Blue Ant Studios and Stretchy to co-produce preschool series "Tralala"

Blue Ant Studios announced from Kidscreen Summit that production has begun on the original animated preschool series "Tralala" (working title, 52x7’), with delivery slated for 2026. This delightful series is a Canada/New Zealand international co-production, with animation shared between Blue Ant Studios and Stretchy for CBC and Sky NZ.

Created, written, and directed by Harry Sinclair—best known for the BAFTA-nominated stop-motion preschool series "Kiri and Lou"—the series is filled with music, humor, and warmth, reflecting Sinclair’s whimsical style and creativity. Blue Ant Studios will begin partnership and pre-sales conversations at Kidscreen this week. "Tralala" is being produced with support from Shaw Rocket Fund, The Independent Production Fund's Cogeco TV Production Program, The Canada Media Fund, and NZ On Air. Blue Ant Studios holds global distribution rights.

Musically named, "Tralala" is an inventive seven-year-old frog who lives an idyllic life with her dad, Sid, in their cozy blue country cottage, where commonplace domestic events unfurl into whimsical, imaginative adventures and sing-alongs. Like most children her age, Tralala makes up songs and loves to play. For Sid and Tralala’s mother, co-parenting is just an easy and normal part of life. As an only child, Tralala has created a fantastic inner world with close friends she has found in the garden, in her attic, and even under the sofa! These include Batty, a snappily dressed bat; Pasilio, a shy tree in her garden; and Hildegard, an eccentric talking hill where Tralala loves to play.

Diane Rankin, EVP, Content Development and Commercial Strategy, Blue Ant Studios praised the title:"My colleague AJ Trauth discovered this delightful project at Kidscreen 2024, and we were immediately taken with its charm. Playful, original, and inclusive kids’ programming, like 'Tralala,' is very much heartland territory for our Kids, Family & YA division, and we are so excited to be in production with Stretchy and our commissioning partners at CBC and Sky NZ," expressed.

Meanwhile, Fiona Copland, Producer, Stretchy spoke about the positive message of the title for families: "We wanted to make a joyful series that celebrates the sheer delight of being a kid and brings positivity to families. We’re grateful to Sky New Zealand and CBC for their commitment to this vision and have enjoyed collaborating with Blue Ant Studios, who love this project as much as we do. It’s exciting," commented.

Joining the high-profile, talented production team is Antony Elworthy, whose other credits, in addition to "Kiri and Lou," include lead animator on Guillermo del Toro’s Oscar-winning "Pinocchio" and Wes Anderson’s "Isle of Dogs." Julianna Cox ("Coraline," "Creature Comforts," "Shaun the Sheep") serves as Animation Director. Iconic New Zealand songwriter and musician Don McGlashan is the series’ Songwriter & Composer. Mark J.W. Bishop, Matthew Hornburg, Diane Rankin, AJ Trauth, and Donna Luke are Executive Producers for Blue Ant Studios. Harry Sinclair and Fiona Copland are Executive Producers for Stretchy. For CBC, Sally Catto is General Manager, Entertainment, Factual and Sports; Marie McCann is Senior Director, Children’s Content, CBC Kids; and Drew Mullin is Executive in Charge of Production, CBC Kids.