CBeebies readying 8 short film stories starting from February; read by Sid Sloane for the preschool kids channel in Africa.

BBC Worldwide which runs the preschool kids channel CBeebies (DStv 306) in South Africa, Africa and around the world, has concluded deals to bring 8 well-known tales to television which will be read by CBeebies presenters in their respective territories.

The CBeebies presenters - spanning from Africa, Asia, Australia, Latin America and Poland - will each give the stories their own ''distinct local flavour'' to create a range of individually produced story films - 40 short illustrated films in total.

Stories include Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Magic Porridge Pot, Cinderella, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Elves and the Shoemaker, Shopping With Dad, The Gigantic Turnip and Emily's Tiger.

''These stories are a lovely addition to the CBeebies’ international portfolio,'' says Henrietta Hurford-Jones, director of CBeebies Investment at BBC Worldwide in a statement. ''It's very important that children in all our markets can relate on a very personal level to what they see on screen and these stories bring them universally loved tales with the added familiarity of their local presenters.''

CBeebies for Africa will have Sid Sloane as the narrator. The stories will start from February and some are already available on the CBeebies website for South Africa.