Aardman

Big Lizard / Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures / Lí Ban

A brand-new preschool series from Beakus and Je Suis Bien Content/Watch Next Media, Big Lizard is among the latest offerings from Aardman, commissioned by the BBC and France Télévisions. “It’s a beautiful project about friendship, curiosity, exploration and celebrating differences,” says Robin Gladman, head of acquisitions at Aardman. Also in the company’s catalog, Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures is a BBC commission from Eagle Eye Drama. The collection of six animated specials is based on Blake’s best-selling books. Lí Ban from Paper Owl Films, meanwhile, comes from an untapped world of forgotten stories from Celtic folklore. “Lí Ban is a superb protagonist and role model, and kids everywhere will be excited by her story in this fantasyadventure, anime-style series,” says Gladman.

Boat Rocker

Dino Ranch / Trulli Tales / The Next Step

Leading Boat Rocker’s slate, Dino Ranch has sold to more than 170 territories. Its “Wild West setting and appealing dinosaur characters have led to the overwhelming success,” says Gia DeLaney, senior VP of global sales for kids and family. Trulli Tales sees its characters deal with the everyday problems faced by children of the same age, but in a magical setting, where magic wands are cooking utensils, recipes reveal feelings, a drop of oil can bring a talking book to life and more. In season eight of the hit dance series The Next Step , the “appealing teenaged characters learn that the only way they’re going to make it to the dramatic final dance competition is to put their differences aside and find a way to work together,” DeLaney says.