New PBS KIDS Series, LYLA IN THE LOOP, Launches February 5, 2024

ARLINGTON, VA (August 2, 2023) – On February 5, 2024, PBS KIDS will debut LYLA IN THE LOOP, a funny and engaging new animated series for kids ages 4-8. Produced by Mighty Picnic and Pipeline Studios, LYLA IN THE LOOP follows Lyla, a dynamic 7-year-old girl, who lives in a big city with her close-knit family, fantastical blue sidekick Stu, and a host of relatable and quirky characters in her community, who use creative and strategic problem-solving and critical thinking skills to address a range of everyday problems together. The new series will debut in both English and Spanish.

“Lyla is curious and resourceful, and when it comes to figuring out solutions to everyday problems, she doesn’t give up, even when it takes several tries to get it right,” said Sara DeWitt, Senior Vice President and General Manager, PBS KIDS. “We know audiences will quickly be drawn to Lyla’s determination and can-do-attitude, and we’re excited to introduce this warm, funny, and smart series to our viewers.”

LYLA IN THE LOOP centers on Lyla and her family – mom Lydia and dad Louis, who run Loops Lunch diner; older twin sisters Liana and Louisa; younger brother Luke; and sidekick Stu, who always does exactly, literally, what was asked. With her family and best friend Everett Phan, Lyla tackles all sorts of challenges, from building her own homemade carnival games using repurposed materials, to riding along and lending a hand on the neighborhood trash and recycling route, to making a puppet show that recreates the Jamaican folktale, Anansi and the Goat. Lyla even helps her sister navigate the ethics of creating an art project with the help of Stu, showcasing an age-appropriate example of current questions surrounding the use of real-world AI tools. In every adventure, Lyla and Stu introduce and explore foundational computational thinking concepts, leading to some comedic disasters and creative solutions, all while helping others in their community. The series will support a wide range of learners, modeling flexible approaches to finding and designing solutions, and creative self-expression.

“Kids are natural creative problem-solvers, experimenting and investigating the world around them with joyful curiosity,” says Series Creator and Showrunner Dave Peth. “LYLA IN THE LOOP celebrates and encourages kids and the grownups in their lives to recognize those innate abilities and see them as a powerful tool to help others, express themselves, and solve all kinds of problems in everyday life.”

The series pulls inspiration for its setting from Philadelphia, creator Dave Peth’s home base, and includes vocals by students from the public School District of Philadelphia in the series theme song, which was composed and performed by Grammy-nominated musician, Divinity Roxx.

“Finding stories and issues our audiences can relate to is paramount to creating the relatable world of Lyla Loops. When viewers can connect to and identify with characters, they’re more likely to absorb and retain the curriculum,” says Series Executive Producer and Head Writer Fracaswell Hyman. “Working with a diverse group of writers who share authentic stories and interrelationships that ring true is where we find inspiration, humor, and heartfelt moments that may spark new ways of looking at ourselves and our friends.”

Story Editor Monique D. Hall adds: “Kids who watch LYLA IN THE LOOP will find themselves inspired by Lyla’s creativity, encouraged by her willingness to try new things (even if they don’t come easily to her), and entertained by all the fun messes she gets into–and out of–with her buddy, Stu!”

LYLA IN THE LOOP producers will also work to create interactive episodes that incorporate AI-assisted conversation with the main character, Lyla. During the episodes, Lyla will ask the viewer questions, utilize responsive AI technology to understand what the viewer says, and respond accordingly. These episodes will undergo efficacy research to assess children’s learning and engagement and will be released to audiences at a later date. LYLA IN THE LOOP digital content for kids, families, and teachers, launching in tandem with the series, will reinforce its core messages, support play and experimentation with computational thinking skills, and encourage creative expression.

LYLA IN THE LOOP is created and Executive Produced by Emmy-winning producer Dave Peth (Odd Squad, Peg + Cat, Scribbles and Ink, Design Squad), founder of media production and consulting company Mighty Picnic. Pipeline Studios, the Emmy-winning children’s content studio (Elinor Wonders Why, Alma’s Way, Bubble Guppies) is animating the series. The series is voiced by Liyou Abere as Lyla Loops, Izzy Woodbury as Stu, Isaac Ng as Lyla’s best friend Everett Phan, and Eden Cupid, Elijah Lindo, Joseph Motiki, Shechinah Mpumlwana, and Morrissa Nicole, as the Loops family. Fracaswell Hyman is the series Executive Producer and Head Writer, with Monique D. Hall serving as Story Editor, Huy Tran as Director, Laurie Rabin as Supervising Producer, Trina Sanyal as Associate Producer, Joon Chung as Script Coordinator, and Nneka Bolden as Digital Producer. 

Series advisors for LYLA IN THE LOOP include Amon Millner, PhD, Associate Professor of Computing and Innovation at the Olin College of Engineering directing the Extending Access to STEM Empowerment (EASE) Lab, series Curriculum Director; Nermeen Dashoush, PhD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Early Childhood Education, Boston University, Lead Advisor; Yenda Prado, PhD, Education Researcher, University of California, Irvine, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Advisor; V. Scott Solberg, PhD, Professor, Department of Counseling and Applied Human Development, Boston University, Career Pathways and World of Work Advisor; Cosette Strong, Strong Consulting Group, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Advisor.

Funding for the new series was provided by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and a grant from the U.S. Department of Education as part of the Ready To Learn Initiative, a federal program that supports the development of innovative educational television and digital media targeted to preschool and early elementary school children and their families.

About PBS KIDS 
PBS KIDS believes the world is full of possibilities, and so is every child. As the number one educational media brand for kids, PBS KIDS helps children ages 2-8 learn lessons that last a lifetime. Through media and community-based programs, PBS KIDS wants children to see themselves uniquely reflected and celebrated in lovable, diverse characters who serve as positive role models, and to explore their feelings and discover new adventures along the way. Families can stream PBS KIDS for free anytime, no subscription required. A large collection of mobile apps and pbskids.org provide accessible content that spark kids’ curiosity. PBS KIDS and local stations across the country support the entire ecosystem in which children learn and grow – including their teachers and caregivers, parents, and community – providing resources accessible anytime and anywhere. For more information, visit pbs.org/pressroom, or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

About Mighty Picnic
Mighty Picnic is a media production and consulting company based in South Philly, PA and was founded by Emmy^®-winning producer Dave Peth. LYLA IN THE LOOP is the company's first original series for PBS KIDS. Before jumping into television production, Mighty Picnic helped create digital suites for projects like ODD SQUAD, PEG + CAT, and SCRIBBLES AND INK. And in all that we do, we believe this is true – every picnic is mightier when it’s open to all.

About Pipeline Studios
Pipeline Studios is a leading global entertainment company that focuses on developing, producing, and distributing award-winning animated content for audiences worldwide. Pipeline continues to expand with top international talent and robust animation technology across its global offices worldwide. As an industry leader in animated content, Pipeline Studios’ extensive credit list includes ALMA’S WAY, ELINOR WONDERS WHY, and WORK IT OUT WOMBATS! (PBS KIDS), SUNNY DAY and BUBBLE GUPPIES (Nickelodeon), STAR VS. THE FORCES OF EVIL (Disney Channel), and more. Active production partners include PBS KIDS, Netflix, Nick Jr., NBC Universal, Disney Junior, Discovery, CBC Kids, and more. Find more information at Pipelinestudios.com, and follow Pipeline Studios on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About CPB
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a private, nonprofit corporation authorized by Congress in 1967, is the steward of the federal government's investment in public broadcasting. It helps support the operations of more than 1,500 locally managed and operated public television and radio stations nationwide, and is the largest single source of funding for research, technology, and program development for public radio, television and related online services. For more information, visit www.cpb.org and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and subscribe for email updates.

About The Ready To Learn Initiative
The Ready To Learn Initiative is a cooperative agreement funded and managed by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE). It supports the development of innovative educational television and digital media targeted to preschool and early elementary school children and their families. Its general goal is to promote early learning and school readiness, with a particular interest in reaching children living in low-income households. In addition to creating television and other media products, the program supports activities intended to promote national distribution of the programming, effective educational uses of the programming, community-based outreach, and research on educational effectiveness.

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Contacts:
Lubna Abuulbah, PBS; 703-739-8463; labuulbah@pbs.org
Alison Grand, Grand Communications; 212-584-1133; alison@grandcommunications.com
Gabrielle Torello, Grand Communications; 917-312-2832; gab@grandcommunications.com

The contents of this release were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. The project is funded by a Ready To Learn grant (PR/Award No. S295A200004, CFDA No. 84.295A) provided by the Department of Education to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.