L.A.-based children’s book writer Todd Parr, who has penned half a dozen humorous prosocial books for kids under six, is expanding the horizon of his kidlit world. With book sales hitting the 120,000 mark last month (and a minimum commitment from Little, Brown and Company for 10 more books by 2002), Parr is developing ToddWorld, an animated TV series created with writer Gerry Renert of California-based L&G Licensing+, and with the co-pro help of the U.K.’s Entertainment Rights. Renert says the TV series will reinforce positive social skills in the same quirky way the books do.

It would no doubt also boost the already-hopping licensing front. L&G, which currently handles the merchandise licensing to the books, launched a product line last year exclusively at FAO Schwarz, coinciding with the April launch of the first four books, and the merch has since spread to additional retailers. Last month the line hit Japan with over a hundred items introduced at Toys `R’ Us stores.

Series delivery is slated for fall 2001, and U.S. distribution will be handled by Karen Barnes and Jane McGregor, with Entertainment handling international sales.