Rachel Bright and Jim Field's 'heart-warming' series optioned for TV

Rachel Bright and Jim Field’s "heartwarming" children’s book series has been optioned for television by Passion Pictures.

"We are delighted to be bringing Rachel Bright and Jim Field’s beautiful books to the screen," said Debbie Crosscup, executive producer at Passion Pictures. "Their stories are filled with warmth, humour and valuable lessons about friendship, courage and self-discovery. We believe they have the potential to resonate deeply with audiences of all ages on a global scale."

The production company secured the exclusive option via Hachette Children’s Group and will create animated half-hour specials of the duo’s "cherished" titles including The Lion Inside, The Koala Who Could, The Squirrels Who Squabbled, The Way Home for Wolf, The Whale Who Wanted More and The Gecko and the Echo.

According to the publisher, the series has sold over five million copies worldwide and been translated into 42 languages.

Bright commented: "Sometimes an opportunity comes along that’s even better than your wildest dreams. The creative vision Passion Pictures has for adapting our books to the screen is beyond anything I could have imagined. Both Jim and I feel like it’s a perfect-fit homecoming for our stories and that Passion Pictures understands the very soul of them."

Field added: "Passion Pictures was kind enough to give me my first animation job over 20 years ago. To be developing our World of Rachel Bright & Jim Field books for TV with this incredible team feels like a wonderful circular thing." 

Sarah Lennon Galavan, licensing manager for Hachette Children’s Group, said: "Hachette Children’s Group is delighted to be collaborating with Rachel and Jim to build the ‘The World of Rachel Bright & Jim Field’ brand, with a stage show, a growing merchandise programme and now a TV adaptation."