9 Story Media Group and Karma’s World Entertainment announced a publishing deal with Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education, and media company, for Karma’s World, the new CG animated series created by Chris Bridges and currently in production for Netflix.
The deal was brokered by 9 Story’s dedicated brand management and consumer products division, 9 Story Brands. Under the terms of the deal, Scholastic has secured global rights to the property across all storybook formats. Launching with the first book in January 2022, the program will include original chapter books for children ages seven to nine, a picture book, and a guided journal. Scholastic will launch Karma’s World SKUs in North America, the UK and Australia, with additional markets to follow.
Publishing in January and March 2022, the first two original chapter books will serve as companion stories to the Netflix series and bring aspiring rapper and hip-hop artist Karma Grant from the screen to the page. In the first book, The Great Shine-A-Thon Showcase!, Karma and her friends are totally stoked for the MC Grillz concert in their neighbourhood, but when the famous rapper’s bus breaks down and the show is cancelled, it’s up to Karma to take the stage and put on her own concert with her friends. Filled with heart, humour, and Karma’s rhymes, these original stories will be written by Karma’s World head writer Halcyon Person.
“From the moment we saw the pitch deck, we knew we wanted to be the publisher for Karma’s World,” said Scholastic vice president and Publisher, Global Licensing, Media and Brands Debra Dorfman. “We’ve been looking for a series like this with an encouraging message, a diverse and charismatic protagonist and a vibrant cast of friends. We can’t wait to spotlight Karma’s unique and powerful voice.”
“We couldn’t have found a better partner to work with on Karma’s World, to create product extensions that provide unique opportunities for enhanced storytelling,” said 9 Story Brands co-VP Consumer Products Kristin Lecour. “We are thrilled to partner with Scholastic on this groundbreaking brand and collaborate together to bring the power of Karma’s music and message to print.”
The Scholastic program will also include a picture book co-authored by Chris Bridges and Halcyon Person, and a guided journal to be published in summer 2022. The picture book will follow a young Karma Grant as she writes her very first song for her dad on his birthday. The Karma’s World books will be supported across Scholastic channels, including in the school market, and featured in the publisher’s Power of Story catalogue, which aims to uplift stories of historically underrepresented groups related to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical and mental abilities, religion, and culture.
“I am so proud of what we’ve been able to create with Karma’s World,” said Bridges. “It’s been over a decade in the making and an important legacy that I want to leave for my daughters. Kids are going to fall in love with Karma, and I’m so excited to work with Scholastic to bring her message to even more kids around the world.”
Created by multi-award-winning American rapper, actor, producer, entrepreneur and philanthropist Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges (Fast and Furious Franchise), Karma’s World is geared for children ages six to nine. Originally inspired by Bridges’ oldest daughter, the series is a coming of age story about a young Black girl finding her voice and using it to change her world. The series follows 10-year-old Karma Grant, an aspiring musical artist and rapper with big talent and an even bigger heart. Smart, resilient, and deeply empathetic, Karma pours her soul into songwriting, channelling her feelings into whip-smart rhymes with passion, courage and her signature brand of humour. In this series, Karma is only beginning to grasp the incredible emotional power that words and music can have. She doesn’t just want to share her music with the world…she wants to change the world with it!
