Penguin Young Readers Announces New Picture Book and Graphic Novel Program with Stephen Curry’s Unanimous Media
I Have a Superpower scheduled for publication in September 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2022 – It was announced today that Penguin Workshop, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers, will publish a debut picture book and first project from Unanimous Publishing, by three-time NBA champion and two-time MVP Stephen Curry in Fall 2022. I HAVE A SUPERPOWER will offer young readers an empowering message that you don't have to be the strongest, fastest, or even tallest kid out on the court. So long as you have heart, any goal is achievable through hard work and determination. A second picture book will follow in Fall 2023. Unanimous Publishing is also partnering with Penguin Workshop to launch a new graphic novel program for readers ages 7-10 that celebrates the brightest and best stars of the sports world. The deal for North American rights was brokered by Francesco Sedita, President and Publisher, and Nick Magliato, Senior Editor, Penguin Workshop, with Jay Mandel and Janine Kamouh at WME, and Erick Peyton (Co-CEO) & Jenelle Lindsay (President, TV) at Unanimous Media. Book opportunities will be led by Kalyna Maria Kutny (Unanimous Creative Executive, Head of Publishing).
Said in a statement from Stephen Curry and Erick Peyton, “We are grateful to be expanding the Unanimous footprint in the literary world with Penguin Random House. We’re passionate about impacting the next generation, and excited to continue sharing inspirational stories with young readers, starting with ‘I Have A Superpower’."
Francesco Sedita added, “Having the opportunity to work with Unanimous and Stephen Curry is a thrill. Not only is he an incredibly talented basketball player, his love of books and reading and his desire to give back to the world make him the perfect partner for Penguin Workshop. This is just the beginning of a wonderful relationship, and I can’t wait to see all that we create together.”
Penguin Random House, the world’s largest trade book publisher, is dedicated to its mission of nourishing a universal passion for reading by connecting authors and their writing with readers everywhere. The company, which employs more than 10,000 people globally, was formed on July 1, 2013, by Bertelsmann and Pearson. As of April 1, 2020, Bertelsmann is full owner of the company. With more than 300 imprints and brands on six continents, Penguin Random House comprises adult and children’s fiction and nonfiction print and digital English- German- and Spanish-language trade book publishing businesses in more than 20 countries worldwide. With over 15,000 new titles, and more than 600 million print, audio and eBooks sold annually, Penguin Random House’s publishing lists include more than 80 Nobel Prize laureates and hundreds of the world’s most widely read authors.
Unanimous Media is a multimedia company, founded by three-time NBA champion and two-time MVP Stephen Curry and multi-creative Erick Peyton. Aiming to produce television, film, digital and general content, Unanimous has a goal to elevate diverse voices and shine a light on narratives that need to be heard with a focus on family, sports and faith-based content. The company is working on projects to expand their vision to create and share inspirational and authentic stories with the world. Unanimous Media has scored Comcast NBC Universal’s first-ever Global Talent Partnerships deal with a production company. The overall deal includes a multi-year pact which will span first-look development deals with Universal Studio Group for scripted and unscripted TV projects and DreamWorks Animation. Their hit show HOLEY MOLEY (ABC) was nominated for a 2020 and TCA award in the category of Outstanding Achievement in Reality and ABC. Season four will soon start production. They will soon begin production of the animated revival of Norman Lear's GOOD TIMES for Netflix. Unanimous Media is currently in production on HBO Max’s ABOUT LAST NIGHT. The series will bring together celebrity couples to reveal insights about their relationships through challenges and games. In film, they are in development on the women’s basketball-inspired film ONE AND DONE, which they will produce in partnership with Sony Pictures and Martin Lawrence’s Runteldat Entertainment. They are teaming up with Netflix for BLACK BROTHER, BLACK BROTHER, a feature based on Jewell Parker Rhodes’ book. The story follows 12-year-old Donte, who wishes he were more like his popular, lighter-skinned brother, Trey. They will also produce the feature 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS for Amazon. Additionally, Unanimous has moved into the podcast space by scoring a first-look deal with Audible. One of the two projects set to release on the Audible platform is THE GREATEST SPORTS STORY NEVER TOLD, a 10-part series that goes deeper into fascinating stories with roots in the world of athletics, but with an impact that goes far beyond fields, courts and diamonds. The second project FIFTEEN MINUTES FROM HOME is based on the popular YouTube series 5 MINUTES FROM HOME where Curry himself rides home with a different celebrity and each episode gives the audience insight on their comebacks, work-life balance and more. In March 2021, Unanimous Media launched PATHWAYS ALLIANCE, a venture to bolster diverse voices across TV, film, documentaries and podcasts. PATHWAYS ALLIANCE will work with selected authors over an 18-month period to create inspiring projects and allow authors to share their original visions across all mediums.
Stephen Curry’s on and off court legacy is marked by transformation and innovation. His 11-year career in the NBA with the Golden State Warriors is marked by many firsts. He was the first person to be named Most Valuable Player by unanimous vote in NBA history, the first player to hit 100 3-pointers in the NBA Finals, one of a select few to win MVP awards two years in a row, remains the all-time leading scorer in Golden State Warriors history and recently surpassed former record holder Ray Allen for most 3-pointers made in NBA history. He holds eight NBA all-star selections and three NBA Championships. Off the court, he is an emerging figure in Silicon Valley, investing in innovative consumer and enterprise tech companies. In 2019, Stephen and Ayesha Curry launched Eat. Learn. Play., whose mission is to unleash the potential of every child and pave the way for amazing kids and bright futures. Rooted in three of the most vital pillars for a healthy childhood—nutrition, education and physical activity — Eat. Learn. Play. is designed to help ensure an equal road to success for all kids. In 2020, he launched Curry Brand, a purpose-driven legacy brand powered by Under Armour, whose mission follows a similar undertaking of creating opportunities and increasing access for youth sports across the country. Stephen also co-founded Unanimous Media with a goal to elevate diverse voices and shine a light on narratives with a focus on family, sports and faith-based content.