UK children’s network CBeebies has commissioned the new preschool series Tilly and Friends, an adaptation from Polly Dunbar’s children’s books published by Walker Books.

Launching in 2012, the series has been developed for TV through a partnership between JAM Media and Walker Productions, who jointly acquired global TV and licensing and merchandising rights from Walker Books in 2009. Walker Licensing will be handling the L&M program in the UK.

Aimed at three-to-five-year olds, Tilly and Friends is the first of several projects from Walker Productions and marks the debut for the production division of children’s book publisher Walker Books. It also marks the first development deal for JAM Media outside any JAM-originated ideas.

The 52 x 11-minute episodes follow the adventures of Tilly and her animal friends.