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Disneynature’s Born in China – Activity Packet and More!

Lolli — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 18:29:54 +0000

Disneynature’s newest film, Born in China, opened in theaters everywhere this past weekend! My kids and I have loved every Disneynature movie, and we were excited to hear about this latest production. No compensation was received for sharing this information. All activities, photos, and information about the movie has been provided by Disney. Thoughts are my own.

Did you know? Moviegoers who see Disneynature’s new True Life Adventure film “Born in China” during its opening week (April 21-27, 2017) will benefit the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Based on opening-week attendance, Disneynature, via the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, will make a contribution to the WWF to help protect wild pandas and snow leopards in China.

China’s unique way of looking at nature is central to the story of “Born in China.”

“It is a story of life and death,” says director Lu Chuan. “In China, death is not the end of life. It’s another beginning. Wildlife has many beginnings, and we wanted to explore that in the movie. I want to help audiences around the world better understand this philosophy.”

According to Lu Chuan, directing a movie like “Born in China” initially called for a different approach. “For a feature film, you use your imagination and create everything from a blank page,” he says. “Disneynature films are character-driven stories, but the characters are the animals. So the story comes from the footage and is inspired by the lives these animals lead.”

“We shot so much footage,” said nature filmmaker Phil Chapman. “I’ve never worked on a project that had such an extreme shooting ratio. But as we sat and went through the rushes, watching and cataloging everything, these dramatic and touching stories began to emerge.”

Says Lu Chuan, “The footage was just great. I realized a nature movie is not so different from a feature film. I wanted to make a special movie—not just for audiences, but also for myself. I wanted to show how these animals are metaphors. They give birth, like we do. They do their best to raise their cubs, like we do. They succeed and they fail. And when they fail, consequences can be dire. Their drive to do what is best for their families resonates with all of us.”

Meet the Animals

Born in China features several different animals and their unique and touching stories. I love how the movie is built around the stories that unfolded naturally as filmmakers watched animals in their native habitat over an extended period of time. This is true “reality TV” at it’s finest!

GIANT PANDAS

From the moment “Born in China” was envisioned for the big screen, filmmakers knew pandas would be a central character in the film. “You can’t really do a nature movie set in China without featuring giant pandas,” says producer Phil Chapman.

Revered in China, the panda is endangered—there are only 1,864 living in the wild according to a 2014 census. Filmmakers captured stunning imagery of a mother panda and her cub as they interacted in the Sichuan Wolong National Nature Reserve, which is located in the Sichuan province in central China.

To ensure that the filmmakers would not endanger the animals by habituating them to humans, filmmakers were required to don “panda suits”—black and white garments made to look and smell like pandas—that allowed them to blend in with the subjects they were filming.

RED-CROWNED CRANES

Character: Red-Crowned Cranes

Filmmakers ventured to the Zhalong wetlands and Yancheng Coastal wetlands to film the cranes—beautiful birds with snow-white plumage, dramatic black markings and iconic red crowns. The film spotlights the migration of the bird, its ever-changing habitat and the distance it travels as the seasons change.

According to cinematographer Paul Stewart, getting up close to the birds was easier than he expected. “They are very nervous birds,” says Stewart. “When we wanted to get close to film the birds with their chicks, we were very cautious because we didn’t want to disturb a rare species like this. We were delighted that they accepted our presence and allowed us a rare glimpse of their lives with their chicks.”

GOLDEN SNUB-NOSED MONKEYS

Join Disneynature on a remarkable journey to see the beauty of China and experience the epic stories of animal families set against a vast canvas.

Filmmakers initially planned to feature the first year of a monkey’s life. After capturing hours of footage of newborn monkeys, searching for the right, compelling story, filmmakers noticed a youngster who had recently welcomed a new baby sister.

“TaoTao’s life is turned upside down when his family turns its collective back on this young monkey—who previously was the center of attention,” says producer Roy Conli. “He no longer understands how he fits into his family or his troop.”

MIGRATING CHIRU

Character: Chiru

Fewer than 75,000 chiru remain on the planet, due to generations of poaching.

Every spring, thousands of female chiru bid adieu to the males and make an epic journey en route to the legendary Zhouonai Lake in the remote uplands of the Qinghai Plateau. There, they welcome new calves. Mothers and newborns bond and practice essential skills—like walking—before making the long trek home. “They take on what is perhaps the most difficult migration of any animal anywhere to give birth by this lake,” says field director Ben Wallis. “Nobody knows why, exactly, but the tradition is breathtaking to witness.”

SNOW LEOPARD

Disneynature’s Born in China – Dawa and her cub – Snow Leopard

China’s Qinghai Plateau, the highest mountain plateau on Earth, is home to the stunning and elusive show leopard. Experts estimate that there as few as 4,000 snow leopards left in Central Asia’s high mountains—though their hard-to-reach habitat and phenomenal ability to disappear make it difficult to gauge.

The film features a snow leopard mother—likely a first-time mom—struggling to take care of her cubs—and herself. “Dawa is an experienced hunter, but still has very little success, especially after being driven into a new territory by rival snow leopards,” says Leith. “One of the biggest myths of the wild world is that life is somehow easier for
predators. It’s not. Life is just as tough, maybe even tougher than it is for the prey.

Born in China Activity Packet and Educators Guide

These printable activity packets are not only entertaining and a great tie in to the movie for kids, but they are educational and encourage kids to dig deeper and learn about the animals and the environment that they see in Born in China. Simply click either of the images below to download the full-sized PDF and print at home.

Connect with Disneynature and Born in China:

Like Disneynature on Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Disneynature
Follow Disneynature on Twitter: https://Twitter.com/Disneynature
Follow Disneynature on Tumbler: https://disneynature.tumblr.com/
Follow Disneynature on Instagram: https://instagram.com/disneynature
Visit the official BORN IN CHINA website: https://nature.disney.com/born-in-china

Disneynature Monkey Kingdom Movie Review #MonkeyKingdom

Lolli — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 13:00:01 +0000

I had the opportunity to see an early screening of Disneynature’s Monkey Kingdom while in Los Angeles last week with Disney and Marvel. Travel and accommodations were covered, but all thoughts are my own.

I remember watching nature shows when I was younger. They were the original reality tv…and I still think that the stories that happen naturally (whether with human subjects or with our animal friends as the stars) are some of the most fascinating stories ever.

I was drawn in to the world of Disneynature after I saw my first Disneynature film years ago. I actually look forward to a new installment each year. After seeing behind-the-scenes on Disneynature’s Chimpanzee 3 years ago and talking with the filmmakers involved in the project, one of the things that interests me the most with each new Disneynature movie is seeing how a story enfolds naturally. Filmmakers observe and film the animals, often for very long periods of time, and wait for a story to stand out to them.

The story that enfolded as the Disneynature team observed a group of Macaque monkeys in Sri Lanka was heart-warming and surprising. An under-dog, Maya, rises above her place in life…and without giving away any plot spoilers, the movie has a very happy ending for her.

I found several human parallels with Maya’s story, and not just because the Macaque monkeys look so much like people. Their community has a complex class system. Everyone has their role in the community, and some monkeys definitely have it better than others, from the food they “get” to eat to where they sleep to how they and their children are treated by others in the group.

I loved the story of Maya and her fellow Macaque monkeys of Castle Rock and I highly recommend Money Kingdom as a family-friendly film for ALL AGES. Plus, seeing Monkey Kingdom with your family gives back to Conservation International and is a perfect way to kick off Earth Day 2015! (Keep reading for more details).

I love finding a rated G movie that is equally entertaining for the whole family (and it’s educational, to boot!). Plus, Tina Fey (one of my favorite actresses) is the perfect narrator. I love that she was the voice of the movie!

About Monkey Kingdom

Life is an adventure for Maya, the clever and resourceful blonde-bobbed monkey in “Monkey Kingdom,” Disneynature’s new feature film set among ancient ruins in the storied jungles of South Asia. Maya’s world is forever changed when she welcomes her son, Kip, into her complicated extended family. Like all families, Maya’s has more than its share of colorful personalities—and she’s determined to give her son a leg up in the world. When their longtime home at Castle Rock is taken over by powerful neighboring monkeys, Maya’s whole family retreats, and she uses her street smarts and ingenuity to uncover untapped resources amidst strange new creatures and unsettling surroundings.

Ultimately, they will all have to work together to reclaim Castle Rock, where Maya can hopefully realize her dreams for her son’s future. Featuring a rich variety of characters, including a mischievous mongoose, simple-minded langur monkeys, predatory leopards and monitor lizards, “Monkey Kingdom” is narrated by Tina Fey (“30 Rock”), directed by Mark Linfield (“Chimpanzee,” “Earth”) and co-directed by Alastair Fothergill (“Chimpanzee,” “Bears”). With music from award-winning composer Harry Gregson-Williams (“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” “Shrek” movies), Disneynature’s eighth True Life Adventure—the follow-up to 2014’s “Bears”—swings into theaters April 17, 2015. For more information about the film and the conservation program, go to www.disney.com/monkeykingdom.

Celebrate Earth Day with Disneynature’s Monkey Kingdom and Give Back!

Did you know that every ticket purchased during opening week (April 17-23) benefits Conservation International? A portion of the proceeds of tickets sales during opening week will go straight to Conservation International. I loved seeing the effect that Disneynature ticket sales have had over the last several years. From trees planted to clean water projects to education and research…seeing a Disneynature film in theaters during opening week is a great way for families to celebrate Earth Day and make the earth a better place for our families.

Conservation International will support programs across Indonesia, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka, including:

Protect monkeys and other endangered species
Save and restore forest habitats
Partner with and support local communities

Further activities in Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Indonesia will include researching, rescuing and rehabilitating monkeys, patrolling protected areas which serve as important habitats for monkeys and other species, planting trees and supporting community education and forest-friendly jobs. See more details on how you can help below and learn more at https://nature.disney.com/monkey-kingdom.

Be sure to print off the free activity sheets and educator and parent guides that I posted here before my trip!

Like Disneynature on Facebook: Facebook.com/Disneynature

Follow Disneynature on Twitter: Twitter.com/Disneynature

Follow Disneynature on Tumbler: https://disneynature.tumblr.com/

Follow Disneynature on Instagram: https://instagram.com/disneynature

Visit the official MONKEY KINGDOM website: https://nature.disney.com/monkey-kingdom

MONKEY KINGDOM is in theaters now!

Celebrating Monkey Kingdom at the Los Angeles Zoo #MonkeyKingdom

Lolli — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 13:00:15 +0000

I visited the L.A. Zoo last week right after a screening of Disneynature’s Monkey Kingdom while on a press trip with Disney and Marvel. All adventures, travel, and accommodations were courtesy of Disney/Marvel. All thoughts are my own.

When the kids were younger, I used to take them to the zoo near us every Spring Break, so it was appropriate that I spent part of my Spring Break this year at two zoos. My first zoo visit was to the Los Angeles Zoo with my fellow Monkey Kingdom | Avengers | Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. bloggers, and not only did we get to see lots and lots of monkeys and other primates, but we got to take our very own stuffed Maya macaque monkeys through the Zoo for some fun photo opps.

I think my only regret on this once-in-a-lifetime incredible trip was the fact that I didn’t bring my Canon with the monstrously big zoom lens. As much as I love having compact cameras for my back’s sake, there’s nothing like a good zoom lens for capturing amazing zoo shots. Luckily, I was able to see a ton of animals (even if my camera wasn’t quite up to the task like I would have preferred).

At each stop along our zoo journey last week, a zoo keeper met with us to talk about zoo care, animal characteristics and personalities, and other interesting pieces of information. The zoo staff really know their animals!

About Monkey Kingdom

Visiting the zoo right after seeing Monkey Kingdom on the Disney Studios lot was a perfect transition. Monkey Kingdom certainly lives up to the fantastic reputation of all of the previous Disneynature films! More thoughts coming in a movie review this Friday!

See Monkey Kingdom in theaters this weekend!

Monkey Kingdom will be opening in theaters this Friday, April 17, just in time for Earth Day! My movie review will be coming on Friday morning, but let me just say that Monkey Kingdom is a GREAT movie for the whole family. How often do you find a rated G movie that is entertaining for kids and adults alike?

If you’re planning on seeing Monkey Kingdom, I urge you to make plans to go to the theaters during opening week, when a portion of EVERY ticket purchased will go straight to Conservation International to help protect monkeys and other endangered species in their natural habitats.

Conservation International will support programs across Indonesia, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka, including:

Protect monkeys and other endangered species
Save and restore forest habitats
Partner with and support local communities

Past Disneynature films have had huge success in their Earth Day promotion, and funds from movies have gone to support National Parks, conservation efforts, education, and more. What a perfect way to celebrate Earth Day with the whole family! Learn more at https://nature.disney.com/monkey-kingdom.

Be sure to print off the free activity sheets and educator and parent guides that I posted here before my trip!

Like Disneynature on Facebook: Facebook.com/Disneynature

Follow Disneynature on Twitter: Twitter.com/Disneynature

Follow Disneynature on Tumbler: https://disneynature.tumblr.com/

Follow Disneynature on Instagram: https://instagram.com/disneynature

Visit the official MONKEY KINGDOM website: https://nature.disney.com/monkey-kingdom

MONKEY KINGDOM opens in theatres everywhere this Friday, April 17th!

How the #AvengersEvent Is Making Me The Coolest Mom Ever

Lolli — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 12:46:50 +0000

Over the last several years, I’ve had the opportunity to travel to Los Angeles, Orlando, New York City, and the Bay Area to experience red carpet premieres, behind-the-scenes set visits, movie tapings, Disney parks tours and tons of celebrity interviews. I’ve had experiences that I had never dreamed of even hoping to have before I began life as a blogger. And in just a matter of days, I’ll be having another one of those Oh-My-Goodness-Is-This-Really-Happening-To-Me kind of experiences.

I am meeting and interviewing the cast of the Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Note: my travel and accommodations (and all of the amazing experiences) during next week’s trip to LA are being covered by Disney/Marvel but all excitement is my own. Truthfully.

As the mother of 4 teenagers (and one soon-to-be-10-year-old who has adored Jeremy Renner, aka Haweye, since before I can remember) the fact that I am going to be spending next Saturday WITH THE AVENGERS is just about the coolest thing ever. My kids don’t know whether to hate me or to go brag to all of their friends about me.

We LOVE the Avengers at our house!

The Official Avengers: Age of Ultron Press Day Line-up

(All photos in this collage are courtesy of Disney/Marvel)

I literally squealed when I got the invitation several weeks ago. Despite the fact that I’ve been so busy lately and some days I can’t imagine adding anything more onto my plate, Avengers 2 was one of those movies that I would have dropped everything to be involved in. I am so honored to have been invited to see the movie early and interview the cast and movie makers, including:

Chris Evans (“Captain America”)
Chris Hemsworth (“Thor”)
Scarlett Johansson (“Black Widow”)
Jeremy Renner (“Hawkeye”)
Mark Ruffalo (“The Hulk”)
Cobie Smulders (“Agent Maria Hill”)
James Spader (“Ultron”)
Paul Bettany (“Vision”)
Aaron Taylor-Johnson (“Quicksilver”)
Elizabeth Olsen (“Scarlet Witch”)
Director Joss Whedon
Producer (and President of Marvel Studios) Kevin Feige

Follow hashtag #AvengersEvent! Avengers: Age of Ultron opens in theaters on May 1!

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

And that’s not all…While we are in LA, we’ll also be spending several hours on the SET of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (which I am a huge fan of!!). I can’t wait to see behind the scenes of one of my favorite shows…and maybe (??) bump into an actor or two??

Follow hashtags #AgentsOfSHIELD and #ABCTVEvent

AND…

Disneynature MONKEY KINGDOM

We will be screening Disneynature’s newest film, Monkey Kingdom, on the Disney Studios lot as well as spending time at the L.A. Zoo! I love Disneynature movies, and I can’t wait to see this one! Be sure to check out the family activity packets (printables) that I posted recently!

Follow hashtags #MonkeyKingdom and #LAZoo! Monkey Kingdom opens in theaters on April 17!

Your Mission…

And now I’ve got a job for you! I have a TON of interviews to prepare for in the next week. I need help coming up with some interview questions to ask this incredible line-up of talent. Please help me by asking your own super-fans (I know you’ve got them, because you’ve mentioned it on Facebook and Twitter!) and add your questions for ANY of the interviews in the comment section below.

Be sure to follow along in the next several weeks as I reveal more!

MONKEY KINGDOM – Family Activity Packet & Educator’s Guide

Lolli — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 12:00:30 +0000

In just a few short weeks, I’ll be screening the newest Disneynature movie, Monkey Kingdom, while I’m in LA for a Disney press trip. I got hooked on the Disneynature films several years ago when my family and I saw African Cats, and I vowed to see each subsequent one in the theater after that. Then shortly after, I was able to interview the people behind the making of Chimpanzee and gained a whole new appreciation for these movies.

Sometimes truth really is more fascinating than fiction.

In anticipation of Monkey Kingdom, I’ve got a family activity pack as well as an educator’s guide full of educational information, games, and activities based on the new movie. These Monkey Kingdom printables are perfect for homeschooling families, teachers, and kids who love to expand on the things that they learn about on TV and in movies (that’s how my kids are…and how I have been since I was a kid, too!)

To print any of the activity sheets, simply click on the cover images below to download the PDFs to your computer, and then click print. Easy peasy!

Black and white educator’s guide:

About Monkey Kingdom:

Featuring a rich variety of characters, including a mischievous mongoose, simple-minded langur monkeys, predatory leopards and monitor lizards, “Monkey Kingdom” is narrated by Tina Fey (“30 Rock”), directed by Mark Linfield (“Chimpanzee,” “Earth”) and co-directed by Alastair Fothergill (“Chimpanzee,” “Bears”). With music from award-winning composer Harry Gregson-Williams (“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” “Shrek” movies), Disneynature’s eighth True Life Adventure—the follow-up to 2014’s “Bears”—swings into theaters April 17, 2015. For more information about the film and the conservation program, go to www.disney.com/monkeykingdom.

Did You Know?

For every ticket sold opening week (April 17-23, 2015), Disneynature will make a donation to Conservation International to help protect monkeys and other endangered species in their natural habitats.
“Monkey Kingdom” is the sixth theatrical release for Disneynature, the first new Disney-branded film label from The Walt Disney Studios in more than 60 years. The label was launched in April 2008 to bring the world’s top nature filmmakers together to capture a variety of wildlife subjects and stories.
The first five big-screen releases under the Disneynature label—“Earth,” “Oceans,” “African Cats,” “Bears” and “Chimpanzee”—are among the top six highest grossing feature-length nature films of all time.
Walt Disney was a pioneer in wildlife documentary filmmaking, producing 13 True Life Adventure motion pictures between 1948 and 1960, including “Seal Island” (1948), “Beaver Valley” (1950), “The Living Desert” (1953) and “Jungle Cat” (1958). The films earned eight Academy Awards®.

Connect with Disneynature and Monkey Kingdom

Like Disneynature on Facebook: Facebook.com/Disneynature
Follow Disneynature on Twitter: Twitter.com/Disneynature
Follow Disneynature on Tumbler: Disneynature.tumblr.com/
Follow Disneynature on Instagram: Instagram.com/disneynature
Visit the official MONKEY KINGDOM website: Nature.disney.com/monkey-kingdom

MONKEY KINGDOM opens in theaters everywhere on April 17th!

A Walk in Their Shoes #DisneynatureBears

Lolli — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 17:00:06 +0000

I’m excited to welcome guest poster, Cheryl Kabela Hansen (a little more about her in the next paragraph!). After seeing Disneynature BEARS a few weeks ago (you can read my review here) and reading Cheryl’s experience watching the film being made, I think I want to walk in HER shoes for a few days! This post is exclusively shared right here, for Better in Bulk readers – you won’t see these behind-the-scenes glimpses anywhere else!

Walt Disney Studios’ staff writer Cheryl Kabela Hansen trekked to Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska last summer to shadow the filmmakers for Disneynature’s new big-screen adventure “Bears,” which opened in theaters April 18.

My first real job as a teenager was at the local newspaper in our very small town. I worked about 10 hours a week in layout and did some writing along the way. I’m still writing today—and believe it’s what I’m meant to do—but every time I meet someone with a really cool job, I like to mentally try on the role for a while and and see how it fits. The habit is completely irrational—I’m captivated by film composers, but have zero musical talent, and my potential in animation is pretty much limited to that of a brilliant observer. I even quizzed the woman who cleaned my teeth last week about the ups and downs of life as a dental hygienist, yet I don’t even floss my own teeth every single day. So when I was invited to shadow the filmmakers behind Disneynature’s “Bears,” my imagination ran wild—so to speak: I could just picture myself hiking through forests and up mountains: clothed in khaki from head to toe, I’d be surrounded by bears and wolves. The image, I’d soon learn, wasn’t too far from the truth—minus the head-to-toe khaki, anyway.

I’ve edited press materials for the previous Disneynature films, but this was my first opportunity to actually travel to the film site to cover production—to walk in someone else’s shoes, or hiking boots as it were. After spending a few days with the filmmakers—people who’ve filmed wild animals from Alaska to Africa—and the guides at Hallo Bay Bear Camp, too, who dedicate their summers to fairly low-key living in the Alaskan wilderness—I realized that they all shared a singular and very admirable quality: passion.

Even cool jobs are work, right? Yet I was continually struck with the feeling that the people I encountered were living enchanted lives—they all considered their roles among wildlife a privilege. Naturalist guide Simyra Taback-Hlebechuk recognized the bears we encountered faster than I recognize some of my nieces and nephews (to be fair, I have 30 … or 31). She answered every question as if it were the first time she heard it. She seemed as comfortable—if not more so—sitting on a piece of driftwood with a couple of bears in her sights as she was dining the night before in a Homer restaurant.

Camerawoman Sophie Darlington had trouble packing up for the night after 14 hours behind the camera. When one would think she’d be looking forward to closing her eyes, she actually feared she’d miss some incredible bear moment. It was her last night on location, and though she looked forward to going home to see her 13-year-old son, she said it was always hard to leave a place like Alaska. Following the birth of her son, Darlington had a hard time reconciling her love of wildlife filmmaking with the demands of motherhood. In the end, she said, she had to honor her passion, and with the support of her family, she found a way to make it work. “It’s who I am,” she said.

Everyone I spoke to on site seemed to share the sentiment. Most admitted the lifestyle made family life challenging—birthdays, weddings and celebrations are missed along the way. But all agree that the time they dedicate to family is particularly precious as a result.

Director Keith Scholey, who grew up in Africa, passed on his passion to son Matt, who works for Disneynature as marketing coordinator, while son Olly served as a field assistant in Alaska, and also captured incredible still shots. Like all parents, really, Scholey introduced his sons to his world from the time they could walk—his world just happened to include lions and bears. It’s fair to say their summer vacations differed somewhat from mine—Wisconsin Dells was a family favorite while I was growing up.

I can think of no greater gift to my own kids than to lead them to do something they truly love for a living. And maybe this experience—brief as it was—will someday inspire them to pursue a career in the wild.

How do you help your kids find their passion? Leave a comment below!

“Bears” is now playing in theatres everywhere!

Disneynature BEARS Review – 10 Reasons to See #DisneynatureBears

Lolli — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 19:25:59 +0000

Disneynature’s Bears opens in theaters today (April 18, 2014)! Have you seen my Bears Activity Sheets and Who’s Who in the movie yet?

My kids and I were able to see a local screening of BEARS last weekend and I’ve been eager to share our thoughts about the movie (as always, thoughts in this Disneynature Bears review are all my own). I figured it would be fun to do a Top 10-type post for families!

Check out the BEARS trailer:

Doesn’t it looks amazing?

Top 10 Reasons to See Disneynature BEARS

Reality makes the best stories – Disneynature films the true stories of nature as they happen – and even THEY don’t know what the end of the story will be when they start!
Gorgeous scenery – Bears is set in the beautiful mountains and rivers of Alaska. it doesn’t get prettier.
Bear cubs are adorable – think of your cuddliest, cutest, most loved teddy bear ever.
When you see BEARS in the theaters, you’ll be helping to protect and save wildlife and National Parks.
Bears is not only entertaining for kids – it’s educational!
After the movie…it’s amazing to see how the filmmakers caught the footage! Wow!
BEARS proves that family bonds can be found everywhere.
Disneynature movies are an Earth Day tradition (if you haven’t made them a tradition yet, you should start this year!).
BEARS shows that parents and children (and even neighbors) can work together, even through difficult circumstances.
Disneynature movies are best seen on the big screen!

SEE BEARS, PROTECT OUR NATIONAL PARKS

When you see the film during opening week (April 18-24, 2014), Disneynature, via the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, will make a contribution to the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks, to protect wildlife and wild places across America’s national park system.

About BEARS:

In an epic story of breathtaking scale, Disneynature’s new True Life Adventure “Bears” showcases a year in the life of a bear family as two impressionable young cubs are taught life’s most important lessons. Set against a majestic Alaskan backdrop teeming with life, their journey begins as winter comes to an end and the bears emerge from hibernation to face the bitter cold. The world outside is exciting—but risky—as the cubs’ playful descent down the mountain carries with it a looming threat of avalanches. As the season changes from spring to summer, the brown bears must work hard to find food—ultimately feasting at a plentiful salmon run—while staying safe from rival male bears and predators, including an ever-present wolf. “Bears” captures the fast-moving action and suspense of life in one of the planet’s last great wildernesses—Alaska!

Directed by Alastair Fothergill (“Earth,” “African Cats” and “Chimpanzee”) and Keith Scholey (“African Cats”), and narrated by John C. Reilly, “Bears” arrives in theaters April 18, 2014, to celebrate Earth Day.

“Bears are a symbol of North America,” says director Alastair Fothergill. “We want to take audiences to one of the most beautiful places in the world—an area people hope to visit, but never do. Now they can see Alaska through the eyes of a mother bear and her cubs.”

Disneynature’s BEARS Activity Sheets #MeetTheCubs #DisneynatureBears

Lolli — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 15:37:11 +0000

Disneynature’s BEARS is coming to theaters on April 18! Enjoy these free printable activity sheets, perfect for school-aged kids, along with some fun Who’s-Who in BEARS!

About BEARS:

BEARS Printables

I love when quality entertainment leads to learning opportunities. These Disneynature Bears Activity Sheets are perfect for elementary-school-aged kids…to get them excited about seeing Bears in theaters or to satisfy their desire to learn and do more after they’ve seen the movie! Here’s a sampling of what you can find in this BEARS family fun kit:

To download and print off these Bears activity sheets at home, simply click HERE or click on any of the images above. Enjoy!

Who’s Who in Disneynature BEARS

SKY is a first-time mom, and raising two tiny cubs on her own can be pretty overwhelming. She’s a strong mother with good instincts, but life on the Alaska Peninsula is tough. It’s up to Sky to protect her cubs as they make a momentous trek to find the food they’ll need to make it through next winter.

AMBER is a mama’s girl. This young cub likes to catch a ride on Sky’s broad back or curl up next to her for a cozy nap. Amber’s habit of hanging close to mom might make her look timid, but make no mistake: Amber is watching mom’s every move and learning the tricks to surviving in Alaska. Smart bear.

SCOUT is all about adventure. He’s a curious cub who relishes the new sights, sounds and smells his family’s journey reveals each day. But Scout’s penchant for exploration gets him into some trouble. Bold is good if you’re a big bear, but little Scout best keep one eye on mom at all times.

MAGNUS is king. He’s the biggest bear in the neighborhood and highly respected. While male bears are typically a threat to young cubs like Amber and Scout—Sky knows that Magnus’ high-ranking status gives him first dibs at every meal, so he’s not likely to bother the young family as long as they keep their distance.

CHINOOK, an exile from local bear society, is constantly challenged by the other male bears—especially Magnus. A born fighter, Chinook is indignant, vulnerable, hungry—and a surefire threat to Sky and her young cubs.

TIKAANI is a mischievous, scheming wolf who spends much of his time lurking in the bears’ shadows. Tikaani fills his belly by stealing fish from unsuspecting bears. But he’s also watching Sky, plotting the best way to outwit the new mother and snatch one of her cubs.

THE RAVEN forms an easy alliance with Sky. The shiny black bird beckons Sky from above, pointing her toward the next meal—and Sky rewards the tips with leftover clams, muscles and fish that the raven could never get on her own.

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Disneynature’s BEARS opens in theaters everywhere on April 18th!