Scholastic, 9 Story fly to Cannes with Dragon Girls and gameshow based on I Spy

Dragon Girls is based on the books by Maddy Mara

New York based Scholastic Entertainment and Canada’s 9 Story Media Group have revealed a slate of four in-development projects ahead of MipJunior and Mipcom, including an animated series based on the book series Dragon Girls and a gameshow adapted from the book series I Spy.

Dragon Girls (52×11’), adapted from Maddy Mara’s book of the same name and aimed at 6-9s, follows three very different girls who are transported to a magical realm, transformed into powerful dragons and called to defend the realm from the evil Shadow Queen.

I Spy is a one-hour, live-action gameshow aimed at both kids and families. Based on the search-and-find book series by author Jean Marzollo and photographer Walter Wick, each episode sees teams of contestants compete in a series of classic searching games with a modern twist.

The project is developed and produced in partnership with Digomind Productions, the company founded by executive producer Kevin Williams (Beat Shazam, Don’t Forget the Lyrics!, Family Feud).

Scholastic and 9 Story are also developing a longform animated series and two 45-minute specials based on Paris & Pups, which is inspired by Paris Hilton and her real-life pets. A CG-animated version of the series has previously been launched on YouTube and the YouTube kids app.

The longform animated series and specials, which follow five puppies as they spread kindness and confidence, are currently in development, aimed at 5-8s.

Also in development is 10×30’ live-action series The School for Wicked Witches, based on Will Taylor’s book about 15-year-old Ava Heartstraw who finds out she has the power of magic, but it’s the wicked variety. The project is being adapted for the screen by Anna McCleery (A Kind of Spark, Free Rein).

Elsewhere, 9 Story and Scholastic have picked up the distribution rights to Australian 2D animation Do Not Watch This Show (12×11’), based on Andy Lee’s book series Do Not Open This Book. The series, about a pompous blue monster who is desperate for viewers to stop watching, premiered on ABC in Australia earlier this year.

Other titles being shopped at MipJunior and Mipcom include a trio of preschool animated series: Dee & Friends in Oz, season three of Donkey Hodie and season two of Rosies Rules.