Honiton, England-based King Rollo Films and London’s  Koko Media have struck a development deal for new preschool series Deer Little Forest from creator Jo Rose.

The deal will see King Rollo Films first working with Rose to produce a 45-second animated clip and bible.

Along with the planned TV series, the IP is also being developed as a line of preschool picture books. The first title, The Animal Moon Parade, is finished and under submission with publishers in the UK, US, Germany, France, Italy, the Nordics and the Netherlands.

Deer Little Forest (26 x 11 minutes) follows feisty Forest Flo and her magical band of friends, including Bodhi the Bear, Rowan the Philosophical Fox and Barley Crumb the Badger.

First launched as a licensing property at Brand Licensing in 2013, the preschool IP now has a number of merch deals in place, including stationery in the UK (Paperchase, Rizzoli Bookshop/Somerset House, Timbergram), Finland (Karto) and Russia (ZPR/Art & Design), and apparel (T-Shirt Booth).

All rights are managed by Lisa Hryniewicz at Koko Media, excluding North America, which is managed by Think Tank Emporium.

Other preschool series on King Rollo Films’ roster include co-productions Poppy Cat (Coolabi) and Humf (eOne Family).