‘Caillou’ seeking a comeback with computer-generated animation reboot

He may be “just a kid who’s four,” but Caillou is making a comeback.

The divisive children’s TV character who won over scores of preschoolers but irritated many parents is being rebooted with a new, computer-generated look.

Media company WildBrain, headquartered in Halifax, says it has partnered with NBCUniversal’s streaming platform, Peacock, to “expand the Caillou universe” and create 52 new 11-minute episodes.

“This is yet another example of how we’re reinvigorating treasured brands from our evergreen library,” WildBrain president Josh Scherba said Friday in a press release.

“For over 25 years, preschoolers have connected with Caillou because they can see themselves in these highly relatable stories.”

The original TV show, based on a series of picture books from Chouette Publishing, began in 1997 and has since aired in some 70 countries.

It chronicles the everyday adventures of a bald, occasionally temperamental four-year-old as he goes about life at home and school.

The original “Caillou” continues to air in Canada on Family Jr., but ended a 21-year run on the U.S. channel PBS last year.

At the time, the move was welcomed by many parents on social media who derided the character as “whiny.” WildBrain teased that Caillou’s story wasn’t over south of the border, saying it was “committed to ensuring that kids in the U.S. can enjoy the show in the future.”

Last September, the company also announced plans to produce five 44-minute “Caillou family specials,” which are currently in production.

WildBrain said details on the premiere and Canadian platform would be announced at a later date.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 24, 2022.

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