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Abbey Home Media Group (www.abbeyhomemedia.co.uk), leaders in children’s programming, launch the first DVD release ‘Bookaboo’ with seven episodes featuring high profile celebrities including Meat Loaf and Alesha Dixon. Following the success of the first series which premiered on CiTV in March 2009, the DVD will be released in store from 19 October 2009 with strong retail distribution. Appealing to pre-schoolers and parents, Bookaboo features a celebrity guest in each episode who is invited backstage to share a story with the rock drumming puppy Bookaboo as “without a story a day he just can’t play”. Mixing live action with animation to bring the stories to life, the seven episodes (7 x 11 minutes) on the ‘Bookaboo’ DVD also includes Al Murray, Robson Green, Ben Shephard, Fern Britton, and Kym Marsh. Produced by Happy Films, Bookaboo was shot in London UK and the puppet character was made by Paul Andrecho of Puppet Heap whose client portfolio also includes The Jim Henson Company, Sesame Workshop and Walt Disney Co amongst others. Aiming to encourage storytelling at home, each episode features a celebrity reading an entertaining picture book, all by a variety of renowned authors and top publishers. Bookaboo has donated 13,000 books to children under the age of 6 in care through a partnership with Booktrust. Anne Miles, CEO of Abbey Home Media Group, comments: ”Bookaboo stands out in the kid’s marketplace as a truly funny and endearing show. With its well-crafted scripts and fantastic line up of celebrity guests to accompany the immensely loveable character, Bookaboo is a rock sensation that we are confident will continue his success on DVD and resonate with families right across the UK.” Lucy Goodman, Creator and Managing Director, Happy Films, comments: “Bookaboo has been an instant hit since its launch earlier this year. As we continue to build on his success, it is the perfect time for Bookaboo to rock the DVD market and we are confident together with Abbey Home Media, he will take centre stage in the pre-school sector.” The long term licensing programme, handled by Europe’s leading licensing agency, Copyright Promotions Licensing Group, is currently underway with several significant developments to be announced for the pre-school property in 2009/2010. A strong marketing and PR strategy is also being implemented to maintain momentum for the brand and to support the first DVD launch. The dedicated consumer website (www.bookaboo.co.uk) and online store offers information on the show, plus clips and downloads. The DVD will also be available to buy on www.abbeykids.co.uk. |