The show also makes use of what Linn terms"inner-world sequences" which dramatize differentindividuals' thoughts and feelings. Such sequencespromote empathy, according to Linn.

"This gives value to a person's inner life,which is something that is often not valuedtoday," she said. Both she and Poussaint emphasizethe importance of these skills.

According to Linn, "Cooperation is central todemocratic society, as is empathy. We are tryingto provide kids with tools for working and playingin a multiracial society."

The CPB sees the Baker Center's new series as agood example of the type of television they seekto promote, Reid-Wallace said.

"The CPB believes strongly that television is ateaching and learning tool and we specialize inhigh quality children's programming," she said.

"We think [Willoughby's Wonders] is avery, very fine children's television program thatwill do a great deal to introduce in important anddramatic ways lessons about how young people cometo a clearer understanding about a variety of reallife issues."

Thus far, only a pilot episode, which aired inDecember of 1996, has been filmed.

The pilot episode was produced with moneyraised from the federal government, the FordFoundation and the United States SoccerAssociation, among other sources.

It won two regional Emmy awards, one for"Outstanding Children's Special," and one fordirecting. Poussaint said the Emmy awards aid infundraising for the show.

"Emmys are named by people in the industry andthat helped," he said.

The pilot episode was produced by the BakerCenter, but the series will be co-produced withWGBH.

Poussaint said that he is pleased to be workingwith WGBH, calling it "one of the top-rankedpublic broadcasting stations in the country."

In addition, having WGBH as a producer may helpto keep filming in Boston, a setting whichPoussaint would like to preserve.

"We are hoping to keep it in Boston because welike the urban setting, but there are costs," saidPoussaint, noting that it can be substantiallycheaper to film in Canada.

The Judge Baker Children's Center was foundedin 1917 and is dedicated to the healthydevelopment of children through research andeducation.

According to Poussaint, the center dealsprimarily with children who have family problemsor emotional problems, and contains its own schoolfor such children.

Willoughby's Wonders is the Center'sfirst such program, though the Media Center hasproduced various video teaching tools in the past