Henry Hugglemonster - PREVIEWS TODAY - Disney Junior

Disclaimer: we were sent Episodes 1 and 3 on DVD by post.

Aaron has watched them quite a few times with it being Friday now, and us having received them Wednesday.  In fact the first thing he asked for this morning was to watch it.  He can say it too: "I want to watch Henry Hugglemonster".

I am going to copy and paste the press release below as it gives you all the info you could possibly want, but make sure, most importantly that you tune in at 5.50 p.m. TODAY!  It is a preview episode tonight, for those in the know, and then it starts properly on February 8th.

As you can see in these official pics, there are 3 impressive stars in the show:

But what you'd really want is to watch a little bit, even with your toddler right next to you, yeah?  Well here is a preview for you to get a sneaky peek:

So here is the press release with all the interesting details (with all my family living in IRELAND I love the Irish connection):

London, 22^ndJanuary 2013: Disney UK today announced that Spice Girl Geri Halliwell is to join Brian Blessed and Brenda Blethyn, OBE, as the star voice cast in its new preschool series Henry Hugglemonster.  The British pop singer, designer and authoris to voice Isabella Roarsome, a spirited and popular monster popstar who will be seen by viewers both sides of the Atlantic in the new animation for Disney Junior. Henry Hugglemonster is the latest series to be developed by Disney’s London production hub and produced by twice Oscar-nominated animation studio, Brown Bag Films in Dublin. The Irish production house is also behind Disney Junior’s recent hit, Doc McStuffins [Aaron absolutely LOVES DocMcStuffins].

Set to [preview] on Disney Junior UK on January 25^th 2013 at 5.50pm before rolling out to audiences in more than 150 countries worldwide, the family series follows the adventures of fun-loving, five-year-old Henry Hugglemonster, the middle child in a happy, madcap close-knit monster family – the Hugglemonsters.Each story will transport preschoolers into the world of Henry Hugglemonster as he guides the young audience through the ups and downs of being part of a loving, bustling monster family.

The 48  x 11 minute series (and  two 30-minute seasonal specials) is developed from a series of books created by Ireland’s Children’s Laureate Niamh Sharkey called I’m a Happy Hugglewug and published by Walker Books. The illustration style of the books is retained in the series’ animation.

Geri Halliwell whose character Isabella Roarsomeis never seen without her gold tutu and matching bling in the show’s fictional town, Roarsville, commented: “Being involved in Henry Hugglemonster has been such a joy. The show has a truly positive message, teaching kids to be themselves and reminding them of the importance of family values. What’s more, it’s been so lovely to share this experience with my own daughter, who helped me learn the songs for my role as Isabella!”

Brenda Blethyn, OBE, has been cast in the role of Ernestine Enormomonster, who is married to Eduardo Enormomonster, voiced by Brian Blessed. Eduardo and Ernestine Enormomonster’s daughter, Estelle, is best friends with Henry Hugglemonster, and together the Enormomonsters are always happy to lend an enormous hand whenever someone in Roarsville needs some help.

Blethyn, whose work has spanned theatre, television and film, has received various award nominations throughout her career including two Academy Awards*, two Emmy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards, winning one, as well as a BAFTA.  British actor Brian Blessed who is best known for his hearty, king-sized portrayals on film and television, is one of England’s most treasured and highly respected actors.

Geri Halliwell, Brenda Blethyn and Brian Blessed will feature in the English-speaking territories where Disney Junior airs including the UK, U.S., and South Africa.

The series is directed by Emmy Award winning director Norton Virgien (Rugrats, Doc McStuffins), the lead writer is Sascha Paladino (Wonder Pets, Ni-Hao Kai-Lan) and the series is produced by Gillian Higgins (Doc McStuffins, Octonauts).

Created in May 2007, Disney’s London production hub drives the investment in and development of long form animation outside of North America, for both European and global distribution. It has already achieved great success with series such as UK-produced Jungle Junction,[Aaron is a MASSIVE Jungle Junction fan] which has proved to be a huge hit with Disney Junior audiences internationally.  The series hasnow rolled out in more than 150 countries worldwidewinning a BAFTA nomination and more than 23 million viewers in EMEA alone.