By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
Much like the juggernaut kids series Bluey, the Bluey Book Reads is exploding as two new titles are coming to YouTube and Bluey.tv.
BBC Studios together with Ludo Studio have released two new Bluey Book Reads that are designed to get fans of the hit TV show Bluey in the mood for Christmas.
The series was created by Ludo Studio and the BBC Studios Digital Brands team, who curate, commission and commercialise the digital footprint of the world’s most popular global brands for kids.
‘Christmas Eve with Verandah Santa’ landed on Monday, November 25 on the official Bluey YouTube channel and the website http://bluey.tv/>, read by Australian stand-up comedian and TV presenter Adam Hills (The Last Leg, Channel 4).
The story takes place on Christmas Eve and Bluey, Bingo and Muffin can’t wait to open their presents. But Bluey’s dad reminds them that no peeking or no presents! So, they decide to play a game called Verandah Santa to practice no peeking. What will Santa bring them?
Adam Hills says taking part in Bluey Book Reads has turned him into an instant celebrity with his children.
“My kids are honestly more impressed that I’m reading a Bluey book than anything I’ve ever done,” Hills confessed. “That includes going to the Coronation, meeting Lady Gaga, or the time I made pumpkin soup in an actual pumpkin.”
On Sunday, December 1, Bluey Book Reads is releasing ‘Christmas Swim’, narrated by the Australian Olympic medal-winning swimmer Ian Thorpe, which will also launch the @officialblueytv digital advent calendar.
In this story in sunny Australia, it’s Christmas Day and it’s the perfect weather for a family swim for Bluey and his new toy Bartlebee.
“When I was invited to read ‘Christmas Swim,’ I couldn’t resist diving right in, so to speak,” Thorpe said. “Celebrating Christmas outdoors is such an iconic part of Aussie life. Being a passionate swimmer, this story felt like a perfect fit.
“I hope all the Bluey fans around the world enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed bringing it to life.”
Bluey Book Reads has been a huge success for the franchise, with Series 1 surpassing an impressive 75 million views across the official BlueyYouTube channel and bluey.tv <http://bluey.tv/>.
The stories featured in Bluey Book Reads series are published under license by Penguin Young Readers, and are based on episodes of Bluey, which is produced by Ludo Studio and streams and airs on Disney Channel, Disney Jr. and Disney+.
“We’ve been bowled over by the brilliant response from Bluey fans to the first series of our book reads, so we just had to celebrate Christmas family fun with two more, and who better to voice them than Aussie icons Adam Hills and Ian Thorpe,” said Chris Allen, Director of Content for BBC Studios Digital Brands adds:
They join several other celebrity readers who have taken part in the Bluey audiobooks, including Kylie Minogue, Dannii Minogue, Eva Mendes, Tom Daley, Rob Delaney, Romesh Ranganathan and more.
Bluey Book Reads Series 2 is anticipated to debut across the Bluey digital channels next year and has another star-studded line up of readers.
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