PBS KIDS acquires Rocket Saves the Day

The one-hour preschool special is an adaptation of Tad Hills' popular picture books.
September 28, 2023

Rocket Saves the Day, a 2D-animated special from Canada’s Thunderbird Entertainment, is blasting off to PBS KIDS.

The public broadcaster will debut it in the US on December 26. Atomic Cartoons, the kids and family division of Thunderbird, produced the 60-minute special based on the Rocket book series from children’s author Tad Hills. Random House Children’s Books has published 10 titles in this bestselling series between 2010 and 2021.

Rocket Saves the Day stars two besties (a puppy and a bird) who learn how to read by putting letters and sounds together to make words. Eventually, they harness the power of reading to save their town from the Letter Pest.

The special’s blend of fun and literacy education is what caught the eye of Adriano Schmid, VP of PBS KIDS content, who notes the project’s creative approach to fostering a love of learning in preschoolers.

Thunderbird manages global distribution rights to the one-off and will pitch it to international buyers at MIPCOM next month.

Producer Lynn Kestin-Sessler (Go, Dog. Go!) adapted the IP for television, working with screenwriter Rachel Lipman (Rugrats). Atomic’s Joel Bradley and Trevor Bentley are executive producers, along with Hills, Kestin-Sessler and Random House licensing director Rachel Bader.

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