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Tuesday July 8th 2008

Lenny Henry and Imelda Staunton to become the voice talent for the future big hit

Kindle Entertainment, the independent production company, today announces the premiere of its pre-school show, Big and Small, on CBeebies (52x11'), the BBC's digital channel aimed at young children. The show will commence airing from late Autumn 2008.

Big and Small, a co-production between Kindle and the 3J's Productions for BBC, produced in association with Treehouse TV and Studio 100. World leading puppet workshop, The Grogs, bring their exceptional talent to the puppetry which combines the imagination of animation with the warmth of puppets. The series has great stories packed with humour, laugh-out-loud moments and highly memorable songs which will appeal to children (aged 3-6 years) and their parents. The show follows the adventures of Big and Small, two best friends, as they try to live together in a chaotic house and garden, in the country. Big is a hugely huggable character - a gentle but determined dreamer; Small is fast, loud and full of energy. They couldn't be more different from each other but together they create an explosion of laughs as well as some genuinely touching moments of friendship and understanding.

The show aims to open children's minds to a variety of outlooks on the world. Each story revolves around the comedy of Big and Small's contrasting approaches to life, and so encourages young children to appreciate that people have many different ideas and opinions.

The voice talent will be provided by two legendary British personalities. Actor and comedian, Lenny Henry, brings his comic talent to the voices for both Big and Small, while actress, Imelda Staunton, brings her distinctive warmth and charm to the voices of Big and Small's neighbours and friends, Ruby the mouse and Twiba, the worm. The Canadian series will feature the voice talent of The Grogs.

A long term licensing programme and strategy has been developed to support the property which will focus on key aspects of the show, including music and the concept of perspective, through the development of combinations of complementary big and small items. The licensing programme is scheduled to roll out at the end of 2008 and will initially include toys, apparel, music downloads and plush.

Anne Brogan, Founder and Director of Kindle Entertainment, comments; ”Big and Small stands out in the kids' marketplace as a truly funny, clever show with immensely loveable characters that is set to win the hearts of both children and their parents - big and small people - alike. CBeebies provides the perfect platform to broadcast this high quality pre-school production and together we are committed to ensuring it achieves the success that it deserves.”

Michael Carrington, Controller Cbeebies, comments: “I can barely contain my excitement at bringing this brand new series to the BBC's youngest audiences. The idea is compelling, the scripts well crafted, and Big & Small are hilarious - it's bound to be a winner!”

“Big and Small is a whimsical and unpredictable romp featuring some of the funniest and most endearing characters in preschool television,” said Jamie Piekarz, Executive Producer, Treehouse. “Charm and humour ooze from every quirky nook and cranny in this beautiful children's series.”

Kindle Entertainment was founded in 2007 by industry experts Anne Brogan and Melanie Stokes, formerly Head of Programming and Development respectively at Granada Kids.

Tagged as: big and small | cbeebies | kindle

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