Toonz Media Group and LA’s Be That Spark Corp have signed a deal to co-produce a new animated fantasy series called Little Sparks (52 x seven minutes).

Targeting four- to eight-year-olds, this CG toon is based on a children’s book called A Little Spark (pictured), which was written by Chris Parsons and published independently in 2020 by his company Zuroam Media. 

Little Sparks stars a young mouse and his friends, who must find a way to save their town from the frigid cold that has settled in since their resident dragon lost his fire-breathing mojo. 

Toonz will exclusively manage distribution and L&M rights for this TV adaptation, and is eyeing a 2025 launch for the series.

The companies also have plans to develop a feature film and are already working on two key digital extensions: a Roblox game and a companion app that will feature a mix of interactive stories and educational games. 

Be That Spark is a newish joint-venture between BLKBX Originals (the production arm of Hollywood marketing agency BLKBX Creative Group) and Zuroam Media. BLKBX Creative Group has previously developed promo campaigns for Disney’s Zootopia and WB’s Fantastic Beasts live-action films.

This is the second new co-pro/distribution partnership that Toonz has taken on this year. The company hooked up with Miami-based Cisneros Kids in February to develop and produce a preschool series called Nerlies: Space Babies that’s due out in 2026.