Ottawa-based animation studio Big Jump Entertainment — along with co-production partners, Moody Street Kids of Australia and Telegael of Ireland — have commenced production on season one of a fun new vocabulary-focused animated kids’ series, entitled Big Words Small Stories.
“When we were first introduced to Big Words Small Stories, by way of the books, we immediately knew it was going to work for kid’s TV and quickly optioned the property,” said Karen Swerdfeger, VP Development at Big Jump. “It educates through the best possible method – silliness – while giving children the opportunity to out-smart their parents. I’d love it if my four-year-old told me there was a kerfuffle happening between her brothers… no… wait…”
“The enthusiasm for the show continues to be tremendous and contagious, having garnered commissions from TVO kids, SRC, TFO and Knowledge Network in Canada alone,” noted Rick Morrison, President, Big Jump Entertainment.
The animated series will focus on small stories that will enlighten kids to the meaning of “big” words through funny and delightfully clever storytelling. Told through the eyes of a revolving cast of four kids and their anthropomorphic pets, each five minute episode sprinkles a big word into these kids’ lives – be it “flabbergasted,” “dillydally” or “conundrum” – by a hard-working Sprinkle Fairy and her staff, the candy-like Sprinklers. Children within the story and the audience at home, walk away with their vocabularies a little bit bigger and a whole lot sillier.
Big Words Small Stories consists of 65 five-minute episodes, and is based on the popular books created and authored by Judith Henderson, illustrated by T.L. McBeth and published by Kids Can Press.
The series’ production partners share Big Jumps enthusiasm for elucidating!
“We are delighted to be co-producing such a beautiful series. One that is so incredibly important in todays’ world — where encouraging a love of words and reading, is more important than ever,” said Gill Carr, Moody Street Kids Australia. “Having the ABC as our Broadcaster in Australia is a perfect match, a quality Broadcaster for a quality show!”
“At Telegael, our key focus is to create content for young audiences that empowers and entertains in equal measure.Big Words Small Stories is a show that will truly fuel imaginations and ignite a love of reading and vocabulary for years to come,” Paul Cummins, CEO of Telegael, asserted. “The team at Telegael is truly honored to be animating this wonderful book series with our co-production partners Big Jump Entertainment and Moody Street Kids.”
And broadcasters are eager to introduce their young viewers to these word-hungry characters.
Marney Malabar, Director of Kids TV at TVO, said, “Our viewers will be delighted by Big Words Small Stories. By introducing them to a new world of words, the show encourages a love of language from an early age, which will help kids get ready for school and for life.”
“We love that Big Words Small Stories allows for children to feel proud to use words that even their parents do not know. This aspect of the series will develop their love for words and language, which is very important and valuable,” said Nathalie Chamberland, Director – Youth Programming, SRC.
“TFO loves the idea of putting big words into small stories,” said Marianne Lambert, Director of Co-Productions and Acquisitions at TFO. “Each episode is silly and fun and introduces one word that will expand children’s vocabulary and awaken their curiosity for language!”
