My children helped me discover a powerful dramatic adversary that every child understands.  When they first entered public schools, my kids complained of being frightened by teachers who frequently got angry and yelled.  Loud, insensitive big people can be very scary, particularly when they make demands and expect their rules to be followed.

Growlers are modeled after this type of real-life authoritarian adversary.  For a kid, they're everywhere.  We help keep them in perspective with humor and by providing insights to their vulnerabilities.

Bob Sakayama, creator/producer

   

growler
     (groul'er) n. 1. someone big, loud, scary and afraid of the dark.

* Growlers are likely to be in a bad mood for no obvious reason.
* Growlers expect the rules to be followed.
* Growlers are very likely to complain.
* Growlers are impatient - they don't like to be kept waiting.
* When something goes wrong, Growlers look for blame.
* Growlers are extremely suspicious.

Recognize yourself?

Chances are good that you've heard Bob Sakayama's work. His music and sound designs have been released in virtually every medium from records, CDs, audiocassettes, TV, radio, film, video, to multimedia, video walls, webcasts, and CD-ROM programming.

He has created and produced the music used by the major networks, sports teams, cable networks, TV & radio stations, & program producers. Bob's experience includes over 30 years as a composer/producer, during which time he helped create many different kinds of entertainment.

His production company, TNG/Earthling, Inc., boasts an audio production facility used exclusively for original music and experimentation in the audio arts (and Growler stories).

When his kids were born, he quickly discovered that innovative audio for children did not exist. The major publishers and labels were not developing audio beyond books-on-tape or classics read by celebrities, and most of these were overly simplistic productions: voice recordings of edited books mixed with stock music and a handful of effects.  Commercials had more production value than kids' audio.

These observations led Bob to commit resources toward the development of programs for kids that would not only make full use of modern recording technologies (the ability to simultaneously control huge numbers of sounds, voices, music, etc.), but also fuse the storytelling power of sound with sophisticated story concepts. After many years of development, The Growler Tapes Adventures (Classic Series), was born. The reviews were effusive.

The powerful reaction to the first series led to the development of an even more sophisticated series, Growler Radio - the primary drama now enhanced with short programs (like the news, magic helpline, complaint forum, etc.), and even more intricacies in the story concepts. This new series was immediately chosen for use as an in-classroom supplement and has been provided by the New York City Board Of Education via WNYE (91.5 FM) every week to all teachers in the public school system.  Growlers are recommended by large numbers of homeschooling organizations and periodicals all across the country as a supplement to customized curricula, and a thought provoking alternative to television.  Most states allow homeschoolers to use Growler stories to fulfill literary arts requirements. Growler Radio is still growing, more stories are coming. So stay tuned.