Bookaboo Format Launches in Russia

The U.K. production company Happy Films has made its first international format sale of Bookaboo to StoryTime in Russia.

StoryTime has produced the 12×12-minute series for Carousel, Russia’s largest state children’s TV channel, and SVOD service START. Launched in Russia in March, Bookaboo became START’s most popular kids’ show and outperformed its slot on Carousel. The series is the first international format commissioned by Carousel, and START’s first original children’s production in partnership with the broadcaster.

Bookaboo features the titular world-famous rock puppy, who tours the world with his band. The one catch is that Bookaboo can’t rock the drums without a story a day, leading celebrity guests to drop backstage to share their favorite picture books to get him back in front of his adoring fans. The Russian adaptation of the show includes footage, animation and books from the original U.K.-produced series read by local celebrities such as actors Andrey Burkovskiy and Olga Shelest.

Lucy Goodman, CEO of Happy Films, said: “Format production is an exciting next step in Bookaboo’s international journey. It has been hugely rewarding to work with StoryTime’s talented production team. They have expertly adapted Bookaboo, making it totally bespoke and highly relevant for their audience.”

Julia Mindubaeva, CEO of StoryTime, added: “I am pleased that, with START and Carousel, we are able to bring to Russian audiences a format already admired by parents and children internationally. Bookaboo delivers something different and refreshing for Russian audiences, and we hope to encourage families to share more books together.”

Tatyana Tsyvareva, editor-in-chief of Carousel TV, commented: “We are very pleased to present such a unique, internationally acclaimed show for children and parents on Carousel TV. It’s very important—in our digital age—that reading books remains a valued activity that brings families together. We hope to inspire audiences to read more!”