Sometimes you just get lucky, and the author that happens to have a show coming to Nickelodeon lives only a few miles away. So on a beautiful weekend day a few weeks ago my whole family had the pleasure to meet with Annette Cascone, one half of the author team that writes the Deadtime Stories Books. The books are being turned into a television show that will air on Nickelodeon, featuring Jennifer Stone, and we had the opportunity to sit down with Annette at a brick and mortar bookstore to talk television and books among other topics.
The first thing you take away from talking to Annette is just how well she knows the age group these stories are for. Gone are a parents thoughts of romantic themes or blood and gore, and you are taken along a bit of a rollercoaster ride that has the right amount of thrill for your younger readers. A central theme in her discussion was about letting a child stay “innocent” at this age, and we can agree as parents that some of the shows out there do not do a great job at separating the younger children from teenage romance.
Deadtime Stories premieres October 3rd @ 8pm!
EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT IN OCTOBER is DEADTIME STORIES NIGHT !
The television series got off to a rough start being affected by the October super-storm we had last year, but it is back on track to show what it has in store for us, with a perfectly positioned October start to match up with Halloween. Annette started out writing young thrillers with her sister Gina, way before it was the “cool” thing to do, but their persistence has paid off by offering up a children’s horror series that is right on track with what is “hot” on television.
But be aware, this is not something like a Scooby Doo Mystery, but something deeper, something more chilling (yet with humor), that will make your children think, and for some of them pull the covers up a little bit as they peak out to see the story. Part of what Annette said she would like to see, is families watching together around the television making it an event, maybe even with some popcorn! So think of the current horror type shows on the air (Goosebumps) and bring it to a younger audience. We also found out that while there are some funny references in Deadtime Stories that will make an adult chuckle as well, Annette is a scardy cat herself. Deadtime Stories stays away from any blood and gore type of horror.
We also got Annette to let us in on the fact that her favorite scene from the television show takes place in Grave Secrets and how the narrator part of the show allows two very cool things to happen. The first one being that it allows them to back out of the story if things were to become a bit scary and let kids know they are just in a story. The second one is it shows kids how important reading is, and that was a point that Annette made to us a few times during the discussion. Not to worry in the video below we get to hear about Jennifer Stone as the narrator for the show. Annette enjoyed Nancy being played by Piper Reese, and had great things to say about her when we spoke as well. Also some characters may make multiple shows, which is a bit different from the books so try to spot them in the show.
it is always nice when you can take kids to the edge and then let them go where they can go in their own heads
As with all books, but especially children’s horror it is always a good idea to read the book for two reasons. One to make sure that you kids are able to “handle” the horror, else you end up with the horror of them sleeping on your floor for a week. Second, reading with your child is always a great way to connect and talk with them, especially if you have one of those kids that are shy and quiet.
The day was finished off by my younger daughter, turning on her cute, and having Annette read her some of Pinkalicious and the Pink Drink by Victoria Kann. A special thanks to Annette and her team to helping set this up. Please make sure you watch the video below that gives you even more insight into Deadtime Stories coming soon to Nickelodeon.
Annette Cascone (left) and Gina Cascone (right)
Photo Credit: Stephanie Clerkin
You can check out more Deadtime Stories at www.deadtimestories.com and on Facebook @ DeadtimeStoriesTV and Twitter @deadtimestories
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
YouTube
RSS