Big Idea Entertainment, a studio and producer of children’s and family programming, characters, and brands, will debut its all-new VeggieTales Live! God Made You Special tour in more than 30 major markets nationwide—including Atlanta, Nashville, Jacksonville, Birmingham, and more—beginning February 23, 2012. For the current tour itinerary, ticket information and group sales, please visit veggietales.com/live or iTickets.com.

VeggieTales characters Bob, Larry, and the rest of the cast bring zany antics to the stage with amusing, engaging storytelling and music. The show includes silly songs like “His Cheeseburger,” “Love My Lips,” “The Hairbrush Song,” and more. The show is designed to celebrate how unique and special each person is in a high-energy musical extravaganza.

World Vision has partnered with Big Idea Entertainment as a sponsor for the VeggieTales Live! God Made You Special tour. World Vision’s child sponsorship efforts provide access to necessities like clean water, health care, education, and more.

VeggieTales is celebrating 20 years of songs by releasing a “best of the best” DVD early next year, If I Sang a Silly Song. The DVD, by Big Idea Entertainment, will be available through digital download on January 24 and in Christian and general market stores on February 7.

VeggieTales: If I Sang a Silly Song will include fan-voted favorite songs from the past couple of decades, including “The Hairbrush Song,” “Pants,” and “Monkey,” among others. The DVD also features a new silly song, voted on by fans and chosen by Larry the Cucumber. The release contains more than 60 minutes of music and family-friendly content. Viewers can sing along karaoke-style and be the star with video background and tracks.

This post was originally written by Ericka Johnson and published by ToyBook.com. For more news, visit www.toybook.com, follow The Toy Book on Twitter, and like The Toy Book on Facebook. The Toy Book is a bimonthly trade magazine covering the toy industry, published by Adventure Publishing Group.

Big Idea Entertainment will be releasing a new VeggieTales DVD title in time for the holidays. VeggieTales: The Little Drummer Boy follows Junior Asparagus as The Little Drummer Boy, a lonely child who happens to stumble upon the birth of Jesus and discovers the true meaning of Christmas.

The DVD will feature multi-Grammy and Dove Award-winning artists Bebe and Cece Winans, singing their rendition of “The Little Drummer Boy,” as well as original songs such as “Can’t Live Without Ewe” and the all-new silly song “The 8 Polish Foods of Christmas.”

The marketing and advertising campaign for this DVD will focus on national print, television, radio, online, social media, and grassroots team promotions.

The merchandising program includes plush character ornaments from Gund, resin character ornaments from Gregg Gift, wooden puzzles from American Puzzle Company, Christmas Gift Box and Stocking Sets from Sherwood Brands, Bob and Larry inflatable event and holiday parade characters from Dynamic Displays, the Christmas Is Finally Here book with sound from Ideals Publications, and a character play set, a VeggieTales toy drum, a nativity set, and Christmas decoration party lights by Big Idea Entertainment.

Live events and specialty food rebate programs will be coordinated with the DVD release. VeggieTales: The Little Drummer Boy will be available in Christian retail stores on October 1 and general market stores on October 4.

Consumers will now be able to decorate their walls with VeggieTales characters and themes. Wacky Wallscapes has signed an exclusive licensing deal with Big Idea Entertainment to create wall coverings, wallpaper, and murals with full-sized Veggie Tales characters, including Larry the Cucumber, Bob the Tomato, Junior Asparagus, and Pa Grape. The deal also includes a complete collection of themed background scenes. Wacky Wallscapes floor-to-ceiling murals can also be customized to fit into any space. The products will be available early this fall.

Big Idea Entertainment, a faith-based studio and producer of children’s and family programming, characters, and brands, will release their first new Easter holiday DVD in seven years, VeggieTales: ‘Twas The Night Before Easter, on March 5 and 8, in Christian and general market stores, respectively.

Big Idea Entertainment has announced a new VeggieTales film, VeggieTales: It’s a Meaningful Life, which will be released October 2 to Christian retail stores and October 5 to the general market. The new movie will include a new original song from Grammy and Dove Award winning artist Steven Curtis Chapman entitled “Meant to Be,” and a new Silly Song entitled “Goodnight Junior.”

The launch for the movie will be supported by a comprehensive marketing and advertising campaign with licensing and promotional partners that include Burger King, McDonald’s, Chuck E. Cheese, Denny’s, KFC, Gymboree, Gund, American Greetings, Show Hope, Family Life, and more.

The story focuses on Stewart (Larry the Cucumber) and his opportunity to change the past, ultimately exploring life’s lesson of being content. Bonus features on the DVD will include director’s audio commentary, art gallery, a parent’s guide by Family Life, “Goodnight Junior” Silly Songs Sing-along, a Visit the Train Museum with Larry feature, an interview with Steven Curtis Chapman, and the “Meant to Be” music video.

Big Idea Entertainment has announced the VeggieTales Live! Sing Yourself Silly tour. The 60-minute musical features characters from the VeggieTales franchise and a new song, “My Bear,” set to release with this fall’s VeggieTales: It’s a Meaningful Life DVD.

The tour will visit some 37 cities across the U.S., kicking off in Shreveport, La., September 28. Tickets range in price from $10 to $25, and more information can be found on Big Idea’s website at BigIdea.com/events.

Big Idea Entertainment is also partnering with World Vision, an organization that sponsors underprivileged children. World Vision information will be presented at each show via video and sponsorship cards.

Big Idea Entertainment is expanding its licensing program for its popular VeggieTales brand. Big Idea has recently signed deals with several new licensing partners across various categories, including play ball and toy products from Hedstrom, confectionery products from Frankford Candy & Chocolate, and Easter candy baskets and gift sets from Sherwood Brands.

Hedstrom will develop a wide range of children’s licensed play ball, bounce, and sport toy products for the U.S. and Canadian markets. The line of VeggieTales vinyl balls and bounce toys are slated to be released in time for summer.

Frankford Candy & Chocolate recently launched a line of VeggieTales Easter candy for mass market retail, and will develop VeggieTales candy for the 2010 Christmas season.

Sherwood Brands will release a new VeggieTales Easter basket for spring 2011.

Big Idea Entertainment is entering into an all-new, multi-production deal with animation studio Entrenched, Inc. The two companies will collaborate on new VeggieTales content, including DVDs, with animation completed by Entrenched’s sister-company, Hawaii Animation Studios (HAS). HAS played a significant part in the production of Big Idea Entertainment and Universal’s 2008 theatrical release VeggieTales: The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything, and the direct-to-video animated series 3-2-1 Penguins.

Catch up on last week’s news! Read The Toy Book Toy Report for 01/13/10.

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