Communications provider Plusnet has teamed up with actor and author Larry Lamb to bring three classic fairy tales into the digital age.
Once Upon a Time Online re-imagines some of the nation’s most well-loved classic tales, moving them into the modern era for young digital natives.
Storytelling continues to offer universal opportunities for learning and skill development in children, however, recent research suggests that the amount of ‘infrequent readers’ is on the rise between 6-17-year-olds*.
While new studies show the majority of parents say reading is a special time for bonding, the number of parents having the opportunity to enjoy shared storytime has been on a steady decline, with 85% admitting that they don’t read aloud to their children every day.
The series, developed for children under 10, has been launched by Plusnet to show how technology is a good thing for parents and children’s shared desire for family story time.
As 25%* of UK parents admit to changing the storylines of classic tales to fit today’s values, the series puts a new spin on the timeless morals from beloved tales and tells them through a modern-day lens relevant to today’s digital world. The three stories reflect the language and lives of digitally savvy youngsters who’ve grown up online.
The stories are packed with references that will be appreciated by parents and kids alike – showing the lighter side to how technology is now entwined with our lives.
Larry, known for his roles as Mick in Gavin & Stacey, Archie Mitchell in EastEnders and as a contestant onI’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, takes readers into the magical story-verse of Once Upon a Time Online, to re-tell stories of big bad wolves, giant beanstalks and would-be pop princesses.
Speaking about the tales he has written, Larry Lamb said: “Fairy tales have always had a special place in the Lamb household, and with technology being such a big part in all our lives, it’s been both challenging and good fun adapting the tales!
Everyone loves a good story, especially classics that remind us of our childhood, and so by giving well-loved, traditional fairy tales a 2019 update, more parents and kids will be able to sit down and enjoy story time together.”
