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Between the Lions is named for a family of lions - Theo, Cleo, Lionel and Leona - that runs a library like no other on earth. The doors "between the lions" swing open to reveal a magical place where characters pop off the pages of books, vowels sing and words take on lives of their own. The series combines innovative puppetry, animation, live action and music to achieve its educational mission of helping young children learn to read. The backbone of the series is a literacy curriculum geared to beginning readers aged four to seven. Developed with reading and literacy experts from across the country, Between the Lions offers a comprehensive approach to reading instruction. The series showcases the power and pleasure of reading and includes segments that foster language development and early literacy skills. Every episode addresses the five key areas of reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and text comprehension.
Our "mane" characters, lion cubs Lionel (age 7) and Leona (age 4) serve as role models for younger viewers. Cleo and Theo are playful, understanding, and literary parents, who eagerly demonstrate the power and pleasure of literacy. The lions are joined by a cast of characters who play specific roles in reinforcing the literacy curriculum. Martha Reader and the Vowelles, a Motown-style vocal group, entertain with a repertoire comprising only vowel sounds. The Vowelles are just one example of how Between the Lions addresses phonics instruction. Cliff Hanger, the star of a continuing adventure series, helps to showcase key words and sounds. Reading experts tell us that repeated reading helps build fluency; the recurring Cliff Hanger segments are just one example of how we address fluency.
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