Vancouver’s Atomic Cartoons is in production on a kidlit-inspired 2D-animated special that has been picked up by U.S. pubcaster PBS Kids.

The Day You Begin is a 45-minute special adapted from the 2018 picture book of the same name (pictured) by U.S. author Jacqueline Woodson. Targeting readers ages five to eight, the New York Times bestseller revolves around the first day of school as seen through the eyes of four kindergartners, forming an interconnected narrative.

Atomic subsidiary Thunderbird Entertainment manages and controls global media distribution rights to the special. Thunderbird Distribution will be introducing the title to international buyers at MIPCOM later this month.

PBS Kids has yet to set a premiere date for The Day You Begin, which is still in production with a script co-written by Woodson and Dana Chan (Alma’s Way). Atomic’s SVP of originals Kristin Cummings and Thunderbird CEO Jennifer Twiner McCarron  are executive producing, along with Woodson, producer Maria Pepin and writer-director Matthew Berkowitz (The Last Kids on Earth).

“The magic and excitement of the first day of school and how children start to define themselves within a community is the perfect topic for a family special on PBS Kids,” said Adriano Schmid, VP of PBS Kids content.

A version of this story originally ran in Kidscreen

Image courtesy of Atomic Cartoons