New Zealand’s Pukeko Pictures has locked in new broadcast deals for its CG animated preschool series Book Hungry Bears.

Co-produced by Toronto-based Breakthrough Entertainment and China’s Hengxin Shambala Kids, the 52 x 11-minute series has been picked up by TVNZ (New Zealand) and ABC Australia. Book Hungry Bears was commissioned by Canada’s TVOKids and TFO, in association with learning channel Knowledge Kids and originally pitched at Asian Animation Summit in 2014.

The show follows Crystal, Boomer, Melody and Scout who (as the title suggests) love books and go on adventures in search of a story they can share.

It is also produced with financial participation of Shaw Rocket Fund, Canada Media Fund and in association with Knowledge Kids. The other co-producers joined the project in April this year, after Pukeko and Hengxin Shambala Kids signed a deal to co-produce Kiddets, the first kids TV co-pro between New Zealand and China.

Ahead of the series’ premiere, several publishing partners have also come on board to include their respective picture books in the show, including Canadian publishers Scholastic Canada, Pajama Press, Kids Can Press, Tradewind Press, Inhabit Media, Editions D’eux, Owl Kids Book; US publishers Macmillan Children’s Publishing and Simon & Schuster Children’s; in the UK Walker Books and Child’s Play; in Australia Harper Collins; and in New Zealand Duck Press, Gecko Press and Scholastic NZ.