London-based Spring Pictures (Mist) and Irish studio Little Moon Animation (Fia’s Fairies) have inked a deal to co-develop a CG-animated special called Tales From The Wagon.

Development on this 26-minute project for family audiences will be funded by Screen Ireland. It’s an adaptation of multiple books penned by popular British-Romani children’s author Richard O’Neill for readers ages five to eight, including titles such as Polonius the Pit Pony (2018) and The Can Caravan (2022).

O’Neill is an influential author in the UK. His 2019 book The Lost Homework was used by schools across the region during pandemic lockdowns to help kids connect learning at school with learning at home. 

His stories focus on themes like identity and community, representing the traditions and heritage of the “Travelling people,” commonly referred to as the Roma. This ethnic group originated in Northern India but now lives all over the world, and particularly in Europe. 

The screen adaptation will center on a Travelling Romani storyteller who entertains children with tales that have been passed down through his family for generations. Lucie Wenigerová (Spring Pictures) and Vanessa Robinson (Little Moon) are producing, with José Ucha (My Little Pony: A New Generation) and Eoghan Garvey (The Scavengers) attached to direct.