The beloved StoryBots franchise will be expanding thanks to Netflix’s recent acquisition of the children’s media brand. Ask the StoryBots has been featured on Netflix since 2016. This new, overall deal with StoryBots creators Gregg and Evan Spiridellis will bring original programming, including series and short-form specials, into the fold.
Through a mix of 3D, 2D, Claymation, stop motion and live action, the series tackles many of life’s ponderings, in a range of topics from math and music to dinosaurs and emotions. “Ask the StoryBots has a proven track record of synthesizing complex subjects into bite-sized lessons that are funny and entertaining for young kids and satisfying for parents,” Netflix VP of original animation Melissa Cobb said in a statement.
Parentology checked in with Gregg Spiridellis for his take on why StoryBots is so popular with everyone from preschoolers to their parents.
Based on responses about episodes/content of the series thus far, are parents saying they, as well as their kids, are learning from the show as well as their kids?
Parents are definitely learning as much from the StoryBots as their kids. We know this because of the chatter on Twitter from parents who are ecstatic they just learned the science behind why the sky is blue, or how ears work, alongside their kids.
We also hear parents on Twitter saying things like, “I listen to StoryBots music on the way to school with my kids in the morning, and keep listening after drop off. This response hasn’t surprised us because we created the show to be as entertaining to us as it was for our kids.
Have parents said the way StoryBots delivers information has helped them communicate ideas/explain things to their little ones?
Parents love how the show uses humor and music to communicate lessons. We’ve heard many comparisons to School House Rock, which always makes us proud.
Will you be tackling hard issues like climate change?
While we don’t have an episode planned for climate change, we won’t shy away from hard issues or dumb them down for kids. However, we always keep in mind that kids as young as three years old are watching the show. They need to be communicated with differently from kids in the later grades of elementary school who also watch the show.
Guest stars on the series have included Snoop Dogg, Edward Norton, Whoopi Goldberg, and Wanda Sykes. Who’s on the roster for season three? Tune in this fall, or keep an eye out on their Netflix webpage to find out.
Ask the StoryBots and Netflix Sources
Gregg Spiridellis, StoryBots co-creator
Netflix