UK-based animation and communications studio Squint Opera has secured a presale of its art and science-based preschool series Okido to BBC’s CBeebies.

Targeting children ages three to five, Okido (51 x 11 minutes) is inspired by the art and science magazine of the same name, which is backed by Wellcome Trust. The presale covers TV and digital platforms with expected launches for fall 2014 and spring 2015.

Okido features Messy, a small monster character from the magazine, and his friends Zim, Zam & Zoom, who take viewers on a journey to find the answers to everyday questions kids ask and how science comes into play.

Squint Opera, which holds joint ownership of all Okido rights with the magazine creators and publishers Sophie Dauvois and Rachel Ortas, have partnered with Genevieve Dexter of Serious Lunch to take the pilot to Cartoon Forum and Cannes to raise the remainder of the series’ US$8 million budget.