"Sam & Julia"
ZDF Studios announces that the multi award-winning animated series "Sam & Julia" (78x7’) has been acquired by Sky TV and its streaming platform NOW in the United Kingdom. With this latest deal, Sam & Julia is now reaching families in 100 countries around the globe. The lovingly crafted series continues to inspire children and parents alike with its core values of kindness, creativity and community.
Based on the bestselling Dutch children’s book series by Karina Schaapman, and produced by Cielo Films and Superswiss Red, in co-production with ZDF, ZDF Studios, France Télévisions, Caribara and M.A.R.K.13, "Sam & Julia" brings to life a unique, handmade universe built from cardboard boxes, vintage fabrics and household odds and ends. The Mouse Mansion itself – lovingly constructed as the backdrop for the original books – can be visited in Amsterdam at the dedicated museum and brand store.
"It’s truly magical to see how far two little mice can travel," says Ian Schaapman, CEO of The Mouse Mansion Company. "What began as my mother Karina’s creative passion project has become a beloved world for children everywhere. We’re overjoyed to see Sam & Julia touch so many lives with their warmth, courage and curiosity."
Arne Lohmann, VP Junior, ZDF Studios: “Sam and Julia hits all the right notes with preschoolers and their parents. It’s entertainment with strong values that promote creativity, sustainability and kindness. I’m delighted that now even more children around the globe will have access to this captivating series.”
A GLOBAL SUCCESS STORY
Since launching in 2024, "Sam & Julia" has picked up an impressive trail of international acclaim, including the Bologna Ragazzi Cross Media Award (2024), the Pulcinella Award at Cartoons on the Bay (2024) and shortlistings at Annecy and KAFF Hungary (2025). The series continues to win hearts across continents with recent sales to broadcasters such as SVT (Sweden), NRK (Norway), YLE OL (Finland), VRT (Belgium), JimJam TV Ltd (Africa), Vme (USA & Puerto Rico), Gabriel Broadcasting Foundation (Taiwan & Philippines), TFO (Canada) and multiple Central and Eastern European countries.
PUBLISHING, LICENSING AND TOY AWARDS
The original book series now includes 23 titles, translated into 29 languages, with over 1 million copies sold worldwide since 2011. "Sam & Julia" has also captured imaginations with a growing line of plush toys, craft kits, and build-your-own Mouse Mansion products.
In 2025, the brand was once again nominated for Germany’s Top 10 Toy Awards, and in February 2025 proudly received a Creative Impulse Award at Creative World – testament to its enduring appeal among children, parents and educators alike.
RECENT LICENSING HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
• BORELLA SRL (Italy) as official distributor for high-quality toy and book retailers
• IKAR (Slovakia) just launched the first three Sam & Julia book titles in Slovakia
• Jiri Models (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary) developing a full activity book and games line for 2026
• Laguna (Serbia) launching three book titles later this year
• Editora Pehuén (Chile) bringing Sam & Julia to public schools across the country via national education programmes