'Olivia' cartoon to air on Nickelodeon

NEW YORK, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Nickelodeon said it is adding an animated series based on author/illustrator Ian Falconer's popular "Olivia" books to its preschool lineup.

The new computer-generated, animated show "Olivia" is scheduled to debut Jan. 26 and will air weekdays at 11:30 a.m. EST/PST on Nickelodeon.

"Presented in conjunction with media content company Chorion and animated by Brown Bag Films, the new half-hour series invites children into the life -- both real and fantasy -- of an adventurous, 'can-do' 6-and-3/4-year-old girl named Olivia," the network said in a news release.

"Children already know and love Olivia from Ian Falconer's beautifully illustrated books, and we're honored to have her join the Nickelodeon family," Brown Johnson, president of animation for Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group, said in a statement. "Olivia is a role model for all preschoolers who will be inspired by her imagination and keen sense of humor."

"'Olivia' is a show where the ordinary meets the extraordinary, and we've worked closely with the team at Nickelodeon to bring Olivia's world to life," added Megan Laughton, supervising producer for the "Olivia" series at Chorion. "Olivia's imagination takes her all over the world, but her daily interactions with family and friends will resonate with children everywhere."