Zip and the Tiny Sprouts: The little acorn that's taking over the world of preschool animation

26 September 2025

There's something magical that happens when an animated series manages to capture the essence of childhood without being saccharine or preachy. That's exactly what's happening with "Zip and the Tiny Sprouts," an Australian production that's making waves in the international children's entertainment scene.

A success that starts from the bottom

The story of this series is as fascinating as its characters. Born from a collaboration between Tiny Souls Media and K Love U Bye (the studio of Peter Johnston of Fade In Studio and Kyle Logan), "Zip and the Tiny Sprouts" began its journey on YouTube, quickly winning the hearts of little ones and the attention of industry insiders. It was no coincidence that the series won the prestigious 2025 Kidscreen Award for Best Web/App Series – Original, a recognition that certified its quality and originality.

The real leap in quality came recently, when WildBrain acquired the global distribution rights and decided to present the series at MIPCOM and MIPJunior 2025. For those who know a little about the animation industry, you know well that when a giant like WildBrain (the one behind hits like Inspector Gadget and Teletubbies) bets on a property, it means that there is something truly special.

An enchanted world called Harmony Hollow

The beating heart of the series is Harmony Hollow, an enchanted forest where the protagonists live. It's not your average fantasy setting thrown together at random: every element is designed to stimulate children's curiosity and imagination, creating a world that seems to have sprung from childhood's most beautiful dreams.

The protagonists are four truly unique friends. There's Zip, a small acorn with an explosive personality who's always in a hurry to get everything done, but who slowly learns the importance of stopping and looking at the world through fresh eyes. Then there's Aria, with her bright green leaf, who represents pure curiosity: she's always full of questions and her enthusiasm for knowledge is contagious.

Riff is perhaps the most touching character: behind his rugged exterior, he hides a heart of gold and embodies the gentle strength we all wish we had. Finally, there's Hum, covered in moss and gifted with a truly unique superpower: he can sense and understand other people's emotions. He's the kind of friend we all wish we had by our side in difficult times.

More than just entertainment

What makes "Zip and the Tiny Sprouts" truly special isn't just the adorable characters or the meticulous animation. The series is rooted in developmental psychology research and early learning curricula, meaning there's serious educational design behind every episode.

Each seven-minute episode features original music and stories that explore themes like patience, perseverance, and gratitude. These aren't the usual moral lessons that make kids yawn, but real-life situations that young viewers can relate to and learn from without even realizing it.

Music, in particular, plays a fundamental role. It's not just background music, but becomes an integral part of the narrative, helping children memorize concepts and values through catchy melodies and meaningful lyrics.

A revolutionary approach to preschool

Tiny Souls Media isn't your average production company. They define themselves as a startup focused on children's media and parenting resources, with a distinctly values-driven approach. In an often noisy and crowded landscape of children's content, their goal is to transform the edutainment space, encouraging little ones to reach their full potential.

This philosophy shines through in every frame of "Zip and the Tiny Sprouts." There's nothing forced or artificial: the characters grow and learn alongside their little viewers, facing genuine challenges with creative and always positive solutions.

The team behind the magic

Another element worth highlighting is the quality of the animation. Chris Bennet, who worked on "Bluey" (one of the most beloved animated series of recent years), directs the animation, and it shows. The style is fresh, colorful but never overdone, with character designs that are instantly recognizable and memorable.

The 2D animation has an almost artisanal feel