BIG W has today announced the launch of a new initiative – BIG W Rap Books, a fun series, which takes some of Australia’s most-loved children’s rhyming books and turns them into playful, fun raps for families to enjoy.
Developed by M&C Saatchi Sydney, BIG W Rap Books gives a surprising twist to story time and the way Aussie children and parents interact with their favourite books. In order to bring the words to life, BIG W has collaborated with critically acclaimed music producers and leading Australian artists, Jessica Mauboy and Tom Thum, who have brought their unique style to the work of both new and established Australian children’s authors, modernising and adapting words and illustrations that are loved and adored by families.
BIG W Rap Books will be housed on BIG W’s Big Days at Home hub, with tracks being released from Thursday 1 October to Sunday October 4. Tracks will also be available across digital and social media and all major music streaming platforms including Spotify, Amazon and Apple Music. Additionally, families are invited to give rapping a go with some fun karaoke versions of Jessica and Tom’s raps.
Avish Gordhan, Executive Creative Director at M&C Saatchi, said: “This year, we’ve all had to look at inventive ways to keep the family entertained. We took the notion that ‘if it rhymes, it raps’ and created BIG W Rap Books, tapping into culture to put a new spin on story time.
Jessica and Tom masterfully combined rap, melody and beat boxing to these rhyming books to make them head-boppingly fun and engaging. It was really important to us that this content inspire families to have a go themselves and they can, thanks to our karaoke tracks.”
For every listen on Spotify and YouTube, royalties will be donated to Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation, an organisation that shares BIG W’s commitment to raising literacy levels in Australia.
Kristen Linders, General Manager, Marketing, BIG W, said: “We are delighted to bring the concept of BIG W Rap Books to Aussie families. Story time is so important in connecting families and we are constantly seeking new ideas and initiatives to help kids enjoy our leading range of books in new and unique ways.”
BIG W Rap Books sees Jessica Mauboy “get down” to Aussie classics Pig the Pug by Aaron Blabey and Dharma the Llama by Matt Cosgrove, while Tom Thum overhauls all-time favourites, Alpacas with Maracas by Matt Cosgrove and The Very Cranky Bear by Nick Bland.
