Singapore – Disney gave select media a sneak peek at the new Disney Junior yesterday in Singapore. The channel, which debuts on July 11 in Southeast Asia and replaces The Playhouse Disney brand, will feature a number of new programmes and blocks to both entertain and educate kids aged 2-7. One of the new initiatives is Disney Poetry; a series of beloved and new poems set to scenes and imagery from classic Disney films and narrated by celebrities such as Jennifer Garner, Whoopi Goldberg and Katie Holmes. Laura E. Wendt, VP and Managing Director of Disney Channels Asia-Pacific said as well as being a great visual and aural stimulation for young minds, Poetry also opens the door to featuring local poetry and talent from around this region. “There’s no limit to Disney Poetry. We can use local poems, short stories and heritage tales and set them to images and scenes from Disney’s film library. It’s a piece of art that stands on its own and we’re very excited about its potential.” Also debuting with the launch of Disney Junior is the new animated series Jake and the Never Land Pirates, which follows the adventures of Captain Hook, his clumsy sidekick Smee, along with a new crew of kid pirates led by cheeky and courageous Jake. Like Disney Playhouse, this and other series will have a presence online, “Giving kids that multiplatform experience,” said Wendt. From July 11, Disney Junior will be available in 13 markets in the Asia-Pacific, including New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Korea.