News / animation
Bristol animation studio brings bestselling children’s books to life
A Bristol-based production company with a 40-year history is part of the team behind new preschool series My Friend Maisy, based on the bestselling books by Lucy Cousins.
A Productions, which has created shows for Disney, Netflix, CBeebies, CBBC and Sky, produced the animation for the series alongside London studio Karrot.
The show is co-produced by BBC Studios Kids & Family Productions and Trustbridge Entertainment.
The series introduces viewers to Maisy – a “mouse with a big heart” – and her friends Tallulah, Eddie, Charley and Cyril.
Katherine McQueen, managing director at A Productions, described it as “blending the real and the surreal”, capturing the warmth and charm of the original stories by Cousins.
She added: “It’s wonderful to see this joyful show, full of colour, spirit and adventure, having come to fruition. Blending the real and the surreal, Maisy and her friends are given a new lease of life through animation in this imaginative take on Lucy Cousins’ much-loved books.
“We undertook careful work to ensure the animation would reflect Lucy Cousins’ unique illustrative style by emulating a real brushstroke effect, whilst embracing the warmth, charm and simplicity of her stories that resonate with children around the world.”
“blending the real and the surreal” – photo: Sky Kids
Now streaming on Sky Kids and Now TV, the 2D series brings Maisy and her friends to life on screen for the first time, with the character speaking, laughing and singing.
The first few episodes premiered at the end of 2025, with the official launch having taken place on Monday. 26 episodes are now available to stream.
The books have sold more than 46 million copies worldwide since Maisy Goes Swimming was first published in 1990.
Award-winning animation production studio, A Productions, has been named one of Broadcast’s Best Places to Work in TV 2026, marking the fourth time it has received the accolade.
Established in 1985, A Productions is still independently owned by managing director Katherine McQueen and founder Mark Taylor.
The Bristol-based production company boasts a 40-year history in animation – photo: Evoke Photography
The Colston Street-based production company has been behind major children’s shows including JoJo and Gran Gran, produced by BBC Studios Kids & Family Productions in association with A Productions for CBeebies; Sesame Street animated specials including, The Monster at the End of this Story for Sesame Workshop, segment animations for Sesame Street, as well as Pip and Posy Let’s Learn, produced by Magic Light Pictures for Sky Kids
Mark Taylor, founder of A Productions, launched the new studio in town some 40 years ago in Little Ann Street, which was then called A for Animation.
Mark Taylor (pictured) founded what eventually became A Productions some 40 years ago on Little Ann Road – photo: Mark Taylor
Main photo: Sky Kids
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