White Pine Pictures has optioned the media rights to former journalist and women’s career advancement advocate Stephanie MacKendrick’s In Good Hands: Remarkable Female Politicians from Around the World Who Showed Up, Spoke Out and Made Change.

Published through Corus Entertainment-owned young adult imprint KCP Loft from Kids Can Press this April, the title features a how-to guide on entering the political arena and 19 profiles on women politicians – spotlighting leaders such as former prime minister Kim Campbell, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and former Malawi MP Juliana Lunguzi.

Negotiated by White Pine Pictures’ COO Steve Ord, the Toronto-headquartered prodco intends to develop a documentary series based MacKendrick’s book. In a statement, White Pine president Peter Raymont said the company plans to hire an all-female team to produce and direct, and that it will be approaching potential funding partners about the project immediately.

In Good Hands follows White Pine’s recent collaboration with Kids Can Press – CitizenKid: Earth Comes First. The 22-minute documentary inspired by the CitizenKid book collection from Kids Can Press made its debut on YTV last month, following four young Canadian activists as they set out to raise awareness about climate change and empower kids to take action. The project is set to be rebroadcast on the channel on July 28 at 11 a.m. EST.

“I’m thrilled at the prospect of my book becoming a documentary series,” said MacKendrick, who currently serves as CEO of Crisis Services Canada and whose past roles include working as VP, corporate communications for Atlantis Communications. “The message I tried to convey to young women through the profiles of women leaders from different countries, backgrounds and paths to power is: ‘There’s a path for you and you can do this!’ Broadening the reach of this important message at this point is history can only help with the ultimate goal of getting more women into office – everywhere.”