BBC Children’s and Education has announced two new Quentin Blake animations for Christmas.
Following a debut last Christmas, Angel Pavement and Loveykins are the latest animated specials in Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures. The series is inspired by the work of the British children’s author and illustrator, Sir Quentin Blake.
Narrated by Adrian Lester (Hustle, Primary Colours, The Day After Tomorrow) the hand-picked specials are based on six iconic best-selling books, brought to life through animation and the voices of a host of famous actors. Since its launch last December, Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures has won several awards, including the Magnolia Award for Best Animation at the Shanghai Television Festival and Best Animated series at the ITFF.
Simon Pegg (Mission Impossible, Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead) returns to voice the character of ‘Sid’ in the latest instalment, “Angel Pavement”, the story of a pavement artist and his two angelic friends Corky and Loopy who take Sid on a magical journey with their special drawing pencil.
Nina Sosanya (Screw, Good Omens, Last Tango in Halifax) also voices ‘Angela Bowling’ in “Loveykins”, a heartwarming tale about a woman who discovers a small helpless, abandoned bird that she lavishes with care and attention.
Patricia Hidalgo, Director of BBC Children’s and Education, says: : “Christmas is an exciting time when we like to bring children and families together across the UK to enjoy fresh adaptations of timeless storytelling and British classics. We know how much audiences loved our Quentin Blake Christmas and Easter animated specials, so it’s a delight to bring another two brand new fantastic, animated stories to life. We hope Quentin Blake’s Angel Pavement and Loveykins will surprise and delight children and their families again on iPlayer this Christmas.”
Quentin Blake, says: “It’s such a treat to see my drawings brought to life with the agility I try to give them on paper. It would be extra special to think of children and families writing and drawing their own stories. And you have to remember, it doesn’t matter what they are drawn with!”
Adrian Lester says: “I’m thrilled that two new stories of Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures return this Christmas. It has been an absolute pleasure to narrate this animated box set of specials. I hope young audiences will enjoy the imaginative storytelling and stunning visuals.”
Simon Pegg says: “It’s wonderful to bring some of Quentin’s most celebrated work to life in these brand-new stories for Christmas. I’m delighted to be voicing the character of Sid, the pavement artist. Angel Pavement is a bright and colourful adventure for family audiences across the UK to enjoy.”
Nina Sosanya says: “It’s been an absolute honour to voice the character of Angela Bowling in the next instalment of Quentin’s Blake’s Box of Treasures collection, ‘Loveykins’. It’s a sweet and funny story for children and families to enjoy over Christmas. Quentin has illustrated some of the most beloved children’s books of all time. It’s wonderful to see these stories come to life.”
The animated boxset also contains an original score crafted for each episode by Italian composer Stefano Cabrera and performed by the BBC Philharmonic orchestra.
Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures was commissioned by BBC Children’s and Education and produced by Eagle Eye Drama in a co-production with Creative Conspiracy and in association with animation studios Spicy Acorn, Tchack and Kong Studio. The series is directed by Gerrit Bekers working to Eagle Eye’s creative director for animation Massimo Fenati. Tess Cuming is Executive Producer.
BBC Teach will also host a Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures Live Lesson as an end of term treat for primary schools. Hosts Rhys Stephenson and Laura Hopkinson will be joined by comic book artist Vivian Truong and Dapo Adeola in this fun 30-minute art and literacy lesson for 7-11 year-olds. Children will learn how to draw their very own Zagazoo character, inspired by the animated specials and original Quentin Blake illustrations. The lesson will be available from Tuesday, 17 December on the BBC Teach website and on CBBC and BBC iPlayer.
Angel Pavement and Loveykins will be available in December. All other Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures episodes are available on BBC iPlayer now.
Jon Creamer
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