Toronto, Canada-based Cookie Jar Entertainment and FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) in the US have partnered for the TV distribution and merchandising rights for 26 half-hour episodes of a new animated preschool series Ella the Elephant (working title).

The series, which is based on the award-winning Ella The Elegant Elephant books created, illustrated and written by Carmela D’Amico and Steve D’Amico, has been picked up Disney Junior and will debut in 2013.

Warner Home Video (WHV) has been awarded US home entertainment rights for the series by Cookie Jar and Cookie Jar will maintain television, brand licensing, home entertainment (excluding US rights granted to WHV) and other ancillary rights in the US, Canada, Middle East, and India.  FME will act as the distributor for television, brand licensing, home entertainment and other ancillary rights throughout the rest of the world.

The series (shot in CG against 2D backgrounds) follows a sweet, optimistic little elephant named Ella who always finds ways to help her friends with the use of her magic hat.

The deal comes as Cookie Jar expands the licensing of other children’s brands such as the Richard Scarry brand after a recent deal with department store retailer Nordstrom.