Disney Junior has announced the 2017 premiere of animated short-form storytelling series The Book of Once Upon A Time, which features Aussie comedy duo The Umbilical Brothers.
Now in its third season, the locally-produced TV series treats children and their families to funny interpretations of more than a dozen Disney classics, including Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Cars and Frozen.
Each episode is based on participatory storybook theatre, where The Umbilical Brothers – Shane Dundas and David Collins – act as both narrators and actors in each story.
Disney Channel’s head of production, Peter Noble, said” “What makes The Book of Once Upon A Time so special is that it gives children and their families the chance to enjoy story time together.
“We know storytelling is one of the most cherished parts of the day, and the show has been specially created as a way for parents to join their children in the magic of storytime.”
The Book of Once Upon A Time not only encourages co-viewing, but also incorporates learning components tailored for two to seven-year-olds to help parents give children educational content that motivates positive basic habits and stimulates creative thinking.
“Parents want content that stimulates a child’s imagination, and over the years, expectations for educational content have broadened,” Noble said.
“The Book of Once Upon A Time blends Disney’s unparalleled storytelling and beloved characters through beautiful animations to encourage social and emotional development.”
Collins said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have worked with Disney Junior to bring the third season of The Book of Once Upon A Time to life.
“During filming, we were only limited to our imagination, so we thank Disney – the expert in storytelling – for giving us the privilege to revisit some of the best stories of the Disney collection.”
Noble said Disney Junior is not only proud to have worked with the Umbilical Brothers, but also with its brilliant local creative agency ZSPACE.
“Through every step of the animation process, ZSPACE has helped curate a series that is authentically Disney, but also distinctly Australian,” he said.
The Book of Once Upon A Time premieres tonight on Disney Junior, which is available on Foxtel, Sky, and Fetch TV.
