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PBS Kids Orders Animated Special ‘The Day You Begin,’ Based on Jacqueline Woodson’s Bestselling Book

the-day-you-begin-animated special pbs kids
Author: Jacqueline Woodson

PBS Kids has greenlit a new animated special titled The Day You Begin, adapted from Jacqueline Woodson’s acclaimed picture book. The special is currently in production at Atomic Cartoons’ Vancouver studio and promises to capture the joys and challenges of starting school through the eyes of young children.

The 45-minute special will follow four kindergarteners—Angelina, Rigoberto, One, and Andrew—on their first day of school. Each child’s unique perspective will weave together a narrative that explores their individual experiences while highlighting what makes them different and what connects them to one another.

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Adriano Schmid, Vice President of PBS Kids Content, emphasized the relevance of the theme, describing the first day of school as a key moment for children as they begin to form their identities within a new community. The special reflects PBS Kids’ enthusiasm for Woodson’s work and the powerful storytelling found in The Day You Begin.

Jacqueline Woodson, whose work spans beloved titles such as Brown Girl Dreaming and After Tupac and D Foster, co-wrote the script with screenwriter Dana Chan (known for Alma’s Way and Dora the Explorer).

Woodson will executive produce along with Atomic’s Kristin Cummings, Jennifer Twiner McCarron, Maria Pepin, and Matthew Berkowitz. Atomic’s Lori Massini and Joel Bradley serve as co-executive producers, with Heather Renney as supervising producer.

The Day You Begin will debut at MIPJunior in Cannes on October 19, followed by its presentation at MIPCOM later in the week. Thunderbird Entertainment, Atomic’s parent company, holds the rights to the special and will manage global distribution through its Thunderbird Distribution arm.

Woodson shared her excitement, noting that The Day You Begin has already touched the lives of countless children, and now the animated adaptation will bring its important messages to an even larger audience.

This marks the latest collaboration between PBS Kids and Thunderbird, following last year’s Rocket Saves the Day. The Day You Begin is poised to continue the tradition of offering meaningful, educational content for young viewers.

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