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Rainbow Brite Turns 25!
By Kenyth Mogan

In the spring of 1984 the world was introduced to a loveable little girl who lived far away at the end of the Rainbow. Her name was Rainbow Brite and she was the hope, light, and color of the universe. Twenty five years later, her spirit is just as bright as ever.

Designed for Hallmark as a greeting card character, she became so popular that both a toy line and animated specials quickly followed, generating more than $1 billion in sales. In 1986 a feature length film "Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer" was released, it's success gave way to a 13 episode television series that made Betting Bush one of the most recognizable voices in children's entertainment.

"I was 4 years old when I got into the entertainment industry, and I loved it." Bettina states, "I booked Rainbow Brite not long after getting started, and I distinctly recall my first impression of her when they showed me the picture. It was love at first sight."
"The recording sessions were lots of fun for me." Bettina continues, "I remember flying through my schoolwork on set because I was so anxious to get back to hanging out with the adult actors. They were so great and so funny. I learned a lot from them."

After the series ended Rainbow's colors seemed to dim and she all but faded into the world of eighties nostalgia. In 2004, Rainbow Brite enjoyed a brief comeback when Toy Play ® and Scholastic® released new toys and books. However, the image of Rainbow had not changed and the stories picked up right where the original left off. Besides those of us who remembered her, Rainbow Brite had no way to relate to the kids of the time.

Now Hallmark has teamed with United Media and has given the property a complete make over. Still magical, but with a modern flair, she has a look that fits with today's tween market. Playmates Toys has been given the master toy license and a whole series of toys; including fashion dolls, plushies, and horses will hit shelves this fall.

"Our story continues some time after it left off." Hallmark PR rep Sarah Kolell states. "Rainbow, who was originally a little Earth girl named Wisp, returned order to Rainbow Land -but wanted to go back home to Earth to be with her family again after all was well in Rainbow Land. Trouble arises again in Rainbow Land several years later - and her friends find her to bring her back to Rainbow Land to help. Rainbow is a bit older - about 10 years old - instead of the toddler she was when we last saw her. While she is a little more grown up, she is still the same girl with the same mission - to bring color and light into the universe."

"There were many fans on the design team! They were able to remember and incorporate all the things about the original Rainbow Brite that meant so much to them when they were little kids playing with her." Ms. Krolell continues "There are still thousands of Rainbow Brite fans who remember Rainbow Brite as a very special part of their growing-up years. Many of them are now young moms who would like their daughters to have Rainbow Brite in their world as well. Rainbow Brite offers a colorful world for young imaginations - but also embodies an everyday hero that inspires young girls. Through our licensees we will offer a broad range of products for girls 3-8, from a beautiful new doll line from Playmates Toys, to games, apparel and accessories that are in early stages of development."

Joining Rainbow Brite are Tickled Pink and Moonglow, two of the most mysterious color kids from the original series (they just kind of appeared in Rainbow Land after the movie with no explanation as to who they are or where they came from). As is the concern with every remake, is how do you reinvent something to make it new and modern, but also keep enough similarities to keep the fans of the original happy. With this remake, one of the more drastic changes is not in Rainbow Brite herself, but rather her companion, Moonglow.

"Rainbow Brite reflects the full spectrum of the vibrant colors of daytime," Ms. Kolell adds. "Tickled Pink has the colors of the sky at sunrise and sunset - pinks and orange and gold, and Moonglow reflects the deep beautiful colors of the nights - purples and soft blues and silvers. Our fans have seen illustrations of the new Rainbow Brite - and really like her. We think they will love the beautiful dolls and the vibrant colors. There is such a difference in the materials and technologies that are available today vs. twenty five years ago - that we are excited about all the new ways we can bring Rainbow to life."

"I think it's great to bring a fresh look to the characters," Bettina comments when asked about the reinvention of Rainbow Brite. "I hope it achieves the same level of fan support and love as the original. I'm sure it will."

Five Ways to Spend Quality Time With Your Kids
By Andrea V. Smith

Kids mean sacrifice. You have to bear in mind that it is an unavoidable fact of life. Once you decide to have children, they will cost you more than just money. They need to be nourished not only with food, but with a lot more: a culture, a belief system, a tribe to belong to.

If you are the kind of parent who is addicted to schedules and discipline, someone who has a file on their hard drive dedicated to their whole day's routine, you will be missing a lot. Kids need quality time. Surely, you have heard a lot about this. But what does it exactly mean?

It means that if your kids spend more time online, or in front of the TV, or the PlayStation than what they spend with you, there is something definitely wrong.

Keeping the kids busy is the kind of thing that makes any parent scratch his o her head. Do not despair. There is a lot you can do to leave your imprint on your kids, to create those memories that will last until your children have children of their own. Here are some tips:

1- Take advantage of your garden. Play in the sprinkler, with the hose. There is no need to have a swimming pool. Ask them to wash you car. If the layer of soap is too noticeable and dims the glow of the paint, don't suffer. Take the car to the car wash later. Thank your children for a job well done and give them an extra bonus: marshmallows, for instance. Kids love playing with water!

2- Cook with the kids. No need to be a chef. There's a cooking school in Aspen (www.kiddiecookers.com /cooking-school-aspen.html) that offers special programs with parents and kids. At home, there are a lot of pre-prepared mixes to bake cakes or cookies. Of course, cleaning up afterwards is part of the fun, too!

3- Try some home improvement. Surely, kids would love to help you paint a wall, or move
furniture around. Choosing a new lamp or some nice wallpaper can be real fun.

4- Go fishing. A classic, but never a dull option. You can pick a location nearby, one-hour drive away tops. Thus, they will be able to tell their own kids "I once caught a fish this big!"

5- Grow a garden. This is a nice activity because it will teach them the importance of commitment, to take responsibility for something they create, to be patient and wait for results.

These are only some of the things you can do. Set your mind to enjoy this. Consider that you are incredibly lucky to have a family to turn to, and loosen up a bit. Rules are meant to be broken, or at least bent a bit. So do not freak out if the kitchen is not left spotless. A house is meant to be lived in, enjoyed, not cleaned perpetually. No matter how hard you try not to make the same mistake your parents did, rest assured you will make some new ones in the everyday adventure of being a parent.

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