By Karen Bloom
The KIDS FIRST! Film Club is designed to help families address the challenge of finding appropriate films for their children to see. The series will offer classic films, soon-to-be-released titles, and independent films, according to LICM staff.A project of the Coalition for Quality Children's Media, the film festival is now in its fifth year, partnering with leading children's museums and film societies, among other organizations that share its commitment to empower children to be critical thinkers. Long Island Children's Museum is the only metropolitan area venue for this program.In initiating this film series, LICM continues to expand upon its educational mission. "We believe that it's important for children not to be passive recipients of video images," explained LICM's director of education, Edith Gonzalez de Scollard. "Introducing them to films that have already been through a juried process of teachers, parents and children is the first step in becoming a discriminating viewer."The films are shown in the LICM's 150 seat state-of-the-art theater every Friday afternoon, at 4:30 p.m. Live action and animated films are presented in English and Spanish on a rotating weekly schedule. They have been selected to tie in to the museum's monthly themes. "LICM is committed to expanding our offerings to Long Island's Spanish speaking audiences," added Gonzalez de Scollard. "The film series is a wonderful starting point."The film schedule includes:
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The First of May - An award-winning family film adventure of two lifetimes! It stars Julie Harris, Dan Byrd, Mickey Rooney, Charles Nelson Reilly, and baseball legend Joe DiMaggio. Two lost souls - a 12 year old foster child and an old lady in a retirement home - run away together in search of the family they never had. Their lands them jobs with a three-ring circus.
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Curious George Rides a Bike - The man in the yellow hat gives Curious George a brand new bike. See what adventures lie ahead for the little monkey and his bike.
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Stellaluna- Based on Janell Cannon's best-selling book, Stellaluna is a charming story of a lost baby fruit bate in search of her true identity. Stellaluna's world turns upside down when she's separated from her mother and is adopted by a family of birds.
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Rikki-Tikki-Tavi - Narrated by Orson Welles, this Rudyard Kipling classic tells the tale of a young mongoose adopted by a British family in turn-of-the-century India.
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Clifford the Big Red Dog - A heart-warming tale about the world's biggest, most lovable dog. Being the world's biggest dog means Clifford can be a tremendous help! Clifford knows a lot about growing up. He supports his friends when they need help and forgives them when they make mistakes.Along with its movie series, LICM also salutes Spring with activities that celebrate the Purim and Easter holidays, during the short school break at the end of the month. Families can create fanciful puppets and hamantashen-groggers (the traditional Purim noise-makers) and decorate wooden eggs in preparation for Easter.There's Purim fun to be had a special workshop, Friday, Mar. 25, 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Visitors can listen to the story of Queen Esther and design fanciful puppets and the traditional Purim noise-makers.The following day, Saturday, Mar. 26, also at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m., it's time to get ready for Easter. The kids can make some decorative wooden eggs, to give their own personal touch to the holiday weekend.Also, don't forget, an array of circus-themed activities continue, as part of the museum's month-long celebration of circus fun. If you can't get to see Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey version, try some of the circus antics at Long Island Children's Museum instead!
Long Island Children's Museum
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and most school holidays. Closed Sunday, Mar. 27. Museum admission: $8 for adults and children over 1 year; $7 seniors; members free. Film series tickets are $5, $3 for museum members. 11 Davis Ave., Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or www.licm.org.
