‘Sesame Street’ Unleashes New Learning Resources

As the unusual holiday season of 2020 gets closer, “Sesame Street” has announced a slate of new books, apps and free resources.

Activity-based video calling app, Caribu recently added more than 100 “Sesame Street” titles to their ebook library, including a selection of holiday titles. For families who will be enjoying in-person story time this winter, “Cookies for Elmo” from Sourcebooks also offers a message about the importance of sharing – and even includes a cookie recipe that’s perfect for baking together.

The “Monster Hits: Rock & Rhyme with Elmo” video collection from Shout! Factory Kids is packed with singalong songs and nursery rhymes, paired with favorite monster moments from “Sesame Street.” The collection is available now on DVD and digital download.

Hasbro’s Rock and Rhyme Elmo plush is a cuddly companion for toddlers ages 18 months and up, singing five songs to the tunes of beloved nursery rhymes and saying 14 phrases in English and Spanish. Kids can strum along on an Elmo-sized guitar as Elmo sings or squeeze his nose for honking sounds. An “It’s Time to Rock & Rhyme” album offers a mix of “Sesame Street” songs and familiar classics to get kids moving – available on streaming and digital download platforms from Warner Music Group’s Arts Music.
“Sesame Street” -themed Magna-Tiles sets from CreateOn are also designed to spark creativity while building fine-motor skills in children. Sets include curriculum guides that help parents take kids’ play in an educational direction. Older children can find their creative voice with “Kwame Alexander's Free Write: A Poetry Notebook” from Sourcebooks, which is part of a companion series to Sesame Workshop’s “Ghostwriter” on AppleTV. In “Free Write,” this author offers poetry starters, inspirational quotes, fill-in-the-blank activities and lots of space for kids ages 8-12 to scribble and create.
“The holidays are going to look different for all of us this year,” says Gabriela Arenas, vice president licensing, Sesame Workshop North America. “But one thing hasn’t changed: Elmo, Big Bird, Abby Cadabby and all kids’ ‘Sesame Street’ friends are ready to offer comfort and spread holiday cheer all the same. Working closely with wonderful partners, we’re happy to offer a variety of fun and educational products to help families make the most of the holidays in this difficult time - however they’re celebrating.”

For more support from Sesame Workshop, parents can visit the Sesame Street: Caring for Each Other hub, updated frequently with new videos, free printable activities and articles for parents.