Toronto-based Portfolio Entertainment and Corus-owned kidsnet Treehouse are preparing for the holidays early with a new animated Christmas special in the works based on Cale Atkinson’s popular children’s book Where Oliver Fits.

Where Oliver Fits: A Christmas Eve Tale is a half-hour comedy for three- to seven-year-olds about a little puzzle piece that embarks on an adventure after getting lost in Santa’s workshop. The special will launch in December and explores the importance of understanding your friends’ differences and being yourself.

Portfolio has also produced a companion short series (nine x 2.5 minutes) that centers around Oliver’s playroom adventures with his family. It features a soft focus on developmental learning and will roll out this summer in tandem with online game The Where Oliver Fits Puzzle Party.

Everything in the content package is being produced in partnership with Shaw Rocket Fund and the Canadian Media Fund through the CMF/SRF Digital Animated Series Program. Portfolio will handle global distribution for the special and the series.