Rockford’s Rock Opera is about the story of a boy from Battersea called Moog and his Dog, Rockford who get drawn into an adventure in sound that threatens the entire human race. It was first launched in 2009 on the web as an enhanced audio book. Combining pictures, animation, songs and dialogue the story was unique in its format and delivery.
Throughout 2009 Rockford’s Rock Opera built a loyal fan base among children, families and schools (so much so that lesson plans were created around the story). Then, in 2012 the project’s creators, husband and wife team, Matthew and Elaine Sweetapple working with writer and comedian, Steve Punt, launched the story as Apple and Android story apps and, before long, with no promotion, the story became one of the world’s most downloaded children’s audiobook apps.
Now, with top selling mobile and tablet Apps for both Apple and Android, a stage show, video game and a feature film in production, the creators of Rockford’s Rock Opera are creating more Rockford stories and looking forward to the next chapter for the heart-warming audio story they wrote and recorded at home, in an attic, in Barnet, North London.
Although principally aimed at 6 – 12 year olds and their families, via Apps the story is now reaching a far wider audience, from pre-school children to teenagers and grandparents.
On the web, the first hour of the story is available free as a stream or downloads, you can then buy the whole story on CD (running time of 2 hours 35 minutes), as downloads or streamed as an animated picture book and read-along: http://www.rockfordsrockopera.com/home
As for the app, there are 4 parts to the story and the first part is free to download in Apple App store and Google Play. Parts 2, 3 and 4 are available as paid.
In each Part, there are four chapters.
Part One: They are Chapter 1 to 4: Moog, Rockford and Ick; Colonel Utensil and Squid Squad; There’s no going back!; Snow, Lost Dogs and Anonymous Moth.
Part Two: Chapter 5 – 8: Together on Infinity; Humans and Extinction; The Herculous Bird; A Journey Begins.
Part Three: Chapter 9 – 12: The World Wonders; The Trip and the Hullabaloo; A Chase to the Fossil Record Office; The Spooos and Bad News.
Part Four: Chapter 13 – 16: A Battle to Save the World; Farewells and Promises; Distant Generation and Return; New World Dawning and Credits.
What did we think?
I think this is a very well written and unique story with enjoyable and catchy music. The music is light hearted and there are words on the page to help you to sing along if you want too!
The illustrations might not be the best graphically that I have seen but they make each strange looking character very colourful and attractive.
My son enjoys listening to the story and he loves those strange creatures too. It did took him a while to understand the story, which helped when we gave him a brief synopsis. The storyline is fresh and engaging.
If you have not heard nor seen it before, try out their first part and check it out!
Disclosure: We received the sample and code for the purposes of writing this review, however, all thoughts and opinions remain our own. Images used with permission.