PBS Kids has greenlit a second season of its multiplatform preschool block hosted by Miss Lori and Hooper. Launched in September 2006, the block has been making solid strides in the ratings. According to Nielsen Media Research, the block’s Curious George ranked number one nationally that month with two- to five-year-olds and third with the two to 11 set. Dragon Tales and Clifford the Big Red Dog also scored in the top 10 with two to fives. Newcomer It’s A Big Big World, meanwhile, scored in the top 10 with moms.

The integrated online portals pbskids.org and pbsparents.org, which feature games and extra educational content for kids and parents, have also gotten a boost. According to the US pubcaster, between October 2005 and 2006, the kids website saw an 11% increase in traffic, while the parents site jumped a whopping 127%.

For the second season, the pubcaster has partnered with Out of the Blue Enterprises, creators of Blue’s Clues, to film 15 segments that will debut in the fall. The interstitials are designed to have an increased reliance on interactivity. As well, the on-air block and its online counterpart will feature new messaging urging parents to reinforce the lessons and curriculum from each episode.