HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A new animated series now available to stream on Disney+ is inspired by a former Super Bowl Champion from Houston.
The music-filled show, called Hey A.J.!, is based on a children’s book series by the same name, written and illustrated by retired NFL player Martellus Bennett.
Bennett says he published the two books in his “A.J.” series, Hey A.J. It’s Saturday and Hey A.J. It’s Bedtime, based on his relationship with his own daughter, Austyn Jett. He hoped to introduce more characters of color, and spark the imaginations of young readers.
“I just want to show the power of imagination as often as possible,” said Bennett.
“Every single kid calls their dad the awesome-est dad in the world,” added Austyn Jett. “But if you were with my dad, you would definitely change your mind about that.”
The first seven episodes of the new Disney show Hey A.J.! premiered on January 13 on Disney Jr., and became available to stream on Disney+ on January 14. Hey A.J.! follows an imaginative girl with a stuffed bunny sidekick named Theo. She uses her big imagination to make ordinary life moments extraordinary.
The series stars Amari McCoy as A.J., and Bennett himself voices A.J.’s dad, Marty. Bennett says he does run some of his ideas for the show past the real A.J.
“I don’t write a story without my daughter’s input,” said Bennett. “She’s very creative. She’s a really good storyteller. She’s a good writer and illustrator as well.”
“I do think I’m like A.J. in the Disney show,” said Austyn Jett. “Not only the way they made me look, but the way they also made me act, because I’m a very imaginative kid.”
Bennett says he hopes the new series will inspire both kids and parents to use their imaginations together.
“I think the biggest thing is about the entire family participating in each other’s imaginations,” said Bennett. “A lot of times we go off into our silos and we imagine alone or we dream alone, but the idea of the ‘Hey A.J.!’ show is about dreaming together, dreaming as a family, as a community, and imagining together, not just by yourself. Everyone is a part of play, and we can play with everyone.”
Disney is the parent company of ABC13.
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