Brand Mission
About Rootle PBS KIDS
Rootle is your 24/7 PBS KIDS destination for wholesome, educational and entertaining content for children ages two to eight. You can livestream Rootle PBS KIDS at pbskids.org/videos/watch/live within our viewing area and watch live on YouTube TV and Prime Video. PBS KIDS shows are also available at pbskids.org and on the PBS KIDS Video app.
What does Rootle mean?
Rootle, pronounced “roo·tle,” is a verb. It means to root, turn over and dig up or discover and bring to light.
What is WPES?
WPES stands for Watch, Play, Explore and Share. This model was developed by PBS KIDS to cultivate curiosity and encourage exploration. Rootle uses the WPES approach to engage young learners.
WATCH
Watch award-winning PBS KIDS shows on your favorite device.
PLAY
First, preview a PBS KIDS program to understand its message and learning goals. Then encourage your learners to watch, observe, inquire, connect and discuss. Empower them through play and hands-on activities to explore concepts in the program. Share in the experience by watching the program with them.
EXPLORE
Play games designed to help kids learn essential skills.
SHARE
Explore activities to reinforce new concepts. Share the experience. Viewing content with your child helps boost confidence.
Learn more at pbsnc.org/kids
Visual Style Guide
Logo Primary Logo
Use the top logo with the PBS KIDS tagline whenever possible. This logo should be used the majority of the time.
Use the Clouds logo if space permits. Sky blue is the background color.
Logo
One-Color Variation
One-color options can be used when a two-color imprint is unavailable.
Logo Tagline Variations
The Rootle logo without the PBS KIDS tagline (top) should only be used if the tagline would be too small to read.
The logo with the PBS KIDS Channel tagline (bottom) is used when referring to the broadcast channel or livestream only.
Logo Minimum Padding
Minimum padding is the least amount of clearance between the logo and other objects or elements. Minimum padding is equal to one gear space. Do your best to match the space around the logo to the size of a gear.
Logo Proper Uses
VIP Super Learner Mission
Sorting Fun
1. Can you sort the family by shape? By color? By size?
2. Can you sort the farm animals by shape? By color?
3. Can you sort the insects from the sea creatures?
4. How can you sort the sea creatures?
5. How many ways can you sort the insects?
•
•
Logo Improper Uses
Don’t rearrange elements.
Don’t alter colors.
Don’t add decorative effects.
Don’t stretch, distort, rotate or modify.
Don’t place on Rootle blue; use white logo instead.
Color Primary & Secondary Colors
Rootle Orange is our primary color.
Rootle Yellow and Rootle Blue are secondary colors.
Rootle Gray and Light Rootle Orange are used sparingly.
Rootle Blue
#104e88
Rootle Gray #5d5e61
Rootle Yellow #f7d83d
Rootle Orange
Light Rootle Orange
#f5ae38
Full Palette
Color Primary Stripes
Orange stripes are used most often but yellow stripes can also be used. For print/ standalone pieces, first check that the orange stripes will work.
Use orange stripes on swag and similar items. Yellow stripes, however, should be used on Rootle Ambassador swag.
Stripes should be bold, not thin like a pinstripe. They are at a 61 degree angle.
Color Secondary Stripes
Use secondary stripes in moderation but never on broadcast. They should be treated as a set with primary stripes and should not stand alone. You can use them as backgrounds on event signage if you have eight similar signs, each with a different color stripe. However, if you have one event sign, use primary stripes only, preferably orange.
Typography
PBS Fonts
Use PBS KIDS Headline for headlines, callouts or large text.
Use PBS Sans Medium to make letters bold, to create hierarchy and for URLs. It is used for body copy or subheads only.
Use PBS Sans Light for body copy.
PBS Kids Headline
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 1234567890!@#$%^&*()<>?/
PBS Sans Medium
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 1234567890!@#$%^&*()<>?/
PBS Sans Light
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 1234567890!@#$%^&*()<>?/
Read-a-roo
Who is Read-a-roo?
Read-a-roo is Rootle’s mascot. Roo is a 7-year-old kangaroo who loves reading. She’s eager to learn it all— science, art, literature, math, sports and more. Curiosity is her driving force.
Read-a-roo
Standard Poses
Use these Roo poses as you see fit. If you need to crop part of Roo’s body to fit it on a graphic, make sure the lines and negative space at the crop are as clean as possible. Don’t crop Roo at the joints; aim for between them. Standing Roo 3/4 Profile Roo
Read-a-roo
Other Poses
Use these Roo poses as you see fit. If you need to crop part of Roo’s body to fit it on a graphic, make sure the lines and negative space at the crop are as clean as possible. Don’t crop Roo at the joints; aim for between them.
Backpack Roo
Side Roo
Read-a-roo Body & Head
Roo should never be shown headless on broadcast. You can use Roo’s head for print items like stickers. Roo’s footprints and book are also available to use.
Read-a-roo
Proper Read-a-roo Uses
DO crop Roo at the waist. DO rotate Roo up to 45 degrees.
DO place Roo on blue for contrast on stripes.
DO use Roo with a thicker outline for contrast on stripes.
Read-a-roo
Improper Read-a-roo Uses
DON’T crop Roo at the neck. DON’T crop Roo’s hand. DON’T crop her ears or face. DON’T rotate Roo more than 45 degrees.
Read-a-roo
Other Illustrations
In the Community
Rootle Ambassador
Rootle Ambassadors are early childhood educators and administrators, librarians, parents, caregivers and other community champions with a strong knowledge of PBS KIDS and a desire to support families of young learners. Ambassadors develop/ facilitate at least two family and community engagement events in their counties to support early learners. They participate in regular professional development, including the Rootle Ambassador Academy and quarterly meetings.
Use the round logo whenever possible. If space is limited, use the horizontal logo.
Rootle Roadster Tour
Rootle Roadster Tour provides families of young children with free playful learning experiences within their community. Each event features hands-on activities, fun educational giveaways, demos by local partners and PBS KIDS education resources. All activities are aligned with literacy, physical, sensory, social-emotional and STEM curriculum.
Use the vertical stacked logo whenever possible. If space is limited, use the horizontal logo.
Read-a-roo’s Block Party
Every weekend, Rootle highlights one PBS KIDS show on Read-a-roo’s Block Party. The Block Party Star changes every month, but viewers can always count on Roo to be there to celebrate with them.
Use the vertical stacked logo whenever possible. If space is limited, use the horizontal logo.
Rootle Discovery Corner
Rootle Discovery Corners are playful, handson learning spaces created to engage children and families through PBS KIDS content. Located in libraries, Child/Parent Resource Centers and community centers across NC, they offer free access to educational games, books and resources that support early childhood development and school readiness.
Use the vertical stacked logo whenever possible. If space is limited, use the horizontal logo.
Image Quality
Print images: 300 dpi @ 100%
Large-format posters: 150 dpi @ 100%
Display/screen images: 72 dpi @ 100%
Use RGB logo for digital.
Use CMYK logo for print.
Brand Resources
Please reference these guidelines from PBS KIDS and PBS North Carolina:
• PBS KIDS Style Guide
• PBS KIDS Tone of Voice Guide
• PBS North Carolina Brand Book
Questions? We’re here to help. Contact us at rootle@pbsnc.org .