Nickelodeon is bringing stop-motion preschool series Kiri & Lou to US audiences for the first time.

The network has acquired seasons one and two (52 x five minutes) for Nick Jr. from London-based distributor CAKE. It will launch on June 13, and a 42 x five-minute third season is expected to air later this year.

Following the premiere, episodes and short-form content from the series will also be available on the Nick Jr. app and website.

Kiri & Lou is about two best friends—a feisty dinosaur and a gentle elephant-like creature—who live in a forest and learn to process their emotions. Aimed at two- to seven-year-olds, the series blends comedy and music with lessons about empathy and friendship.

It features paper and clay stop-motion animation from Antony Elworthy (Isle of Dogs), with writing and direction by Harry Sinclair (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring).

Kiri & Lou is currently produced by New Zealand-based studio Stretchy, but its first season was a co-pro with Toronto-based Yowza! Animation.

Since launching at MIPCOM 2018, the series has aired in territories including New Zealand (TVNZ), Canada (CBC), Showmax (Africa), ABC Kids (Australia), Canal Once (Mexico) and the UK (CBeebies). It has also attracted licensees such as Scholastic for books and diaper company Tuti, which is based in New Zealand.