Monsters United Animated GIF Books

Abstract

The Monsters United (MU) mascots (Camy, Hutsy, Rooky and Zecky) were created by the National Library Board Singapore, to enhance the in-library and digital experiences of children aged 7 to 9, and to spark their reading joy. To further strengthen MU's branding and identity, five animated books were created using the Graphic Interchange Format (GIF), bringing these books alive! These animated stories tell the origins of the four mascots and how they become a team. The animated books were launched together with a system-wide reading campaign across public libraries in Singapore that included genre-themed book displays, MU meet-and-greets, DIY in-library trails, storytelling and MU mini-book craft sessions. By leveraging technology and the power of stories, these animated books reach out and engage a much larger children audience, invite them to explore other book genres introduced by the various MU mascots, and bolster the ongoing reading initiatives at our public libraries.