About Flying Rhinoceros

Flying Rhinoceros was started in 1993 with a ton of creativity and optimism – wouldn’t you be dreaming big if trying to get a Rhino to fly?! Ray Nelson and Ranjy Thomas, co-presidents, knew that Flying Rhinoceros would be different than other educational companies. “We believe educational is not a synonym for boring,” states Nelson. “Learning should be fun and exciting. And if children are not entertained by our materials, then we haven’t done our job.”

Since its inception and the launch of its first property – Flying Rhino Junior High – Flying Rhinoceros has been a successful producer and distributor of educational children’s properties, seamlessly offering interactive programming, educational books, classroom materials, television cartoons, software, websites and e-marketing.

The world-class team of animators, illustrators, programmers and educators provides businesses and schools effective and entertaining learning materials that stimulate, educate and encourage children. All Flying Rhinoceros materials enrich the classroom experience and link corporations, homes and schools in new and exciting ways.

One of its most innovative services is its Outreach team. Flying Rhinoceros has delivered over 1,000 presentations to more than 250,000 school children using humor, inspiration, technology, storytelling and art to expose children to the power of imagination. Some of the companies that have partnered with Flying Rhinoceros include Kraft Foods, Outback Steakhouse, United States Olympics Committee, Orkin and the Smithsonian Institution.

The characters from “On the Farm with Farmer Bob”^TM were first introduced in an after-school based curriculum created by Flying Rhinoceros. But co-president Ranjy Thomas knew the characters could make the leap from educational materials to inspirational video and books. “Farmer Bob and his animal friends have been well-received by kids and parents,” says Thomas. “It was a natural progression to add life lessons to teach moral values to kids.”

The Flying Rhinoceros team knows its commitment to quality, fun and values will make its various properties and outreach programs endure. “We want to be around when pigs and rhinos fly,” quips Thomas.

# # #

August 2004