The app will launch as part of the Dinosaur Roar! 20th Anniversary activities planned for next month. The classic picture book Dinosaur Roar! by Paul and Henrietta Stickland, was first published in the UK in 1994 and has become a publishing phenomenon, with sales of more than five million books worldwide, says Immediate Media.
Using enhanced images and stunning animation based on Paul Stickland’s original designs, the app version of Dinosaur Roar! will incorporate interactive storytelling functions including read-to-me and record functions, creative colouring options and a fun naming device. Children will be able to watch, hear and touch their favourite dinosaurs as they stomp, shuffle, run, chomp, blink, squeak and roar across the screen.
As this iconic children’s title marks its 20th anniversary next month, owners Nurture Rights have also teamed up with the Natural History Museum to develop and market the Dinosaur Roar! brand, including the creation of an online world for pre-school dinosaur fans, as well as an international touring exhibition and range of merchandise. Additionally, Random House Children’s Publishers are on board as the new publisher for all Dinosaur Roar! titles.
Sara Oldham, Editor, Pre-School Titles, Immediate, said: “Dinosaurs hold an endless fascination for small children and we’re thrilled to be teaming up with Nurture Rights and their partners to bring the Dinosaur Roar! characters to life.”
The anniversary reissue of the original book has already received glowing reviews in The Times: “‘Dinosaur sweet, dinosaur grumpy, dinosaur spiky, dinosaur lumpy' - it still puts a lump in your throat. In a handful of words and 24 pages of fabulous drawings, the authors convey a crucial message for young ones: different folk can get along, and even eat tea together without fighting. With its satisfying onomatopoeia and scope for silly voices, it's one of my favourite books ever to read loud."
Peter Curtis, Director, Nurture Rights, added: “We are delighted to be working with the talented team at Immediate Media on the app for Dinosaur Roar! Creating an app for this literary classic allows us to connect with children in a new exciting format. It’s a privilege to be able to bring Paul and Henrietta Stickland’s wonderful rhyming text and stunning artwork to the portable digital world in such a uniquely interactive way."
