Richie Roo Bear

Ričijs Rū / Richie Roo
Background information
OriginRiga, Latvia Latvia
Genres
Discography
  • "Ričijs Rū rīko koncertu" Latvia
  • "Ričis Ra su gitara" Lithuania
  • "Ričijs Rū rīko koncertu 2" Latvia
Years active2021-present
LabelsMicRec
MembersLauris Reiniks
  • Rūta Reinika-Preisa
  • Sofija Timma
  • Edgars Šteins
Websitericijsru.lv

Richie Roo Bear (originally Ričijs Rū) is a Latvian animation character in children's literature, music and television. The fictional bear character was created in 2021 by a producer Rūta Reinika-Preisa and her brother, musician Lauris Reiniks. Richie Roo is also a touring mascot.

Based on Rūta and Lauris's grandmother Veronika Reinika's poems for children, Rūta wanted to create something special and long-lasting for her two-year-old son Richard. She approached her brother Lauris who is a composer and singer, convinced him of the idea and soon after that first songs about Richie Roo bear and his friends were created. Little Richard loved these songs right away. It was decided to continue and develop this project, bringing on board illustrator and artist Guna Mikelsone. In 2021, MicRec Publishing released a song album and interactive poetry book for children called "Ričijs Rū rīko koncertu" (Richie Roo Throws A Concert).[1]

Adventures of Richie Roo together with songs have been released in two interactive poetry and song books - "Ričijs Rū rīko koncertu" (Richie Roo Throws a Concert) - lyrics by Veronika Reinika, music by Lauris Reiniks[2] and a sequel "Ričijs Rū rīko koncertu 2" (Ceļojums uz Āfriku) (Richie Roo Throws a Concert 2 - A Journey to Africa) - lyrics by Rūta Reinika Preisa, music by Lauris Reiniks)[3][4] Video versions of these songs have been viewed millions of times on YouTube.[5] Separately, "Ričijs Rū un draugi" (Richie Roo and friends), the fairytale book for kids was released,[6] These fairytales were also turned into a TV show for kids, called "Ričija Rū pasakas" (Fairytales of Richie Roo) released by the biggest Latvian video streaming service Tet TV+.[7] The author of the book and TV show illustrations is Guna Miķelsone.

In 2022, it was translated and released in Lithuania under a title "Ričis Ra su muzika gera" (Richie Roo With a Good Music) (Veronika Reinika / Lauris Reiniks / Deivydas Zvonkus).[8] Video clips of all Ričis Ra album songs in Lithuanian are also found on YouTube. [9]

Richie Roo has had three sold-out concert show tours around Latvia: "Ričijs Rū rīko koncertu", "Ričijs Rū rīko koncertu 2 / Ceļojums uz Āfriku", and "Ričijs Rū Ziemassvētkos" (Richie Roo at Christmas).

  1. ^ "Reiniku ģimene sarūpējusi dziesmu grāmatu vismazākajiem – 'Ričijs Rū'". www.delfi.lv (in Latvian). Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  2. ^ "Lauris Reiniks L.Reiniks, V.Reinika. Ričijs Rū rīko koncertu. Lasi. Dziedi. Krāso (grāmata+CD) - MICREC". www.micrec.lv (in Latvian). Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  3. ^ "Reiniku Ričijam Rū jauna grāmata un dziesmu albums". nra.lv (in Latvian). Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  4. ^ "Lauris Reiniks Ričijs Rū rīko koncertu 2. Rūta Reinika-Preisa, Lauris Reiniks (Grāmata + CD)". www.micrec.lv (in Latvian). Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  5. ^ ""Ričijs Rū rīko koncertu" 1 & 2 Dzismas Bērniem / Children Songs in Latvian". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  6. ^ "Ričijs Rū un draugi. Mīļi stāstiņi mazākajiem". www.micrec.lv (in Latvian). Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  7. ^ Ričija Rū pasakas - Kā Ričijs Rū tika pie savas ģitāras | Seriāls (in Latvian). 2022. Retrieved 2024-04-11 – via tet.plus.
  8. ^ "Pristato naują projektą Lietuvoje vaikams „Ričis Ra su nuotaika gera": projektą sudaro ne tik knyga, bet ir linksmos dainos". lrt.lt (in Lithuanian). 2022-11-10. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  9. ^ ""Ričis Ra su muzika gera" - Dainos Vaikams / Richie Roo Chidren Songs in Lithuanian". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2024-04-17.