Esme & Roy, Sesame Workshop’s first new animated series in more than a decade, is set to premiere on August 18 on HBO in the US and Treehouse in Canada.

Aimed at four- to six-year-olds, the original animated series is produced by Sesame Workshop and Corus Entertainment’s animation studio Nelvana. Focusing on themes of learning through play and mindfulness, the 26-episode series follows Esme and Roy as they use the power of play to help younger monsters through tough situations.

It is created by Dustin Ferrer and Amy Steinberg (Peg + Cat, Team Umizoomi, Wonder Pets! and Shimmer and Shine) with illustrations inspired by Dankerleroux.

The co-pro being picked up follows Nelvana inking an exclusive Canadian broadcast and licensing agreement with Sesame Workshop that will see Sesame Street and additional Sesame Studios content air exclusively on Corus Entertainment’s Treehouse preschool network.