Liberty's Kids

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PBS (ended 2004)
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Show Summary

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Liberty's Kids was a truly "revolutionary" children's animated series by DIC. For as long as it ran on PBS, Liberty's Kids entertained seven- to twelve-year-olds while introducing them to the exciting stories and people behind the birth of a nation. The program unfurled its historical vignettes through the eyes of two teenage apprentices, Sarah Phillips and James Hiller, who worked in Benjamin Franklin's print shop and discovered first-hand the great adventures of the American Revolution. Benjamin Franklin's wise words and strong principled actions gave guidance to our young heroes, whether he is with them in Philadelphia or writing from across the ocean in France. James Hiller was a 14-year-old apprentice journalist at Ben Franklin's Print Shop. He idolized Dr. Franklin and hoped to run his own newspaper someday. Moses was born in West Africa. After learning the valuable job of smithing, he was able to earn enough money to buy his freedom back. Moses traveled to Philadelphia where he found employment taking care of Benjamin Franklin's printing press. Henri was an eight-year-old street urchin, who had been semi-adopted by Moses and James, who rescued him from a ship. He paid for his room and board by helping out around the print shop and learning how to read and write. Sarah Phillips was a bright 15-year-old girl from England. She helped James and Henri on their wonderful adventures. For a while, she found James' idea of liberty very agitating while working as a journalist to get the Loyalist side of each of James' stories. Liberty's Kids was designed as a 40-part miniseries, run on PBS September 2, 2002 to August 13, 2004. After that, cut-down versions were scattered to commercial stations. The Theme Song is performed by: Aaron Carter and Kayla I see a land with liberty for all Next thing I know the truth will rise and fall That's just the way it goes A word now to the wise The world was made to change Each day is a surprize I'm looking at life with my own eyes I'm searching for a hero to idolize Feeling the pain as innocence dies I'm looking at life through my own eyes I'll take my heart into battle Give that freedom bell a raddle Get my independence signed Declare for it on the dotted line Let Philadelphia freedom ring and patriotic voices sing Red, White and Blue Never give up You represent America! I'm hoping and praying for a brighter day I listen to my heart and I obey How can I see it any other way? I'm looking at life through my own eyesmoreless
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Episode Guide

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S 1 :  Ep 40 Aired 4/4/03
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S 1 :  Ep 39 Aired 4/3/03
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S 1 :  Ep 38 Aired 4/2/03
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S 1 :  Ep 37 Aired 4/1/03
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S 1 :  Ep 36 Aired 3/31/03
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Fan Reviews (16)

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  • Horrible anti-British and petty nationalist propaganda

    1.0
    "Abysmal"
    By Beery1, Nov 13, 2011
    Am I the only one not drinking the Kool-Aid here? I mean Liberty's Kids has about as much connection to actual early US history as does Mel Gibson's 'The Patriot'. The British are portrayed as stereotypical monsters unless they are pro-revolution. This show is overly simplistic - even young kids can understand a little complexity, but Liberty's Kids gives none whatsoever.

    This show represents xenophobia and petty nationalism mixed with bad history. D.W. Griffith's racist movie 'Birth of a Nation' was more historically accurate and less prejudiced than this awful garbage. PBS should be ashamed that it even bought this show. The fact that they allowed impressionable kids to see such nonsense is unforgivable.

    My 5 year-old daughter is British, and I would hate for her to meet with the sort of hatred that a show like this can easily engender. I'm so glad that Liberty's Kids has been cancelled and that her friends are no longer likely to see the show.moreless

  • Watch the show :)

    10
    "Perfect"
    By ErickaBigsby, Jul 01, 2011
    I love history! This is pretty much my favorite show. I've researched characters as they are introduced and have found that their portrayals are very accurate!(Fun Fact:When Sybil Lundington goes on her "Midnight Ride" the man who answers the first door is Edmund Ogden..the man she marries). The show often gives a pretty patriotic view of the Revolutionary War but also teaches viewers that having the facts is always important. They even out the patriotic feeling by having Sarah as a character to offer opposing viewpoints and by giving the main characters opportunities to learn more about their enemies, showing that they are regular people as well. (Good example is the episode The Hessians are Coming). Liberty's Kids also illustrates the fact that in war, journalism and the citizens are important factors, just like the soldiers are. I am now 17 and still enjoy this show as much, if not more, than I did when I was younger. I believe this show is the perfect way to expose young children to American history for the first time. I plan on sharing it with the kids I babysit and my students when I become a teacher.moreless

  • I show this series to my class!

    8.0
    "Great"
    By benchervin, Feb 26, 2009
    I am a 5th grade teacher, and I often show episodes of this series to my class when we learn about the Revolutionary War. It is a great series that teaches about the events that led up to, during, and after the war. It also comes across as a great drama series also, so it is entertaining as well as informative. The characters live their lives as they did back in those times.

    Another reviewer was incorrect in stating that in the show some kids go back in time to the Revolutionary War days. Actually, the kids are apprentice journalists under Ben Franklin at his printing press newspaper business.

    Informative show, and entertaining for all ages as well.moreless

  • Series about a group of kids who go back in time to learn more about the Revolutionary War.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By trm6, Nov 23, 2008
    Call me a nerd, but I used to love this show!!! XD When I was in fifth grade, we started learning about the Revolutionary War for the first time. To get a better understanding of it, my teacher would show us these episodes. They really helped! I got better grades on that part of history than any other XD It's also the easiest to remember. I would recommend this show to any child or adult who would be interested in learning more about the war that started the United States of America. I really can't think of a better way to learn about it.moreless

  • This happened before they made George Washington our first president.But he did not want that to be the ruler of the country, he just wanted people to live free with out someone telling them what to do, what not to do that's why the Constrution was made.moreless

    10
    "Perfect"
    By turkeybaby, Dec 26, 2007
    When i started to watch liberty kids in the morning, i just never thought i could learn so much from one eposide than i could learn in a class room. If anyone has young kids and they are learning about the history of the land that we all come from i would say that liberty kids is a good and interesting show to watch. Eveyone can get a lot out of watching a show of how things came together before George Washington became our first presdient of the United States.To all the parents liberty kids does have fighting in it and action of all sorts, but that is what George Washington went though to make it all posible for us to become the United States of America.moreless
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Animation, Kids

Themes

celebrity cameos, historical people as characters, history defining moment, legendary people, old time america

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