Super Why!: Puppy Power!

Super Why!: Puppy Power! is a delightful, animated educational series that aims to cultivate the love of reading and learning among preschoolers. This program was released in 2016 and is featured on the PBS Kids platform. The series is a sequel to the popular children's show, Super Why!, with the same concept but with an additional lovable character, the adorable Whyatt's puppy, Woofster.

In this vibrant series, the show follows the lives of four friends, Whyatt, Red, Pig, and Princess Pea. They live in Storybook Village, a magical place where all the storybook characters live. The show is designed cleverly to combine the magical elements of a storybook world and characters with educational content. Woofster, Whyatt's puppy, is endowed with unique abilities and serves as an integral part of their team of literacy-powered superheroes, known collectively as the Super Readers.

The story begins when Woofster finds a magical dictionary that grants him the power to speak and transformed into a superhero, just like his owner, Whyatt. He then becomes known as the "Dictionary Dog", adding a new dimension to the team and adventures of Super Why!. Besides adding an element of cuteness, Woofster's character has another significance too. He symbolizes the importance of vocabulary and dictionary skills and teaches children how to use a dictionary to look up unfamiliar words.

Each episode of Super Why!: Puppy Power! revolves around a problem faced by one of the characters in Storybook Village. Whyatt summons the Super Readers by calling them on his 'Super Duper Computer', and they assemble at the Book Club, where they discuss the problem and choose an appropriate storybook to enter. The viewers are then taken on a journey into the enchanted story and, along the way, are taught how to read and spell words, recognize letters, and sound out words phonetically.

What makes Super Why!: Puppy Power! more appealing to its young audience is the interactive nature of the show. The Super Readers often turn to the 'Super You', a term used for the viewers at home, for help, making them feel involved in the story. They employ strategies like 'super why reading', where they read portions of the book to solve problems, 'super why spelling' where they spell words that can help them progress in their story and 'dictionary power' where they use Woofster’s dictionary for help to understand what words mean.

In addition to literacy skills, Super Why!: Puppy Power! also emphasizes important social-emotional skills, such as teamwork, problem-solving, cooperation, and respect for others. The show masterfully intertwines the magical elements of their day-to-day adventures with real-life situations that the children of their age might face, thus teaching them important life lessons and values.

The animation of the show is engaging, and the characters are visually appealing, keeping the preschoolers hooked to the screen. The sound effects and background music further enhance the viewing experience, making the story more dynamic and thrilling for the kids.

Super Why!: Puppy Power! is much more than an ordinary children's show. In teaching children the importance of literacy, it also engages them, making learning a delightful and mesmerizing experience. As part of a well-known and respected network like PBS Kids, the show aligns with their larger objective of making learning fun, engaging and accessible to children. So, if you're looking for a way to start your child's journey into the world of reading and language, Super Why!: Puppy Power! offers a fun and captivating way of doing that.