Bookaboo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bookaboo |
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Bookaboo logo
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| Genre | Children's |
| Created by | Lucy Goodman |
| Written by | Lucy Goodman, Alex Williams, Andrew Viner |
| Directed by | Lucy Goodman & Ian Emes |
| Narrated by | Various |
| Composer(s) | Mark Dyson, Tom Howe (Season 3), John Herberman (Season 4), Earl Torno (Season 4), James Chapple (Season 4), Graham Cornies (Season 4), David Brian Kelly (Season 4) Brian L Pickett (Season 4) |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 4 |
| No. of episodes | 77 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Martyn Freeman, Emma Tennant (Season 1), Jamila Metran (Season 2 & 3), Blair Powers (Season 4) |
| Producer(s) | Lucy Goodman, Carla de Jong (Season 4) |
| Production location(s) | London |
| Cinematography | Trevor Forrest (series 1), Dom Kersey (series 2) |
| Editor(s) | Matthew Tabern, Etienne Proulx (Season 3 & 4), Hélène Bédard (Season 3), Laura Bower (Season 4) |
| Running time | 11 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Happy Films Sinking Ship Entertainment |
| Distributor | Sinking Ship Entertainment |
| Release | |
| Original network | CITV, ITV Network (2009–2010) Kids' CBC (2013–present) |
| Picture format | 16:9 HD |
| Original release | United Kingdom: 2 March 2009 – 4 June 2010 Canada: 11 February 2013 United States: 27 October 2016 – 26 December 2016 |
Bookaboo is a fun British TV show for kids. It was created by Lucy Goodman. The show uses puppets, famous people, picture books, songs, and animation.
Lucy Goodman made the show because she noticed that fewer parents were reading with their children at home. Bookaboo wants to make reading together fun for everyone. You can watch Bookaboo on Amazon Video in the UK and USA. It also airs on ABC2 in Australia and CBC Television in Canada.
Contents
What is Bookaboo About?
Bookaboo is a world-famous rock puppy who plays the drums. But he has a problem! He says, "A story a day or I just can't play!" This means he can't perform unless someone shares a book with him.
When Bookaboo loses his rhythm, his bandmates, Growler (on bass guitar) and Paws (on keyboards), try to get him back on stage. But Bookaboo just wants to hide on his tour bus, the Bookabus. He comes up with funny ways to avoid playing, like comedy sketches and songs.
Luckily, a famous fan always arrives with a special "Bookabag" full of picture books. When the celebrity reads a story, Bookaboo becomes completely focused. The story helps him get his rhythm, or "Bojo," back.
After the book finishes, Bookaboo is ready to rock! He plays an amazing drum solo for the crowd. At the end of each show, a sign tells grown-ups that 1000 books are given to children who need them most.
Books Featured in the Show
The show carefully picks books from about 500 new ones submitted for each series. The main rule for choosing a book is simple: it must be truly enjoyable to read aloud for both kids and adults.
Famous Guests on Bookaboo
Many different famous people have appeared on Bookaboo. They want to encourage more grown-ups to share books with children. These guests include pop stars like Melanie C., Meat Loaf, and Alesha Dixon. Even grime artist Lethal Bizzle has joined in.
Sports stars have also supported Bookaboo's mission. These include former England goalkeeper David Seaman, boxer Ricky Hatton, and wrestler Adam Copeland.
Actors like Michael Sheen and Emilia Fox, TV presenters like Paula Abdul and Amanda Holden, and comedians like Johnny Vegas have all shared a book. Both young and older celebrities have taken part. For example, EastEnders star Maisie Smith was nine, and Bernard Cribbins was eighty-two. All these celebrities become "Storytime Ambassadors." They help spread the message of Bookaboo's "Share A Book Today" campaign.
Bookaboo works with different groups to give books to children. By 2011, 26,000 books were given to children in need across the UK. These books were donated by Bookaboo, publishers, and the celebrities who took part.
In 2009, Bookaboo teamed up with Booktrust and The Book People. Together, they gave 13,000 books to children under six years old who were in care.
Later, in 2011, Bookaboo worked with The Pre School Learning Alliance. They gave another 13,000 books to nurseries in areas of the UK where children needed them most.
When Bookaboo became a show made with Canada in 2013, they partnered with First Book Canada. In 2016, when the show started on Amazon in the US, First Book US became their charity partner.
Meet the Characters
The Band's Story
All the members of Bookaboo's band met as young puppies in an animal rescue centre. The person who ran the centre discovered their musical talent. They entered and won a dog talent show called 'Pup Idol'. Now, the puppy band travels the world on their tour bus, the Bookabus. It's a library truck that was changed into a tour bus! They play to huge crowds everywhere.
Bookaboo
Bookaboo is the famous rock puppy and amazing drummer. As you know, he has a small problem: he loses his rhythm, or "bojo," and can't play until he shares a book. That's why he always says, "A Story a day or I just can't play!"
Marcus Clarke is the puppeteer who brings Bookaboo to life. The Bookaboo puppet was designed by Paul Andrejco and built by Puppet Heap in Hoboken, NJ.
Growler
Growler is an American hound and a very talented bass guitarist. He has a deep voice and a unique howl and growl. Growler joined the band in Series 2 in the UK. He was also designed and built by Puppet Heap. Paul Andrecjo is his puppeteer.
Paws
Paws is a very skilled Dachshund who plays the keyboards. He can play both keyboards and a key-tar. Paws was designed and built by Puppet Heap. Brian Herring is the puppeteer for Paws in the UK.
Music in the Show
The main theme music, all the songs, and most of the background music for Bookaboo are written and played by Mark Dyson.
Bookaboo's exciting drum solos are performed by Alex Toff. He also helped move Bookaboo's arms for the drum solos. Alex Toff had to wear a special green suit for this job. He said it was "the weirdest session he'd ever done"!
Some of the songs from the show include:
- 'Bookaboo's Book Blues' – a blues song sung by Bookaboo.
- 'Sausages' – Growler sings about how much he loves sausages.
- 'Hey You Make Some Noise' – a song that tells you, "if you rock with the pups then you're part of the band."
- 'Life on the Road' – a slower, ballad-style song.
Bookaboo Merchandise
You can find a pop-up book with sounds called 'Pup Idol'. It's published by Walker Books in the UK and Australia. There are also two stories about the band's adventures: "Puppies in the Pound" and "Dogs in Disguise." These are also published by Walker Books in the UK and Australia, along with two activity books. You can also buy DVDs of the show in the UK and Australia.
Show History and Awards
In November 2008, ITV announced they would create a new TV series. It would mix live action and animation to help promote reading for children and adults in the UK. This was part of the 'National Year of Reading 2008'.
The first series of Bookaboo had thirteen episodes. It started on Monday, March 2, 2009, on the CITV channel. It was shown three times a day on weekdays.
In January 2009, ITV also announced that there would be an online Bookaboo Book Club, live events, and special promotions in stores.
Bookaboo has won many awards! The first series won the 'Best Pre-School Live Action' award at the BAFTA Children's Awards in 2009. The second series won the same award in 2011.
In 2009, Lucy Goodman and Ian Emes were nominated for an RTS award. Bookaboo also won the 'Best Children's Programme' at the 2010 Broadcast Awards. It also won the 2010 International Prix Jeunesse Award in Munich. In 2012, Bookaboo won a British Animation Award and was a finalist in the Children's Choice category. In 2017, Bookaboo was nominated for 5 Daytime Emmy Awards and won the Parent's Choice Silver Honour Award.
