In a coup for Pan Macmillan and Moahloli, the publishing house is delighted to announce that the World English publication rights for We are One, have been sold to Amazon Crossing Kids, a division of Amazon Publishing.
The sale was brokered by The Lennon-Ritchie Agency and the African Literary Agency and means that the will be published in English, in territories outside South Africa.
The beautifully illustrated book is a comforting and lyrical children’s novel about friendship and ubuntu that celebrates our differences and similarities. It is also available in isiZulu (Simunye) and Afrikaans (Ons is Een).
Its author, Refiloe Moahloli is the best-selling and award-winning author of Yes Yanga! (also available in isiXhosa as Yheke Yanga!) Her third book with Pan Macmillan, You are Loved, will be published later this year in English, isiZulu (Uthandiwe) and Afrikaans (Jy is Liefde). Refiloe is passionate about writing stories that bring out the best in the human spirit, stories in which children and adults can identify and celebrate themselves.
The illustrator of the book is Zinelda McDonald, she has illustrated numerous children’s books and has been the recipient of the Alba Bouwer Award and the Exclusive Books/IBBY Award for her work.
Terry Morris, MD of Pan Macmillan SA, said of the news: “We are thrilled that Refiloe and Zinelda's delightful story, with its message of belonging and kindness, will now reach children across the world.”
According to Miemie du Plessis, publisher of the books, “It is highly unusual for the international rights of South African children’s books to be sold. I hope it will be the first of many deals as the rest of the world notices the quality of local children’s books.”
Pictured below: Author Refiloe Moahloli
