Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band is a new one-hour, jazz-infused special premiering Thursday May 1st on PBS Kids. Creator Kwame Alexander adapts from his 2011 book. Julius Harper serves as executive producer. It’s the story of a young rooster who wants to join jazz animal greats in making fantastic music. This special, and 20 accompanying shorts available on PBS Kids platforms, will show kids the power of collaboration and creating a beautiful tune. (This Animation Scoop Q&A was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: Kwame, what fascinated you about the experience of taking your 2011 picture book and turning it into this one-hour special for PBS Kids?

Kwame Alexander: The story began in a place called Tuscany. I was on a writers’ retreat in 2010. And every morning I’d walk by this farm that had a bunch of roosters and pigs and animals running around having a blast, like it was a party. I really looked forward to my morning walks to see these animals. I began to say, “What if they were partying? There would have to be music.” It’s gonna be live music… and it’s gonna be jazz. I created this world. And now 14 years later, to see it come full circle. It started on a farm, it went to the page, and now Jackson, it’s literally on the stage. We’re bringing it back alive and making it electric for kids. It’s pretty thrilling.