David Farnor | On 12, May 2015

Amazon Studios’ new pilot season is almost upon us and it has lined up six new kids TV shows for your consideration.

Update: Amazon’s six kids’ TV pilots will premiere on Friday 26th June 2015

Amazon has greenlit four animated kids pilots—The Adventures of Knickerbock Teetertop, Lost In Oz, Lily the Unicorn, and Bear in Underwear—and two live-action kids pilots—A History of Radness and The Kicks—for its summer pilot season.

The pilots will come from an accomplished roster of talent, including David Babcock (Brothers & Sisters, Gilmore Girls), Andrew Green (Hannah Montana, Suddenly Susan), Adam Wilson and Melanie Wilson LaBracio (Marvel Universe Live, Evergone), The Jim Henson Company (The Muppets, Fraggle Rock), as well as Bureau of Magic’s Abram Makowka, Darin Mark, Jared Mark, and Mark Warshaw (East Los High, Dirty Little Secret, Smallville).

As is Amazon’s now established process, the pilots will be available to watch for the general public for free. Star ratings and feedback will then decide which shows are commissioned for a full season.

The line-up is as follows:

The Adventures of Knickerbock Teetertop (for preschool-aged children)

An original wonderland created by brother-sister team Adam Wilson and Melanie Wilson LaBracio (Marvel Universe Live, Evergone), with character design by Rhode Montijo (Melvin Beederman: Super Hero, The Halloween Kid), The Adventures of Knickerbock Teetertop is animated by the award-winning Karrot Animation (Sarah & Duck). Knickerbock Teetertop, the smallest kid on the enchanted Wonderpine Mountain, wants to be a big adventurer just like his Granddad. Joined by friends on his magical Wonderboggan, Knickerbock, Holly, and Otto have wondrous, challenging adventures discovering new places and creatures – and it’s not easy. Knickerbock bounces along rugged terrain, pushes against the elements, and challenges himself to overcome obstacles. As he encounters problems Knickerbock uses perseverance, grit, and some encouragement from Granddad to “adventure on, adventure through.”

Lost in Oz (for children ages 6-11)

Produced by Mark Warshaw and Darin Mark, written by Abram Makowka, Darin Mark and Jared Mark of Bureau of Magic (East Los High, Dirty Little Secret, Smallville), designed by Flaunt Productions (Under Siege, Project Spark), and animated by Arc Productions (9, Gnomeo & Juliet), Lost in Oz is a serialised action adventure comedy reimagining L. Frank Baum’s universe in a textured, contemporary vision. When 12-year-old Dorothy Gale discovers her mother’s mysterious travel journal from Oz hidden beneath the floorboards of her Kansas home, she and her dog, Toto are transported into a bustling, modern Emerald City. Disoriented and determined to get home to Kansas, Dorothy will need to acquire every element on the “Periodic Table of Magic” when those resources are most scarce. Dorothy is thrust into a friendship with West, a witch, and Ojo, a giant Munchkin, and together seek out the magic Dorothy needs to get home.

Lily the Unicorn (for children ages 6-11)

Lily is not only a remarkable, colourful, and comical gal—she is truly one in a million. Her unique perspective and independent spirit can brighten up any situation and often leads her and her loyal friends into unexpected shenanigans. In Lily’s world, anything is possible: a simple song she hums can go viral and top the charts. A quiet surprise picnic for her best friend Roger can lead to a city-wide adventure featuring falafel waffles (yum) and a wise guru (of course). Lily the Unicorn is based on the hit children’s book by Dallas Clayton (An Awesome Book) and produced by The Jim Henson Company (The Muppets, Fraggle Rock).

Bear in Underwear (for children ages 6-11)

If there’s one thing any forest creature needs before stepping out to greet the day it’s… underwear? At least, that is the way the Bear in Underwear see things. Welcome to Shady Glade Woods, where Eddie Behr, an eternally optimistic bear, and his quirky group of animal friends and family reside. Eddie aspires to be a forest legend, just like his dad, who discovered “pants” at an abandoned campsite. Although Eddie is eager to make just as positive an impact on his community as his father did, he soon realises that success may not be all that it’s cracked up to be. Bear in Underwear is based on the bestselling books by Todd Goldman and written by Goldman and Dave Schiff (That 70s Show, Robot and Monster).

A History of Radness (for children ages 6-11)

Written and Executive Produced by Andrew Green (Hannah Montana), A History of Radness captures the authentic experience of aspiring musicians forming their band. The story follows siblings Jack and Tessie from their less-than-cool middle school beginnings at Pleasant Meadows Middle School to the start of their music careers, as they put together a band of like-minded musicians, considered outsiders by fellow classmates. The project is also Executive Produced by Skot Bright (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Running Down a Dream) and will feature original music. Henry Rollins (Sons of Anarchy, Black Flag) guest stars as Coach Carlucci.

The Kicks (for children ages 6-11)

Devin Burke was the star player on her football team back home until her family moved to California midway through the school year. Now, Devin has to rise to the challenge after discovering that her new school team has been on a losing streak over the last few months and is badly in need of a leader to rally the team together. Based on a book series by US Olympic Gold Medalist football player Alex Morgan and adapted by David Babcock (Brothers & Sisters, Gilmore Girls), the project is Executive Produced by Todd Cohen (Kath & Kim) and novelist James Frey and his company Full Fathom Five and directed by Liz Allen (Ramona & Beezus, Aquamarine).

“These new pilots will bring sophisticated stories and unique point of views that we hope will resonate well with kids and families,” says Tara Sorensen, Head of Kids Programming for Amazon Studios.

“We’re very excited to be working with such passionate creative teams and look forward to sharing these projects with our customers later this year.”

The announcement follows on from Amazon’s original kids series Tumble Leaf taking home five Daytime Emmy Awards.

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