British youngsters now have the chance to pen their own "Famous Five" novel, as one of the country”s best known children”s book series on Monday makes its television debut as a cartoon.
Almost seven decades after Enid Blyton created the child detectives, publishers of her popular novels announced they were hunting for a modern day version of the author. They said they would give two youngsters the chance to write their own adventure, which will be turned into a limited edition book and audio podcast. It is part of the Disney Channel”s 21st Century makeover of the characters who are starring in a 26-part cartoon series, titled "Famous Five On the Case." It began screening in Britain for the first time on Monday.
The "lashings" of ginger beer and cream buns have gone, replaced with mobile phones, laptops, iPods and pizza, as the five teenagers follow in their parents” daring footsteps. As the children of the original heroes Julian, Dick, Anne and George, the new adventurers set about catching fake environmentalists, rather than kidnappers and smugglers.
Executives from Disney and Blyton”s publisher, Hodder, said they were looking for "creativity, originality and success in capturing the spirit of adventure, mystery and friendship epitomized by the Famous Five." "We want to inspire a new generation of Famous Five fans and to get them to tap into their creativity," the Disney Channel”s head of global programming, Steve Aranguren, said.
Critics have long branded her books sexist, racist and overly simplistic, but Blyton”s stories are still hugely popular, selling more than 10 million copies a year, drawing readers into a bygone world of carefree kids and "beastly" grown-ups.
Foreign News – Resource: Reuters
