Happy 25th Magic School Bus!

Scholastic announced that it is kicking off the 25th anniversary celebration of The Magic School Bus franchise this month by releasing a Nintendo DS game and iPad app based on oceans and dinosaurs respectively.

According to the press release, the campaign will also include a host of other fun things. Identity Games is releasing GameChanger (an electronic board that works with the iPad) featuring The Magic School Bus game skins. The Young Scientists Club is launching "The Magic School Bus Science Club" and release five new Magic School Bus activity kits this year. Scholastic Audio has three new Magic School Bus audiobooks scheduled for release in 2012. Maximum Entertainment Productions and The Brad Simon Organization have teamed up to create a live touring show called "The Magic School Bus - Live! The Climate Challenge,"which will come to 60 cities throughout the U.S.

A new online game "Where Will The Bus Take You?" will launch on October 10 at www.scholastic.com/magicschoolbus. It's designed to get kids, parents, and teachers to 'Get Out and Explore.'

Scholastic is also hosting a live 25th anniversary field trip event on October 20 along the Hudson River in NYC featuring author Joanna Cole and Bruce Degan (illustrator of the books).

The first book The Magic School Bus at the Waterworks was introduced in 1986. Today there are 58 million books in print and the series has been translated in 10 languages. The Emmy Award-winning TV series based on the books — now in it's 17th consecutive season — is seen in 39 countries and 16 languages.

The Magic School Bus has won many industry excellence awards, including two Emmys for Lily Tomlin (for her portrayal of Ms. Frizzle in the TV series), five CINE Golden Eagles, a Parents Choice Gold Medal, a National Conservation Achievement Award, an Environmental Media Association Award, and an Annenberg Public Policy Center Award.


A few quotes from the press release:

"For twenty-five years, The Magic School Bus has encouraged and motivated children and families around the world to 'get out there and explore' through immersive and interactive field trips," said Deborah Forte, President of Scholastic Media and Executive Vice President of Scholastic Inc. "We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone and introduce the next generation to a unique approach to science on new platforms." 

"The Magic School Bus was ahead of its time, predicting the current move to bring together science comprehension and English language literacy," said Francie Alexander, Senior Vice President of Scholastic Education and Chief Academic Officer of Scholastic Inc. "When kids jump on the Magic School Bus, they get to read, think about and take action in support of science. Kids need Ms. Frizzle's encouragement to excel at science now more than ever."