Mr Yipadee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mr Yipadee
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Dean O'Brien
2 September 1978 |
| Other names | Deano Yipadee |
| Known for | Children's musician, producer, and author |
Dean O'Brien, known as Mr Yipadee or Deano Yipadee, is a popular children's author, musician, and producer. He has performed for kids and families in New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
Contents
Dean O'Brien's Early Life
Dean O'Brien grew up in Mosgiel, New Zealand. He went to St Mary's Catholic primary school and Taieri High School. From a young age, he loved playing music. He played guitar in different bands while he was at school.
After school, he spent a year in Japan. There, he taught English to young children using music. Later, he worked in radio for many years. He was on breakfast shows in New Zealand and England.
Mr Yipadee's Music Journey
After working in radio, Dean O'Brien decided to create music for children. He chose the stage name Mr Yipadee. His goal was to make songs that help kids feel positive and confident.
He started by performing at birthday parties and play centres. His first album was The Animal Choir. It was about a mouse who started a choir. He also released The Yes I Can Club, which became number one on the iTunes Children's Best Sellers Chart in the UK. Another popular album was "World's Greatest Christmas Party".
In 2013, Mr Yipadee performed at the famous Glastonbury Festival. After this, his first album, The Animal Choir, reached number one on the children's music charts. He has also toured with other children's entertainers and TV stars. These include presenters from CBeebies and actors from popular kids' shows.
In 2015, Dean O'Brien helped organize an album called "Sing Along For Syria". Many TV stars and kids joined in to create this special album.
Deano Yipadee's Books
In 2016, Dean O'Brien started writing children's books under the name Deano Yipadee. His first book was Jingle Bells, Rudolph Smells. It was released by Scholastic and quickly became a number one best-seller. This book was based on his song Smelly Christmas.
His second book, Nee Naw The Little Fire Engine, was also very popular. It stayed in the top 10 best-seller charts for over three months. His third book, Stink-o-saurus, also reached the top of the charts.
Deano Yipadee's books have become very successful. In 2018, he had three books in the top 5 best-seller charts at the same time in Australia and New Zealand. By 2019, his books were released in 21 countries around the world!
He has continued to release new books in the Nee Naw The Little Fire Engine series. These include Nee Naw Goes Bananas (2020) and Nee Naw And Friends - Ellie Copter (2021). Ellie Copter introduces a new helicopter character. In 2021, he also released Jingle Bells, What's That Smell.
In 2022, Deano released Granny's Undies. In 2023, he added Dusty the Digger to the Nee Naw series. Famous voices from New Zealand radio and TV have even sung on the songs for his books!
In May and June 2023, Deano Yipadee made history in New Zealand. He had four, then five, of his books in the official Children And Teens Best-sellers Charts at the same time! This was a first for New Zealand.
Dean O'Brien's Family Life
Dean O'Brien is married to Lani. They got married in Wānaka, New Zealand, in 2010. They have two daughters named Evolet and Ellora. The family splits their time living in Dunedin, New Zealand, and Queensland, Australia.
