FableVision Celebrates Multiple Award Wins!

(October 25) - Working with our amazing partners to move the world to a better place through positive media is rewarding, and when those projects resonate with and are recognized by industry leaders, it’s truly an honor. We are proud to announce our newest awards!

International Serious Play Awards

Nunaka, created with Chugachmiut: Gold, Professional Digital Entries (Preschool Education)

Following Nunaka’s recent James Paul GEE! Learning Game Award in the Formal Learning (Elementary) category, we’re thrilled to add a second award to our shelf for this game. Created with Chugachmiut, a non-profit that serves Native tribes in the Chugach region of Alaska, Nunaka is an early childhood mobile game that excites 3-5-year-olds about the Alaska Native Sugpiaq culture, teaches the Sugt'stun language, and targets key school readiness goals.

Cyber Fashion Challenge, created with WNET, PBS KIDS, and Bridge Multimedia: Silver, Professional Digital Entries (K-12 Education)

Based on Cyberchase’s season 13 episode “Sustainable By Design,” Cyber Fashion Challenge is a born-accessible game that educates 6-8-year-olds about upcycling and early math readiness skills around shapes and patterns by designing clothes for a fashion show. The game was also a recent finalist in the NETA Public Media Awards in the Digital Media (Content) category.

Public Media Awards: Presented by the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA)

Start It Up!, created with Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) and Georgia Council on Economic Education (GCEE): Division 1, Innovation in Education

Online business simulator Start It Up! takes high school students, college students, and small business owners through the process of creating and running a startup. After selecting the kind of company they want to launch, the player is assigned a mentor who advises them on their strategy. Every decision impacts the company’s health and finances and determines its success or failure.

Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass Project, created with Maryland Public Television (MPT): Overall Excellence – Excellence in Community Engagement

In October 2022, MPT premiered two original documentaries shedding new light on the lives of a pair of towering figures in the struggle to end slavery: Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom and Becoming Frederick Douglass. FableVision collaborated with MPT to create a companion website, with an interactive timeline, narrated self-assessment, and resources to support students and educators.

We’d like to thank our incredible partners and extend our warmest congratulations to the other winners and finalists. Check out Nunaka, Cyber Fashion Challenge, Start It Up!, and the Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass documentaries, website, and interactives.

Feeling inspired? Contact us to learn more about our projects.

Join FableVision Studios at the 2023 Ed Games Expo in Washington, D.C.

The Institute of Education Sciences’ (IES) ninth annual Ed Games Expo will occur at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts REACH and locations across Washington, D.C. this September 19-22, 2023. FableVision Studios will lead a Master Class on Civics! An American Musical, created with Maryland Public Television, Maryland Humanities, Tufts’ CIRCLE, and the Library of Congress, and offer live demonstrations of Civics! and Nunaka, created with Chugachmiut. 

The  Ed Games Expo is a public showcase of game-changing education technology innovations developed through programs at IES, the U.S. Department of Education (ED), and across government. This event is designed to provide an engaging and meaningful experience for children, students, parents and caregivers, educators, and all stakeholders interested in learning about emerging forms of education-related technologies and the government programs that support EdTech innovation and research. 

Click here to view the Ed Games Expo agenda, which provides an overview of all Expo events as well as registration information. See you there!

Chugachmiut and FableVision’s
Learning Game “Nunaka”
Wins Prestigious GEE! Award

FableVision and Chugachmiut are pleased to announce that our cultural and language learning game Nunaka has been named the winner of the James Paul GEE! Learning Game Awards in the Formal Learning (Elementary) category. Judged by an international panel of industry leaders, the GEE! Awards recognize the best educational video games in the world that promote effective learning, teaching users how to become good learners.

The game was created with Chugachmiut, a non-profit that serves Native tribes in the Chugach region of Alaska, to serve the Chugach region’s Pre-K Head Start programs. Nunaka is an early childhood mobile game that excites 3-5-year-olds about the Alaska Native Sugpiaq culture, teaches the Sugt'stun language, and targets key school readiness goals.

In the story-driven game, players take on the role of a Sugpiaq child living with their grandparents, Emaa and Apaa, in a fictionalized version of a community based on villages in the Chugach region. Players create an avatar and explore the village, completing activities and minigames, while collecting items and interacting with other residents, including human characters and animals from the region.

“There’s more to Nunaka, though, than enjoyable minigames alone,” said GEE! Awards Competition Lead and Judge Chris Baker in his review of the game. “The art style and aesthetic of the game (and the village it takes place in) is stellar. It’s warm, welcoming, animated, and playful – yet still clearly designed with a goal of intentionally showcasing Sugpiaq heritage in mind.”

To make Nunaka as culturally and linguistically accurate as possible, FableVision co-designed the game with Chugachmiut and the Sugpiag people. Besides attending virtual Elder meetings, studio members visited Alaska multiple times to get to know community members, learn about their culture more broadly, and get feedback in person from the Sugpiaq Elders and village Head Start students. Learn more about our co-design process in our recent blog.

“Overall, Nunaka is a deeply charming game experience that successfully guides players through multiple different learning outcomes,” said Chris. “The gameplay is designed thoughtfully, with numerous good learning principles woven throughout. I truly enjoyed my time wandering around the fictionalized Sugpiaq village with my Emaa and Apaa.”

Learn more about Nunaka by reading the full GEE! Awards’ review. Better yet, download the game on iOS or Google Play to cook akutaq (Sugpiag dish of potatoes and seal oil) with the wolf, collect berries for the bear, say cama’i (hello in Sugt'stun) to the porcupine, sing with the kayaking otter, and more!

Vote for FableVision’s PanelPicker session
to bring the team to SXSW EDU 2024!

If you’ve ever wondered what mysteries hide in the shadows of an arcade after closing time,  this is the SXSW EDU panel for you! 

FableVision, Georgia Public Broadcasting, and the Georgia DOE collaborated to create a first-of-its-kind app and web-based game that teaches computer science (CS) skills to 5-7-year-old kids with the help of Gashlings – tiny, mischievous creatures that inhabit a magical world deep below the arcade machines and appear after dark to fix machines and fill them with prizes! GASHA GO! World is a suite of no-login, no-cost games, animated videos, songs, support materials, and offline resources for K-2 CS. We hope to bring the GASHA GO! World team to Austin to present and we need your help getting there! Be like a Gashling and use your smarts, lead with your heart, and vote – voting closes on August 20.

In this session, we will discuss the importance of foundational CS instruction and how GASHA GO! World can be incorporated in both formal and informal K-2 learning environments to provide access and identity development. This robust suite of resources is designed to address four key pillars of early CS instruction: computational thinking, digital citizenship, innovative design, and creative communication.

Attendees will learn how different media developers, public broadcasting, state agencies, and educators created GASHA GO! World, addressing accessibility and inclusivity as part of the property’s core design principles. They'll also explore the importance of early exposure to CS instruction in creating a sense of identity for traditionally underrepresented students in the field.

The session will be presented by GPB Education’s Laura Evans, Georgia DOE’s Meghan Welch and Bryan Cox, and FableVision’s Creative Director Leigh Hallisey. Leigh co-led the creative team in creating GASHA GO! World’s 13 games and eight animated shorts shaping the world and narrative, writing songs, and working closely with the GPB and educator teams to translate the curriculum into fun and effective experiences. Gasha Go And Vote Now! Vote for Gasha Go!

Oh-Em-Gee: We’re Award Finalists!

We are delighted to announce that Nunaka, created in collaboration with FableVision and Chugachmiut, is a 2023 GEE! Learning Game Awards finalist in the Formal Learning (Elementary) category. Nunaka, an early childhood Sugpiaq culture and heritage mobile game, excites 3-5-year-olds about the Alaska Native culture of Sugpiaq. As children play through the game, they gain positive experiences of their traditions and heritage, absorb basic phrases of Sugt’stun, an endangered Alaska Native language, and practice key school readiness skills. A thank you to our partner Chugachmiut and to the GEE! Learning Game Awards. Make sure to vote for Nunaka for the People’s Choice Award.

FableVision Invites You to Our
2023 Creative Juices Art Show

(May 19) — Plant a seed, watch it grow, where will your imagination go?

Join us for our annual Creative Juices Art Show on Friday, June 9 from 6-9 p.m., back by popular demand. With #PlantASeed as this year’s theme, the night will feature inspired projects – ranging from artwork to games – along with food, drinks, and lively conversation. The art show showcases the creative work that FableVision staff, freelancers, and interns create outside of the studio.

We can’t think of a better way to spend a warm Friday evening. Free and open to the public, but RSVP is required.

Check out the creativity that stems from our FableVisionaries and RSVP here.
When: Friday, June 9 from 6-9 p.m.
Where: FableVision Studios, 353 Newbury St., Fl. 2, Boston, MA 02115

FableVision’s 2023 Recent Recognition

(April 6) — We’re thrilled to announce that three FableVision projects are 2023 EdTech Digest Cool Tool Awards Finalists!

-Claw Control, created with Georgia Public Broadcasting – new product or service finalist – teaches kindergarten-second graders decomposition, breaking down problems into smaller parts to solve the larger problem as a whole.

-Cyber Fashion Challenge, created with Thirteen WNET New York, PBS KIDS, and Bridge Multimedia – games for learning/simulation solution finalist – teaches 6-8-year-olds about avoiding fast fashion and encouraging the creative reuse of materials.

-Boston vs. Bullies Academy for Internet Champions, created with The Sports Museum – product or service (general) finalist – teaches players how to identify bullying, respond to different situations, and stay safe online.

A big thank you to our partners!

Lights, Camera, Action! FableVision Unveils Rebranded
TV and Film Division

(February 6) — As FableVision expands its content development portfolio and production, we’re thrilled to announce the rebranding of our TV and film group as Moonladder. Tone Thyne will continue to lead the group as Vice President of Moonladder and the division will focus on creating, showrunning, and co-producing animated and live-action properties.

“We’ve recognized the need for branding that captures imaginations, reflects our singular commitment to storytelling, and is infused with a bit of magic,” said Gary Goldberger, FableVision President and Co-founder. “Under Tone’s creative direction, Moonladder is destined to become synonymous with the finest in original broadcast content.”

“A kinder world begins with the bonds we form between young viewers and aspirational characters,” added Tone. “Creating stories that inspire children to think about and interact with others in meaningful ways perfectly aligns with FableVision’s 200-year mission to move the world to a better place through quality storytelling media.”

Welcome, Rachel Reade Marcus

To support Moonladder and the rest of FableVision in seeking out new business opportunities, Rachel Reade Marcus joins FableVision as Vice President of Development. Rachel will collaborate with Tone by focusing on financing and distribution. Previously, she served as Vice President of Creative Development at Guru Studio, where she led the company’s development of original IP, and as Producer of Digital Content Development and Production for Nickelodeon.

“The addition of Rachel to our team is essential to this strategy,” said Gary. “We have long been inspired from afar by her collaborative, artist-driven vision for creating, developing, and producing engaging, innovative content. We are thrilled that she is now a part of FableVision.”

Guru Studio and TIME Studios Partner to Develop Scoops, Created by FableVision’s Tone Thyne

(July 22) — Inside every curious child is the soul of a hard-hitting journalist. We’re thrilled to share the news that Guru Studio has partnered with award-winning TIME Studios to develop FableVision’s new animated series Scoops, created by VP of Creative Tone Thyne. The lighthearted comedy series tackles neighborhood news stories featured on best friends Ellerby and Olsen’s home-grown news show.

With a focus on media literacy, Scoops will seamlessly highlight the importance of truth and fairness, while exposing the perils of misinformation as the junior journalists discern fact from fiction while preparing stories for their news show. Whether Ellerby and Olsen are digging into goofy questions, like why the Paper Factory smells like dirty feet, or exploring hard truths, like why PJ’s parents decided to stop being married, they will use news-gathering skills designed to judge the credibility and reliability of information.

FableVision’s Tone Thyne Tapped as Showrunner

(April 25) — We’re thrilled that Tone Thyne, FableVision’s VP of Creative, has been tapped to be Showrunner for Spin Master’s new animated series for preschoolers on Apple TV+, based on the characters from the Sago Mini Friends app. 

With charming characters and artful designs featured in the award-winning SAGO MINI WORLD app, Sago Mini Friends is an adorable nod to gratitude featuring Harvey the floppy-eared dog and his best friends Jinja the Cat, Jack the Rabbit, and Robin the Bird. Along with a unique cast of residents as colorful as their own whimsical world, the four friends play, explore, imagine, and celebrate daily in their joyful town of Sagoville. In each episode, Harvey and all of his friends express their true thankfulness for all things, big and small, through optimism, kindness, preschool-friendly humor, and unforgettable original songs!

FableVision’s New, Shiny Awards in 2022

(March 14) – FableVision Studios is proud to announce that several of our games have received new awards in 2022!

2022 Research-Based Design Product Certification from Digital Promise

Together with Read to Lead (formerly known as Classroom, Inc.), FableVision created three games for its series – After the Storm, Community in Crisis, and Vital Signs. As students are placed in the fictional city of Port Douglas, a community devastated by a hurricane, they must lead the daily news site, run the community center, and manage a family clinic. The certificate signals that Read to Lead offers high-quality, research-driven products for each unique learner.

2022 American Library Association’s Notable Children’s Digital Media

Animal Antics, a mobile app created for Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE)’s Reach Every Reader initiative, allows children and caregivers to play make-believe and create stories and dialogue for animals cast in 20 different scenarios. The initiative aims to bridge the literacy gap by improving learning opportunities and word acquisition in low-income families. 

Created in partnership with Maryland Public Television, Maryland Humanities, and Tufts’ Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) as a part of the Library of Congress’ Teaching with Primary Sources Program, Civics! An American Musical lets students create their own, unique Broadway musical. As students observe, reflect, and question primary sources, they work with different theatrical departments to learn about important aspects of a musical, such as costuming, set design, writing, and music.

New Year, New Ventures: FableVision Celebrates 25 Years with a Fresh Look and Audio Division

(January 19) – As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we’re ecstatic to share FableVision’s more encompassing future with a new logo and new production division! Our fresh look pays tribute to the whimsy of our original logo with a contemporary design to “draw” us into the next chapter of FableVision’s work, which includes the launch of audiyo-yo.

FableVision was founded in 1996 by Peter H. Reynolds, Paul Reynolds, Gary Goldberger, and John Lechner. “Something really special was born when we launched FableVision,” shares Peter H. Reynolds. “We have an incredibly talented team of kindred spirits assembled and it made sense to honor the creativity that drives our studio with a refreshed purpose to do good in the world–and with that came the desire to rethink our logo.”

“Twenty-five years feels like the right time to think about our brand from a fresh perspective,” says CEO Paul Reynolds. “Our mission to move the world to a better place through story, media, and technology has never wavered and continues to drive us.”

Our new logo still encapsulates a playful personality. To honor our fondness for hand-drawn flair and whimsy, a spiral replaces the O in FableVision. Since one image didn’t encompass all of FableVision, we added a dynamic design element–the O is interchangeable with various icon doodles from our staff artists and our wider creative community.

“A lot has happened over the course of our history and as we started to think about what comes next, the redesign embodies a future for FableVision with a larger and more encompassing focus,” adds President Gary Goldberger. “With a new logo and new office, we also have a revived, new energy to take on educational challenges and inspire learners of all ages.”

With a desire to keep growing, we’re also thrilled to share the launch of audiyo-yo, our new production division dedicated exclusively to creating entertaining, engaging, and inspiring audio content for children and families.

Led by creative executive Anne Richards, audiyo-yo reflects the rapidly evolving landscape for production and distribution of children’s audio content and aims to speak to and reach kids where they are. audiyo-yo will both create original programming and collaborate with outside partners who are looking to develop IP in the audio space.

“I could not be more thrilled to join the team at FableVision, whom I have long admired as industry leaders in making innovative, excellent, and heartfelt work for kid audiences,” says Anne, Vice President of audiyo-yo. “I am passionate about the power of podcasts to speak to kids and their families and tell stories only this medium can tell. This new venture makes it possible for us to meet the growing demand for high-quality, engaging audio content for kids in a big way.”

FableVision is Moving to Newbury Street!

(November 11) – BIG NEWS! After more than a decade on the top floor of the Boston Children’s Museum, FableVision is moving to a new space in one of Boston’s most iconic districts – Newbury Street. Like many companies, we transitioned to working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, and for the last 20 months we’ve worked hard to produce educational media and interactives with our amazing partners like Georgia Public Broadcasting, Library of Congress, Scholastic, THIRTEEN/WNET, Harvard Graduate School of Education, and more. 

“We’ve certainly managed with our staff working from home, and we’ve been fortunate with new projects to bring on several new staff members, some of whom we haven’t yet shared a physical space with,” says Gary Goldberger, FableVision President and Co-founder. “We’re proud of everything we’ve accomplished during this challenging year and a half. However, we’re so excited to have that special ‘something’ back when we’re all together in-person again.”

The new studio is located at 353 Newbury Street, a bustling area located in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston. The facility features original wood floors, a vintage skylight, and a roof deck with views of the Prudential building. Within a half-mile radius is the Berklee College of Music, Fenway Park, Hynes Convention Center, and the Boston Public Library, and is also situated within easy access to public transportation. We absolutely love it! 

“I’m going into my fifteenth year with FableVision, and I’m amazed, but not surprised, at the resiliency and creativity of our team,” Leigh Hallisey, FableVision’s Creative Director says. “From the moment we shifted to working remotely, we haven’t missed a beat helping our clients create educational media – from ‘born accessible’ games to animated music videos – that continues to make a difference in a world that is very different now.”  

As FableVision’s Founder Peter H. Reynolds shares, “FableVision is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, so it’s the perfect time to reimagine our next chapter.” 

So – here’s to the beginning of that next exciting piece of FableVision’s story! We have this great new space for folks to visit and can’t wait to welcome clients, partners, and friends into our new home. In the meantime, be well and stay safe. See you soon!

FableVision Expands Creative Media
Partnerships with Galleries, Libraries,
Archives, and Museums (G.L.A.M.)
with New Director of G.L.A.M. Innovation

Boston, MA (July 14) – FableVision is pleased to announce the addition of Kellian Adams Pletcher in the newly appointed role of Director of G.L.A.M. (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums) Innovation! Kellian will expand the studio’s reach and help push the boundaries of creative interactive design by growing the company’s partnerships with informal learning spaces through emerging technologies, innovative game design, and experiential learning.

“We are thrilled to add Kellian’s expertise to FableVision’s team,” shares Gary Goldberger, FableVision President and Co-founder. “The education and museum communities already know Kellian for her imaginative and immersive work. I’m excited to combine FableVision’s award-winning production capabilities with her design talents to serve our clients in engaging their audiences in new ways.”

With 12 years of work in crafting immersive experiences through intelligent, fun, and pedagogically-sound game design, Kellian will bolster the studio’s creative partnerships with museums, libraries, and other informal learning centers. She has run Green Door Labs for nearly a decade, working with clients such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Smithsonian, The National Parks Service, the USS Constitution Museum, and many more.

“I have loved FableVision’s exceptional productions for years,” Kellian says. “I look forward to adding a new perspective to their incredible team and finding new ways to work with the G.L.A.M. community.”

The Paper Girls Show from Global Tinker and FableVision Now Streaming on Sensical

Award-winning Animated STEAM Series Selected for
Common Sense Media’s New Network

This summer, Common Sense Network launched Sensical, its free streaming service that offers entertaining and expertly-screened content for 2-10-year-olds. Inspired by Common Sense Media’s reviews and digital content recommendations, the platform provides screening by child development experts, not algorithms, to ensure that kids watch safe, age-appropriate, and beneficial shows. Each series contains a rating and explanation for why it was selected for Sensical and its key learning benefits.

Global Tinker and FableVision are proud to announce that Sensical picked up our series–The Paper Girls Show! The multi-award winning educational series for children 6+ uses screen-time to inspire real-world exploration. Common Sense Media itself has given the show a coveted 4-star rating, calling it the “brainy girls show full of visual appeal.”

In each episode, Caily and Reese, the show's clever, diverse, and inspirational female characters, set on a mission to solve challenges in their own lives using a combination of real STEAM projects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) and ubiquitous paper. The educator-approved show promotes themes of hands-on making, mindfulness, and dealing with mistakes.

Download Sensical for your child today and don’t forget to catch up with The Paper Girls Show!

Two FableVision Games Honored with
2021 Serious Play Awards

FableVision is proud to announce that two of our projects were recognized at the 2021 Serious Play Awards! Cyberchase Fractions Quest won a Silver Award and Echo Explorers won a Bronze Award in the K-12 Education, STEM-Elementary Category. 

In Cyberchase Fractions Quest, third- and fourth-grade students swipe, tap, and slice their way through quests to develop their knowledge of fractions as they work to defeat the villain Hacker. Created with THIRTEEN/WNET and EDC, the game features different worlds and engaging characters to motivate students by improving their understanding of fractions and complicated math. 

Developed by THIRTEEN/WNET in collaboration with FableVision, Bridge Multimedia, and PBS KIDS, Echo Explorers is a born-accessible game that engages 6-8-year-olds in math and environmental learning, inspiring them to care for their planet and approach math with enthusiasm and confidence. It can be tailored to each child’s unique learning needs and sensitivities through settings in sound, captions, background visuals, difficulty, and control modes.

The Serious Play Conference brings together professionals who explore the use of game-based learning, share their experiences, and work together to shape the future of training and education.

FableVision Studios and
Harvard Graduate School of Education
Collaborate on Early Learning Literacy Apps
as Part of Reach Every Reader Initiative

Introducing Reach Every Reader, a foundation literacy initiative from the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) that aims to support high-level, equitable literacy achievement for all children through resources, assessment, and intervention. Five years in the making, the program comprises three apps and other resources which aim to bridge the literacy gap by improving word acquisition and learning opportunities for children at home. FableVision is proud to join the initiative with the development of two apps to transform daily errands and car rides into moments of engaging conversation. 

In Photo Play, young children and caregivers are given the opportunity to decorate and interact with their own photos using fun stickers, emojis, and “talk” balloons. By allowing players to personalize photos of themselves and their families, children are more engaged in the activities and more open to discussions of the location of the picture, memories of the day the photos were taken, and hopes for future trips and activities. The second app, Animal Antics, encourages children to unleash their imaginations as they play make-believe and create stories and dialogue alongside their parents for animals cast in 20 different scenarios, allowing children and caregivers to take on the role of animal characters and create new worlds.