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Aardman Greenlights ‘The Very Small Creatures’

The preschool series, commissioned by Sky Kids, features five small clay toddler-like creatures who learn about friendship, empathy, and the world; show launches this November on Sky Kids and NOW.

Aardman has just greenlit The Very Small Creatures, a brand-new series (20x3’) aimed at kids aged 1-3. The show, commissioned by Sky Kids, uses stop-motion animation and clay models, with the occasional graphic flourish. Aardman’s last pre-school series, Timmy Time, first broadcast in 2009.

The Very Small Creatures features five genderless, toddler-like clay creatures, Pink, Blue, Orange, Yellow, and Green who learn, through play, about the world and how to get along. Episode’s themes include relationships, teamwork, and empathy - with the characters experiencing emotions like jealousy and impatience while also learning about friendship and compassion.

The characters originated in the early 80s as a colorful childlike crowd that interacted with the classic Aardman character Morph. Featured in the latest series, The Epic Adventures of Morph, the “Small Creatures” have since developed their own fan following. Seeing an opportunity, animator and illustrator Lucy Izzard was inspired to develop the series using her own parenting experience.

"I am thrilled to have developed with Aardman this brand-new stop-motion preschool series,” shared Izzard. “It's a show driven by five very cute clay creatures that act and behave like toddlers, learning about their physical world, themselves and each other. The themes for each episode relate to some aspect of toddlers’ lives with the focus on comedy and kindness. My two preschoolers have given me plenty of material to work from! I can't wait to sit down on the sofa and show them the world they've inspired."

Making her series directorial debut, Izzard has served as animation director on Disney Junior’s pre-school series Nina Needs To Go, and has directed short films and commercials with Aardman for organizations such as NSPCC, Cats Protection and The Gates Foundation. Joining Izzard on the project is Aardman’s Sarah Cox as executive creative director; Helen Argo serves as executive producer, with Natalie McKay as development executive. Stephanie Owen will produce the series.

“We are delighted to continue our collaboration with Aardman and commission The Very Small Creatures for the youngest members of our audience,” noted Lucy Murphy, Director of Kids Content, UK & ROI at Sky. “We know how much kids enjoy the gentle, giggly creatures in Morph so we knew that they deserved a show of their very own and we are delighted with the warm, engaging world that Aardman have created for them.”

The Very Small Creatures will launch on Sky Kids and NOW in November 2021.

Source: Aardman