David Farnor | On 02, Oct 2016

Amazon has bagged the rights to the reading-themed kids series, Bookaboo.

The show, which will arrive later this month exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in the US and UK, will already have its fans in the UK, thanks to its broadcasts on CITV. First airing in 2009, the pre-school series was created by Lucy Goodman, Founder of Happy Films, and follows Bookaboo, a world-famous drumming puppy, who needs to read a book a day or he can’t play.

Combining puppetry, live action and CGI animation, every episode features a different celebrity guest, who goes “backstage” to share their favourite picture book with the dug. Special guests include Paula Abdul (American Idol), Rachelle Lefevre (Twilight), Molly Parker (House of Cards), Hannah Simone (New Girl), Emily Van Camp (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), Selma Blair (Legally Blonde), Michael Sheen (The Queen), Guillermo Diaz (Scandal), WWE Wrestler Adam Copeland, NASA Astronaut Commander Chris Hadfield, and NFL player Antonio Brown of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“Bookaboo is an exciting show developed to promote literacy by inspiring parents to read to and with their children and help instill a lifelong love of reading,” says Tara Sorensen, Head of Kids Programming at Amazon Studios. “Each episode incorporates funny storytelling and great books, specifically chosen to capture young viewers’ attention and imagination.”

“We’re thrilled to be working with Amazon Prime Video to bring Bookaboo and its important message to families all across the country,” comments Goodman. “With only half as many parents reading to their kids as there were a generation ago, the time to make a difference is now. Every child should have the opportunity to share great books with someone they love.”

The series sees Bookaboo tour the globe with his bandmates Paws and Growler, playing drums to packed stadiums of adoring fans. The precocious pup finds creative ways to avoid performing, leading to comedy sketches and silly songs. The picture book that the celebrity guest brings in the special “bookabag”, meanwhile, is brought to vibrant life through animation, while he gets back his “bojo”.

The show marks the latest addition to Amazon’s ever-expanding, award-winning kids programming slate, which includes Tumble Leaf, Creative Galaxy, Wishenproof and Annedroids. The whole first season of Bookaboo will be released on Amazon Prime Video on Friday 28th October.

For more on what’s coming soon to Amazon Prime Video UK, click here.
 

Photo: @Bookaboolucy

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