The new season of PBS’ Kid Stew is getting the Colorado treatment. The Emmy award-winning live-action kids series, created by literary icon James Patterson, is back with six new episodes filled with Colorado-based guests.

Kid Stew follows the adventures of a diverse group of preteens and their mascot dog Ozzie. Some of their kid-centric fun includes time travel, starring in comedy skits, interviewing artists, and trips to a pinball museum. The group of teens—Armando, Blake, Caroline, David, Luke, Madison, Milena, Nicholas, and Satine—are a charming group of relatable kids with varied interests.

Ozzie Kid Stew
Ozzie

The series is directed by Copper Mountain resident, and Ozzie’s dog dad, Frank Constantini. In the new season, three segments were filmed in Colorado and focus on local residents; Breckenridge-based snow sculptor Keith Martin (episode three), Aspen-based author Jill Sheeley (episode four), and Copper Mountain’s ski patrol rescue dogs in training to save avalanche victims.

“There’s no reason learning has to be dull and boring… it can even be hilarious,” says Patterson on his inspiration for the series. Patterson is the founder of the Read Kiddo Read initiative, and author of best-selling children’s books Max Einstein, I Funny, and Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life series.

Geared toward preteens, the show was born out of Patterson noticing the lack of educational TV aimed at older kids. Kid Stew’s purpose is to inspire kids of all ages to learn more about what interests them; whether that be art, history, international culture, or the environment, while having fun doing it.

Need to Know: Kid Stew’s new season airs on Rocky Mountain PBS, Fridays at 6 a.m, beginning May 3; on Colorado PTV, Fridays at 10:30 a.m. beginning May 3; and on channel 12.1, Saturdays at 11 a.m., beginning July 6.

Megan Forgey

Megan Forgey is a Denver-based freelance writer.