New children’s series inspired by Liz Pichon books will feature a modular mixed-media magazine format.
Sky has commissioned a new children’s series based on the multi-million copy bestselling Tom Gates books.
The Sky Originals kids series – The Brilliant World of Tom Gates – will feature a modular mixed-media magazine format. It will be presented by Liz Pichon, the author and illustrator of the books which are published by Scholastic.
The 20 x 11’ series – primarily aimed at kids aged 7-12 and produced by TG Entertainment – is due to premiere on Sky Kids UK in early 2021, coinciding with the tenth anniversary year of the first Tom Gates book and the publication of the 18th in the series, Tom Gates: Ten Tremendous Tales.
A combination of 2D and stop motion animation with live action, the series – like the books – will aim to blend Tom’s crazy humour with craft ideas and tips and tricks for kids and adults to recreate. There will also be interactive games, gags and songs that feature in some of the 18 books in the series.
Tom and friends pop up and interact throughout.
“Liz Pichon has a brilliant knack of knowing what kids find funny and engaging and I’m delighted to team up with TG Entertainment to bring Tom’s world to the screen for Sky Kids,” said Lucy Murphy, director of kids content at Sky UK & Ireland. “I know our audience will love this show and be inspired by Tom and Liz to get crafty and creative.”
Liz Pichon added: “This TV show is exactly the kind of programme that I would have loved to watch as a kid and been completely obsessed by. It’s going to be funny, fun, bursting with creativity and snacks. All the things kids love about the books and so much more.”
The Tom Gates book series has sold more than 11 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 44 languages. The heavily illustrated novels, in handwritten font with Tom’s doodles and pictures embellishing the text, document in hilarious detail his everyday trials and tribulations at home and school.
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