Purple Passages

  When I was 10, my purple Schwinn bike took me everywhere I needed to go.  I called it Lilikoi, after the purple passionfruit blossom, because I was passionate about riding and the bike was as purple as it could be.  Lilikoi picked up an impressive collection of scrapes as I rode it joyfully and heedlessly up and down curbs, over rocky paths, between close-growing trees. (Come to think of it, I acquired a lot of scrapes too.)

   And every Saturday of summer, my purple bike carried me alongside the swoosh of traffic on Kalanianaole Highway, from Niu Valley to the Aina Haina Library, where I checked out as many books as they'd let me. Seven.

   My  bike racked up mileage, but it was the books that really got me places. The written word was my entree to fascinating worlds outside my neighborhood.

     The 10-year-old superhero star of the new PBS Kids animated show "Wordgirl" would understand. This caped crusader revels in crimefighting and word usage. "'Absurd"  she says about the villain whose weapon of choice is a haunch of meat.  She rebukes him for poor word choices as well. "Preposterous!" she huffs.

   Another new PBS kids show features a young superhero who possesses the power to read--"Whyatt," star of "Super  Why!"

    And still another PBS show is "WordWorld," where words become a pre-schooler's  best friend and save the day. 

    These smart, funny shows are backed by serious academic curriculum.

    This is television supporting and encouraging reading, bringing words to life.

    I'm glad to be working on behalf of a media network that delivers rich vocabulary and imaginative stories to keiki.

    Purple bike and scrapes optional.

"Wordgirl" airs Mondays at 4PM on PBS Hawaii.

"Super  Why!" airs Monday through Friday at 8AM on PBS Hawaii.

"WordWorld" airs Monday through Friday at 1:30PM on PBS Hawaii.