Scholastic Entertainment and 9 Story Media Group unveiled their joint slate of new kids and family programming at Mipcom this month. The robust slate includes new shows in development, recent third-party acquisitions, and new episodes of returning favorites, catering to audiences from preschool to teen.
In development:
Dragon Girls- This CG animation of 52 x 11 mins format targets six to nine year olds. Based on the Scholastic book series by Maddy Mara, Dragon Girls follows three very different girls who are transported to a magical realm where they are transformed into powerful, shimmering dragons! As they come to grips with their new dragon powers, they realise that this is just the start of their epic adventure, they’ve been called to defend the realm from the evil Shadow Queen! It is a joyous series about a group of brilliant, brave girls celebrating their friendship and discovering the ground-shaking strength of their own inner roar.
Paris & Pups- This CG animation targets five to eight year olds. Inspired by Paris Hilton and her real-life pets, Paris & Pups is an exciting new CG-animated series now live on YouTube and the YouTube kids app, quickly capturing audiences with its sparkle, style, humour and heart. With global toy and publishing deals already announced, the series is now in development for a long-form adaptation and two original specials. Set in the glamorous Fabuluxe Hotel, Paris & Pups follows Paris Star (called “Star”) and her five fabulous pups – the Sweetie Squad – as they spread kindness, confidence, and Starkle wherever they go. The series celebrates friendship, fun, and finding your inner Star.
I Spy- This a live action game show for kids and family. I Spy, the number one search-and-find book series created by author Jean Marzollo and photographer Walter Wick, comes to the screen as a larger-than-life, fast-paced game show. With over 75 million copies in print, the series has been a beloved Scholastic staple for decades, captivating generations of readers.
In each episode, teams of contestants compete in a series of classic searching games with a modern twist. Because there’s always more to spy than meets the eye! Developed and produced in partnership with Digomind Productions founded by executive producer Kevin Williams whose independent credits include Beat Shazam, Don’t Forget the Lyrics!, and Family Feud.
The School for Wicked Witches- This is also a live action show of 10 x 30 min format for seven to 12 year olds. Based on the New York Times Best-Seller by Will Taylor and published by Scholastic, The School for Wicked Witches follows 15-year-old Ava Heartstraw, who finds out she has magic. But not just any magic, the wicked kind. But is this sweet girl from the south actually wicked? A thrilling and funny drama filled with friendship, magic and mystery that is grounded in discovering who you are, where you belong, and above all else, being your authentic self. Adapted by award-winning writer Anna McCleery (A Kind of Spark, Free Rein, The Lady Grace Mysteries).
New Acquisitions:
Do Not Watch This Show- This is a new 2D animation series in 12 x 11 minute format for five to eight year olds and their families. Based on Andy Lee’s wildly popular book series Do Not Open This Book, translated into 35 languages, Do Not Watch This Show has quickly become a cultural phenomenon in Australia since premiering on ABC in July. This series stars Wizz, a pompous blue monster who is desperate for viewers to stop watching. Voiced by Lee himself, Wizz’s increasingly absurd attempts to sabotage his own show only make him more irresistible. Each episode invites audiences to unravel the mystery: Why doesn’t Wizz want us to watch?
Available for international distribution:
Dee & Friends in Oz- This is a CG animation show in the format of 16 x 22’ min plus 1 x 44 min prequel. When a mysterious key transports her to the land of Oz, a regular kid named Dee goes on a musical journey to save magic and be the hero of the story. Take a leap and let Dee’s glow lead the way! Oz is waiting for you in this new musical adventure for preschoolers.
New episodes, returning series:
Donkey Hodie- Third season is now available. This puppet show is in 150 x 11 min plus 5 x 22 min specials, format. Donkey Hodie lives in Someplace Else, where she and her pals empower preschoolers to dream big and overcome obstacles, to work hard and persevere, to be resourceful and discover they can solve problems on their own – and to laugh themselves silly along the way! Inspired by the quirky, funny side of Fred Rogers as well as his mission to help young viewers navigate the frustrations and challenges of childhood.
Rosies Rules – Second season is now available. The 2D animation show is in 130 x 11 min plus 20 x 1 min interstitials format. Rosie’s Rules is an animated preschool comedy series that follows the adventures of Rosie Fuentes, an inquisitive and hilarious five-year-old girl just starting to learn about the wow-mazing world beyond her family walls. And she is ready to learn it all… by figuring it out herself.
