Freehand Studios, Cucu Studios, Pungulu Pa

Narrative Landscape Press East Africa (NLPEA) has announce the acquisition of the book adaptation rights for Uli & Tata African Nursery Rhymes.

Uli & Tata’s African Nursery Rhymes is a 2D animated series created by Cũcũ Studios in collaboration with animation studio Pungulu Pa and Freehand Studios in Kenya, distributed via YouTube. The series follows the extraordinary adventures of two Kenyan siblings, Uli and Tata, as they journey across Africa with a magical turaco bird, discovering the continent’s most beloved nursery rhymes. More than just entertainment, the series is a celebration of Africa’s rich cultural heritage, told through captivating storytelling and music inspired by real-life experiences.

A collaborative effort between NLPEA and Pungulu Pa Productions, this adaptation will transform Uli & Tata’s African Nursery Rhymes into a children’s book series, reinforcing both organizations’ dedication to championing African heritage and identity, ensuring that more children have access to engaging, high-quality literature that reflects their world.

In a press release, Sarah Mallia, Co-Founder & Producer at Pungulu Pa Productions and Creative Producer of Uli & Tata’s African Nursery Rhymes, expressed her excitement about the partnership:

We’re proud to join forces with Narrative Landscape Press East Africa to bring Uli & Tata’s African Nursery Rhymes to young readers. This is more than just an adaptation—it’s a joyful celebration of Africa’s beauty and heritage. Through these books, children will see themselves reflected in stories that honor their identity, traditions, and experiences. Now, families everywhere can hold, share, and cherish these adventures in print.

Wendy Njoroge, Director and Publisher at Narrative Landscape Press East Africa, emphasized the significance of this adaptation:

We are thrilled to bring Uli & Tata African Nursery Rhymes to bookshelves, expanding its reach beyond the screen and into the hands of young readers. This beloved animated series has set a high standard in quality storytelling, blending adventure, music, and cultural heritage in a way that resonates deeply with audiences. By adapting Uli & Tata African Nursery Rhymes into a book series, we are not only preserving these stories but also creating an enduring literary legacy that will spark imagination, curiosity, and a love for African stories in generations to come. Our goal is to ensure that Uli and Tata become beloved companions in every child’s reading journey—characters they can see themselves in, learn from, and grow with.

Narrative Landscape Press East Africa is an affiliate of the Lagos-based publishing powerhouse Narrative Landscape Press, known for publishing acclaimed authors such as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Dedicated to publishing culture-defining fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books, NLPEA continues to champion stories that reflect and inspire African experiences.

We can’t wait to see the published books!