After getting into the Yuletide spirit with its annual holiday toy list, Amazon is priming a slate of original kids Christmas specials that will debut on Prime Video in the US and the UK on November 25.
New Amazon Original Specials include If You Give a Mouse a Christmas Cookie, Ezra Jack Keats’ The Snowy Day and An American Girl Story—Maryellen 1955: Extraordinary Christmas. Existing holiday episodes from Creative Galaxy and Tumble Leaf will also bow on the SVOD.
Based on Laura Numeroff’s classic If You Give a Mouse a Cookie book series, If You Give a Mouse a Christmas Cookie is written and produced by Ken Scarborough (Doug, Curious George, Martha Speaks and Arthur). The special also features the original “Christmas Cookie Song” perfomed by Lisa Loeb, which will be available exclusively on Amazon Music beginning November 25. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie was part of Amazon’s 2015 fall pilot season, and season one will premiere on Amazon Prime Video next year.
The Snowy Day is an animated holiday special based on the book by Ezra Jack Keats (pictured). The special follows Peter, a young African-American boy, as his mother sends him on an adventure to Nana’s house to retrieve their traditional Christmas dinner. Peter goes on to encounter friends from the neighborhood, including a group of a capella singers voiced by Boyz II Men. Narrated by Laurence Fishburne (Black-ish and The Matrix) and featuring voice talent by Regina King (American Crime and The Leftovers), Jamie-Lynn Sigler (The Sopranos) and Angela Bassett (American Horror Story), The Snowy Day also features the original song “Snowy Day” by Boyz II Men. It is executive produced by Laurence Fishburne and Helen Sugland (Akeelah and the Bee), as well as Ann Austen, Irene Sherman and Deborah Pope (Ezra Jack Keats Foundation).
An American Girl Story—Maryellen 1955: Extraordinary Christmas is the second collaboration between American Girl and Amazon, and is based on American Girl’s BeForever character Maryellen Larkin. Executive produced by Jane Startz (Ella Enchanted), the special features the original song “Christmas and Everyday” by Best Coast.
In August, Amazon and American Girl announced plans for an original live-action special, Melody, 1963: Love Has to Win, an American Girl Story, which is based on the Civil Rights era-themed back story of American Girl doll, Melody.