FremantleMedia Enterprises has announced two new Canadian deals for Happy Films’ multi award-winning pre-school show Bookaboo. In the first deal, Happy Films will co-produce a new 28 x 11 minute series with Canada’s Cite Amerique in English for CITV and ITV in the UK and CBC in Canada. The second deal is a format agreement with Radio-Canada and TFO in Canada for 26 x 11-minutes of Bookaboo to be produced in the French language.
Aimed at 3-6 year olds, Bookaboo combines puppetry, live action and CGI animation. The series, originally commissioned by CITV in the UK, promotes children’s literacy by encouraging story-time in the home. It stars a world-famous drum-playing rock puppy called Bookaboo, who is unable to play until he has been read a story. Each episode sees a celebrity guest go backstage to the Bookabus to encourage Bookaboo to perform by sharing a picture book with him. The Canadian versions of the show will feature famous Canadians and include local authors and illustrators to inspire parents and children alike to share books at home.
Created by Happy Films’ Lucy Goodman, Bookaboo has previously been a hugely successful show for CITV in the UK as well as winning numerous coveted accolades. Earlier this year, Bookaboo picked up a British Animation Award for Best Mixed Media series. This follows previous wins at the Children’s BAFTAs, the Broadcast Awards and the 2010 Prix Jeunesse Award. FME holds the global format, distribution and licensing rights* for the show.
Alyssa Sapire, VP, Programming Kids & Family Entertainment at FME, said, ‘Bookaboo and his band are on the Bookabus and on their way to take Canada by storm. The series has been both an audience-winning and critically acclaimed show in the UK and we’re confident it will be just as big of a hit across the pond. This is the first stop on what we hope will be a world tour for Bookaboo and his crew.”
On the Canadian side, Kim Wilson, Creative Head for CBC Children’s & Youth Programming said, ‘Bookaboo will be a great addition to the Kids’ CBC roster which already has a strong focus on early literacy. We love the combination of Canadian celebrities interacting with a rock star book reader in Bookaboo, and think this will be a winner for both parents and children alike.’
Happy Films’ Lucy Goodman, added, ‘Not only has Bookaboo won the respect of the broadcast and production industry, but it has also been effective in raising awareness of children’s literacy in the UK. This is a model we want to take global. With FME on board we are keen to secure further finished programme, format and co-production deals so Bookaboo and his joy of reading can be experienced by more children internationally.’
Source: FremantleMedia Enterprises