we bring learning to life
CONFIDENTIAL. All proposed content and/or design drafts within this document are fully protected by copyright and remain the sole intellectual property of EVERYTHING SLIGHT PEPPER ©2024. Designs are not to be copied or manipulated. All rights reserved. wearebrighteyed.com
Bright Eyed (BE) aims to empower children through inclusive and representative stories. Our mission is to make Caribean child feel seen, heard, and valued by providing media that reflects their world and experiences.
Our story pedagogy merges the arts and writing to bring any subject area to life. We believe that the classroom is just one piece of the puzzle. BE’s remote tools unlock untapped learning opportunities, ignite curiosity, explore different ideas, and encourage co-creating.
Bright Eyed is an edtech brand that aims to accelerate the realisation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030, exemplifying our dedication to building a sustainable future for all. We design and produce inclusive story and immersive experiences for the kids and family market, across publishing, gaming, animation, AR/VR, film, exhibitions, workshops and remotelearning resources. Our topics include the environment, biodiversity, food, heritage, culture, festivals, folklore, sports, and music. To date under the BE brand, we have produced an apparel line, published three picture book titles and produced an immersive exhibition at Castle Killarney (Stollmeyer’s Castle) in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts. The brand is currently retailed in 20 stores locally and regionally across the Caribbean, and sold internationally via amazon.com.
CONFIDENTIAL. All proposed content and/or design drafts within this document are fully protected by copyright and remain the sole intellectual property of EVERYTHING SLIGHT PEPPER ©2024. Designs are not to be copied or manipulated. All rights reserved. wearebrighteyed.com
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Across the global majority there is a growing consensus that education demands radical transformation if we want all citizens to become futureready in the face of a more digitally enabled, uncertain and fast changing world. In the Caribbean in particular, there are significant gaps in literacy among children under the age of ten. Many factors contribute to these gaps, including socioeconomic disparities, inadequate supplimentary resources, and limited resources that do not allow for dynamic delivery of the curriculum within the classroom. Foreign content laced with foreign characters proliferate the literacy learning tools that children 0 to 10 years have access to. The drive is to protect local, support local, appreciate local, yet approximately 8 percent of our population, the third largest group from whom our future leaders are to be derived, are disadvantaged by their very limited exposure to what is indigenous to our Small Island Developing States.
Our underlying goal in decolonizing the perspective of content in the Caribbean Primary School Curriculum is to encourage our children to take pride in our natural and cultural capital. We want to encourage families to explore our cultures and engage in discussions about what exists around them, paying special attention to their community. Education has the potential to be the greatest enabler of preparing everyone, young and old, for the future, yet supporting learning too often remains an issue for schools alone. At Bright Eyed, we believe that learning must not be limited to the classroom. Our aim is to give every child opportunity and a chance of success by providing families with access to remote learning tools to help them to explore new ideas, using story as the methodology to drive engagement. Through our work, we provide our target demographic with a sense of agency and foster engagement inside and outside of the classroom. It is our belief that this approach to learning will not only impact children, but families in this generation and in the generations to come.
At Bright Eyed we focus on sound research and target audience insights, combined with our story techniques - diverse characters, curiosity-driven plots, relatable concepts, age-appropriate language, and high quality visual elements, to bring topics to life. Fundamentally, we stand by the importance of creating material that stimulates the developing mind of children, creating opportunities for children to begin the process of articulating their thoughts, dreams, and aspirations through connecting with stories that reflect their surroundings.
Our topics are focused on natural and cultural capital - the environment, biodiversity, food, heritage, culture, festivals, folklore, sports, and music.
We execute our stories in
Books (picturebooks, comics, graphic novels, colour, activity)
Lesson plans
Merchandise Exhibitions Workshops
Film / Animation
AR / VR Games
CONFIDENTIAL. All proposed content and/or design drafts within this document are fully protected by copyright and remain the sole intellectual property of EVERYTHING SLIGHT PEPPER ©2024. Designs are not to be copied or manipulated. All rights reserved. wearebrighteyed.com wearebrighteyed
Synopsis: Hatch is a competitive little Leatherback Turtle. He and his tiny hatchling brothers and sisters are racing wildly to crack out of their eggs and be the first to get to the sea. Crisis arises as the nearby river breaks its banks, flooding the nest. Narrated by Hatch, this charming story teaches the young turtles a lesson about teamwork. They discover that unless they work together, no one will get out of the crumbling mess!
Developed as a fun way to engage children about caring for the environment, this story brings attention to this critically endangered sea turtles that nest in the Caribbean, their habits and the effect that climate change is having on coastal communities. Hatch merges art and storytelling, features maps, facts and vividly illustrated leatherbacks. Hatch’s story has been read to over thousands of children in schools and vacation camps across the Caribbean.
ALAS Foundation & Inter-American Development Bank
“ALAS-IDB Early Childhood Development Awards”
Best Story Finalist (2017, Washington, D.C. USA)
Bridge Foundation & Jumpstart “Read for the Record Day”
Local Environmental Book Selection (2017, T&T)
National Library & Information Systems (NALIS)
Picture book Week (2016 & 2017, T&T)
NGC Bocas Children’s Lit Festival
Book Reading (2016, T&T)
“ Boasting a colour palette as bold and bright as Grande Rivière beach at midday, the story of young leatherback turtle Hatch leaps with exuberance into young seafarers’ hearts. Alkins’ tale of this precocious tiny adventurer begins with the maritime journey made by his mother across thousands of North Atlantic miles towards the welcoming harbours of Caribbean waters. Her dangerous travels in search of safe spawning grounds, and the subsequent trials of Hatch and his siblings, are interwoven into this childhood primer on teamwork and resilience. “Just put one flipper in front the other. We’re almost there,” Hatch reassures a few of his slowerfooted siblings, as they race towards the sea. Gaiety and crusading mirth mark the pages of this successful juvenile introduction to the life-cycle of one of our most endangered circumglobal species. ”
- Shivanee Ramlochan Bookshelf ReviewerCaribbean
Beat Magazine
“
From March to September, the sandy beaches along the coasts of Trinidad and Tobago come to life, and Jeunanne Alkins wants everyone to know about it. Actually, it’s even more personal than that: She wants everyone to care, and that’s because the shifting sands are just the first act in the Caribbean Islands’ longest-running ritual. So, what’s going on down there? Well, are you ready? Set… it’s Hatch, the baby leatherback turtle! To tell the story of Hatch and millions of other baby leatherback turtles in Ready. Set… Hatch! Jeunanne uses maps, facts, and lots of really cool images she illustrated herself to tell the story of an ambititous and inventive turtle’s struggles to reach the sea. At the same time, Hatch’s story teaches kids about the migration patterns and ecological importance of the leatherback turtle. As a kicker, she’s also hoping to remind Trini parents, many of whom have never been to see baby turtles hatch, that an amazing phenomenon occurs every year, right in their own back yard. Her ability to interweave these three efforts into a story that is both educational and entertaining is a testament that learning can be fun when we mix art with information.”
Finalist " Best Children's Story”
ALAS IDB Early Childhood Development Awards
2017
ALAS Foundation (Founded by Shakira) and the Inter-American Development Bank
“
This is a great book to use in the classroom for a variety of reasons. As a teacher at an international school, my student reading levels can vary and “Ready, Set, Hatch!” has a narrative that is simple for kids to understand but a story that draws them in even if they are reading beyond the level of the book. The colourful and engaging illustration draw the students in from the beginning. When I showed the book to my class they were excited to each take a turn reading. I think that the book allows students the opportunity to learn while enjoying the story. The students learn the tremendous journey the turtles have to take every year and gain appreciation for the little turtles. I think that students throughout Trinidad would gain knowledge for their beloved turtles. ”
- Janita Sullivan Grade 4 Teacher International School of Port of Spain
CENTRAL AMERICA The Caribbean
SOUTH AMERICA NORTH AMERICA
Gabon
AFRICA
When our hero HATCH and his siblings dive headfirst into the ocean, they discover that their harrowing adventure has only just begun. It is lunchtime and the hatchlings are on the menu!
Set in the Atlantic Ocean between the two largest nesting sites - Trinidad & Tobago and Gabon, Western Africa - the hatchlings tumble through tangled nets, crawl through captivating coral reefs, flipper through floating forests, slink through spooky shipwrecks, face frightening predators and meet surprising new friends!
As far as his journey may take them, female leatherbacks always return home to the beach where they were hatched. There are many parallels to be drawn with Caribbean people, their African connection and their connection to home. This story is also an opportunity to highlight the impact that one person, one action or one country can have on a global scale. Trinidad and Gabon have the two largest nesting sites for the Leatherback Turtles and the small actions of their coastal villagers, fishermen and conservation groups have slowly but surely positively affected the population size of the turtles. By taking pride in and responsibility for these turtles and their annual visit, we have been able to significantly increase hatchling survivability. While efforts are needed on a larger, international scale, at the end of the day it is the small acts of responsible living by each individual on either side of the Atlantic that will continue to keep these honored Guests returning to our beaches year after year. We intend to explore these concepts and to amplify the conservation ethos of the next generation of petite environmentalists.
Step into the captivating world of leatherback sea turtles with this immersive exhibition that carries visitors along on the journey from nest to sea. In this interactive journey, they will be cast as the characters in the story, and everyone’s actions and work are integral to the progression of the narrative. This enchanting exhibit will demonstrate that storytelling is an effective mode of education delivery, while simultaneously showcasing traditional carnival arts - which will be used to develop stunning props and large scale murals from the bestselling book. Join us for an unforgettable experience that depicts the captivating journey of leatherbacks from nest to sea!
When a fearless baby Leatherback named Hatch and his siblings emerge from their buried nest, they must overcome treacherous obstacles, to reach the safety of the ocean. With determination and teamwork, they embark on an unforgettable adventure that teaches them the power of resilience, friendship, and the importance of never giving up.
Dive into the exhilarating world of HATCH, the endless runner game that combines adventure, obstacle dodging, and epic power-ups that teach children simple actions that they can take in their own real life to help protect endangered leatherback turtles. Explore the stunning North Coast coastline of Grande Rivière, where these prehistoric sea creatures nest, while learning about their struggles on land and in the ocean. Behind the captivating illustrations, and curiosity-driven plots, lies lessons on the i mportance of individual actions.
CONFIDENTIAL. All proposed content and/or design drafts within this document are fully protected by copyright and remain the sole intellectual property of EVERYTHING SLIGHT PEPPER ©2024. Designs are not to be copied or manipulated. All rights reserved. wearebrighteyed.com
Where does chocolate comes from?
Alex the Awesome is a secret agent agouti who is certain that the golden pods of Caribbean cocoa trees bear hidden treasures. Determined to learn what happens to the fruit after it is picked, prepped and carried away from the cocoa estate to a mysterious place where a magical transformation happens, Alex evades predators, discovers nifty gadgets, uncovers the biggest sunroof ever, busts some cool dance moves and masters the skills of observation, analysis and surveillance to figure out cocoa’s dark, chocolatey secret!
In this picture book we take children on a mission to learn about chocolate led by secret agent Alex. The young target market for the story book called for a simple approach - creating a factual story that is fun and easy to navigate, told from the point of view of a rodent (agouti) that is frequently spotted sprinting around Caribbean cocoa estates. Children will learn about traditional aspects of the process – harvesting of pods, bean fermenting and drying, dancing the cocoa, roasting, etc. - Until final products such as nibs, cocoa butter and chocolate are produced.
Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Planning
“Idea 2 innovation Competition”
Winner, Concept Pitch (2014, T&T)
“
All proposed content and/or design drafts within this document are fully protected by copyright and remain the sole intellectual property of EVERYTHING SLIGHT PEPPER ©2024. Designs are not to be copied or manipulated. All rights reserved. wearebrighteyed.com
Alex the awesome is a secret agent agouti who is convinced that there is a conspiracy surrounding cocoa! We join Alex on a wild adventure to discover what exactly occurs with cocoa pods from the time they are picked, to the time they are taken from the estate.Alex puts his detective work to great use and takes us all on an educational journey filled with twists and turns! The artwork is absolutely fantastic! Alex often speaks to the reader and gets them actively involved in his escapades- making this an overall engaging and entertaining book. It’s a brilliant book to spark interest for kids to learn about cocoa! I absolutely love that the main character is an agouti! Such a unique character to highlight the local, trini culture! I can’t wait for another offering in this series! To any cocoa/chocolate lover, this one is a definite for your collection! ”
- Reisha Mohammed Blogger & influencer
Chocolate is consumed all over the world, however not many people know where it comes - a tree; And that these trees only grow in tropical countries within a 20 degree band from the equator.Though the regional cocoa sector’s historical infrastructure is now obsolete, the Caribbean remains an important source for “fine” or “specialty” cocoa, grown in countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Dominica, Belize, Domincan Republic, St. Vincent, Haiti and Costa Rica. The Caribbean Cocoa industry is getting a much need boost to promote sustainable local ventures and Caribbean-grown chocolatiers. We are hoping to create a shift in the narrative that will give growers their due recognition for the hard work that goes into processing the beans that make amazing chocolates.
Much of the narrative for children that exists in the international space has been crafted from the processing end of the value chain - from the factory perspective beginning with a mysterious molten vat of chocolate. This series aims to tell the story from the growers perspective, resetting the narrative of the “beginning” of the chocolate making process. Children learn where chocolate comes from, starting at the very begining, on the cocoa estate. Our focus is to place emphasis on the role of cocoa farmers and the work that goes into nurturing the trees and the bean, from picking, fermentation and processing, to the journey from the estate to the chocolatier making a bar.
Children’s media is inundated by princesses and hyper-sexualised female superheroes; This gender-neutral story is led by a protagonist - Alex - a secret agent whose moves can rival any ninja. In addition, all the book’s charcaters are people of colour inclusive of the female chocolatier!
Led by his appetite for adventure, Alex the Awesome is a curious secret agent agouti on a mission to uncover the stories behind Caribbean food. His assignment: What is it that makes our fruits and vegetables special? Who grows them? How do they become the treats we all know and love? Join Alex as he unlocks the secrets of Caribbean flavor, one mouthful at a time.
All proposed content and/or design drafts within this document are fully protected by copyright and remain the sole intellectual property of EVERYTHING SLIGHT PEPPER ©2024. Designs are not to be copied or manipulated. All rights reserved. wearebrighteyed.com
“ Congratulations on a great book!! My nine year old daughter has read it twice without parental prompting in the last day. She actually wished the book was longer!! I think that says a lot. Darin also thinks your book is quite successful at providing information in a fun and entertaining way ”
-
Karen SukhaCARIRI
“
I bought this for the kids when I planned our chocolate tour to help them recognise parts of the process. A secret agent agouti is on a mission for the “golden pod” - a cocoa pod. On his mission we learn all about the process of making chocolate; from where cocoa trees grow to tempering and molding the chocolate so it is ready to eat. We all learned so much from this book but it is also such a fun read that it has become a go-to story book for us.”
- The Trini Mum BLOGGER & INFLUENCER
Somewhere deep inside the rainforest an elite group of experts are lurking amongst the lush trees, preparing to take children on a top-secret mission. Recruits will hone their craft, collect intelligence from real cocoa farmers, and hit the estate to run training missions. The agents-in-training will learn how to develop a disguise for cover, discover new skills and techniques, create gadgets, make and break codes, and learn how to make chocolate. From cracking clues to surveillance, each module of Secret Agent Training is filled with briefings, challenges and activities that puts your skills and street smarts to the test, in order to be inducted into the BE Academy.
Our idea is to use our secret agent theme to create an immersive scavenger hunt experiense that excites young audiences to recognize and appreciate the role of cocoa farmers and the rainforest in creating the world’s favourite snack - chocolate. Using the storybook as a foundation, we believe that this second phase will not only encourage continued learning about Caribbean agriculture, but also create an expanded audience for the cocoa industry, regionally and internationally. By highlighting the value of farming and providing opportunities, we can help to shift the narrative around agriculture and encourage more young people to pursue careers in farming.
Briefing: Learn about the history of cocoa estates. Bean processing: how to pick and crack open, Fermentation, Drying; Chocolate Making: Roasting, Winnowing, Conching, Tempering and Setting.
Module 1 The Art of Espionage
Have you ever wondered if you have what it takes to become a secret agent? We will start with the basics of what it takes to go undercover. Develop your secret cover identity, master the skills of observation, analysis and surveillance.
Camouflage, blending in, and becoming invisible are all ways to disguise yourself. Our agents-in-training will learn the newest techniques in sneakiness, how animals on the estate use disguises, and how to hide more than just ourselves!
This workshop is all about gadgets and experiments. Agents-in-training take a closer look at the inventions used to process cocoa, learn the tricks of teh trade, use science to analyze evidence and crack clues to understand the extensive work that goes into making a valuable bean.
Solving puzzles, speaking other languages, and decoding top-secret intelligence are all skills that make the perfect spy. Our agents-in-training will untangle complex processes to solve the secret of the Golden Pod, unlock their first badge of honour and induction into the BE ACADEMY.
The stories behind our historical buildings
AUDIENCE Ages 6-9 FORMAT Picture book
The seven majestic houses along Trinidad’s Queen’s Park Savannah have gotten into in an argument! Professor QRC, Lady Hayes Court, Mrs. Mille Fleurs, Dr. Roomor, The Archbishop, Mrs. Whitehall and Sir Stollmeyer simply cannot agree! Is it your age? How you look? Who lived in you, or what those people did? Determined to restore peace to their historic neighborhood, Mrs. Mille Fleurs must figure it all out. Really, what is it that makes you the most magnificent?
In this picture book children go on a historical journey as the seven houses vie for the title of “The Most Magnificent”. They tell a story about the last hundred years - when they were built, describe how they look, the people who lived inside and the work they did; watching the city grow up around them - tram cars, police band parades, past prime ministers and the savannah as a landing field for early aviators in the war. In the end, the houses realize that come to taking it for granted that they are each special in their own way!
Notable achievements
Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Planning “
Winner, Concept Pitch (2014, T&T)
daresaythateducationisjustasimportantasthewar!”
havebeeneducatingournation’schildrensince1902.Manytalentedstudents walkedmyhalls-artistslikePeterMinshall,BoscoeHolderandNobelPrizeWinner SirV.S.Naipaul.ExceptionalathleteslikecricketerDeryckMurrayandOlympic medalistWendellMottleytrainedonmygrounds.I’veeventaughtformerpresident GeorgeMaxwellRichardsandourfirstPrimeMinister,Dr.EricWilliams!”
CONFIDENTIAL. All proposed content and/or design drafts within this document are fully protected by copyright and remain the sole intellectual property of EVERYTHING SLIGHT PEPPER ©2024. Designs are not to be copied or manipulated. All rights reserved. wearebrighteyed.com
My 8 year old son, Marc Chong-Ashing was the first one to collect his copy of the book at the launch on Saturday. I had to email you to let you know that he reads it regularly and since then, we engage in our own stories about what the buildings would say or do when we drive around the Savannah. This is a lovely book and truly inspirational to the younger generation to bring these structures alive for them and drive their imaginative curiosity and dialogue. Thank you so much for that! I have also recommended the book and circulated the you tube link to friends both here and internationally and to his teacher Miss Romany at St. Monica’s prep. ”
- Laura Lee Chong-Ashing PARENT
Based on the book, the exhibition and workshop series was held at Castle Killarney (Stollmeyer’s Castle). The pages were brought to life through large-scale replicas, sketches, concept art and illustrations that went into the making of the story.
We provided the opportunity for an immersive experience, with interactive elements equally balanced between art and education. The exhibition featured 30 large format installations, life-sized giant word scramble games for classes, sensory touch and feel zones, and sound FX elements. The content was organized into three sections that journeyed the elements of a good story setting, characters and plot. The exhibition was produced with the support of our presenting sponsors - The Office of the Prime Minister Sport and Culture Fund and Snikla Enterprises; our programming partners: Massy Foundation and First Citizens Bank; And in-kind contributions from Johnny Q, Sunshine Snacks, Nestle Caribbean, Blue Waters, Dominos, Tutoring by Chrssy, The Green Circle, Every Bottle Back.
ROOM 1 Building the setting
Queen’s Park Savannah (Maps, Vendors, Poui Trees)
ROOM 2 Character development
Concept art for the 7 buildings
ROOM 3 Bring the story together
Plot storyboards, the manuscript, sound features and bonus concept art
CONFIDENTIAL. All proposed content and/or design drafts within this document are fully protected by copyright and remain the sole intellectual property of EVERYTHING SLIGHT PEPPER ©2024. Designs are not to be copied or manipulated. All rights reserved. wearebrighteyed.com
The aim was to take the audience through the experience of the book, visually stimulating each visitor, leaving them with a greater understanding of stories behind the buidling known as the Magnificent Seven and the work that goes into developing a book. The exhibition asked children to respond to the prompt: what makes you MAGNIFICENT in your own special way?
CONFIDENTIAL. All proposed content and/or design drafts within this document are fully protected by copyright and remain the sole intellectual property of EVERYTHING SLIGHT PEPPER ©2024. Designs are not to be copied or manipulated. All rights reserved.
wearebrighteyed.com
The exhibition featured a calendar of familystyle sip & paint sessions and workshops for kids to take a deep dive into new art techniques and flex their creative muscles.
CHAPTER 1 Make a Book Cover
Sharpen those creative tools! In the first of our series of creative workshops for kids, they learned about the art of storytelling using some unsuspecting characters, flexed their creative muscles to bring them to life and created a cover for their own book!
CHAPTER 2 Make a Vintage Portrait
Imagine YOU in Black and White! Workshop participants created their very own black & white portrait while exploring various art techniques and learning how to write their own “Magnificent Me” artist bio.
CHAPTER 3 Send a Letter
Ever thought about how you would invite someone over to your house 50 years ago? Well, snail mail was the only way. Kids wrote letters, designed their own postcards and stamps, just like their grand parents used to!
CHAPTER 4 Make a Newspaper Newspapers are keepsakes that record memories and moments. In this workshop kids learned how to archive the highlights of their year. They made their own cover page, created pictures, wrote captions and headline-worthy stories!
CONFIDENTIAL. All proposed content and/or design drafts within this document are fully protected by copyright and remain the sole intellectual property of EVERYTHING SLIGHT PEPPER ©2024. Designs are not to be copied or manipulated. All rights reserved. wearebrighteyed.com
The exhibition attracted thousands of visitors to the castleranging from toddlers to primary and secondary schools, and retirement homessetting a new record for the historic attraction.
“
Jeunanne’s appeal is multigenerational. There’s a wealth of information that the book [on the Magnificent Seven] touches on in a format that is appropriate for a young child. But in order for the exhibition to be multigenerational, she said, “We can get archives...” Jeunanne’s genius is infectious. She relates to learned people with a creative spark who can see the bigger picture - or people willing to learn. She did a good job of taking apart the book, the physical book, supersizing it... she was able to manipulate the space in such a way that would engage all ages. Because she is an academic, she was able to engage all levels. Jeunanne’s standards matches the world’s. I trusted Jeunanne because she has a history. This is not her first book. She also has her professional history...the first exhibition we had here, we had 3500 people. With Jeunanne’s exhibition, we had double.Jeunanne’s oeuvre inspires confidence. She gets it done. ”
- Dominique Inniss Heritage Site Manager, Ministry of Tourism, Culture & the ArtsCONFIDENTIAL. All proposed content and/or design drafts within this document are fully protected by copyright and remain the sole intellectual property of EVERYTHING SLIGHT PEPPER ©2024. Designs are not to be copied or manipulated. All rights reserved. wearebrighteyed.com
The story of traditional Carnival
AUDIENCE Ages 6+ FORMAT Picture book
This story begins close to the equator, on an island archipelago filled with curious characters. Come with us as we sneak a peep into a world where imagination runs deep. In costumes of paint, oil, cloth, wire and glitter, we will discover the richness of Caribbean culture. Steeped in tradition, night turning into day, they prance and they sway. Making mas is how they play! Does the energy build with an audience? Are we a part of the performance? Their stage is the street, dancing to the rhythm of a drum beat. Rituals rooted in the movement of feet. Can you guess who we’re about to meet?
In the first of this beautifully illustrated book series, we hit the streets of Trinidad and Tobago to to explore the magic of Carnival. In this whimsical reimagining of traditional mas, we explore its origins and the mysterious characters who bring it to life. Get ready for a enchanting tale that’ll ignite your imagination and the true spirit of what it means to Play ah Mas!
Characters included Fancy Sailor, Blue Devil, Fancy Indian, Moko Jumbie, Pierrot Grenade, Midnight Robber, Bat, Burrokeet, Dame Lorraine, Baby Doll, Bookman, Minstrel, Whipmaster and the Dragon
Status Launching 2024
AUDIENCE Ages 6-9 GENRE Adventure-Travel Comedy FORMAT Cartoon, 2D
When 6-and-a-quarter-year-old twins Bim and Bam discover that the souvenir magnets on their grandma’s fridge open up magical portals, the duo land smack in the middle of colourful adventures all over the globe. There are to a million things to get your imagination working overtime when the entire world is your playground!
Together, the pair visit different exotic locations, which naturally leads to all sorts of escapades. The twins spring to action to overcome obstacles; pulling off amazing feats like… snorkeling in the middle of the ocean, walking on stilts like a moko jumbie, hosting a concert in a bamboo forest and canoeing in mangrove wetlands. In the midst of it all, Bim and Bam become entangled in spy operations, narrowly escape explosions, hunt for spooky ghosts in a haunted cave, take part in a game show while trekking through rain forests, try their hand at making chocolate on a cocoa estate and even modeling costumes in a carnival parade!
Animae Caribe Animation Festival Best Pitch (2018, T&T)
Animae Caribe Animation Festival
Exhibition at the National Museum (2017, T&T)
Kingstoon Animation Festival
Winner, Best Concept (2016, Jamaica) Runner-up, Best Future Product (2016, Jamaica)
Trinidad & Tobago Ministry Of Planning
“Idea 2 innovation Competition”
Winner, Concept Pitch (2013, T&T)
Bim and Bam! is committed to inspiring a generation of divese, responsible travelers. The series aims to incite wonder and encourage curiosity in children all over the globe.
Travel can help kids learn about the world and open up their thinking through experiencing the differences in culture and environments. However, in most of the media and family travel blogs, travelers of colour are rarely seen, that is unless they are props in the trip (staff, locals in the background etc). One of the key objectives of the series is present these groups of people as characters not caricatures. By changing the narrator, we hope to influence a more diverse crop of responsible future tourists.
Foreign content laced with foreign characters fuel the content that Caribbean children currently consume in the media. Here in Trinidad and Tobago for example, this means that in the absence of parental intervention, approximately 8% of our population, the third largest group from whom our future leaders are to be derived, are disadvantaged by very limited out of the classroom exposure to what is indigenous to our islands. Our focus is on creating authentic entertaining stories that showcase heritage, festivals, culture, music and indigenous food, with a future vision of extending this approach to the wider Caribbean and other underrepresented “exotic” countries.
Children’s media is inundated by princesses and hyper-sexualised female superheroes; The series is led by a female protagonist (Bim), whose curiosity and fearlessness inspires her brother. Through Bim we aim to inspire curiosity, teaching girls AND boys how to push past boundaries, overcome self doubt and learn to appreciate your strengths.
Bim and Bam re-imagines the travel space to preserve and promote local cultures, build communities, strengthen operators and encourage sustainable tourism practices. The Caribbean is the most tourism dependant region in the world, with tourism being the single largest contributor to the GDP and the biggest employer after the public sector. Children anywhere can explore the islands, travelling through the screen with Bim and Bam. Parents can get a feel for destinations, where to go and what to do before you get to go there.
AUDIENCE Ages 0-9 FORMAT To be determined
Meet our four animated friends, straight out of the doctors kit: SQUISHY, the Syringe, TICKLE the Thermometer, BOOM BOOM the Stethoscope and CLICKETY & CLACK a pair of Crutches. Hospital visits can be a scary experience for children (and adults). Nothing sounds like a hospital. The incessant beep of monitors. The squeak of shoes on the tile floor. The whir of automatic doors and rolling cots. The moan of suffering patients and the drone of families huddled in a waiting room. Anyone who’s spent a night in a hospital knows it’s hard to find a few moments of quiet—let alone sleep through the night. And when patients don’t sleep, they don’t heal.
Tapping into the magic of make-believe play, we aim to bring the doctor’s tools to life as toy-like characters. The anthropomorphic characters provide the perfect vehicle to connect with children, dispel fear, and associate a visit to the hospital with a day of fun, where doctors use their toys to work magic to make them feel better. The characters teach kids about their bodies and take them on a magical healing adventure.
Notable achievements
Paul Harris Fellowship Award 2021
Building front facade, outdoor signage and ward murals (2020, T&T) Trinidad and Tobago Wendy Fitzwilliam Children’s Hospital Rotary Club of St. Augustine West Hospital Renovation Project
