PBS Kids Takes Off With TV Movie ‘Rocket Saves The Day’

deadline.com:

EXCLUSIVE: PBS Kids has bought Thunderbird Entertainment TV movie Rocket Saves the Day. The animated film, from Thunderbird’s kids and family label Atomic Cartoons, will debut in the U.S.

on PBS Kids on December 26. Rocket Saves the Day is a preschooler feature based on the New York Times bestselling Rocket book series created by Tad Hills and published by Random House Children’s Books.

The movie is billed as a “hero’s journey in which an enthusiastic young pup, Rocket, and his new best friend, Little Yellow Bird, embark on a quest to save their town through the power of reading.” Throughout their journey, Rocket and his friends learn how to put letters and sounds together to make words – the building blocks of reading. “Tad Hills created such a rich and wonderful world in the Rocket books.

They engage kids’ imaginations and celebrate the joy of learning, and we knew immediately that they would translate beautifully to animation,” said Matthew Berkowitz, Chief Creative Officer, Atomic Cartoons/Thunderbird and Thunderbird President.  “PBS Kids’ characters spark fun and learning, and we’re thrilled to welcome Rocket to the family,” said Adriano Schmid, VP, PBS Kids Content, PBS “We hope kids and parents will enjoy the movie together on December 26, and build reading skills along the way.” The film was developed and written by Emmy-winning kids TV screenwriter Rachel Lipman (Rugrats, Dinosaur Train, Hey Arnold!), and was adapted for television by producer Lynn Kestin Sessler.