Macmillan Children’s Books becomes master publisher of African franchise Super Sema

Macmillan Children’s Books has become master publisher of African children’s franchise, Super Sema, in the UK, Ireland and Commonwealth countries.

Publishing will launch in spring 2024 across a range of formats including colour and activity books; puzzle and sticker books; chapter books; audio books; e-books and more.

In addition, Sweet Cherry, the independent children’s book publisher, has acquired rights for annuals, diaries and journals and will publish its first annual in 2024. 

The first African animated children’s superhero franchise, Super Sema, was developed to increase media representation for Black children around the world and spark curiosity, creativity and a love of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects in children aged four to eight.

Since its premiere in 2021, Super Sema – according to the publisher – has amassed over 110 million views across five language channels.

Super Sema’s parent company, Kukua, signed The Point.1888 last March to manage the property’s licensing programme for the UK and to focus on retail initiatives across all categories. The Point.1888 brokered both publishing deals. 

Nicole Pearson, publishing director of brands and media at Macmillan Children’s Books, who bought publishing rights from Katie Wilkinson at The Point.1888, said: “Super Sema is such a wonderful and empowering animation and we are delighted to be bringing this incredible superhero to life in printed form across a range of formats.

“The show’s use of science and technology to problem solve is inspiring for all children and Super Sema feels a perfect fit for our strategy of partnering with exciting and world-leading brands.” 

Maya Maraj, head of licensing and commercial at Sweet Cherry – who also acquired rights from Wilkinson – said: “Super Sema is a brand that chimes perfectly with our ethos and values.”

Super Sema is produced by a team of women including Academy Award and Emmy-winning actress and New York Times best-selling author Lupita Nyong’o; four-time BAFTA winner Claudia Lloyd; entrepreneur Lucrezia Bisignani; and former Disney and Warner Bros executives. Find out more here.