Aardman and Blue Peter collaboration to bring young viewers stories to life
The Reading Agency, which we regularly fund as one of our National Portfolio Organisations, has launched an exciting writing competition giving young writers an opportunity to have their stories read as a CBeebies Bedtime Story and brought to life as an animation.
The ‘Amazing Authors’ competition opened on 27 January and is a collaboration between BBC Studios Kids & Family, BBC Arts and The Reading Agency. It asks young authors aged 5 to 15 to send a short story or poem about adventure - with its characters, whether that be a human, animal, or anything imaginary - at the heart of it.
In addition to being published, children’s author Tom Fletcher will read the story as a CBeebies Bedtime Story and as an audiobook. The winning story will also be created into an animation by the award-winning Aardman Studios, thanks to National Lottery Project Grants funding, which will be shown on Blue Peter and the winner will win a rare, orange Blue Peter badge.
Helen Argo, Executive Producer at Aardman said:
“Creative collaborations between ourselves, the BBC and The Reading Agency have been enabled by the Arts Council grant and ensure a legacy whereby young people will experience creative opportunities that could shape their future.”
Underpinning the studio’s work is its deep roots in Bristol, where the company started and made its home. Forty years on, it is known for its brilliant creations and characters, including the much loved Wallace & Gromit.
With its ongoing commitment to not only creating enjoyable animations but making a positive impact in the local community, Aardman has led many fundraising initiatives including the Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal, the official Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity, where they have raised an excess of millions since 1995.
Aardman Studios previously collaborated with Blue Peter to transform winning eight-year-old viewer Delphine’s story into a powerful animation premiered in front of world leaders at the UN Climate Change Conference COP26. The animation, exploring animals’ extinction and climate change, was directed by Åsa Lucander, and narrated by Nina Sosanya, with a soundtrack performed and recorded by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
Now, just like Delphine, another young viewer will get the opportunity to see their characters and story in 2D animation. In addition to this, the winner will also be able to go to HarperCollins and Aardman to see the making of the book and animation, before receiving a printed version to keep – thanks to the £99,999 of investment from the Arts Council.
Tom Fletcher adds:
“I absolutely love sharing stories and books with my own children and seeing their eyes light up as they are transported into another world, so it’s brilliant to be part of the Blue Peter Amazing Authors Competition. I’m still enthralled by children’s books even as an adult, so it will be a real privilege to see what ingenious ideas and characters the kids themselves come up with.”
The competition is open for entries and closes at 5pm on Wednesday 8 March 2023. Read the criteria and find out how you can take part at the Blue Peter website here: Tom Fletcher Blue Peter writing competition
Sarah Crown, Director for Literature and the South West said:
“I’m absolutely delighted that the Arts Council has been able to support this project. One lucky child will win a once-in-a-lifetime prize – but the real impact of the competition will be felt in classrooms, libraries, and bedrooms across the country, as thousands of children everywhere are inspired to pick up a pen, and try their hand at storytelling.
Engagement in reading and writing during childhood has the power to change lives forever, projects like these play a key part in effecting that change and help us to deliver our vision set out in Let’s Create.”
