Family Fun Month just happens to coincide with the August 6th DVD release of the multiple award-winning half-hour animated family film, Room on the Broom, from NCircle Entertainment. Based on the #1 best-selling children’s picture book in America, written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler (the same author and illustrator team that created the critically acclaimed The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child), Room on the Broom is filled with humor and adventure, and teaches the importance of family, friends and teamwork!
Why not kick-off Family Fun Month with Family Movie Night? In Room on the Broom, the witch and her cat couldn’t be happier, flying through the sky on their broomstick—until the witch drops her hat, then her bow, then her wand! Luckily, three helpful animals—a dog, a parrot and a frog—find the missing items and all they want in return is a ride on the broomstick. But is there room on the broom for so many new friends? The kindly witch thinks there is—much to the frustration of her cat. But when disaster strikes, and the witch is about to be eaten by a fearsome dragon, she is saved by the gang of animals, all working together. The witch’s cat learns the importance of friends and family, and the witch rewards her new friends with a magnificent broom that is big enough for everyone!
Beautiful CGI animation brings the book’s drawings to life under the direction of Max Lang. Gillian Anderson (The X Files) provides the voice of the witch; while Timothy Spall of Harry Potter fame, lends his voice to the dragon. Simon Pegg (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead) narrates the story which also features the recognizable voices of Martin Clunes, Rob Brydon and David Walliams portraying the helpful animals that comprise the witch’s family. Room on the Broom is produced by Magic Light Pictures (the team behind award-winning animations The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child).
Complete Family Movie Night by enjoying together the fun-filled activities available for FREE for download at NCircle Entertainment’s activity site, EntertainmentThatEducates.com, including a coloring page featuring all of the endearing characters from the film; the “find the…” challenge that incorporates counting skills; templates for creating your own Room on the Broom finger puppets; and the elements for creating your very own magical wand! There’s also a word search puzzle and a dizzying maze to navigate.
The Room on the Broom has already earned numerous awards and accolades, including Britain’s Royal Television Award for “Best Children’s Program” and France’s Annecy Animation Festival’s Crystal Award for “Best TV Production.” It has been named “Best Animated Short” by the Toronto International Film Festival Kid’s Festival; was the “Audience Choice” at the Cleveland International Film Festival; and was the winner of the Curtinhas Competition for children’s programming at the Curtas Vila do Conde Film Festival in Portugal.
We received the Book and DVD and found it quite enjoyable! Young children will be delighted with both the DVD and the book! It is a delightful story with wonderful, creative illustrations and animations.
Need more Family Fun Ideas for the month of August? Here are just a few:
August 9 is Book Lovers Day
Bring the family together and find a shady tree to sit outside and enjoy reading books together, includingRoom on the Broom. Reading is educational, informative and relaxing and sharing a love of reading with your family and friends makes everyone smarter, too.
August 23 is Ride the Wind Day
No broom is required as you can catch a ride on a gentle summer breeze by flying a kite, riding a bike, standing on a hill or just driving in the car with the windows down!
August 26 is National Dog Day
Where would our witch be without the help of a dog? This day, organized by the National Dog Day Foundation, honors dogs everywhere for all that they do for us – love, companionship, protection, service, safety and so much more. Get your kids involved by playing a little longer with your family pooch, by volunteering at your local animal shelter, donating unwanted blankets to Operation Blankets of Love or by making a family donation to one of the many worthy animal rescue groups.
August 27 is Just Because Day
As the final days of summer get swept into the early days of Fall, this holiday gives us all a chance to do something special “just because.” Replicate the kindness of the witch and the helpfulness of the dog, bird and frog. Open your heart as the cat ultimately did—and before you know it… iggety, ziggety, zaggety, zoom … you’ll be falling in love with Room on the Broom!
Planning ahead for Halloween gifts? Although the Room on the Broom book is not a traditional Halloween story, it is Penguin Publishing’s best-selling Halloween title, selling over 500,000 copies in 2011/2012. So stock up on Room on the Broom to share with your friends and family! Room on the Broom DVDs are available at Target, Walmart, Toys”R”Us, amazon.com, Kmart, and many other retailers (SRP $9.99); Room on the Broom books are available everywhere books are sold (SRP: 16.99).
To celebrate Family Fun Month, NCircle Entertainment is offering one of our readers the DVD and Book!
If you would like to enter the giveaway, you must be a subscriber to SoCal City Kids to enter! Next, “like” the NCircle Entertainment Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/
Check out the Room on the Broom website: roomonthebroom.com /us!
My daughter was working on her Halloween costume today! Of course she will probably change a few times before Halloween. She would love this DVD.
My girls want to be a witch and meow meow cat for Halloween. This would be a great book to get them excited about their costumes and Halloween.
Congrats Robin!