Alma's Way

**Alma's Way** is a Canadian-American children's animated television series created by **Sonia Manzano**, a former actress who starred on **Sesame Street,** and produced by **Fred Rogers Productions**, **Pipeline Studios**, and **Primal Screen**. The series premiered on **PBS** and **PBS Kids** on October 4, 2021.

The television airings are followed up by a short-form series titled "**Jelly, Ben & Pogo**", which focuses on Filipino culture.

On August 2, 2022, it was announced that the series was renewed for a second season which will air in fall 2023.

## Premise

The series is set in the **Bronx**, **New York** and revolves around **Alma**, a six-year-old Puerto Rican girl, as she ventures out into her Latino neighborhood to demonstrate decision making and social awareness skills, with the title referring to Alma's ability of thinking things through, listening and explaining to help her solve problems within each episode.

## Cast & Characters

**Main**

* **Alma Rivera -** A curious 6-year-old girl who enjoys solving problems. Her favorite baseball team is the **Sweat Sox**. She has brown eyes, light-brown-skin, and possesses brown hair in a curly ponytail, wears two golden earrings, a blue jean vest over a pink t-shirt, lavender leggings under a dark-blue skirt, and light-brown boots.
* **Junior Rivera -** Alma's younger brother who loves to dance. His favorite singer is **Elyssa B**, and his favorite baseball team is the **City Seagulls**. He has short brown hair, light-brown skin, and wears a blue and yellow t-shirt, grey pants, and orange sneakers.
* **Lulu 'Mami' Rivera -** Alma and Junior's mother, and Ruben's wife. She is a musician and music teacher. She is a great cook, but isn't good at making mofongo. Her favorite singer is **Elyssa B**.
* **Ruben 'Papi' Rivera -** Alma and Junior's father, and Lulú's husband. He is a veterinarian, and hosts his own show called **Ruben to the Rescue**. His favorite baseball team is the **City Seagulls**.
* **Abuelo Rivera -** Lulú and Gloria's father, and Alma, Junior and Eddie's maternal grandfather.

**Supporting**

* **Eddie Mambo -** Alma's next door neighbor and cousin. He is a gifted musician who plays drums, guitar and horn.
* **Uncle Nestor -** Alma's uncle and Eddie's father. He is a playwright and musical director of a **Bomba** ensemble.
* **Tia Gloria -** Alma's aunt and Eddie's mother. She is a **New York City Transit Train Conductor**.
* **Andre King -** Alma's friend. He is great at drawing and sketching.
* **Rafia Huda -** Alma and André's Bangladeshi friend. She loves to play sports.
* **Lucas Reed -** Alma, André and Rafia's friend. He is a gifted singer.
* **Becka -** A keyboard player and of Jewish descent.
* **Safina Huda -** Rafia's older sister. She volunteers at Ruben's pet clinic.
* **Owen Reed -** Lucas's father.
* **Anik Huda -** Rafia and Safina's father. He owns a small grocery store.
* **Nea King -** André's mother. She owns a bookstore.
* **Frankie Four Feet -** The owner of the **Bronx Community Center**.
* **Granny Isa -** Alma's maternal grandmother who travels the world.

## Episodes

**Alma's Way** - **Fred Rogers Productions**, **Pipeline Studios** & **Primal Screen**

**Season 1 (2021 - 2022)**

1. **No-Go Mofongo** / **Alma vs. Eddie**
2. **Alma The Artist** / **Bomba Or Baseball?**
3. **Alma's Movie Night** / **Papi The Hero**
4. **Doggone Sox** / **Alma Spell It Out**
5. **Cardboard Club** / **Alma Clues In**
6. **Alma's Showstopper** / **Ultimate Helper**
7. **Coqui Quest** / **Chalk The Block**
8. **Alma On Ice** / **Junior's Lost Tooth**
9. **Beatbox Big Time** / **Super Sisters**
10. **Basketball Birds** / **Looking For Litter**
11. **Socks For Sale** / **Alma's Animal Show**
12. **Junior's Story** / **Anniversary Surprise**
13. **Alma's New Kicks** / **Star Ball**
14. **Alma's Nochebuena** / **Three Kings Day Do-Over**
15. **Alma's Rescue Repair** / **Alma Cools Off**
16. **Song Of The Summer** / **Leapin' Lizards**
17. **Singing On The 6 Train** / **Safina's Doggy Problem**
18. **Too Corny** / **Alma Tags Along**
19. **Granny On The Go** / **Chacho's Day Out**
20. **Checkers Champ** / **World's Greatest**
21. **Steggie Rescue** / **Alma Hits The Night Role**
22. **Do The Waltzango** / **Big Brother Bootcamp**
23. **Alma's Book Swap** / **Finders Keepers**
24. **Lucas Left Out** / **The Sweetest Treat**
25. **Alma Picked A Pepper** / **The Alma Train**
26. **Chacho Gets A Bath** / **Frankie's Four Feet**
27. **Trick Or Treatasaurus** / **The Haunted Hallway**
28. **Community Camp-Out** / **Leaf It To Alma**
29. **Alma's Best Friend** / **Steggie Gets Lost**
30. **Lost In The Bronx** / **New Neighbors**
31. **All About Alma** / **Alma's Playdate**
32. **Alma Town** / **Alma's Big Help/An Alma Kind Of Day**
33. **Picture Perfect** / **Hands For The Day**
34. **Howard Flies The Coop** / **Supper Surprise**
35. **Alma's Cat-tastrophe!** / **Stickball!**
36. **Harper's Quick Change** / **All Rapped Up**
37. **The Beach Blahs** / **The Last Sandcastle**
38. **Snow Day In The Bronx** / **Say I Guess To The Dress**

## Books

Book releases of **Alma's Way...**

* **Junior's Lost Tooth**
* **Alma Speaks Up**
* **Friendship Club**
* **Trick Or Treat-a-saurus**

Alma's Way: Junior's Lost Tooth: Level 2 Reader Book (January 2023)Alma's Way: Alma Speaks Up (Alma habla) Story Book (January 2023)Alma's Way: Friendship Club (El Club de la Amistad) Story Book (March 2023)Alma's Way: Trick Or Treat-a-saurus (Dulce o dinosaurio) Story Book (July 2023)

## Games

Game releases of **Alma's Way...**

* **Party At Alma's**
* **Bop Or Pop**
* **The Alma Train**
* **Boom Boom Bah!**

## Reception

**Adiba Nelson** of **The Washington Post** wrote, "**Afro-Latino children finally have characters they can relate to**."