Weston Woods Studios

Weston Woods Studios (or simply Weston Woods) is a production company that makes audio and short films based on well-known books for children.[1] It was founded in 1953 by Morton Schindel in Weston, Connecticut, and named after the wooded area near his home. The company's first project was Andy and the Lion in 1954, and its first animated film was The Snowy Day in 1964.[2] In 1968, Weston Woods began a long collaboration with animator Gene Deitch and opened international offices in Henley-on-Thames, England, UK, in 1972; Canada in 1975; and Australia in 1977. In addition to making the films, the company also conducted interviews with the writers, illustrators, and makers of the films. The films appeared on children's television programs such as Captain Kangaroo, Pinwheel, The Great Space Coaster, Lunchbox, Eureeka's Castle, and Mister Moose's Fun Time.[3] In the mid-1980s, the films were released on VHS under the Children's Circle titles, and Wood Knapp Video distributed these releases from 1988 to 1995.

Weston Woods Studios
TypePublishing Company
IndustryFilm
Founded1953 (1953)
Weston, Connecticut, U.S.
FounderMorton Schindel
Headquarters
Norwalk, Connecticut
,
U.S.
Key people
Richard Robinson (CEO)
OwnerThames Television, Saatchi & Saatchi North America, the Program Exchange
ParentScholastic Corporation
Websitewestonwoods.scholastic.com

Beginning in 1968, the company also made filmstrips and audio recordings synchronized to them, which became known as the Picture Book Parade. Many of these recordings were narrated by actor Owen Jordan and were often different or expanded recordings from the films.

In 1996, the company was acquired by Scholastic Corporation.[4]

Selected filmography

DVD releases

In 2002, a DVD collection of Weston Woods films entitled Scholastic Video Collection was released.[16] Many compilations of Weston Woods films have been released under the title Scholastic Storybook Treasures.

  • Where the Wild Things Are and more Maurice Sendak Stories (2002)
  • Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and Lots More Learning Fun (2002)
  • Chrysanthemum and More Kevin Henkes Stories (2002)
  • The Night Before Christmas and More Christmas Stories (2002)
  • Click Clack Moo – Cows That Type & More Fun on the Farm (2003)
  • Pete's a Pizza... and More William Steig Stories (2003)
  • Harold and the Purple Crayon... and More Harold Stories (2003)
  • Miss Nelson Has A Field Day and Miss Nelson Is Back (2003)
  • Red Riding Hood And More James Marshall Fairy Tale Favorites (2003)
  • The Snowy Day & More Ezra Jack Keats Stories (2003)
  • Good Night Gorilla and More Bedtime Stories (2003)
  • Harry the Dirty Dog & More Terrific Tails (2003)
  • Is Your Mama a Llama?... and More Stories About Growing Up (2004)
  • Corduroy... and More Stories About Friendship (2004)
  • The Scrambled States of America... and More Stories to Celebrate Our Country (2004)
  • Make Way for Ducklings... and More Robert McCloskey Stories (2004)
  • Strega Nona... and More Caldecott Award-Winning Folk Tales (2004)
  • There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly... and More Stories That Sing (2004)
  • Curious George Rides a Bike... and More Tales of Mischief (2004)
  • Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears... and More Stories from Africa (2004)
  • The Teacher from the Black Lagoon... and More Slightly Scary Stories (2004)
  • Giggle, Giggle, Quack... and More Funny Favorites (2004)
  • How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night... and More Stories That Rhyme (2004)
  • Bark, George... and More Doggie Tails (2004)
  • Swimmy... and More Classic Leo Lionni Stories (2005)
  • The Emperor's New Clothes... and More Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tales (2005)
  • Sylvester and the Magic Pebble and more magical tales (2005)
  • The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash... and More Back-to-School Stories (2005)
  • Tikki Tikki Tembo... and More Favorite Tales (2005)
  • Danny and the Dinosaur... and More Friendly "Monster" Stories (2005)
  • Bear Snores on & More Beary Adorable Tales (2005)
  • The Wheels on the Bus... and More Sing-Along Favorites (2005)
  • The Dot...and More Stories to Make You Feel Good (2005)
  • I Love You Like Crazy Cakes...and More Stories About Families (2006)
  • Chicka Chicka 123 & More Stories About Counting (2006)
  • Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel... and 3 More Stories about Trucks (2006)
  • The Man Who Walked Between the Towers... and More Inspiring Tales (2006)

HBO Max

In 2021, the company's Mo Willems book adaptations were released on WarnerMedia's SVOD service HBO Max. Mo Willems' Storytime Shorts! include all 14 of the company's Mo Willems book cartoons as of 2021.

See also

References
  1. Turning Picture Books into Art House Films: The Story of Weston Woods|WIRED
  2. Obituary: Morton Schindel-Publishers Weekly
  3. "Hand-to-hand Comedy" (7 September 1990). Retrieved on 25 October 2008
  4. "Scholastic—About Us", Retrieved on 25 October 2008
  5. "DVD Movie Reviews: Robert McCloskey". Archived from the original on 2012-09-07. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
  6. WorldCat.org
  7. RiffTrax: A Guide to Christmas and Holiday Episodes - Den of Geek
  8. Cartoons Considered For An Academy Award-1975-Cartoon Research
  9. Internet Archive
  10. Cartoons Considered For An Academy Award-1979-Cartoon Research
  11. Cartoons Considered For An Academy Award-1983-Cartoon Research
  12. Short Film Oscar® Winners in 1985-Oscars on YouTube
  13. 1985|Oscars.org
  14. "Cartoons Considered For An Academy Award – 1984 -". cartoonresearch.com.
  15. Weston Woods Studios Directory, Page 3-BCDB
  16. Villa, Joan (July 3, 2002). "Retailers Will Get Scholastic to Reissue Popular Children's Titles Under New Distribution Deal". hive4media.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2002. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
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