THE SUPERHERO WHO’S
ALWAYS THERE
We’ve all heard our tummies rumbling, often at embarrassing moments. But who knew that that growly, funny noise was much more than a rumble? That a tiny little creature, living and working in a magical environment, is trying to tell us something. Borborygmus may be too small for even a powerful microscope to detect but he (or she) has a big voice and the time has come for that voice to be heard. As the junk food juggernaut rolls on, promoting unhealthy food to kids, the calls to put parents back in control have increased. But what if we could go one better and put the kids themselves in control? The large corporations may have a lot on their side but there’s one thing they don’t have – a little superhero who belongs to each child, is with them wherever they go and helps them ‘rumble’ the bad guys. Our money’s on Borborygmus but we need your help to get the message out.
THE BOOK OF BORBY
It’s best to start with The Book of Borby which introduces us to Borborygmus, the Good Bug Gang and what they do. It’s interactive so that kids can have fun and feel part of the process right from the start. Although they can enjoy the book by themselves, it’s a great way for kids to share the experience and explore the ideas and illustrations with their parents, grandparents, friends and others. As they read about Borborygmus and laugh at his antics, children understand the effect that healthy eating has on their body and moods. They learn that, contrary to what they see in ads and elsewhere, junk food is not their friend. Borby is their friend, their tamigotchi-like little creature to be nurtured, their superhero with his special gang. Each child will have their own interpretation. That’s part of the magic. Borby’s world engages kids’ imagination and allows good nutrition to be fun and to make sense. It puts them in charge and disempowers the large corporations who tell a different story.
RUMBLEDOM PLAYGROUND
When children know what Borby gets up to they can move to other parts of Rumbledom where the silliness and ‘education’ continue. As they explore the different chambers, the message is enhanced through games and funny rhymes. A cartoon strip shows them what happens after ‘Sam’ has been to a birthday party. Or they can just have fun listening to Borby’s favourite rumbles on his mighty Rumbleizer, perhaps inventing their own. Children who want to know more can find the Book for Curious Kids in the library where Einstein’s Borby explains how some of the science works.
KID POWER
How appropriate that Borborygmus, the tummy rumble, can help kids ‘rumble’ the large corporations that are selfishly attacking tummies everywhere with their unhealthy products. Kids can become Borby’s Rumblers: a growing force of small voices vs the big, selfish food & drink corporations, bringing ‘kid power’ to bear on the global obesity crisis.
WE’VE JUST STARTED
The website’s a work in progress and there’s a lot more to come. It’s not all intended to be educational. Some of it is just pure fun but those bits are just as important. And all of it is a supplement to a child’s imagination and the interaction you can have with them. We’d love your feedback on what works and what you’d like to see included in the future.
