Apple Reteams With Peter Baynton to Adapt ‘Little Santa’ Book for Animated Feature

Apple has moved forward with a new animated-feature adaptation of the children’s picture book “Little Santa,” teaming again with Peter Baynton for the project, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The announcement follows the studio’s prior collaboration with Baynton, an Oscar winner.

The film is based on “Little Santa,” a kids’ picture book by Jon Agee. The story centers on Santa portrayed as a child, embarking on an extended journey around the North Pole as part of an effort to create Christmas.

In describing the material, The Hollywood Reporter said the animated project is framed as an epic North Pole adventure, tied to the book’s core premise of preparation for Christmas through a young Santa’s travels and challenges. The report did not provide details on release timing or distribution plans beyond the fact that Apple is developing the feature.

The project also appears aimed at maintaining a specific family audience entry point, using the picture-book format and holiday setting to translate the narrative into an animated feature. Picture books like Agee’s typically come with a built-in recognition factor for early readers and families looking for seasonal stories, and the North Pole backdrop is positioned as the central travel and storytelling device.

Baynton’s involvement is being framed as a reunion with the Oscar winner, suggesting the studio values continuity in creative leadership for its animation pipeline. The Hollywood Reporter report did not specify which prior Baynton project Apple worked on, nor did it detail his role beyond being attached as part of the adaptation.

For Agee’s “Little Santa,” the adaptation path indicates the book’s shift from print to screen. The report did not outline screenwriting assignments, voice cast, or production start dates, which means those elements would remain under development unless announced separately by Apple or the production team.

As the project develops, audiences and industry watchers will be looking for concrete next steps, including confirmation of the production timeline, the creative team beyond Baynton, and any distribution commitments associated with Apple’s animated slate. The adaptation also raises the usual questions tied to holiday releases, including how broadly the film will be marketed and when it will reach families through Apple’s channels.