Dear Dumplin,
As you know, I am on a quest to find quality children’s content with characters of color. I want you to know more than just American and Haitian culture. Yes, this is your background and you should love it, but the world is big. You should know something about all people of color. Although current media would sometimes make you think differently, I promise we have more similarities than we have differences. Culture is beautiful. Learn it and love it. Today, I’ll be telling you about a wonderful African cartoon. Let’s talk about Bino & Fino! The makers of Bino & Fino are preparing to launch a second DVD that I’m excited to tell you about.
Bino & Fino are a brother and sister living in an African city. Through their adventures children learn about ancient African civilizations as well as cultures across the continent. Created by Adamu Waziri, Bino and Fino are adorable and authentic. In the teaser for the second DVD, the brother and sister prepare to learn about the Walls of Benin. Take a look at the trailer here:
Wonderful right? The second in the DVD series launches August 15th and I can’t wait! If you go here, you can order a copy and see how Bino & Fino help counteract stereotypes about people in Africa, educate children about the continent, teach watchers how to count in the Yoruba language, and entertain. Where can we go to see this cartoon? Thankfully, there will be screenings of the new DVD in the United States. One will be in San Francisco on August 15th at the:
Museum of the African Diaspora
685 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
USA
Other screenings will be at the KIDflix Film Fest at Mocada in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. KIDflix shows children’s movies every Friday during the month of August. To showcase Bino and Fino, the screening will be shown every Friday at 7:00 pm before the main event. Check the schedule here. This year’s events at Mocada are in partnership with Black Girl’s Rock. More dates may be announced so be sure to check the Bino and Fino Facebook page and like it!
To add to this wonderful time, Bino and Fino are coming out with plush toys!
Aren’t they cute? To get on the mailing list and be notified when you can buy the dolls, click here. I don’t know if I’m going to get you Bino or Fino or both. Which would you like? I have a feeling you will want all of them.
Bino & Fino makes me so happy and excited! I love being able to tell you about children’s programming made specifically for you. Content for children of color by people who not only have good intentions but want to show Black children from a truly versatile perspective is essential. Your interests may be vast. Your tastes may change. You can do many things. The media should reflect every single aspect of your life. This cartoon gets us closer.
Love,
Mama
PS – Has anyone watched the first DVD from Bino & Fino? I’d love to hear about it as I patiently wait for my copy to arrive in the mail.
Disclaimer: I was contacted to post about Bino & Fino. All opinions are mine alone.