A long-anticipated Slumberkins show that teams the Vancouver-based children's company's characters with the puppetry of Jim Henson Co. will debut Nov. 4 on Apple TV+.
Slumberkins and the Jim Henson Co. have been working on the project since 2018. It will mix puppetry and animation and features five of the Slumberkins characters: Bigfoot, Unicorn, Sloth, Yak and Fox.
Here’s how Apple TV+ describes the show:
“Embark on adventures with Bigfoot, Unicorn, Sloth, Yak and Fox as they explore a world of feelings in this Jim Henson Co. mixed media puppet/2D animation series that empowers the emotional wellness of children through supportive storytelling.”
Slumberkins, which is one of the region’s fastest growing private companies, makes emotional learning resources for families. These are in the form of 15 characters created to help children with emotional learning. Characters are tied to books that tackle topics like family change, grief and loss and self-esteem. Each character has two versions of a plush toy, one for babies and one for toddlers and other children.
The characters in the show cover: self-esteem (Bigfoot), authenticity (Unicorn), routines (Sloth), self-acceptance (Yak), and change (Fox).
Last year, Slumberkins had revenue of $12.2 million, and it reports 61 employees. The company was founded by early childhood educators Callie Christensen and Kelly Oriard, who are both executive producers on the show. The two started the company after seeing the need for emotional learning tools for children and families to help raise “caring, confident and resilient” children.
This is the first at least two projects involving a Portland company and the Jim Henson Co. In July, A Kids Company About announced it is working with the Jim Henson Co. on a show based on its book product line “A Kids Book About.” The books tackle tough and important topics without speaking down to children.
Both of these companies see their products as resources for children and their caregivers to talk about complex topics and feelings.
