Lauren Child’s charming picture-book series, Charlie and Lola, is on the fast track of becoming a cool new preschool toon, thanks to Claudia Lloyd, head of animation/children’s at Tiger Aspect, and Michael Carrington, head of animation & acquisition at Children’s BBC. London-based Tiger Aspect has started production of the 26 x 11’30" series, which got a commitment from CBBC this month.
Originally introduced by Tiger Aspect at last year’s Cartoon Forum, the series will be directed by Kitty Taylor and designed by Leigh Hodgkinson. Charlie and Lola will combine 2D cel animation with paper cutout, fabric design, real textures, photomontage and archival footage to bring the books’ original picture-book style to the small screen.
"Lauren’s books are funky, funny, accessible and simply gorgeous," says Lloyd, whose previous credits include the award-winning Animated Mr. Bean and Bosom Pals series. "Adapting them for TV has been a joy–It’s like thirtysomething for four-year-olds! Losing your first tooth or not being chosen as the main part for the school play is as big a deal for a child as splitting up with a long-term partner is for adults! It’s just that Lauren gives us the freedom to fight with pirates, dance with clouds or slide down rainbows to sort it all out!"
Charlie and Lola is Carrington’s first animation commission for CBBC. He notes, "It is a reflection of my desire to bring stimulating content, both in storytelling and visual style to our preschool audience."
