China’s Wanda Kidsland to Manage Monkey with a Tool Belt

Per a deal with Silvergate Media, Wanda Kidsland is set to manage TV distribution, tie-in publishing, consumer products and live attractions for the educational animated series Monkey with a Tool Belt in China.

Aimed at kids ages 3 to 6, Monkey with a Tool Belt (40×11 min.) is a preschool action comedy that follows the adventures of the monkey star Chico Bon Bon and his Fix-It Force. With the help of a magical tool belt, they solve engineering problems for the city of Blunderberg. The show is based on the best-selling book series of the same name by Chris Monroe.

The agreement further strengthens Silvergate’s presence in China and will build upon its existing partnership with Wanda, which currently manages Octonauts—an IP that has more than 30 billion views on web TV in China—in the region.

Monkey with a Tool Belt is being brought to life by Silvergate Media and its executive VP of creative, Kurt Mueller, with a team that includes Bob Boyle (Wow Wow Wubzy), Michael Goldberg (Sesame Street), and Gabe Pulliman and Stephanie Simpson (Octonauts). Numerous opportunities for publishing, toy and consumer products will be explored in many fast-growing categories, including role-play, vehicles, playsets and construction toys. The STEM aspects of the series will open up several opportunities in the growing Chinese market with an appetite for age-appropriate and challenging educational content.

“It is exciting to be able to build upon and extend our successful partnership with Wanda Kidsland with Monkey with a Tool Belt,” said Ron Allen, executive VP of commercial at Silvergate Media. “We look forward to bringing this STEM-focused series to screens, education centers and retail shelves with the help of the market leader in China and strong advocate for the very best in children’s entertainment.”

CEO of Wanda Kidsland Group, Gao Yimin, said, “We are excited to expand our successful collaboration with Silvergate on this new entertaining and educational series. The opportunities that this IP will open up are boundless—we are delighted to be a partner on this fresh new brand.”