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Netflix Greenlights 5 Dr. Seuss Adaptations

More of the famed author’s whimsical worlds are coming your way with new animated series and specials including ‘One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish,’ ‘The Sneetches,’ ‘Wacky Wednesday,’ ‘Horton Hears a Who!,’ and ‘Thidwick The Big-Hearted Moose.’

Netflix and Dr. Seuss Enterprises are teaming up to bring some of the most iconic and beloved stories and characters of the Dr. Seuss world to life with five new animated preschool series and specials. The projects are inspired by stories like “Horton Hears a Who!;” “The Sneetches;” “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish;” and “Wacky Wednesday;” in addition to characters like Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose. Executive producer Dustin Ferrer (Esme & Roy, Shimmer & Shine, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood) will serve as showrunner across all five, with additional showrunners revealed in the coming weeks. The announcement expands the partnership between Netflix and Dr. Seuss Enterprises following the launch of the critically acclaimed animated series Green Eggs and Ham in 2019, which will have its anticipated second season premiere April 8, 2022. 

The new Dr. Seuss line-up will serve as a true anchor for Netflix’s expanded focus on pre-school. Introducing concepts of foundational learning, this new slate of programming will explore themes of diversity and respect for others all told through fun and engaging stories that incorporate the whimsical humor, distinctive visuals, and rhythmic style of Dr. Seuss.

“Netflix is a trusted home for characters kids love, and generations of kids love the characters imagined by Dr. Seuss,” shared Heather Tilert, Director of Preschool Content, Netflix. “These beloved stories have been a core part of families’ libraries for many years, and it gives me great pride that we are bringing them to our catalog of Netflix shows, in a fresh and modern way that resonates with audiences today.”

“Dr. Seuss Enterprises is proud of the collaborative relationship we share with Netflix,” added Dr. Seuss Enterprises president and CEO Susan Brandt. “We are always looking for new and engaging ways to share our stories, characters, and messages with the next generation of fans, and Netflix has a unique ability to create original, delightful adaptations of our timeless classics with an emphasis on imagination, fun, and education. Our partnership has been very prosperous thus far with our award-winning animated series Green Eggs and Ham. We hope to continue that success with our upcoming projects.”

The greenlit projects include the following books:

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

  • The 2D animated series follows the adventures of two loveable fish who are different in every way. Red and Blue consistently find themselves in comedic situations that allow them to introduce oppositional vocabulary to our preschool viewers. The show will consist of 7-minute episodes and 2-minute music videos

The Sneetches

  • 3D animated 45-minute special: As long as there have been Sneetches on beaches, the Star-Bellies and Moon-Bellies have lived separate lives. But when two young Sneetches form an unlikely friendship, they teach their communities that differences don't need to be avoided, they can be celebrated.

Wacky Wednesday

  • The mixed media animated series consist of 11-minute episodes: In an otherwise perfectly normal town, whenever Wednesday rolls around things suddenly get wacky! Luckily, this town has a ten-year-old Wacky Expert who knows that humor inspires creativity and never fails to solve every wacky problem with an equally wacky solution.

Horton Hears a Who!

  • 3D animated series follows a young Horton as he explores the Jungle of Nool with his two best friends: going on daring adventures, helping their community, and learning how to stand up for what's fair. The show will consist of 11-minute episodes.

Thidwick The Big-Hearted Moose

  • 3D animated 45-minute special: When a grumpy moose leader decides that he wants to be the happiest moose in the pack, he calls upon sweet Thidwick to help him. As this unlikely duo embarks on a comical adventure, Thidwick discovers that the key to happiness is being kind to others.

Source: Netflix

Debbie Diamond Sarto's picture

Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.