National Geographic Television and Film’s children’s programming and production unit has started production of Toot & Puddle: I’ll Be Home for Christmas as both a straight-to-DVD and as a one-hour format available to broadcasters worldwide.

Based on Holly Hobbie’s Toot & Puddle franchise and animated by Grand Slamm Children’s Films, the property is scheduled to launch during the 2006 holiday season.

Targeted at families and kids ages 3-8, I’ll Be Home for Christmas is the tale of the two eponymous piglet pals, who must overcome severe winter weather, canceled flights and other unexpected delays to celebrate the holidays together.

‘(It’s) a classic story of adventure for kids and we look forward to presenting an enticing sneak-peek to prospective buyers at MIPTV as we make plans to expand the brand into additional formats,’ says Donna Friedman Meir, president of kids’ programming and production for NGT&F.