MUMBAI: Cartoon Network US has announced that production has begun on its latest animated series, Squirrel Boy.

Created and executive-produced by Everett Peck, 13 half-hour episodes are being produced at Cartoon Network Studios in Burbank, California. The series goes on air next year.

Squirrel Boy is about ten year-old Andy’s and his best friend and pet, Rodney, a know-it-all squirrel with a lot of big ideas. These two “partners in crime” lead each other into all sorts of adventures in Andy’s backyard and throughout the neighborhood that makes Andy’s dad want to kick the oblivious Rodney out on his furry butt. Joining them on some of their adventures is Rodney’s best squirrel buddy, Leon, who prefers the call of the wild to Rodney’s life as a kept squirrel.

Cartoon Network Studios makes Samurai Jack, Star Wars: Clone Wars and The Powerpuff Girls. In addition to Squirrel Boy, Cartoon Network Studios’ current production slate includes three half-hour series set to premiere on Cartoon Network in 2006 (Ben 10, My Gym Partner’s a Monkey and the untitled Andre Benjamin project), three original shorts and ongoing production of the series Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, The Life and Times of Juniper Lee, and Camp Lazlo.