Business
SCHOLASTIC ENTERTAINMENT AND GAUMONT JOIN FORCES WITH TEEN ACTRESS AND DOWN SYNDROME ADVOCATE SOFIA SANCHEZ ON ANIMATED SERIES ROCKET PARK
Animated Preschool Series Inspired by 13-Year-Old Sofia Sanchez and Scholastic Titles You Are Enough and You Are Loved NEW YORK, Dec. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
About this update from Scholastic Corporation
[{"type":"text","content":"Animated Preschool Series Inspired by 13-Year-Old Sofia Sanchez and Scholastic Titles You Are Enough and You Are Loved\nNEW YORK, Dec. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Scholastic Entertainment, the media division of Scholastic, is partnering with Gaumont to co-develop and co-produce Rocket Park, a new animated preschool series inspired by Sofia Sanchez, a 13-year-old Down syndrome self-advocate, actress, model and inspiration for the children's books You Are Enough and You Are Loved, both written by Margaret O'Hair, illustrated by Sofia Cardoso, and published by Scholastic. Consisting of 11-minute episodes and original music, the uplifting series will focus on four kids who work together to help their community, and in doing so teach young viewers about the power of embracing and celebrating differences, accepting others and themselves, and loving friends and family for exactly who they are.\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \nThe project is currently in development, with Scholastic Entertainment and Gaumont attached to produce. Rocket Park is the first project that Scholastic Entertainment and Gaumont will work on together following the successful launch of Stillwater for Apple TV+, based on the Zen picture book series by Jon J Muth and winner of the Peabody and two Daytime Emmy® Awards. Dublin-based sketch comedy and improv writing and performing duo Amy Stephenson and Shane Langan will serve as showrunners for the project. Awarded \"Best Preschool Writer\" at the 2019 Irish Animation Awards, Stephenson and Langan's other preschool credits include Becca's Bunch, Jessy & Nessy, Kiva Can Do, Alva's World, Ladybird Lu and Silly Sundays. Scholastic Entertainment President Iole Lucchese (Clifford the Big Red Dog), SVP & General Manager Caitlin Friedman (Stillwater), and VP of TV Development Jef Kaminsky (Signs of Survival) will executive produce for Scholastic Entertainment. Gaumont Vice CEOs Sidonie Dumas and Christophe Riandee, President of Gaumont, U.S., Nicolas Atlan, EVP, Creative Content, U.S., Terry Kalagian, and VP, Creative Development, Animation & Family, Michelle Sullivan will executive produce for Gaumont. \n\"We are thrilled to work with Sofia Sanchez to amplify her voice and create a space for the many kids and families who identify with her story, and proud to partner again with Gaumont to bring Rocket Park to the screen,\" said Lucch...