NEW YORK – April 2, 2025 – Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD) has acquired an exclusive option to develop the popular children’s book series Total Mayhem for an animated television show. The series, written and illustrated by acclaimed author Ralph Lazar in collaboration with his wife Lisa Swerling, was first published by Scholastic Corp. (NASDAQ: SCHL) in 2020.
Total Mayhem is a humorous, action-packed series that follows the adventures of Dash Candoo, a resourceful and gadget-loving 10-year-old. Each book focuses on a “Total Mayhem Situation” that Dash and his friends must solve, from facing off against “combat-ready scallywags” and a “two-tailed Devil Cat” to unraveling mysteries like a “total ice-cream meltdown.” Known for its fast-paced plotlines and witty humor, the series has captivated young readers.
“Having a major Hollywood studio express interest in our work is a tremendous honor,” said Ralph Lazar. “I am thrilled at the prospect of seeing these characters come to life on screen.”
The deal was brokered by United Talent Agency (UTA).
About the Companies
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes a differentiated portfolio of content and brands across television, film, streaming, and gaming. Its diverse assets include iconic brands such as HBO, Max, Discovery Channel, and Warner Bros. Pictures, reaching audiences worldwide.
United Talent Agency (UTA) is a global talent and entertainment company that represents a diverse roster of artists, athletes, and professionals. The agency provides a wide range of services, including talent representation, content production, and strategic advisory, and plays a key role in shaping culture and connecting talent with opportunities.
Ralph Lazar is a New York Times bestselling author, artist, and illustrator. He is known for creating popular illustrated projects and children’s book series, including “Happiness Is” and Total Mayhem, often alongside his wife and co-creator, Lisa Swerling. His distinctive style has reached millions of readers and art enthusiasts worldwide.
Last Lemon is the creative studio of Lisa Swerling & Ralph Lazar.
Click to get to Lisa’s Glass Cathedrals art website here.
This website showcases our current projects.
27 years and still going STRONG – up mountains that scratch the clouds, through a sea
of faces, via London, Paris, Cape Town, the Kalahari, Maui and Northern California
(fires, wind and red wine being the common threads).
Scroll down to see what we’re up to.
Check out TOTAL MAYHEM!
Hilarious, action-filled, illustrated mystery stories, jam-packed with crazy stuff that make kids laugh-out-loud. These adventures are written for 6-10 year-olds but appeal to the whole family. They explore universal themes of friendship, courage and taking the initiative.
Warner Brothers in LA has optioned this property for development as an animated TV series.
Published by Scholastic, books 1 – 14 are now out. They can be ordered online here.
A new unputdownable series from NYT Bestselling Ralph Lazar and Lisa Swerling, starring Dash, an ingenious problem-solver with fantastic friends and a bottomless backpack of brilliant gadgets.
After 20 years, the Harold’s Planet BOOK is now out.
Features over 350 of our favourite Harold cartoons plus a 20 page backstory of how it all began.
The link is here.
Our Harold’s Planet wine book, MERLOT MERLITTLE is now finally out.
features 100+ wine-themed cartoons, and makes a great gift to accompany a bottle.
The link is here.
A great gift for kids aged 4 to 94.
The first 4 volumes of The World’s Best Joke Book for Kids are now available here.
HAPPINESS IS…
8 books out so far in 19 languages.
Over 500,000 copies sold!
Find more info here.
