches to her famous series Magic School Bus, which is illustrated by Bruce Degen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">22nd Daytime Emmy Awards</span> Award ceremony for television programming of 1994

The 22nd Daytime Emmy Awards were that were held on May 19, 1995, on NBC to commemorate excellence in daytime programming from the previous year (1994). The nominees were announced on March 29, 1995. Winners are in bold.

The 24th Daytime Emmy Awards were held on May 21, 1997, at Radio City Music Hall, New York City to commemorate excellence in daytime programming from the previous year (1996). The Lifetime Achievement award was presented to Fred Rogers.

The 23rd Daytime Emmy Awards were held on May 22, 1996, on CBS to commemorate excellence in daytime programming from the previous year (1995). At this ceremony, Erika Slezak set a then record with five Emmy Awards for Lead Actress. She would beat her own record in 2005. The telecast aired two-hours. The Creative Arts Emmy celebration took place on May 18, 1996.

<i>The Magic School Bus In the Time of the Dinosaurs</i> 1996 video game

The Magic School Bus In the Time of the Dinosaurs is the sixth book in Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen's The Magic School Bus series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce Degen</span> American writer (1945–2024)

Bruce Degen was an American illustrator and writer, known for illustrating The Magic School Bus, a picture book series written by Joanna Cole. He collaborated with writers Nancy White Carlstrom, on the Jesse Bear books, and Jane Yolen, on the Commander Toad series. He wrote self-illustrated Jamberry, Daddy Is a Doodlebug, and I Gotta Draw.

<i>The Magic School Bus</i> (TV series) Animated childrens television series (1994–1997)

The Magic School Bus is an animated educational children's television series, based on the book series of the same name by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen. Originally broadcast from 1994 to 1997, the series received critical acclaim for its use of celebrity voice talent, as well as combining entertainment with an educational series. The series stars Lily Tomlin as the voice of Ms. Frizzle. The theme song is performed by Little Richard.

Deborah Forte is an American producer of family television series and movies, websites and digital media including Clifford the Big Red Dog, Clifford's Puppy Days, Maya & Miguel, WordGirl, The Magic School Bus, the series Goosebumps, Sony's films Goosebumps and Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween, Horrible Histories, Dragon, I Spy, The Baby-Sitters Club, The Golden Compass, and Astroblast. She created Scholastic Media, a division of Scholastic Inc. She is the founder of Silvertongue Films and under that banner is currently producing a television adaptation of His Dark Materials. She is attached to produce The 39 Clues and Spirit Animals for Universal and Clifford the Big Red Dog for Paramount. Her productions have won six Emmys, one Academy Award, the Humanitas Prize, and the Annenberg Public Policy Center Award for Outstanding Educational Program on a Commercial Broadcast Station.

The Magic School Bus is a series of educational video games developed by Music Pen and published by Microsoft via their Microsoft Home brand. The interactive adventures are part of the larger franchise and based with The Magic School Bus original series books and public television series.

This is a list of winners of the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer In An Animated Program. The award was presented between 1995 and 2021. It recognized a continuing or single voice-over performance in a series or a special. The performance generally originated from a Children's Animated, Special Class Animated Program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lily Tomlin filmography</span> Filmography of American actress Lily Tomlin

This list is an article of Lily Tomlin's filmography

<i>The Magic School Bus Rides Again</i> Television series

The Magic School Bus Rides Again is an animated children's television series, based on the book series of the same name by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen. It also serves as a continuation of the 1994–1997 PBS Kids series The Magic School Bus, with Lily Tomlin reprising her role as Ms. Frizzle. The series premiered on Netflix on September 29, 2017. The second season premiered on April 13, 2018.

<i>Karmas World</i> Animated streaming television series

Karma's World is an animated musical comedy television series created by Chris Bridges and developed by Wendy Harris, Rachel Kalban, and Jennie Stacey for Netflix. It was released on October 15, 2021.

References

  1. ↑ Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. pp. 714–715. ISBN   978-1476665993.
  2. ↑ Lodge, Sally (July 27, 2006). "Two Decades of Fun and Learning on the Magic School Bus". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
  3. ↑ Mancini, Mark (July 16, 2020). "12 Magical Facts about The Magic School Bus". Mental Floss . Minute Media. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  4. ↑ Terrill, Marshall (July 23, 2020). "Ms. Frizzle Creator Leaves Behind a Legacy of Learning". News.ASU.edu. Arizona State University . Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  5. 1 2 Clarke, Melanie M. (June 20, 2005). "A Scholastic Achievement". Broadcasting & Cable. 135 (25). Cahners Publishing Co. and Reed Publishing (USA) Inc.: 30.
  6. 1 2 LaFollette, Marcel Chotkowski (2013). "Rarae Aves: Television's Female Scientists". Science on American television : a history. Chicago, Ill.: University of Chicago Press. pp. 185–195. ISBN   978-0-226-92199-0.
  7. ↑ Halpern, Paul (2015). "On the Air". Distillations. 1 (2). Chemical Heritage Foundation: 44. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Lily Tomlin". IMDb. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  9. ↑ The Magic School Bus Rides Again (Animation, Adventure, Family), Gabby Clarke, Birva Pandya, Kate McKinnon, 9 Story Media Group, Netflix, Scholastic Entertainment, September 29, 2017, retrieved July 5, 2024{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  10. ↑ McCallum, Cheryl D.; Nazarani, L.; The Children's Museum of Houston (January 4, 2007). "Scholastics the Magic School Bus Kicks Up a Storm Museum Exhibit". ams.confex.com. American Meteorological Society. Retrieved March 23, 2009.
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