Rockford's Rock Opera, the best selling App story series for children, is now available on DVD.
You may not have heard of Rockford's Rock Opera, but via the web and mobile Apps, this enchanting ecological musical story is captivating millions of children and parents. And with over 15,000 schools now using the story in class, Rockford's Rock Opera, created at home in North London, is now a favourite ecological educational resource across the world.
Created by Sweetapple and scripted by Steve Punt, Rockford's Rock Opera - the story of a boy from Battersea called Moog and his Dog, Rockford - was first launched in 2009 on the web as an enhanced audio book. Combining pictures, animation and great songs the story was a unique in its format and delivery.
Writing in The Times, audiobook reviewer, Christina Hardyment said: "Rockford's Rock Opera is an amazing mix of story, songs and sound effects. It has a freshness that makes you smile as you listen and could become a cult favourite as beloved as Wallace and Gromit."
Throughout 2009 Rockford's Rock Opera built a loyal fan base among children, families and schools (so much so that lesson plans were created around the story).
Then, in 2010 launched the first part of the story as an iPhone app. Soon, with no promotion, the story became one of the most popular children's audiobooks in the Apple App Store.
Now, with top selling Apps, a stage show, video game and a film planned, Rockford's Rock Opera is available on DVD for the first time.
Matthew Sweetapple said; "The DVD delivers all the pictures, songs, words and animation available on our Apps, but on DVD. It's a great way to discover the story and, unlike a pure film, the mixed media story telling really engages children in the experience. There's also a colour booklet of the lyrics everyone can sing along with all the songs!"
More about Rockford's Rock Opera
Rockford's Rock Opera has now been downloaded or streamed on the web by over 1,500,000 people. And acclaimed by teachers, educationalists and pupils, in the classroom, its ecological story and lesson plans have reached an additional 800,000 school children across over the world.
Although principally aimed at 4 - 11 year olds and their families, via Apps the story has reached a wider audience, from pre school children to teenagers and grand parents.
Rockford's Rock Opera a new breed of 21st century, ipod friendly, audio entertainment; think of 'Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy' crossed with 'Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds', or 'Jungle Book' meets 'Jurassic Park' via Sgt. Pepper.
It's certainly not a traditional 'stage musical' with hammy songs, Rockford's Rock Opera's diverse musical inspiration can be found in The Beatles, The Flaming Lips, The Streets, The Small Faces, Genesis, XTC and works such as Roger Glover's 'Butterfly Ball', and Harry Nilssen's 'The Point'.
But really, it's not like anything else - a funny, sad, psychedelic, spell binding, thought provoking 21st Century adventure.
Rockford's Rock Opera is NOT the creation of a global entertainment company. It is the work of award winning alternative entrepreneurs, 'Sweetapple', (www.sweetapple.co.uk) and a handful of dedicated people working for the love of this amazing, original story. The project is entirely self produced and financed.
Rockford's Rock Opera is also a story with an original ecological message - a unique 'take' on the threat of extinction and the effect man is having upon life on earth. The Rockford's Rock Opera website is full of fascinating information about the story and the facts behind the fiction.
As a result, the project has been acclaimed by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
What's the Story about?
Far away in the Sea of Tranquillity lies the Island of Infinity, home to the last one of every extinct species.
Infinity has a secret for the world but Moog, a boy from Battersea in London, and Rockford his dog, are the only one who can deliver its message. Travelling to Infinity Moog and Rockford get drawn into an adventure in sound that threatens the entire human race.
For lots more:
ON THE WEB: The first hour of the story is available free as a stream or downloads, you can then buy the whole story on DVD, CD, as downloads or streamed as an animated picture book and read-along:
http://www.rockfordsrockopera.com/home
ON iPHONE/iPOD TOUCH and iPAD: Visit the Apple App store where Part One of the story is available as a free App (Parts 2, 3 and 4 are available as paid
for Apps):
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/id345554761?mt=8
Book review blog site, with some entertainment material from time-to-time.
Saturday, 10 December 2011
Friday, 9 December 2011
A Really Raunchy Read? But That's Not Another Story by Rogeri
“Written strictly tongue-in-cheek with a large dose of poetic license coupled with pulp fiction overtones and underlying black comedy,” is how author Rogeri (his pen name) describes his recently published book.
But That’s Not Another Story is an offbeat tale of interconnected stories involving a variety of far-fetched scenarios laced with charmless characters. Each chapter’s chain of events gradually evolves, leading to the next extreme set of circumstances as a result of a telephone call.
Interspersed with sexual situations of a mixed nature (although such scenes are composed in the best possible taste!) the chapters are accompanied by an illustration for the purpose of illuminating each opening scenario.
The storyline ultimately completes a full circle, leading to the opening chapter’s character’s dire set of circumstances that result in a dramatic and conclusive ending.
Having been an avid reader at an early age and encouraged by an English teacher, creative writing in one form or another became one of the author’s prime hobbies. In the case of this novel, a sketch he made during a particular lunchtime whilst at work, as depicted in the first chapter, ultimately transpired itself into this completed and illustrated manuscript masterpiece!
An extract from But That’s Not Another Story is available to read at www.authorsonline.co.uk.
ISBN: 0755206819
RRP: £9.95
Imprint: Authors Online
But That’s Not Another Story is an offbeat tale of interconnected stories involving a variety of far-fetched scenarios laced with charmless characters. Each chapter’s chain of events gradually evolves, leading to the next extreme set of circumstances as a result of a telephone call.
Interspersed with sexual situations of a mixed nature (although such scenes are composed in the best possible taste!) the chapters are accompanied by an illustration for the purpose of illuminating each opening scenario.
The storyline ultimately completes a full circle, leading to the opening chapter’s character’s dire set of circumstances that result in a dramatic and conclusive ending.
Having been an avid reader at an early age and encouraged by an English teacher, creative writing in one form or another became one of the author’s prime hobbies. In the case of this novel, a sketch he made during a particular lunchtime whilst at work, as depicted in the first chapter, ultimately transpired itself into this completed and illustrated manuscript masterpiece!
An extract from But That’s Not Another Story is available to read at www.authorsonline.co.uk.
ISBN: 0755206819
RRP: £9.95
Imprint: Authors Online
Sunday, 4 December 2011
Heyday Of The Hippodrome
Variety theatre’s greatest days are brought vividly to life in Heyday of the Hippodrome by Mark Jones (Bright Pen, £8.99).
At the beginning of the twentieth century Hippodromes, Coliseums, Palaces and Empires opened all over Britain, and Eastbourne’s Hippodrome immediately became the most popular theatre in town, running twice-nightly, 52 weeks a year for half a century. Its management fought off predatory syndicates and steered independently through both World Wars, the rise of cinema, radio, talkies and, finally, the advent of television.
Meticulously researched, the true and unique story of this remarkable theatre is revealed for the first time. Its cast ranges from Houdini to Harry Secombe, Marie Lloyd to Max Bygraves, General William Booth to Gracie Fields. Many legendary acts are described and local press reviews quoted.
But this is not simply a book about the Royal Hippodrome. The narrative is set in the context of Eastbourne’s growth as a resort and the wider history of variety theatre
“Absolutely superb … a huge amount of excellent material. It will be a rich treasure trove for lovers of variety,” writes Emeritus Professor John Pick. “The book is beautifully produced and is in every way a triumph.”
FACTFILE:Heydey Of The Hippodrome
Theatre History
ISBN: 978-0-7552-1384-9
RRP: £8.99
Published by Bright Pen
Available from authorsonline.co.uk, Amazon (also in e-book form)
Paperback, 228 pp, 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
At the beginning of the twentieth century Hippodromes, Coliseums, Palaces and Empires opened all over Britain, and Eastbourne’s Hippodrome immediately became the most popular theatre in town, running twice-nightly, 52 weeks a year for half a century. Its management fought off predatory syndicates and steered independently through both World Wars, the rise of cinema, radio, talkies and, finally, the advent of television.
Meticulously researched, the true and unique story of this remarkable theatre is revealed for the first time. Its cast ranges from Houdini to Harry Secombe, Marie Lloyd to Max Bygraves, General William Booth to Gracie Fields. Many legendary acts are described and local press reviews quoted.
But this is not simply a book about the Royal Hippodrome. The narrative is set in the context of Eastbourne’s growth as a resort and the wider history of variety theatre
“Absolutely superb … a huge amount of excellent material. It will be a rich treasure trove for lovers of variety,” writes Emeritus Professor John Pick. “The book is beautifully produced and is in every way a triumph.”
FACTFILE:Heydey Of The Hippodrome
Theatre History
ISBN: 978-0-7552-1384-9
RRP: £8.99
Published by Bright Pen
Available from authorsonline.co.uk, Amazon (also in e-book form)
Paperback, 228 pp, 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
Waterstone's Book Signing For Please, Sir! Actor
David Barry, Frankie Abbott in Please, Sir! will be signing copies of his latest book, Mr Micawber Down Under, in the Earl Street branch of Waterstone's in Maidstone, Kent, between 11.30 and 3.30 on Saturday 10th December.
Mr Micawber Down Under is the tale of the Micawber family who, having bid a fond farewell to David Copperfield, emigrate from England to Australia in the 1850s.
The publication of the book coincides with the Charles Dickens bicentenary in 2012, and David Barry, during the book signing is happy to talk to customers on how he came to write the book, a history which goes back to the mid-eighties when he was commissioned by Working Title Films to write Mr Micawber as a film script.
Mr Micawber Down Under is the tale of the Micawber family who, having bid a fond farewell to David Copperfield, emigrate from England to Australia in the 1850s.
The publication of the book coincides with the Charles Dickens bicentenary in 2012, and David Barry, during the book signing is happy to talk to customers on how he came to write the book, a history which goes back to the mid-eighties when he was commissioned by Working Title Films to write Mr Micawber as a film script.
The Archers an Unofficial Companion
The Archers an Unofficial Companion is by Rosie Dillon and it is a must have Christmas present for anyone who is even vaguely interested in The Archers!
The book is exceptionally well-researched and equally well-written.
It will remind the reader of stuff they knew (an example is when Pat and Tony Archer took the then brave decision to go organic) and stuff they either did not know, or had forgotten. Or had happened before they started to listen.
There are regular quiz night at the Bull sections which ask the reader questions about all sorts of facts, some of them very quirky indeed!
My grandfather -who used to help run the family farm in Warwickshire, before ill-health brought about by a particularly bad case of shellshock and a post World War 1 agricultural recession forced him from the land- always insisted on everyone listening to The Archers and as the author Rosie Dillon lives in rural Warwickshire, I feel there is a kindred spirit there!
The book contains biographies of key characters, famous people who played themselves, potted histories of some of the key locations in The Archers and the love lives of some of the faithful and feckless people who have inhabited Ambridge and surrounding locations since it all began in 1950.
It touches on their triumphs and their tragedies and the ordinary, day-to-day lives of Midland countryfolks.
It is available in hardback at £9.99, and can be bought through the That's Books Amazon book shop on this site.
The ISBN is 978-1-84953-178-8.
www.summersdale.com
The book is exceptionally well-researched and equally well-written.
It will remind the reader of stuff they knew (an example is when Pat and Tony Archer took the then brave decision to go organic) and stuff they either did not know, or had forgotten. Or had happened before they started to listen.
There are regular quiz night at the Bull sections which ask the reader questions about all sorts of facts, some of them very quirky indeed!
My grandfather -who used to help run the family farm in Warwickshire, before ill-health brought about by a particularly bad case of shellshock and a post World War 1 agricultural recession forced him from the land- always insisted on everyone listening to The Archers and as the author Rosie Dillon lives in rural Warwickshire, I feel there is a kindred spirit there!
The book contains biographies of key characters, famous people who played themselves, potted histories of some of the key locations in The Archers and the love lives of some of the faithful and feckless people who have inhabited Ambridge and surrounding locations since it all began in 1950.
It touches on their triumphs and their tragedies and the ordinary, day-to-day lives of Midland countryfolks.
It is available in hardback at £9.99, and can be bought through the That's Books Amazon book shop on this site.
The ISBN is 978-1-84953-178-8.
www.summersdale.com
Britain's 110 Year Old Teenager Launches Her Autobiography
On December 3 2011 teenager Hayley Okines was 14.
Nothing unusual about that, you might say?
But Hayley is unlike no other teenager. She is one of only 80 children in the world suffering from the rare genetic condition progeria, which means she ages eight times faster than the average person. It's a condition which affects one in eight million children and in medical terms she has the body of a 110-year-old woman.
The average life expectancy of progeria children is 13. Her best friend with progeria died at the age of 11. So Hayley never expected to see her 14th birthday. But thanks to her part in pioneering drug trials in America over the last four years, Hayley is now looking forward to her life as a young woman. In the new year she returns to Boston to take part in trials for a drug which has been dubbed 'the elixir of life' and which scientists hope could extend life for all humans.
To mark her special birthday, Hayley has launched her memoir Old Before My Time: Hayley Okines' Life With Progeria with Accent Press Ltd. In it Hayley and her mum Kerry, 37, describe the highs and lows of Hayley's full life, which has taken her to many places beyond the reach of a normal teenager. She has travelled the world and fulfilled many of her dreams which include meeting her pop idols Kylie Minogue and Justin Bieber, crocodile hunting with the late Steve Irwin and being a mascot for Chelsea Football Club. She even persuaded HRH Prince Charles to sign an autograph for her.
Now Hayley's dream is to become a best-selling author in time for her birthday and a Twitter campaign has been set up by her friends and supporters to get her into the book charts alongside her writing heroes. Hayley's book charted at number 11 on the Amazon best-sellers list last month on pre-order sales alone and is currently number one in its category on Amazon and No 1 in pre-orders on Play.com
Hayley says: 'I have always loved reading, so having a book about me is really cool. Writing my book has helped me to remember all the happy and sad times in my life.'
Here's what the celebs say:
'Hayley's an extraordinary girl' Kylie Minogue
'Hayley just lights up a room. She's so full of happiness she lights up a room'. Lorraine Kelly
'Hayley possesses one of the strongest life-forces we have ever encountered.' Richard & Judy
FACTFILE:
Hayley and her mum Kerry live in Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex, with her younger brother and sister, Louis and Ruby. Since the age of four Hayley has been the face of Channel 5's critically acclaimed Extraordinary People. Her films have aired to audiences of 1.7 million and by raising awareness of this cruel and incredibly rare condition she is now recognised wherever she goes. Her fifth documentary Hayley Okines: World's Oldest Teenager was broadcast on C5 last month.
Follow Hayley's blog hayleyokines.wordpress.com
Old Before My Time: My Life With Progeria by Hayley and Kerry Okines Published by Accent Press Ltd, 2011, price £9.99. ISBN: 978 1 9081 9255 4
Nothing unusual about that, you might say?
But Hayley is unlike no other teenager. She is one of only 80 children in the world suffering from the rare genetic condition progeria, which means she ages eight times faster than the average person. It's a condition which affects one in eight million children and in medical terms she has the body of a 110-year-old woman.
The average life expectancy of progeria children is 13. Her best friend with progeria died at the age of 11. So Hayley never expected to see her 14th birthday. But thanks to her part in pioneering drug trials in America over the last four years, Hayley is now looking forward to her life as a young woman. In the new year she returns to Boston to take part in trials for a drug which has been dubbed 'the elixir of life' and which scientists hope could extend life for all humans.
To mark her special birthday, Hayley has launched her memoir Old Before My Time: Hayley Okines' Life With Progeria with Accent Press Ltd. In it Hayley and her mum Kerry, 37, describe the highs and lows of Hayley's full life, which has taken her to many places beyond the reach of a normal teenager. She has travelled the world and fulfilled many of her dreams which include meeting her pop idols Kylie Minogue and Justin Bieber, crocodile hunting with the late Steve Irwin and being a mascot for Chelsea Football Club. She even persuaded HRH Prince Charles to sign an autograph for her.
Now Hayley's dream is to become a best-selling author in time for her birthday and a Twitter campaign has been set up by her friends and supporters to get her into the book charts alongside her writing heroes. Hayley's book charted at number 11 on the Amazon best-sellers list last month on pre-order sales alone and is currently number one in its category on Amazon and No 1 in pre-orders on Play.com
Hayley says: 'I have always loved reading, so having a book about me is really cool. Writing my book has helped me to remember all the happy and sad times in my life.'
Here's what the celebs say:
'Hayley's an extraordinary girl' Kylie Minogue
'Hayley just lights up a room. She's so full of happiness she lights up a room'. Lorraine Kelly
'Hayley possesses one of the strongest life-forces we have ever encountered.' Richard & Judy
FACTFILE:
Hayley and her mum Kerry live in Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex, with her younger brother and sister, Louis and Ruby. Since the age of four Hayley has been the face of Channel 5's critically acclaimed Extraordinary People. Her films have aired to audiences of 1.7 million and by raising awareness of this cruel and incredibly rare condition she is now recognised wherever she goes. Her fifth documentary Hayley Okines: World's Oldest Teenager was broadcast on C5 last month.
Follow Hayley's blog hayleyokines.wordpress.com
Old Before My Time: My Life With Progeria by Hayley and Kerry Okines Published by Accent Press Ltd, 2011, price £9.99. ISBN: 978 1 9081 9255 4
Political Wit Quips and Quotes from the Back Benches and Beyond
Political Wit Quips and Quotes from the Back Benches and Beyond is a new collection of witty remarks, devastating come-backs and quick retorts from politicians and others from the distant past to last year's news.
Steven Gauge has brought together a wide and eclectic selection of witty remarks from all sides of the political divide and some from no side of the political divide at all.
The quotations are helpfully divided into 25 different chapters that cover everything from the art of politics to civil servants, the USA, the economy, spin, conference classics, the media and much more besides.
From those you might expect (Churchill, Livingstone, Thatcher, Disraeli ) to some you might be pleasantly surprised to see quoted within this interesting and stimulating book (Leo Amey, Arnold Toynbee, Eleanor Roosevelt, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Adlai Steventon, J. K. Galbraith, Eric Idle, Ernest Benn, G. K. Chesteron, Robert Louis Stevenson, W. C. Fields, Konrad Adenauer, Boy George and Aristophanes.
Some of the remarks made really tell us more about the person uttering them, rather than their intended target. And some of the remarks show that even the great and the good amongst us can say some remarkably daft things, from time-to-time!
The book is published by Summersdale (www.summersdale.com) in hardback at £9.99 and it will make the perfect stocking filler for this Christmas.
The ISBN is 978-1-84953-188-7.
This book is available through the That's Books Amazon book store on this site.
Steven Gauge has brought together a wide and eclectic selection of witty remarks from all sides of the political divide and some from no side of the political divide at all.
The quotations are helpfully divided into 25 different chapters that cover everything from the art of politics to civil servants, the USA, the economy, spin, conference classics, the media and much more besides.
From those you might expect (Churchill, Livingstone, Thatcher, Disraeli ) to some you might be pleasantly surprised to see quoted within this interesting and stimulating book (Leo Amey, Arnold Toynbee, Eleanor Roosevelt, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Adlai Steventon, J. K. Galbraith, Eric Idle, Ernest Benn, G. K. Chesteron, Robert Louis Stevenson, W. C. Fields, Konrad Adenauer, Boy George and Aristophanes.
Some of the remarks made really tell us more about the person uttering them, rather than their intended target. And some of the remarks show that even the great and the good amongst us can say some remarkably daft things, from time-to-time!
The book is published by Summersdale (www.summersdale.com) in hardback at £9.99 and it will make the perfect stocking filler for this Christmas.
The ISBN is 978-1-84953-188-7.
This book is available through the That's Books Amazon book store on this site.
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