Leslie Valdes

Leslie Valdes is the Co-Creator, EP and Head Writer of the new Nick Jr. hit series “Santiago of the Seas.”

Leslie began his professional career as a staff writer for the worldwide-smash Nickelodeon TV series “Dora the Explorer.” This was followed by a stint as the Co-Creator, Head Writer and Producer of Disney Junior’s mega-hit kids show “The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.”

As a freelance writer, Leslie has written for Nickelodeon’s “The Backyardigans.” Disney’s “Handy Manny” and for Simon & Schuster’s Spotlight imprint, where he’s published 10 children’s books. Recently, he served as a consulting producer for DreamWorks Animation’s reboot of “Noddy, Toyland Detective.”

At Peach Blossom Media, he co-developed and served as Head Writer for their interactive TV series “Olive and the Rhyme Rescue Crew!” as well as co-developed and wrote the pilot for the animated series “Shapes.”

He’s developed TV pilots for Playhouse Disney, Nick Jr., Toca Boca, Inc. and Ricky Martin Entertainment.

For the theater, Leslie co-wrote the adaptation of the live “Dora the Explorer” musical, “The City of Lost Toys,” which broke box office records for an extended run at Radio City Music Hall and in subsequent national tours.

Leslie splits his time between Los Angeles and New York City, developing television series and writing feature films.