Pileated Pictures today announced the release of Gus and Inky's Underwater Adventures- Chapter2 - Rhyme Time, the next in a series of free, online-based e-learning games and animations, based on a character in PBS' hit show, Between the Lions. The series of educational activities developed for the National Center for Learning Disabilities' (NCLD) Get Ready to Read! program is aimed at fostering early literacy skills among preschool children.

Shelburne Falls, MA May 24, 2004 -- Pileated Pictures today announced the release of Gus and Inky's Underwater Adventures- Chapter 2 - Rhyme Time, the next in a series of free, online-based e-learning games and animations, based on a character in PBS' hit show, Between the Lions. The series of educational activities developed for the National Center for Learning Disabilities' (NCLD) Get Ready to Read! program is aimed at fostering early literacy skills among preschool children.

Pileated Pictures used Macromedia Flash® technology in creating the animation and design for the games--including an animated version of Gus the Bunny, Between the Lions' puppet character, and other NCLD characters from existing illustrations. Pileated Pictures' writers Michael Levine and Jeffrey Yerkes again co-wrote the script with Emmy-Award winning writers Christopher Cerf and Norman Stiles, Co-Creators and Executive Producers of Between the Lions, and the creative team from NCLD.

"It was a pleasure to once again work with Pileated Pictures," said Christopher Cerf. "With these games, Pileated Pictures continues to be a leader in fostering early literacy skills in the interactive space. These games should not be missed!"

The free, online games feature Gus the Bunny, who struggles with reading and learns core skills through a series of rhyming exercises with a friendly hip hop music theme. Gus is helped to succeed by his underwater friend, Inky the Octopus, in this episode known as "DJ Fresh Ink".

"Pileated Pictures has once again done an incredible job bringing to life the characters children know and love. The first game tripled the traffic to our site when it launched," says Amber Eden, assistant director, online communications, at NCLD and project creative director. "These e-learning games teach early literacy skills in an inviting, engaging fashion. The interactivity simply makes education more fun."

"Gus and Inky's Underwater Adventures, Chapter 2" can be found at www.getreadytoread.org. Another chapter is in the works and should be available later this summer.