Children’s & Family Emmy Nominees: Ms. Rachel, June Squibb and a Lisa Kudrow/David Schwimmer ‘Friends’ Face-off
Popular children’s TV host Ms. Rachel just landed her first two Emmy nominations — as did 96-year-old actress June Squibb. There were among the nods announced Tuesday for the 4th annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards. The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, which administers the Children’s & Family Emmys, also announced that the next edition will take place in New York for the first time, at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall on March 1 and March 2, 2026.
Ms. Rachel received her noms for outstanding preschool, children’s or family viewing series and outstanding writing for a preschool or children’s series, via her “Ms. Rachel — Toddler Learning Videos” YouTube channel. Squibb earned her nod for outstanding children’s personality via the “Storyline Online” YouTube channel. (Squibb’s competition includes Yvette Nicole Brown, for “Cookie Monster’s Bake Sale: Block Party.”)
Meanwhile, among viral sensations that turned into Emmy nominations, the clip of star Andrew Garfield talking to Elmo about grief on the “Sesame Street” YouTube channel earned a nod for outstanding short form live action program.
In the “’Friends’-turned-competitors” category, “Friends” stars Lisa Kudrow (“Time Bandits”) and David Schwimmer (“Goosebumps: The Vanishing”) are both nominated in outstanding lead performer in a preschool, children’s or young teen program category. They’re up against Kit Connor and Joe Locke (both for “Heartstopper”), Jude Law (“Star Wars: Skeleton Crew”), Danya Griver (“Malory Towers”) and Nina Toussaint-White (“The Primrose Railway Children”).
Another star-studded category is outstanding single role voice performer in a children’s or young teen program category, including Cynthia Erivo (“RoboGobo”), John Lithgow (“Spellbound”), Maya Rudolph (“Dream Productions), John C. Reilly (“An Almost Christmas Story”), Ernie Hudson (“Angry Birds Mystery Island”) and Erik Todd Dellums (“The Dragon Prince”).
NATAS announced the nominations live on its social media accounts, as well as at a membership event with the Children’s Media Association New York chapter.
Among changes to this year’s categories, the outstanding voice performer in a preschool program is the result of a merger between outstanding single role voice performance in a preschool program and outstanding multiple role voice performance in a preschool program.
Also outstanding directing for a live action series came from the merger of single camera and multi-cam categories. Single and multi-cam were also merged for the outstanding editing for a preschool or children’s live action program, and outstanding editing for a young teen live action program fields.
“We’re excited to honor the extraordinary individuals and teams who bring children’s and family television to life every day,” said Rachel Schwartz, head of the Children’s & Family Emmy Awards. “As the landscape continues to grow—and as studies highlight the positive impact educational programming has on young children—we look forward to coming together to celebrate this meaningful and inspiring work.”
Here are the 4th Annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards nominees:
Outstanding Preschool, Children’s or Family Viewing Series
“Jane” (Apple TV+)
“Kids Baking Championship” (Food Network)
“Ms. Rachel” (Ms. Rachel – Toddler Learning Videos YouTube Channel)
“Odd Squad” (PBS Kids)
“Sesame Street” (HBO Max)
“Tab Time” (Tab Time YouTube Channel)
Outstanding Young Teen Series
“Goosebumps: The Vanishing” (Disney+)
“Heartstopper” (Netflix)
“Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” (Disney+)
“Sweet Tooth” (Netflix)
“Time Bandits” (Apple TV+)
Outstanding Fiction Special
“Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip” (Disney+)
“Descendants: The Rise of Red” (Disney+)
“Girl Haunts Boy” (Fifth Season)
“Henry Danger: The Movie” (Nickelodeon)
Outstanding Informational Program
“Building Outside the Lines” (Magnolia Network)
“Harlem Ice” (Disney+)
“Makayla’s Voice: A Letter to the World” (Netflix)
“A Real Bug’s Life” (National Geographic)
“Super Animals” (FOX)
Outstanding Preschool Animated Series
“Carl the Collector” (PBS Kids)
“Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” (PBS Kids)
“Molly of Denali” (PBS Kids)
“The Tiny Chef Show” (Nickelodeon)
“Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum” (PBS Kids)
Outstanding Children’s or Young Teen Animated Series
“Big City Greens” (Disney+ | Disney Channel)
“Win or Lose” (Disney+)
“Wolf King” (Netflix)
“Wylde Pak” (Nickelodeon)
Outstanding Animated Special
“An Almost Christmas Story” (Disney+) [Cuarón’s Esperanto Filmoj | Titmouse | Maere Studios]
“Kiff: The Haunting of Miss McGravy’s House” (Disney+ | Disney Channel) [Titmouse, Inc.]
“Kiff: Lore of the Ring Light” (Disney+ | Disney Channel) [Titmouse, Inc.]
“That Christmas” (Netflix)
“Ultraman: Rising” (Netflix)
Outstanding Short Form Live Action Program
“Andrew Garfield and Elmo Explain Grief” (Sesame Workshop YouTube Channel)
“Girls’ Voices Now” (Here TV)
“My Way” (PBS Kids)
“Together We Can” (PBS Kids)
Outstanding Short Form Animated Program
“Acoustic Rooster: Jazzy Jams” (PBS Kids)
“Count on June Bug” (Thirteen)
“Daffy in Wackyland” (HBO Max)
“Eva the Owlet” (Apple TV+)
“How Not to Draw” (Disney+ | Disney Channel)
“Road Trip” (Disney+ | Disney Channel]
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Preschool, Children’s or Young Teen Program
Kit Connor as Nick Nelson, “Heartstopper” (Netflix)
Danya Griver as Gwendoline Mary Lacey, “Malory Towers” (BYUtv)
Lisa Kudrow as Penelope, “Time Bandits” (Apple TV+)
Jude Law as Jod Na Nawood, “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” (Disney+)
Joe Locke as Charlie Spring, “Heartstopper” (Netflix)
David Schwimmer as Anthony Brewer, “Goosebumps: The Vanishing” (Disney+)
Nina Toussaint-White as Sarah Robinson, “The Primrose Railway Children” (BYUtv)
Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Preschool, Children’s or Young Teen Program
Nonso Anozie as Tommy Jepperd, “Sweet Tooth” (Netflix)
Rosalind Chao as Helen Zhang, “Sweet Tooth” (Netflix)
Ellie Goldstein as Nancy, “Malory Towers” (BYUtv)
Stefania LaVie Owen as Bear, “Sweet Tooth” (Netflix)
Dara Reneé as Uliana, “Descendants: The Rise of Red” (Disney+)
Outstanding Younger Performer in a Preschool, Children’s or Young Teen Program
Ravi Cabot-Conyers as Wim, “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” (Disney+)
Lucian-River Chauhan as Ben, “Me” (Apple TV+)
Christian Convery as Gus, “Sweet Tooth” (Netflix)
Ava Joyce McCarthy as Phoebe Robinson, “The Primrose Railway Children” (BYUtv)
Naledi Murray as Wendy, “Sweet Tooth” (Netflix)
April V. Woods as Felicity Rivers, “Malory Towers” (BYUtv)
Outstanding Puppetry Performer
Leslie Carrara-Rudolph as Abby Cadabby & Tango, “Sesame Street” (HBO Max)
Frankie Cordero as Purple Panda, Turtle-Lou & Penguin Referee, “Donkey Hodie” (PBS Kids)
Stephanie D’Abruzzo as Duck Duck, Harriett Elizabeth Cow, Mama Panda & Doc Skunk, “Donkey Hodie” (PBS Kids)
Ryan Dillon as Elmo & Felix, “Sesame Street” (HBO Max)
Carmen Osbahr as Rosita, “Sesame Street” (HBO Max)
Outstanding Voice Performer in a Preschool Program
Pamela Adlon as Aunt Lola, “SuperKitties” (Disney+ | Disney Jr.)
Dee Bradley Baker as Nubs & Zeepohz, “Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures” (Disney+)
Ana Gasteyer as Crabitha, “RoboGobo” (Disney+ | Disney Jr.)
Jay Thomas Manuel as Jeff Mouse, “Donkey Hodie” (PBS Kids)
Amber Riley as Ursula, “Disney Jr.’s Ariel” (Disney+ | Disney Jr.)
Outstanding Single Role Voice Performer in a Children’s or Young Teen Program
Erik Todd Dellums as Aaravos, “The Dragon Prince” (Netflix)
Cynthia Erivo as The Slink, “RoboGobo” (Disney+ | Disney Jr.)
Ernie Hudson as Marlon, “Angry Birds Mystery Island” (Prime Video | Amazon Kids+)
John Lithgow as Bolinar, “Spellbound” (Netflix)
John C. Reilly as The Folk Singer, “An Almost Christmas Story” (Disney+) [Cuarón’s Esperanto Filmoj | Titmouse | Maere Studios]
Maya Rudolph as Jean, “Dream Productions” (Disney+)
Outstanding Multiple Role Voice Performer in a Children’s or Young Teen Program
Eric Bauza as Daffy Duck & The Do-Do, “Daffy in Wackyland” (HBO Max)
H. Michael Croner as Barry Buns, Rat, Chubbles Wubbington, Soda Jerk & Buffalo Security, “Kiff” (Disney+ | Disney Channel) [Titmouse, Inc.]
David Errigo Jr. as Hamton J. Pig & Plucky Duck, “Tiny Toons Looniversity” (HBO Max)
Kate Mulgrew as Admiral Janeway & Hologram Janeway, “Star Trek: Prodigy” (Netflix | CBS Studios)
Kari Wahlgren as Evelyn & Mrs. Grant, “Legends of Evergreen Hills” (Chick-fil-A Play App)
Outstanding Younger Voice Performer in a Preschool, Children’s or Young Teen Program
Summer Rose Castillo as Alma, “Alma’s Way” (PBS Kids)
Vanessa Huszar as Zuri, “Wonder Pets: In the City” (Apple TV+)
Christopher Sean Cooper Jr. as Tate, “Wonder Pets: In the City” (Apple TV+)
Chanel Stewart as Kai, “Win or Lose” (Disney+)
Kensington Tallman as Riley, “Dream Productions” (Disney+)
Alkaio Thiele as Peter Parker, “Marvel’s Spidey & His Amazing Friends” (Disney+ | Disney Jr.)
Ja’Siah Young as Dax, “RoboGobo” (Disney+ | Disney Jr.)
Outstanding Children’s Personality
Tabitha Brown, “Tab Time” (Tab Time YouTube Channel)
Yvette Nicole Brown, “Cookie Monster’s Bake Sale: Block Party” (HBO Max)
Perdita Felicien, “All-Round Champion” (BYUtv)
Alia Pope, “Chip Kids” (East Tennessee PBS YouTube Channel)
June Squibb, “Storyline Online” (Storyline Online YouTube Channel)
Outstanding Writing for a Preschool or Children’s Series
“Love in the Forest”, “A Real Bug’s Life” (National Geographic)
“Odd Ones In”, “Odd Squad” (PBS Kids)
“Pan troglodytes”, “Jane” (Apple TV+)
“People We Care About”, “Secrets at Red Rocks” (BYUtv)
“Potty Training with Ms. Rachel”, “Ms. Rachel” (Ms. Rachel – Toddler Learning Videos YouTube Channel)
“When We Lose Someone”, “Tab Time” (Tab Time YouTube Channel)
Outstanding Writing for a Young Teen Series
“Journey”, “Heartstopper” (Netflix)
“Kevin Haddock”, “Time Bandits” (Apple TV+)
“Pilot”, “Me” (Apple TV+)
“Stay Out of the Basement, Part I”, “Goosebumps: The Vanishing” (Disney+)
“This Could Be a Real Adventure”, “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” (Disney+)
“This is a Story”, “Sweet Tooth” (Netflix)
Outstanding Writing for a Preschool Animated Series
“Daniel Finds Out What’s Fair”, “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” (PBS Kids)
“The Fall”, “Carl the Collector” (PBS Kids)
“Save the Runaway Egg”, “Wonder Pets: In the City” (Apple TV+)
“Thanks-For-Giving”, “Molly of Denali” (PBS Kids)
“Tiny Chef’s Spooky Stump Spectacular”, “The Tiny Chef Show” (Nickelodeon)
Outstanding Writing for a Children’s or Young Teen Animated Series
“Crushed”, “Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur” (Disney+ | Disney Channel)
“The Devourer of All Things, Part I”, “Star Trek: Prodigy” (Netflix | CBS Studios)
“Frand or Foe”, “Goldie” (Apple TV+)
“Pickle”, “Win or Lose” (Disney+)
“Worst Birthday Ever”, “Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld” (Netflix)
Outstanding Directing for a Live Action Series
“The Chamber”, “Malory Towers” (BYUtv)
“Journey”, “Heartstopper” (Netflix)
“Kevin Haddock”, “Time Bandits” (Apple TV+)
“Love in the Forest”, “A Real Bug’s Life” (National Geographic)
“Stay Out of the Basement, Part I”, “Goosebumps: The Vanishing” (Disney+)
“This Could Be a Real Adventure”, “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” (Disney+)
“A Trip to the Moon”, “Sesame Street” (HBO Max)
Outstanding Directing for a Preschool Animated Series
“Auntie Freeze! | Goin’ Camping!”, “Super Duper Bunny League” (Nickelodeon)
“The Battle of Tenoo”, “Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures” (Disney+)
“Save Tate?”, “Wonder Pets: In the City” (Apple TV+)
“Tiny Chef’s Spooky Stump Spectacular”, “The Tiny Chef Show” (Nickelodeon)
“The Ulti-Bat Rises”, “Batwheels” (HBO Max)
Outstanding Directing for an Animated Series
“Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner”, “Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur” (Disney+ | Disney Channel)
“Home”, “Win or Lose” (Disney+)
“Part 4: A Night to Remember”, “Dream Productions” (Disney+)
“The Rise of the Wolf”, “Wolf King” (Netflix)
“Welcome to Byjovia”, “Max & The Midknights” (Nickelodeon)
“Worst Birthday Ever”, “Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld” (Netflix)
Outstanding Voice Directing for an Animated Series
“Francis Wants to Be Alone | The Sash”, “StuGo” (Disney+ | Disney Channel)
“If This Be My Destiny…”, “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” (Disney+)
“Petey the Stargazer”, “Goldie” (Apple TV+)
“Save the Roly Poly!”, “Wonder Pets: In the City” (Apple TV+)
“Shoot for the Moon”, “Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur” (Disney+ | Disney Channel)
“Up All Night | Rotten Banana”, “Kiff” (Disney+ | Disney Channel) [Titmouse, Inc.]
Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Live Action Program
“Descendants: The Rise of Red” (Disney+)
“Henry Danger: The Movie” (Nickelodeon)
“Love in the Forest”, “A Real Bug’s Life” (National Geographic)
“Open Your Mind a Little”, “Secrets at Red Rocks” (BYUtv)
“Welcome to Camp Nightmare”, “Goosebumps: The Vanishing” (Disney+)
Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for an Animated Program
“Heart”, “WondLa” (Apple TV+)
“Part 4: A Night to Remember”, “Dream Productions” (Disney+)
“Spellbound” (Netflix)
“That Christmas” (Netflix)
“There’s Always a Fortune in the Cookie Factory”, “Gremlins: The Wild Batch” (HBO Max)
Outstanding Cinematography and Technical Arts for a Single Camera Live Action Program
“Love in the Forest”, “A Real Bug’s Life” (National Geographic)
“The Road Ends Here”, “Sweet Tooth” (Netflix)
“This Could Be a Real Adventure”, “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” (Disney+)
“Tiny Heroes Down Under”, “A Real Bug’s Life” (National Geographic)
Outstanding Cinematography and Technical Arts for a Multiple Camera Live Action Program
“Happy Trails”, “Bunk’d: Learning the Ropes” (Disney+ | Disney Channel)
“Nigh is Now”, “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place” (Disney+ | Disney Channel)
“A Trip to the Moon”, “Sesame Street” (HBO Max)
Outstanding Editing for a Preschool or Children’s Live Action Program
“Abby Taps into Kindness”, “Sesame Street” (HBO Max)
“Love in the Forest”, “A Real Bug’s Life” (National Geographic)
“Pan troglodytes”, “Jane” (Apple TV+)
“People We Care About”, “Secrets at Red Rocks” (BYUtv)
“The Primrose Railway Children” (BYUtv)
Outstanding Editing for a Young Teen Live Action Program
“Makayla’s Voice: A Letter to the World” (Netflix)
“The Real Good Guys”, “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” (Disney+)
“This is a Story”, “Sweet Tooth” (Netflix)
“We’re Gonna Be In So Much Trouble”, “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” (Disney+)
“You Have A Lot To Learn About Pirates”, “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” (Disney+)
Outstanding Editing for a Preschool Animated Program
“Adventure Night”, “Eva the Owlet” (Apple TV+)
“The Battle of Tenoo”, “Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures” (Disney+)
“Moon Girl and the Dino Dilemma | Hulk’s Squirrely Switch”, “Marvel’s Spidey & His Amazing Friends” (Disney+ | Disney Jr.)
“Pillow Can’t Sleep”, “Gabby’s Dollhouse” (Netflix)
“The Spider’s Stolen Silk”, “The Creature Cases” (Netflix)
“Tiny Chef’s Spooky Stump Spectacular”, “The Tiny Chef Show” (Nickelodeon)
“The Ulti-Bat Rises”, “Batwheels” (HBO Max)
Outstanding Editing for an Animated Program
“An Almost Christmas Story” (Disney+)
“Mixed Signals”, “Win or Lose” (Disney+)
“Part 4: A Night to Remember”, “Dream Productions” (Disney+)
“Spellbound” (Netflix)
“That Christmas” (Netflix)
Outstanding Sound Mixing and Sound Editing for a Live Action Program
“The Girl Next Door”, “Goosebumps: The Vanishing” (Disney+)
“Jam Session Jam Up”, “Sesame Street” (HBO Max)
“Makayla’s Voice: A Letter to the World” (Netflix)
“Once a Pond a Time”, “A Real Bug’s Life” (National Geographic)
“The Primrose Railway Children” (BYUtv)
“You Have A Lot To Learn About Pirates”, “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” (Disney+)
Outstanding Sound Mixing and Sound Editing for a Preschool Animated Program
“The Battle of Tenoo”, “Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures” (Disney+)
“I am Gwen Ifill | I am Matthew Henson”, “Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum” (PBS Kids)
“Moon Girl and the Dino Dilemma | Hulk’s Squirrely Switch”, “Marvel’s Spidey & His Amazing Friends” (Disney+ | Disney Jr.)
“Music Meister Mayhem”, “Batwheels” (HBO Max)
“Stop Those Cars! | Self-Destruct”, “Hot Wheels Let’s Race” (Mattel Studios)
Outstanding Sound Mixing and Sound Editing for an Animated Program
“Dying Light”, “The Dragon Prince” (Netflix)
“Fire in the Piazza”, “Jurassic World: Chaos Theory” (Netflix)
“Home”, “Win or Lose” (Disney+)
“Part Two”, “LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy” (Disney+)
“Ultraman: Rising” (Netflix)
“Welcome to Byjovia”, “Max & The Midknights” (Nickelodeon)
Outstanding Art Direction / Set Decoration / Scenic Design
“Descendants: The Rise of Red” (Disney+)
“Everything Is Not What It Seems”, “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place” (Disney+ | Disney Channel)
“Kevin Haddock”, “Time Bandits” (Apple TV+)
“Messiest. Episode. Ever!”, “Surprise and Seek” (Prime Video | Amazon Kids+)
“Welcome to Camp Nightmare”, “Goosebumps: The Vanishing” (Disney+)
“You Have A Lot To Learn About Pirates”, “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” (Disney+)
Outstanding Costume Design / Styling
“Descendants: The Rise of Red” (Disney+)
“Here, There Be Monsters”, “Sweet Tooth” (Netflix)
“Joy”, “Dandyland” (TELUS STORYHIVE YouTube Channel)
“Me”, “Yo Gabba Gabbaland!” (Apple TV+)
“Way, Way Out Past the Barrier”, “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” (Disney+)
Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup
“Descendants: The Rise of Red” (Disney+)
“Here, There Be Monsters”, “Sweet Tooth” (Netflix)
“Kevin Haddock”, “Time Bandits” (Apple TV+)
“Losing My Religion”, “Beyond Black Beauty” (Prime Video)
“Zero Friends Again”, “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” (Disney+)
Outstanding Original Song for a Preschool Program
“Grow Your World”, “Rise Up, Sing Out” (Disney+ | Disney Jr.)
“I’m on My Way”, “Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band” (PBS Kids)
“I Want To Go Home”, “Kindergarten: The Musical!” (Disney+ | Disney Jr.)
“Music, Music”, “Sesame Street” (HBO Max)
“One Colorful Ocean”, “Disney Jr.’s Ariel” (Disney+ | Disney Jr.)
“The Show Will Go On”, “RoboGobo” (Disney+ | Disney Jr.)
Outstanding Original Song for a Children’s or Young Teen Program
“It’s Okay”, “Zombies: The Re-Animated Series” (Disney+ | Disney Channel)
“No Better”, “Ultraman: Rising” (Netflix)
“Red”, “Descendants: The Rise of Red” (Disney+)
“Red Christmas”, “Descendants: The Rise of Red” (Disney+)
“Still Haunted By You”, “Girl Haunts Boy” (Fifth Season)
“The Way It Was Before”, “Spellbound” (Netflix)
Outstanding Show Open
“Dream Productions” (Disney+ )
“Goosebumps: The Vanishing” (Disney+ )
“Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld” (Netflix)
“Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” (Disney+ )
“Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” (Disney+ )
Outstanding Visual Effects for a Live Action Program
“Goosebumps: The Vanishing” (Disney+ )
“Henry Danger: The Movie” (Nickelodeon)
“Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” (Disney+ )
“Sweet Tooth” (Netflix )
“Time Bandits” (Apple TV+ )
Outstanding Casting for a Live Action Program
“Descendants: The Rise of Red” (Disney+ )
“Goosebumps: The Vanishing” (Disney+ )
“Malory Towers” (BYUtv )
“The Primrose Railway Children” (BYUtv )
“Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” (Disney+ )
“Sweet Tooth” (Netflix )
Outstanding Casting for an Animated Program
“An Almost Christmas Story” (Disney+ [Cuarón’s Esperanto Filmoj | Titmouse | Maere Studios])
“Dream Productions” (Disney+ )
“RoboGobo” (Disney+ / Disney Jr. )
“Spellbound” (Netflix )
“Win or Lose” (Disney+ )
Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Live Action Program
“Beyond Black Beauty” (Prime Video )
“Descendants: The Rise of Red” (Disney+ )
“Goosebumps: The Vanishing” (Disney+ )
“Henry Danger: The Movie” (Nickelodeon)
“Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” (Disney+ )
“Sweet Tooth” (Netflix )
Outstanding Choreography
“Descendants: The Rise of Red” (Disney+ )
“Henry Danger: The Movie” (Nickelodeon)
“Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2024” (Nickelodeon )
“XO, Kitty” (Netflix )
