The BBC is to launch a new interactive series of animated stories on the CBeebies Storytime app inspired by Sir David Attenborough's experiences making natural history documentaries.
Sir David Attenborough will narrate the series, which will re-visit various stages of the wildlife presenter's life, from his early days filming Zoo Quest in the 1950s up to his 2016 virtual reality Attenborough and the Giant Dinosaur.
David and the Gorilla Quest retells the young Attenborough's famous 1978 gorilla expedition, which saw him encounter mountain gorillas in Rwanda as part of BBC Natural History series Life on Earth.
The first interactive story allows children to read and play along with the story by helping Attenborough to pack his adventure kit, moving jungle plants aside for him and by tracking the gorillas’ path through the jungle.
A further four stories, aimed at children aged six and under, will see Attenborough going in search of dinosaurs in Attenborough’s Adventures: David and the Giant Dinosaur, a hidden city in Attenborough’s Adventures: David and the Hidden City, dragons in Attenborough’s Adventures: David and the Dragon and hidden treasure in Attenborough’s Adventures: David the Treasure Hunter.
Sir David Attenborough said: “I am thrilled that we’ve brought to life many fond memories of my exploration of the natural world for young children to enjoy and learn.”
Kay Benbow, controller of CBeebies, said: “This wonderful new series is yet another example of CBeebies Storytime helping children and grown-ups enjoy stories together."
"Each story is brought to life with magical things to touch, swipe and play with, and questions to help develop comprehension skills, so the grown-up and child can enjoy reading, playing and learning together," she continued. "Sir David has led an extraordinary life, and we’re over the moon that his enthralling tales are now helping children to learn while being inspired by the natural world.”
