TORONTO – Corus Entertainment on Wednesday said it will produce a TV series, animated shorts for on-air, online and on-mobile distribution along with merchandise based on the book series Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt.
The multiplatform venture – which is a collaboration between the Nelvana’s book division Kids Can Press, Nelvana Studios and Nelvana Enterprises divisions – also includes additional book titles.
The 26-episode animated television series and companion shorts will be produced in-house by Nelvana Studios. Watt will collaborate on the development of the TV series. Nelvana Enterprises will be responsible for worldwide broadcast and distribution sales as well as the international merchandising and licensing program for the property.
“Scaredy Squirrel is a huge publishing success with the potential to become a classic brand,” said John Cassaday, president and CEO of Corus Entertainment. “Our strategy is to leverage our various assets in publishing, production, broadcasting, sales and merchandising, and work closely with our international partners to build this property into an international success.”
Scaredy Squirrel (2006) and Scaredy Makes a Friend (2007) have sold over 170,000 copies in nine countries. The third book in the series, Scaredy at the Beach, has just been released and a fourth title is planned for spring 2009.
