New York-based Sirius Thinking, along with public broadcaster WGBH Boston, have begun production on Between the Lions, a new show aimed at kids ages four to seven. The US$19-million, 30 x half-hour series is set to air daily on PBS beginning in spring 2000. Utilizing live-action, animation, music and puppetry, the show’s mission is to teach children to read and write.

Between the Lions is about a family of lions, including parents Theo and Cleo and their cubs Lionel and Leona, who run a magical library where books, words and story characters spring to life. Other characters in the series include a computer mouse, pigeons and a bust of the library’s founder, all of whom make learning to read fun using humor and entertainment. Funding for the program is from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, along with other sponsors.