Kids’ entertainment specialist Cake and international animation and live-action producer Kickstart Entertainment are partnering with Cloud9World on "Kiwi Island", a new CG animated series for young viewers that explores emotional awareness. Aimed at 3-7 year-olds, this 52 x 11 minute series shows children how to recognize emotions in themselves and others and how they affect the people around them. The title will be produced by Kickstart Entertainment with design work from Colombian animation production company ZincoTools Entertainment, exec produced by former Netflix Kids and Family Senior Manager Josh Fisher, and exec produced and distributed internationally by Cake, who will be presenting the project at Annecy. Scripts will be written by Corey Powell (Do, Re & Mi, Doc McStuffins).
"Kiwi Island" is a tropical paradise full of Kiwi birds, who live and play together but don’t always see, feel, or experience things in the same way. Each Kiwi inhabitant represents a recognizable emotion and when Sunny, Gloomy, Fraidy, or Antsy are feeling their big feelings, their island surroundings reflect those emotions. Each adventure on Kiwi Island shows that no feelings are bad and even with the occasional emotional storm, every Kiwi is valued as our characters learn to express a wide range of emotions while understanding one another through fun and entertaining stories.
The title is based on Cloud9World’s in-school social learning program "Let’s Learn about Emotions" with Kiwi, which focuses on emotional intelligence strategies and has been adopted by schools in 17 countries, including in the US. A series of interactive games, books, videos, and plush dolls accompany the program.
Ed Galton, CEO at Cake, said that the product contributes to socialization in children, “We are excited to work with Cloud9World and Kickstart on 'Kiwi Island' and look forward to introducing this relatable animated comedy helping children develop relationship skills, to our partners at Annecy next week," commented.
Jason Netter, CEO at Kickstart, mentioned that one of the objectives is the development of emotional intelligence, “We are thrilled to be working with the Cake team and Cloud9World to bring their successful school program of charming Kiwi characters to a bigger worldwide audience with this TV series. We believe in the importance of emotional learning for young audiences and the positive impact it can have now and as they grow," stated.
Andrea Nachtigall, CEO at Cloud9World, briefly explained some factors that contributed to the show's success, “Our in-school program has succeeded in large part because it is driven by characters to which children relate. Bringing these adorable characters into a fully dimensional, animated world shaped by story and fun, in partnership with Kickstart and Cake, will heighten the experience—and the learning—for young children around the world," highlighted.