Toronto-based Radical Sheep Pros. will development for Treehouse a new children's property, STELLA AND SAM, based upon the STELLA and SAM book series by acclaimed writer/illustrator Marie-Louise Gay.
Loved for her works in both English and French, Gay is a two-time recipient of the Governor Generals Literary Award (with seven additional nominations over the course of her career). She is also the winner of two Amelia France Howard-Gibbon Awards and two Mr. Christies Book Awards for her various illustration and literary works. Her critically acclaimed STELLA and SAM series have been translated into 16 different languages and have sold nearly 800,000 copies worldwide.
Targets for kids 3-6, the television series will feature the effervescent big sister Stella and her little brother Sam exploring the natural world, which leads to little discoveries about themselves. Stella and Sam extols the wonder of fantasy play, where a cardboard box becomes a sailboat and the backyard a vast and conquerable ocean; where playtime is only limited by the expanse of a childs imagination.
John Leitch, president of Radical Sheep Prods., says, "So much of what we love about this series is how Stella and her little brother Sam make the ordinary extraordinary, how they use their imagination to explore their world and discover little things about themselves. Were truly thankful for the opportunity to bring these loveable siblings to life.
"STELLA AND SAM is sweet, charming and a natural fit for Treehouse, says Bonita Siegel, director, original productions, Corus Childrens Television. Were delighted to have the opportunity to adapt Stella and Sams big adventures for the small screen.
Radical Sheep Prods. (www.radsheep.com) has produced more than 300 episodes of award-winning television and successful licensing programs, including 100 episodes of the acclaimed series, THE BIG COMFY COUCH.
Treehouse, seen in some six million homes across Canada, offers a unique television environment that is in tune with the interests and developmental levels of preschool children. Treehouse is owned by Corus Ent. (www.corusent.com), a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in specialty television and radio with additional assets in pay television, advertising and digital audio services, television broadcasting, childrens book publishing and childrens animation. The companys multimedia entertainment brands include YTV, Treehouse, W Network, Movie Central, Nelvana, Kids Can Press and radio stations, including CKNW, CKOI and Q107.
