Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures Returning in December

BBC Children’s and Education has slated two new Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures specials, Angel Pavement and Loveykins, to debut in December.

Simon Pegg (Mission Impossible, Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead) returns to voice Sid in Angel Pavement, which sees a pavement artist and his two angelic friends take Sid on a magical journey with their special pencil. Nina Sosanya (Screw, Good Omens, Last Tango in Halifax) voices Angela Bowling in Loveykins, a tale about a woman who discovers a helpless, abandoned bird.

The two animated specials each feature an original score crafted by Italian composer Stefano Cabrra and performed by the BBC Philharmonic orchestra. The series is narrated by Adrian Lester (Hustle, Primary Colours, The Day After Tomorrow).

Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures is produced by Eagle Eye Drama in co-production with Creative Conspiracy and in association with animation studios Spicy Acorn, Tchack and Kong Studio. It is directed by by Gerrit Bekers.

BBC Teach will also host a Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures Live Lesson as an end-of-term treat for primary schools. Hosts Rhys Stephenson and Laura Hopkinson will be joined by comic book artist Vivian Truong and Dapo Adeola for a literacy lesson for 7- to 11-year-olds. Children will learn how to draw their own Zagazoo character, inspired by the animated special and original Quentin Blake illustrations. The lesson will be available from December 17 on the BBC Teach website and on CBBC and BBC iPlayer.

“Christmas is an exciting time when we like to bring children and families together across the U.K. to enjoy fresh adaptations of timeless storytelling and British classics,” said Patricia Hidalgo, director of BBC Children’s and Education. “We know how much audiences loved our Quentin Blake Christmas and Easter animated specials, so it’s a delight to bring another two brand-new fantastic, animated stories to life. We hope Quentin Blake’s Angel Pavement and Loveykins will surprise and delight children and their families again on iPlayer this Christmas.”

“It’s such a treat to see my drawings brought to life with the agility I try to give them on paper,” Blake said. “It would be extra special to think of children and families writing and drawing their own stories. And you have to remember, it doesn’t matter what they are drawn with!”

Lester commented, “I’m thrilled that two new stories of Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures return this Christmas. It has been an absolute pleasure to narrate this animated boxset of specials. I hope young audiences will enjoy the imaginative storytelling and stunning visuals.”

Pegg said, “It’s wonderful to bring some of Quentin’s most celebrated work to life in these brand-new stories for Christmas. I’m delighted to be voicing the character of Sid, the pavement artist. Angel Pavement is a bright and colorful adventure for family audiences across the U.K. to enjoy.”

“It’s been an absolute honor to voice the character of Angela Bowling in the next installment of Quentin’s Blake’s Box of Treasures collection, Loveykins,” Sosanya added. “It’s a sweet and funny story for children and families to enjoy over Christmas. Quentin has illustrated some of the most beloved children’s books of all time. It’s wonderful to see these stories come to life.”