Leading children's television producer Coolabi Productions Ltd. today announced the commission of new animated series POPPY CAT, based on the popular books by Lara Jones, for Nickelodeon U.K.'s preschool channel Nick Jr.

The 52x11 animated series is Coolabi's first original commission for Nickelodeon, although two series of Coolabi's hit animation KING ARTHUR'S DISASTERS were picked up last year by Nick Jr., where they found a strong fan-base. Due to air in late 2009, the animated series will use a multi-plane technique to mirror the pop-up feel of the books.

Since being published in 2002, the books about the inquisitive, excitable, and energetic title character have sold over 1.7 million copies in Europe, Asia and Latin America.